Rory Delap's long throws for Stoke have been causing headaches for Premier League opposition all season. Just ask Arsenal. The Offside has already proposed five ideas to combat the Delapidator (or whatever they're calling him these days) which were completely unworkable, if we're being honest. But that didn't discourage Hull's 39 year old tattooed striker Dean [. Click to continue reading...

So why not start using him? Gareth Bale can launch a throw in the same manner as Rory Delap and I think we should utilise this part of his game more. I'm not saying we make it a staple part of our play like Stoke but there would be no harm mixing it up a bit with a few 'Bale Bombs'.

Yesterday's defeat at the hands of Everton was unlucky but we have had our fair share of luck since Harry took over so I'm not going to let it get me down. Click to continue reading...

Fat man stretches in front of man with long arms Hull City substitute Dean Windass did his best to thwart the now infamous Rory Delap long-throw by doing his warm-up in front of Stoke's not-so-secret weapon. The veteran did a few stretches in front of Delap before being ushered out of the way by the referee. Click to continue reading...

Well, Brazilian soil, American genes, as I found out when first watching this video. The patented American teenage accent/giggle will really throw you initially. Leah - yes, she's apparently gone all Brazilian with the one name thing, and don't act like you wouldn't - born in San Paolo to American parents (her father was raised [. Click to continue reading...

The throw-in is an essential yet unglamorous part of footie. However, this year we've seen it turn into a work of art when done well courtesy of Brazilian Under-20 World Cup player Leah and Stoke City's Rory Rory "The Delapidator" Delap. Leah's unorthodox gynmastics-inspired throw-in contributed to one of Brazil's goals at the U-20 World Cup [. Click to continue reading...

My picks have been a bit off recently, and that's putting a generous light on the situation. So, it seems obvious that the only way to avoid being generically wrong is to be specifically correct. Therefore, not only am I going to predict the scorelines for this week, I will even give you, my dear readers, a Nostradamus-esque view into specific moments from the coming weekend.

Click to continue reading...

Stuff to read while you watch the beautiful game in pictures....... George Best as Jesus. (Unprofessional Foul) Jermaine Pennant goes romantic, proposes in a graveyard. (The Spoiler) FC Budyonkor prove money can buy Uzbeki titles - even without Eto'o. (ESPN) They're no Rory Delap's, but six hurlers who'll do. Click to continue reading...

Half-a-dozen footballers who are deadly with ball in their hands 1. Dave Challinor 2. Rory Delap 3. Steve Watson 4. Risto Kallaste 5. Unknown 6. Rob Johnson Click to continue reading...

Stretch him, Tone The frequently chuckle-worthy Guardian Gallery has had a field day with Rory Delap as its theme. This is one of our favourites, featuring Rory Delap as a Stretch Armstrong toy (old school) and Tony Pulis giving him his pre-match warm-up. Click Read More to see what Steve Bruce is up to at Wigan [. Click to continue reading...

Well Stoke fans seem to think so No it's not a rant about the vertically challenged Argie who i despise, that's for next week, on no, we're today discussing the merits of the Premierships newest star, The King of the Assists with the Guns of Justice, ladies and gentlefolk, I give you Rory Delap. Since the start of the season, Rory Delap has double-handedly created 7 of Stokes 13 goals much to the delight of Ricardo Fuller and Olofinjana (don't attempt to say that after a few sherbets). Click to continue reading...

Something to read while you watch the best finish of the weekend go into the wrong net... Happy birthday to ADP (Del Piero Offside) Immature fun at ESPN (The Beautiful Game) Surely Delap would be better at the shot putt than javelin? (The Spolier) Bremen say nein to neo-Nazis (Sports by Brooks) The Special One too special for this press [. Click to continue reading...

Rory Delap ist ein besonderer Fußballspieler. Nicht weil er so eine gute Technik hat oder einen besonders harten Schuß. Der Ire kann einfach nur gut einwerfen. Jaja, werden jetzt Manche sagen. Das können ja einige Fußballspieler - Pierre Womé vom FC Köln zum Beispiel. Ab und zu kommt da mal ein Mitspieler mit dem Schädel [. Click to continue reading...

Stuff to read while you bring a hand grenade to show and tell...... "Can a Scottish team ever win the Champions League?" (SoccerLens) Manchester United brings in sleep expert to help with nap time. (The Spoiler) The new Dunga - on the pitch, not the sidelines. (101 Great Goals) Entire commissions being formed to figure out a way to [. Click to continue reading...

