STOKE boss Tony Pulis believes cup success can make a huge difference to the club’s wellbeing.

Pulis accepts that knockout competitions represent the Potters’ only realistic chances of winning silverware and he is keen to bring glory to the Britannia Stadium.

Pulis sampled the excitement a good run can generate as he guided his side to the FA Cup final last season and, while Premier League survival remains all important, he wants more of it.

Stoke take on Liverpool at home for a place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals tonight.

Pulis said: “I don’t think our football club will win the Premier League in the next few years.

“So our biggest aim is to stay in the league, that’s our priority, but what we also want to do is try to do well in the cup competitions.

“That includes the Europa League, the FA Cup and the Carling Cup.

“We had a great time last year, going to Wembley, it was absolutely fantastic. It galvanised everybody, it galvanised the city, it galvanised the club. So we will do our best in all the cup competitions.”

Stoke have made a solid start in the Premier League and currently sit ninth but, after the weekend loss to Arsenal, Pulis will not lose sight of his main objective.

He added: “Premier League status is vital for us.