Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has been given a vote of confidence by the club’s chairman Peter Coates, while he has also been warned that current results must improve.

Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park left Stoke rooted to the foot of the Premier League table with just one point from five games.

Hughes was fined by the FA on Monday after accepting a misconduct charge in relation to an incident during the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham earlier this month.

The Potters boss has been coming under fire in the media, with reports suggesting his job might be in peril.

Coates, however, has chosen to back his manager, insisting the Welshman is experienced enough at his job to ride out the current storm – although he does concede that results must improve.

“We are obviously disappointed with the start we’ve made but Mark and the management team have our full support,” Coates told Telegraph Sport. “He is a very experienced manager and knows what it takes to get results in the Premier League.

“It’s still very early in the season and while these results obviously can’t go on forever, we’re convinced that things will change.”

Hughes has steered Stoke to back-to-back top ten finishes in the Premier League over the last two seasons.

They haven’t picked up a point since a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on the opening day of the season and have conceded four goals in three of their four league outings since.

Stoke are 2.30 to beat West Brom on Saturday, the Baggies are 3.10 while the draw is 3.20.