Rory Delap's long throw-ins have been called "undefendable". OK, so it was the Sunderland man himself who said it, but I'm pretty sure the Arsenal defence would agree. As would the Villa defence. And all the other defences that Delap has wreaked havoc on so far this season. They come in low and fast and hard [. Click to continue reading...

The Premier League's worst kept secret weapon How do you defend it? Answers on a postcard please. In the meantime, Stoke City can be content in their mid-table habitat smugly compiling over-dramatic compilations like this one! Click to continue reading...

Who the hell is Rory Delap? Oh yeah the Stoke City footballer who has got the long throw and whose long throws helped to beat Arsenal on Saturday, 2-1.


Now take a look at the video above from 1970 - Chelsea v Leeds, FA Cup Final replay at Old Trafford to be precise - and at about 2:34 in, watch the long throw which brought about Chelsea's winner scored by David Webb. Click to continue reading...

This weekend we were graced with another very entertaining and competitive Premier League weekend. At this rate, we're well on course for one of the most exciting Premier League seasons in recent memory. Here are ten reasons why: No more Derby County. The three promoted teams already have equaled or exceeded the number of points that [. Click to continue reading...

Rory Delap: take a bow, son From my rough calculations, I reckon Rory Delap can lay claim to having earned 12 of Stoke City's 13 Premier League points so far this season. Video spotted on 101GreatGoals Click to continue reading...

Stoke City has become a uniquely threatening prospect because of Rory Delap's long throw-ins.Scolari on Rory - "I think he puts the ball better with his hands than his foot, it's fantastic.I have never seen anything like this in my life; 10 metres outside midfield, this boy puts the ball inside the area.

Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez paid tribute to much-criticised Premier League new-boys Stoke but warned: "We have the best midfield player in the world."

Benitez's unbeaten Reds face Tony Pulis' promoted Potters at Anfield intent on strengthening their position in the Barclays Premier League table, ahead of the clash between rivals Chelsea and Manchester United 24 hours later. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez hopes full-back Fabio Aurelio recovers from a calf injury to face Stoke having failed to make the midweek trip to Marseille.

Andrea Dossena was a less than convincing alternative at left-back in France, while Benitez must also decide whether to recall Robbie Keane to partner striker Fernando Torres. Click to continue reading...

1. West Brom are the best sponsor-less team in the Premier League We know this because they beat West Ham 3-2 in the big "your name here" showdown on Saturday. 2. £60+ million doesn't buy you a win It buys you an assist, and a sweet free kick. But Dimitar Berbatov and Robinho both tasted defeat on their [. Click to continue reading...

Picture via Sky Sports Tim Cahill comes to the rescue again as Stoke City's set piece defending comes back to haunt them as despite coming back to level at two thanks to Rory Delap's throws, Everton leave the Britannia Stadium 3-2 winners. One goal from open play, four set piece goals, and an extremely entertaining game at [. Click to continue reading...

Picture via Sky Sports

Tim Cahill comes to the rescue again as Stoke City's set piece defending comes back to haunt them as despite coming back to level at two thanks to Rory Delap's throws, Everton leave the Britannia Stadium 3-2 winners.

One goal from open play, four set piece goals, and an extremely entertaining game at the Britannia Stadium.

Click to continue reading...

Martinez...the only Sky pundit not to cause ears to bleed?


Premiership -- The WBO Set Piece Championship of the World from Caesers Palace, Las Vegas the Britannia Stadium, Stoke was won by the home team as they eclipsed Aston Villa 3-2. Villa struggled against the long throw-ins of Rory Delap all game, and in second half injury time Stoke scored from one, Mama Sidibe getting his head to Delap's projectile. Click to continue reading...

Picture from The Telegraph via Getty Images. Maybe Tony Pulis was right. Mamady Sidibe's header gives Stoke City a shock 3-2 win at the Britannia Stadium. If you heard me this week on The Third Half, I pretty much mocked the fact I pulled this game out of the hat to do as one of my two full [...] Click to continue reading...

Picture from The Telegraph via Getty Images.

Maybe Tony Pulis was right.

Mamady Sidibe's header gives Stoke City a shock 3-2 win at the Britannia Stadium.

If you heard me this week on The Third Half, I pretty much mocked the fact I pulled this game out of the hat to do as one of my two full match reviews.

Click to continue reading...