Norwich boss Chris Hughton looks to Stoke's progress in the top flight as something to be emulated by aspiring teams. Just two points separate the Canaries and their visitors Stoke this weekend, but the bookmakers consider the Hughton's side far more likely to go down to the Championship this year.
"They are an excellent role model for the likes of ourselves," Hughton said. "In this division after getting promotion you normally have a few tough years but they have improved every year and have brought in better quality every year.
"They are is a very well established Premier League team now.
"I'm sure they couldn't bring in someone of the quality of Michael Owen six or seven years ago."
