Stoke chairman Peter Coates backs Mark Hughes but demands an improvement in results quickly

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has stressed his support for manager Mark Hughes - but also emphasised things must start improving quickly for the Potters.

The Staffordshire outfit are bottom of the Premier League after taking just one point from the opening five fixtures of their campaign.

They have suffered four league losses in a row, with three of those seeing them concede four goals.

Stoke host Hull in the EFL Cup on Wednesday before Saturday's league visit of West Brom, managed by their former boss Tony Pulis.

And Coates, quoted by The Sentinel on Tuesday, said: "I haven't had a meeting with Mark. There's a match on Wednesday.

"He's our manager and he's got our support. We've played five games.

"He's been around the block. We've finished ninth three times and that tells you he's got experience.

"He's been a manager for some time and he's got two experienced coaches (Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki) alongside him."

Coates added: "We are disappointed to be where we are.

"We've had results we haven't liked and it has been a poor start to the season.

"We need to start winning matches, the sooner the better, and as soon as we do that it changes everything.

"We've got experienced players and they've got to do better.

"One result will give us confidence and then we can be on our way again."