CITY'S SEMINAL MOMENT

Survival hero Gunnarsson believes Potters can use current predicament to achieve better things

- Peter Smith

BRYNJAR Gunnarsson, veteran of a rare Stoke City final day survival mission, believes that big matches like this can prove pivotal moments in a club's long-term timeline.

Stoke head to Derby County on Saturday with their Championship status still in the balance, knowing a win or draw will seal survival but defeat will leave them sweating on other results going in their favour.

That has echoes for Gunnarsson of 2003, one of only 10 previous seasons since the Second World War when Stoke's season has gone down to the last game.

They beat promotion-chasing Reading then to confirm safety under Tony Pulis, who still ranks that result as one of the most important of his career. Stoke had only been promoted the previous term but haven't been back down to the third tier since - and

Gunnarsson hopes it won't happen any time soon either.