City handed tough Europe group

After last nights thumping of FC Thun, Stoke have been drawn in Group E for the group stages of the Europa League. They will be accompanied by experienced European competitors Besiktas, Dynamo Kiev and Maccabi Tel-Aviv in what is one of the toughest groups we could have asked for.

Stoke will play each side home and away and will hopefully progress into the last 32 next spring, in order to do so they need to qualify by coming either first or second in the group. Unfortunately the Potters will rack up the air miles as they seek European glory with visits to the Ukraine (Dynamo Kiev), Turkey (Besiktas) and Israel (Maccabi Tel-Aviv) which will put an added strain upon their domestic campaign.

However let`s not be pessimistic and embrace the fact we are in a European competition, something that Liverpool cannot say. Of course, had we already added the much needed quantity and quality to the squad, that we so desperately need, then I believe that Pulis and his men can qualify. At fortress Britannia we are a match for anyone and I am fully confident of getting positive results. But the real baptism of fire will be in the hostile conditions of Turkey and Ukraine, and we are hardly a side that can say we like playing away from home.

So we know the opponents and the dates. Now all we need is some players to compete.