Stoke's fixture list a concern for Pulis

Stoke City's manager Tony Pulis feels that the FA should do more to protect the interests of English clubs who will play in Europe. Stoke face Swansea on Sunday in the Premier League, just three days after a Europa League game against Besiktas.

"Television revenue has been of enormous value to football clubs in England," Pulis said.

"But I also think there should be a chance for clubs, if they are in Europe, to sit down with the Premier League, the Football Association and the television companies and arrange the fixtures in a way that will help those clubs.

"If we are representing England, you'd expect the English FA to do their damnedest to give you the best opportunity to do well, not only domestically, but in Europe.

"I think there has to be a change somewhere along the line where you actually sit down before the fixtures come out. We know the dates that are given by UEFA early enough, so is there any chance we can work to a system where we are not playing six away games [after each of their Europa League Group E matches]?

"In fact it's eight, because we played two away games after two of our qualifying games, which is an unbelievable statistic. It is something we have to get on with, but personally I don't think it is right."