What We Know About Maccabi Tel Aviv

Tomorrow sees us fulfil he next engagement in our European adventure (as Tony Pulis has decided to christen it so I thought we’d do the same) and we face Maccabi Tell Aviv at home.

Long Ball Football will, of course, be there and we are looking forward to the match.

It is arguable that these two games might decide our fate. Two wins, or a win and a draw and we are there, surely? Lose a couple and it’ll be an uphill task with Kiev and a trip to Turkey left.

If this preview is a little sketchy and not too thorough then there is a reason. We don’t – and I suspect this goes for most Stoke supporters - know much about the team we are facing.

So far, I have been able to glean that Tel Aviv are second in the Israeli Premier League, they are seen as one of the “Big Four” of Israeli football and last won the league in 2003 (I wonder if they were glued to their TV’s in Tel Aviv on the day that season when Ade Akinbyi scored to keep us up – and I wonder where we’d be now if he hadn’t?)

I also know that they were the first Jewish club in Ottoman Palestine to their Official Website and perhaps more importantly to us in the present they appointed a new manager in the summer, the extremely experienced Motti Ivanir, who had previously been manager of the Israel under 17 and under 21 sides.

They also have a new owner, in the Canadian born Mitchell Goldhar, who has made his money in Shopping Centre’s it seems. And he’s made a lot of it.

Consequently Maccabi have invested heavily in younger players and have made a strong start in the league. They also disposed of two lesser teams in Zeleznica and Xazar Lankaran before meeting Panathanikos in the Play Offs to get to the Europa League Group Stages. Since then they have had a mixed time – being thumped by Beskitas, but drawing with Kiev.

All of which means it’s hard to predict. I am inclined to think we should win, however. We have shown time and time again we are not afraid of anyone at home, and if rumours of Kenwyne Jones’ return to the team are true then we will have a hungry striker – hopefully with a point to prove – back in harness.

Also on the injury front there are thoughts that Wison Palacios will be on the bench along with Danny Higgnbottom, so slowly we are getting back to full strength too.