Adam: Silverware the next step for Stoke City

Charlie Adam believes silverware is the next step in Stoke City's progression and is targeting success in the League Cup ahead of their semi-final tie against Liverpool.

The Potters brought in the likes of Ibrahim Afellay and Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer and sit seven points outside the Premier League's top four.

Adam admits that expectations have changed in recent years at the Britannia Stadium and considers a cup win and European football their next target following a ninth-place finish in the top flight last season.

"We have made progress - we've finished in the top 10 for the past two years now," Adam told reporters. "People will say: 'It's only top 10' but that's a big achievement from where the club was, when just getting to 40 points was the base target.

"Now we have our own targets about where we want to finish and expectations are a lot higher. That comes from winning games.

"The fans's expectations push us on too because top 10 is the norm now. But if we try to go to the next level then winning a trophy would probably be the next step.

"The Europa League is an important next step for us too. We are improving as a club and we spent a bit of money in the summer. Hopefully that can continue.

"Now we have a two-legged semi-final and you never know – a trip to Wembley would be great."

Adam was a part of the Liverpool squad that won the League Cup in 2012 and was one of two players - along with then-captain Steven Gerrard - to miss a penalty in the final shoot-out against Cardiff City.

"When Stevie Gerrard steps up and misses a penalty you think it's possible anybody can miss," Adam recalled. "I was up next and I missed too.

"Maybe the occasion got to me but these things happen and you move on. I’d never shirk away from taking the next one and fortunately I’ve scored a few since.

"You remember who won the trophy – we won it and it was great to be part of that side. It was a great day out and nice to win a trophy with an amazing club like Liverpool."