The Staffordshire outfit's rapid rise over the last few years has reached a new level this term with their participation in the Europa League, which came as a result of their FA Cup final appearance in May.
They had appeared to be coping well with the more congested fixture schedule that has entailed, but after losing just twice in their opening 16 games of the campaign they head into their Barclays Premier League clash with QPR at the Britannia Stadium having been beaten in four of their last five matches in all competitions.
Pulis has always been keen to emphasise that his team are on a steep learning curve in terms of adapting to the demands upon them this season, and the Welshman feels that if Stoke are to ensure their recent dip in form does not develop into a major slump, it is vital the club remains united.
"We have gone from what we were to what we are now and the transition has been enormous," Pulis said. "We've got to adjust and deal with it and the only way we will do that is with everyone pulling together and having a go. "That includes our great supporters, as well as the players responding. Everyone needs to be a part of it."
Pulis is anticipating a stern test from Neil Warnock's QPR, who are currently level on points with them in mid-table having made a solid start to life back in the top flight after winning the npower Championship last season.
"If you look at most of the British managers in the Premier League, they have had to bring clubs up through the Championship," Pulis said. "There are only one or two who have been lucky enough to get jobs without doing that. "Neil has done it, and has been a very, very successful manager over the years. "We've locked horns a few times at different clubs and it is always a difficult game against Neil.
"You always know his teams will be competitive and we are expecting a really tough game." Pulis is hoping to be boosted by the return of defenders Ryan Shawcross and Marc Wilson and winger Matthew Etherington, all of whom missed the 5-0 defeat at Bolton on November 6 through injury.
He has also been encouraged by the efforts in training of midfielder Wilson Palacios, who has been working to build up his fitness since joining Stoke from Tottenham in the summer.
Warnock admitted he would drive Adel Taarabt to France himself if Paris St Germain offered £20million for the maverick forward. Taraabt, who has been linked with a move away from Loftus Road, is set to miss the trip to Stoke after spending the week away on international duty.
The 22-year-old was brought off at half-time in QPR's 3-1 defeat at Tottenham and was then left out of the starting line-up for the home defeat by Manchester City. Warnock admitted Taarabt has not fitted in as well this season as QPR adapted to cope with the heightened demands of Barclays Premier League football.
Asked specifically whether QPR would sell if PSG hardened their reported interest in Taarabt, Warnock said: "I would drive him over if they offered us £20million. "You are never going to change Adel. I don't think we have ever been hunky-dory in our relationship. It is just a different culture that some players have. "You have to try and fit it into the team situation. We did that quite well last year.
It has not worked as well this year because we are playing at a different level. "We have had to adjust the system that we play so it has been very difficult to get Adel into our system at the moment."
Warnock does have midfielder Akos Buzsaky (Achilles) available while Bradley Orr (Achilles) and defender Matt Connolly (ankle) are close to a return from injury and could feature. Defender Fitz Hall (hamstring) is set to miss out but there was positive news for midfielder Kieron Dyer, who started running in training this week. Striker DJ Campbell is two to three weeks away from full-time training after having a protective boot removed from his foot.
Stoke V QPR - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: DSG
