Peter Coates was reluctant to speculate on the future of Stoke boss Tony Pulis but did hope lessons had been learnt from a difficult season. He said in the Sentinel: "We have had a very flat second half to the season and nobody is trying to hide that.

"You are always trying to learn from such things to try and improve."

On Stoke's recent return to form, he added: "I know it is not mathematically guaranteed, but we are obviously delighted to be in the position we are in after two good wins.

"I was very anxious and very nervous."