Griffin signed from Derby in January to make his return to the club where he first signed his professional papers 10 years ago.

The defender was then appointed captain and played his part in the club's run to the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship.

He is adamant that Stoke have what it takes to stay up, and is not bothered if his team's style of play fails to please the football purists.

"If it gets us results and keeps us up then we don't have to apologise to anyone," said the full-back.

"We are what we are. We're a strong, fit, robust team. We're not like Arsenal. We haven't got the players that Arsenal have got. We're not as good as them as individuals.

"There is no point us trying to pass, pass and pass. We'll be quite direct and hopefully that will be the road to success for us.

"Every player wants to play in the Premier League, every manager wants to manage in the Premier League, we are now in the Premier League and we deserve to be there on merit, but you don't want that to be just for one season.

"The most important thing is that we don't - and we won't - be intimidated by the bigger teams, when you are lining up and you are facing Stevie Gerrard."

Griffin was only six years old when the Potters were last in the top flight of English football, in 1985.

Stoke finished rock bottom of the table that season, the same place Griffin's previous team, Derby, finished the last campaign.

The 29-year-old will be looking to give his team the best start in their quest for survival this year when he leads his team out to play Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

"I'm fully aware of the challenge ahead and I'm looking forward to it. In fact, I'm relishing it. Pre-season has dragged on long enough now. We play Bolton (on Saturday) and I think that is a game that will suit us," he said.

"The longer you go without a win or a point on the board, it tends to dwell on the back of your mind and perhaps it can chip away at confidence and morale.

"So the sooner we get a point or a win on the board the better it will be for everyone at the club."

Pulis has chosen to keep faith with the majority of the squad that took Stoke up last year, with Dave Kitson, Seyi Olofinjana and Thomas Sorensen the only arrivals at the Britannia Stadium so far.

Griffin believes that keeping this tight-knit squad together will help the club survive the relegation trap door this season.

"We have got a great camaraderie, a great spirit, in the camp. The club has come a long way in a short space of time.

"We are in the Premier League now and we will give it our all," added Griffin.