Brill news we are guaranteed not to go down now with Delap signed up and Mamma back in light training! Roll on next season! http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2756380,00.html RORY DELAP will feature in a seventh season as a Stoke City player . . . after putting pen-to-paper on a 12-month contract extension. The new agreement with the 35-year-old former Republic of Ireland international ties him to the Britannia Stadium until the summer of 2013. Delap has been a key figure in the Club's modern day success, featuring in over 200 games since completing a £500,000 move from Sunderland. "Rory deserves this deal; it is important we look after those players who have been here since the start of this journey," manager Tony Pulis told stokecityfc.com. "It's not just what he does on the field; he's been an inspiration off the pitch as well. He has played close to 600 games during his playing career, and the vast majority of those have been in the top-flight and so he has offers so much more than just a long throw." He added: "He is the ultimate professional and it is important we look after certain players at the Football Club who started all this off." Chief Executive Tony Scholes said: "Rory has been a fundamental part of the success we have achieved over the past six years since his arrival from Sunderland. "The vast amount of experience he has means he will still have a key role to play, including as a model professional who can influence the younger players." Since moving to the Britannia Stadium in October 2006, Delap has featured prominently as the Club have elevated themselves up from the Championship to an established top-flight team. He acknowledges that he has enjoyed some of his greatest moments as a professional during his time at the Britannia Stadium, and says he is hoping to build upon them. "I'm chuffed to be honest," he said. "I wasn't sure what was going to happen this summer, so to get it all sorted out now, with the rest of the season to come, is fantastic for me. "I've made no secret about the fact that I love it here at Stoke, and to have been part of the success we have enjoyed over the past couple of years has been unbelievable. "I still feel there is more to come though, and hopefully I can play my part in ensuring that proves to be the case."
Well there it is, Plan B unveiled MORE creativity from the long throw; 1. The curve ball, aimed towards the near post, at the last minute veers sharply to the far post. 2. The ball, see No 1, but from the other side of the pitch. Reverse at half-time. 3. The Spinner- off break, as the name implies, ball bounces twice in front of the keeper and sharply turns right for Jonny Waltersâ¢â¢ to slice wide. â¢â¢ Insert any Stoke forward. 4. The Yorker, a faster throw-in aimed at the keeper's feet, own goal. 5. The Spinner - leg break, not to be used against Arsenal. Shane Warne is expected at Clayton Wood next Monday for training, Ryan Shotton will be looking in. Stoke Maestro Tony Pulis is believed to have had this idea from criticism from Arsene Wenger who said that the way Stoke City behave is just not cricket.
I dont understand, what is this arse licking with certain players - "its important that we look after the players that...."? If thats the case then why the fuk didnt he resign Beattie - his goal kept us up and without them we wouldnt even be on "this journey"! I think Rory is great and dont hold any grudge against him, but the idea of the Tony Club is becoming embarassing!
absolutely ****e news!!. I have noting against Delap but we should not have players like him in the squad. Im definately not buying a season ticket now!!!!.
Shane Warne has retired Nicky? he's old and almost past it so he would fit in perfectly. Quick joke.. Cassanova was asked to partake in a game of Cricket for Charity. When as if he could bat he said NO I'm useless. But I can bowl a maiden over. SORRY!
Come on guys, there are worse players we need to get rid of first. I've said before, Rory has a **** load of experience, and is great cover. Fair enough complain if starts getting in the team over Whelan and Palacios all the time, bt what do you expect? We **** everyone off, bar Crouch, Shawcross and Etherington? No matter what team you are, you still need squad players.
Potterpistol Agreed. I thought on Tuesday in the first half the only threat came from Delap throws. Howver I also believe that when he is on the field players look for throws rather than swinging it to the box early. Preferably a squad player and used for back up only
PP I HOPE that once fully fit, Palacios and Whelan or Whtiehead will start before Delap, fine to come on for 20 odd mins but personally IMO, he isn't good enough to start a Prem game. BIG respect to Rory but I just think it's time to move on. Squad player fair enough but not my first choice. That's assuming of course that Tony Pulis does not sign another one or two midfielders in the summer. Given that Rory has just signed a contract it does'nt bode well that he will BRING in anyone else or does it? Midfield is a massive worry for me, improve that and the whole team/results/performances would improve too.
I think we'll be trying to get one or two CMs, hope so anyway, I don't think Delap signing again makes that unlikely, if he didn't he'd be up for free, so why not keep him on, and you never know what's going on with Arismendi, I reckon he'll probably go out on loan til January, but if a top championship team has him, a good run could get him into our first team. Whatever happens, I think it makes sense to keep him around a bit longer, you never know when and who might get injured or arrested or whatever.
