BOSS Andoni Iraola believes Stoke City are “doing good things”, despite their early season struggles in the Championship.

Alex Neil’s Potters have lost three of their past four matches and sit 20th in the league table.

They head to Vitality Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.45pm), looking to topple a Premier League side and book their spot in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Cherries reached this stage by defeating Swansea City 3-2 in south Wales.

Discussing the challenge posed by Stoke, Iraola said: “I expect a pretty similar game to the Swansea one.

“I think we have to start better than we did in that game. Comparing teams, I think Stoke spends more time on the ball, they want the ball.

“You see the stats, they are top in crossing from the Championship. I think they are fourth or fifth possession wise.

“Even if they haven’t got the results, I think they are doing good things. So we have to be ready.”

He added: “For sure they will come with the hopes of making the game very difficult and giving their best.

“They have good players. We know them. We’ve analysed them and it’s never easy.

“We want to be in the next round but we know that we have to play a good game and earn it.”