Stoke chairman backs Hughes

Cape Town - Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has backed manager Mark Hughes to guide the Midlands team out of their current slump after Saturday's 3-0 drubbing at home to Everton left them without a win in four Premier League games.

Last month Stoke were knocked out of the League Cup in a penalty shootout away to Liverpool and lost in the FA Cup fourth round at Crystal Palace.

Their poor league form in recent weeks has seen Hughes' men go from fighting for the European qualifying places in seventh spot to 11th in the league with 13 games remaining.

"Since the Liverpool game we have been poor, I'm afraid, for whatever reason. It's hard to know the reason why, but collectively we have underperformed," Coates told British media.

"We are not scoring enough goals and not creating enough chances, but I'm sure Mark and his team are well aware of that and are working hard to put it right."

The Potters have failed to score in their last four league matches and have conceded nine goals in the process.

Stoke visit lowly Bournemouth on Saturday.