Stoke City chairman Peter Coates feels they're four points from Premier League safety.

Coates clearly remains confident that Pulis, his manager for the past seven seasons, can steer Stoke through their current crisis.

"I suspect 38 points will do it," he told The Sentinel, "but certainly a couple of wins and you are OK because 40 points will absolutely do it.

"It's up to us now to get enough points to stay in the Premier League. We've got as good a chance as anybody else and it's up to us to see it through because no-one does you any favours.

"When I look at the fixtures I believe there are points out there for us, but it's up to us to get going on a run."