Tony Pulis has admitted it has been 'unbelievably difficult' to manage Stoke's hectic schedule but intends to hold talks this week.
Potters manager admits struggle with hectic schedule
Tony Pulis has admitted it has been 'unbelievably difficult' to manage Stoke's hectic schedule this season but intends to hold talks this week about how they can improve.
The Potters have already played 21 competitive games this term, having had to make it through two rounds of qualifying to take their place in the group stage of the Europa League.
While they are determined to make the most of their continental campaign, they have had to contend with some arduous trips to Eastern Europe.
Stoke's Premier League form has suffered as a result and they have lost their last four domestic games after playing in Europe.
Sunday's 5-0 defeat at Bolton left them in the bottom half of the table, just three points above the relegation zone, and Pulis admits something has to be done.
He is grateful for the advice he has received from other managers but recognises that he has to settle on his own method, and is planning a wide-ranging review.
Learning
"We will be having a meeting this week to sort out how we can do things better," Pulis said in the
Daily Star.
"We've travelled all over Europe and played in the Premier League and Carling Cup and it's been an unbelievably difficult thing to manage.
"We're learning all the time but we need to see if there are things we can do better. The travelling, the hotel arrangements, training schedules, everything.
"I've been fortunate enough to get some advice off some of the best managers in the Premier League, but you still have to find out everything yourself.
"I'm just relieved we managed to get those players in before the transfer deadline because if we hadn't I think we'd have struggled to cope."
