sentences:  Regardless to Bates' credit Stoke made a steady start to the 1997–98 season and by the end of October Stoke were in a play-off position.But results started to go wrong which hit rock bottom in January 1998 with a 7–0 defeat at home to Birmingham City.The result prompted ugly scenes at the final whistle as around 2,000 fans invaded the pitch and entered the directors box.