Stoke City are not a name some attached to the Championship.

A generation of football fans have grown up knowing them only as a top flight team thanks to the heroics of Tony Pulis.

Not so long ago they were a third-tier side, although their natural level seemed to be just outside the top flight.

This season, they're in the Championship looking up, feeling that perhaps they're punching below their weight.

As a Premier League side they had the riches and power that allowed them to buy big and sell frequently. Often, young players found their path to the first team blocked. Even some solid professionals found they were nudged out in favour of foreign imports.

Who can forget when Stoke signed Bojan, Arnautovic and Shaqiri? Those players took someone's place in the squad, others further down made way and ended up elsewhere.

Were there players that Stoke let go too early? Could some of their cast-offs be of use this season? FLW identifies three players they perhaps got rid of too quickly.

Muniesa was one who left in the summer, but as Ryan Shawcross has faded could he have been a player to keep, rather than get rid of?

He only made 54 appearances in the Premier League during his Stoke stay, but he's settled well in Spain and could have added significant value this season.

Shotton spent as much time out on loan during his Stoke career as he did in their first team, but as time has passed he's matured into a solid player for Birmingham and Middlesbrough.

He would be in and around the Stoke first team now, but hindsight would be a wonderful thing.

Considering the relatively small transfer fee, moving Bardsley on might not have been such a wise move.

His experience would have been helpful this season and he's barely playing at Burnley, but would be a key man for Stoke.