Stoke boss Tony Pulis admits that the next seven days will be 'difficult' for his side as they play three games during this period.
Stoke boss hints at squad rotation
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has admitted that the next seven days will be "difficult" for his side as they play three games during this period.
The Potters host Newcastle United at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League on Monday, are away at Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel in the Europa League on Thursday and then travel to Bolton Wanderers in the league on Sunday.
So far Stoke have managed to juggle their domestic and European commitments but Pulis has now conceded that he will consider rotating his squad this week.
"We've got a difficult week," Pulis said on the club's
official website. "For the game to be put back to Monday is disappointing for us because we then have to play Thursday and then Sunday again so we have virtually no rest at all.
"But you can't take the money and then argue about the fixtures and when they're played.
"Because it's such a difficult week, I will look at the situation closely this week. We play Monday, then we're flying Wednesday, flying back after the game and we've a game against Bolton on Sunday.
"The third game of the week is a difficult, difficult game."
Unique season
Pulis, though, is enjoying this campaign despite his side having featured in a host of games already.
"It's a unique season in lots of respects," he enthused. "We've played 18 games so far, and to put that in context that's nearly half a Premier League season and we've done that before we've got out of October.
"It has to be managed but we're enjoying it. We're disappointed that we didn't get the result we wanted against Liverpool (2-1 home defeat in the Carling Cup) but we have to keep things in perspective.
"In the last two games we've played Arsenal and Liverpool, two outstanding teams and two traditionally great football clubs, and given both a run for their money.
"It hasn't dropped for us but that's the way it goes. We're not going to win every game. We're going to have good runs and bad runs and that happens everywhere.
"We have to manage that and enjoy it on the way and we've done that so far."
Stoke are currently 11th in the league with 12 points from nine matches, while their Monday night opponents Newcastle are fourth with 19.
