Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap has rejected suggestions that he might be thinking about hanging up his boots. The Republic of Ireland international says the return to pre-season training had showed him he had no reason to be thinking about retirement yet. The midfielder will turn 35 tomorrow, but still played 46 games for the Potters last season. He said: "We've done a couple of fitness tests and I'm still up to the standards of last season "You don't know when it's going to happen - people say it happens quickly - but hopefully I can stay involved." He continued: "I probably played a lot more games than I thought I would last season. I'll hopefully be involved in some way, but as long as we progress as a club, I'll be happy. "There's a couple of players out there over 35. I get a lot of stick off the lads about my age, but I can handle that." He signed from Sunderland, initially on loan, in October 2006 and has now made more than 150 appearances for Stoke.
I love Rory for the part he's played in our rise over the past 4 years. He is a model professional, honest, hard working with a cracking attitude. However I just don't think he is good enough anymore and is overrated by a section of Stoke fans. If we're being honest, he is our slowest player (quite a feat in our team!!) and is an extremely poor passer of a ball, which he sadly showed to the world in the FA Cup Final, I actually felt sorry for him, age is clearly catching up with him, despite his assertions it isn't. He is still fit as a fiddle without a doubt, and he had a pretty decent season in all honesty, between February and April especially, but he is not good enough anymore in my opinion and we should be looking for more technical players for the cage, i.e. Thomas Hitzlsperger, David Vaughan.
he will be there, starting every game....... Pulis shags him up the ass everyone knows this!!. Terrible player but one of TPs "special" players.
Morning chaps, Not sure about 'The love that never speaks it's name' But am sure that Rory is probably near or past his sell by date. A great servant to the club, both on and off the field. A testimonial against Barcelona at the Brit!!!
A great servant for the club in everyway as Nick says.Rory has been found wanting away from home last season but at home he still managed to put in some outstanding displays but all good things have to end at some time.
Very well put Sgt, I won't have a go at Rory because he always gives it everything. I think he himself knows, the end is near and I honestly think we should be looking for more gifted player's. If Rory said, he thought he played more games than he himself expected. Say's everything really.
"I won't have a go at Rory because he always gives it everything" I could go on the pitch and give eveything and I would be useless too. Nowhere near good enough for the prem or even the championship. A good servant and VERY VERY lucky to get as many games as he has, but players like Delap should not be getting in the squad let alone the first 11.
Ric You are quite right mate. What I really should have said is. It's NOT Rory's fault is it? Tony keeps playing him so it's HIS fault, not Rory's. Honest oppinion, I really don't think he's good enough, a pity T.P. doesn't see it. Sort it out Tony and quickly.
Norfolk, that is a totally disrespectful statement and you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. Rory IS past his sell by date, but as Potts says, it's not HIS fault he keeps on getting picked - is it?? Re your location, remember the Beatles song The Fools that live on the Hill. As you said - Nuff Said
We'll keep hold of Rory till Pulis figures out how to replace arm muscles with elastic I don't think Rory is as bad as a lot of people make out, he seems a clever player and is good tactically, but (atleast) half the time his passing is woeful. He's another one, like Diao that I reckon would be good to keep at the club, but playing days are numbered. But you never know, he could have another moment like this: [video=youtube;k9bBzQ3E1QM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9bBzQ3E1QM[/video]
Smithers TOP BLOKE quite right. Rory in certain games towards the last quarter part of the season have been exceptional at home. The problem Smithers is the away form which at times as been frustating when we need pace and he has been played out right. However TP has been able to create the pressure at home and accomodate Rory.
Smither's I think you said re Pulis set's up the team around Rory and a couple more player's. THAT is what I think MANY Stoke fans, me included think too mate. NO ROOM for sentiment, IF as T.P. keeps on telling everyone, we want too move this club forward. Well Tony, let's move on, move forward and ship out certain player's that we ALL know just ain't working ard enough. Or good enough anymore.
I always said last season that there was a place for Delap, especially at home. However, you cant play a guy who has no legs and in his mid 30's for 90 minutes evry game and expect him to be effective. If TP had used him as a deep holding midfield player to keep him out of harms way then I could understand (but not agree) but playing him in the centre of the park just hinders our already inept and incapbale midfield further (Ball retention and passing), but playing him in any role that require width and pace is - quite frankly, a disgrace to the club, player and sport! All teams come to the Brit with a big back 4 and play their taller midfielders and strikers deep on set plays to counter Rory's throws. They would still set up like that if we didnt start with him, however, if he was a 70 minute sub (when the pace of the game has slowed down and he wont be as expossed) surley his throws would be more effecitive when the opposition hasnt been bombarded with them all game and due to tiredness becasue less and less effective! Its called understanding your player, theri strengths and weaknesses and above all, the F##kin opposition!
Yep Smither's They, the opposion found Rory out, deal with it more often than not. And quite frankly it's now boring me stupid. Hate to have a go a one player but mid 30s for a keeper/defender is ok. Midfield sorry Tony forget it! Put Wilson,Whitehead there and hope Pulis buys at least ONE ballplayer who can F***ing PASS the ball. Enough from me Smither's it's up to T.P. IF he can't see it we are wasting our breath. I know he's testing my patience right now.. we're linked with that pentioner from Spurs Woodgate. F F Sake what next!
Oldnickyb, I have nothing to be ashamed about.......thought Rory has been a great player for us but now time for him to move on,hence the offer to pack his bags. We should respect what Rory has done for this club but, we're not a charity and we need to move on. And less of the 'FOOL' bit please.
Norfolk i think Nick went a litte OTT with his remarks mate. Don't take it too heart.. Delap isn't good enough, I THINK even he knows he isn't. The fact that TONY Pulis does is a little sad, silly and he's not doing Rory, the team nor us the fans any favours, thanks Rory for the memories. HOW long have we banged on about younger, more gifted midfielders. To keep Rory just for the throws in's is suicide. WHY else would he be playing? As Smither's say's.. you can't hide in the Premier League.
