Coates hails Stoke survival

Peter Coates has paid tribute to a 'fabulous achievement' after Stoke ensured they would be playing Premier League football next season. The Potters were tipped to struggle in the top flight after winning promotion from the Championship last term. However, they have shown remarkable resilience and Saturday's 2-1 victory at Hull City guaranteed their survival. Stoke have reached 42 points, with two games still to go, and chairman Coates is delighted to have accomplished something significant for a second successive year. Asked about the two achievements, he told Sky Sports News: "It is different but it is nonetheless welcome. We are obviously very pleased as you can imagine. "It is equivalent in some ways. It was a great achievement getting up last season and we've done it again so it's marvellous for everybody." "There is an argument that it is a bigger achievement. Time will tell but we have had two fabulous seasons." Learning curveCoates is confident Stoke will be able to build on their success and progress next season. He explained: "It has been a big learning curve and I am sure they will know a lot more. "The experience will stand us in good stead hopefully and we've got to push on and get a bit better." Coates has promised to financially support manager Tony Pulis as much as possible but he admits it will still be difficult to spend as much as other clubs. "You do get a lot more money but you have to spend it anyway on the team to compete, so there is still a bit of a balancing act," he commented.

Source: SKY_Sports

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