Pulis Believes Europe Won't Affect EPL Performance

Tony Pulis is confident Stoke can manage remain competitive in the Premier League while continuing their European campaign.

Stoke won 1-0 at FC Thun on Thursday night and then trained the following morning before travelling straight to Norwich for the Barclays Premier League game this Saturday.

If Stoke hold onto their advantage in next week's home leg then they will progress to the group stage. So there will be a minimum of six more games alongside their domestic league and cup games. This many games will put a strain of Stoke's side this season.

But Pulis, whose side drew 0-0 at home to Chelsea in last week's Premier League opener, is eager to maintain the club's progress both at home and abroad.

"It is a difficult one for us because Norwich is such a long way from Stoke and it would be ridiculous to come back in and sit on a bus for four or five hours," he said.

"We would have loved to have played Chelsea away and then had two home games on the back of this match in Europe.

"I think we have to embrace it and put ourselves in a position where we day, 'We want more of it'. That is the aim of the club, to keep pushing on."

"To come back and then go away is very difficult but we want to be in it (the Europa League) and be successful and want to move the club forward, and when you are doing that you have to take what comes.


Pulis rested three first team players, Johnathan Woodgate, Jermaine Pennant and Asmir Begovic. Pulis was particularly pleased with the performances of his back-up brigade.


Danny Pugh scored the only goal while Diego Arismendi and Michael Tonge also impressed, and new signing Matthew Upson boosted his fitness by playing the full game.


Pulis must now decide whether Upson will feature in Sunday's game, for which Rory Delap (hamstring) is doubtful.