Rory Delap

**dr_peepee** · 15/01/2009, 3:44 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Given what Trap expects of his CM then obviously Trap thinks he has enough options to do what he wants done in CM and doesn't see Delap as offering anything better than what he has selected in the squad.
Then again, I haven't seen Delap play in years

Probably his reasons for overlooking Delap are similar to his reasons for overlooking Carsley. I'd say Trap is of the opinion that the limit to the ability of the younger players have not yet been reached and that he is satisfied with the number of experienced players in the squad who have more international experience than Delap.
That, Kilbane for example may not have any more ability than Delap but has a zillion caps and other influences to bear.
The time of a player doing enough at club level to earn a call up to the squad are over for now. The criteria has shifted to the team as a unit, away from individual merits.

Fair point. But that's not to say that if Delap can, at the very least, match the limited expectation of the central midfield in the current formation, then his throws on top of that wouldn't be an asset. Not to mention his physical stature in our current set up, as well as experience over Gibson or Whelan.

I'm not saying Delap is the saviour or singing his merrits. I just feel there's no consistency in Trapps criteria for selection. He rattles off his reasons for excluding Andy Reid with his expectations for central midfeilder, yet excludes players who tick all those box's such as Carsley and in Delaps case he happens to have a bit of a bonus on top of said 'ticks'.

I still think Trapp is lazy....

**geysir** · 15/01/2009, 5:30 PM

If Stephen Ireland makes himself available, then I suspect that Trap's comfort zone about our current midfield set up will be stirred into a bit of (overtime) mental activity.

**EastTerracer** · 17/01/2009, 5:24 PM

DeLap took his goal really well today. Made a great run from midfield and when the ball was fed through he held off Alex and Cole and dinked the ball over Cech.

I know Trapp has only seen his throw-ins but one of the things our central-midfield has lacked since Stephen Reid got injured is someone who can break forward when required. Maybe Trapp will re-think this when he sees the goal. I'm not saying he's anywhere near as good a player as S.Reid but he's honest, strong and provides a threat.

**tricky_colour** · 17/01/2009, 9:38 PM

Yep as good a goal as you will see against one of the best defences in the Prem. There is a lot more to his game than a long throw, that's a bit of a myth I think.

**SkStu** · 17/01/2009, 9:58 PM

not to mention his stamina is probably unrivalled in the rest of the Stoke team - ive noticed this on the two occasions ive seen em play this season. I like the way he plays.

**tetsujin1979** · 18/01/2009, 12:53 AM

managed to hold off Ashley Cole, and keep the ball away from Alex, and still have the time to move the ball to chip the oncoming Cech, some feat

**rambler14** · 18/01/2009, 10:30 AM

Has to be in the squad for the Georgia game in my opinion.

**danonion** · 22/01/2009, 4:40 PM

I think he has over 250 premier league appearances, he doesn't look like a bad midfielder but I think Trap would only call him up if there were two midfield withdrawals.

**OwlsFan** · 22/01/2009, 4:56 PM

Hmmm, long throws to Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane and Aidan McGeady.

Hmmmm...

**Razors left peg** · 22/01/2009, 5:56 PM

Kevin Doyle is brilliant in the air

**cavan_fan** · 22/01/2009, 6:46 PM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

Well thats it exactly, we don't have strong aerial players typically so Delaps greatest asset would be worthless.

He's worth keeping in consideration as part of a backup plan though if the likes of Folan are brought on.

Ignore the throws he has been a succesful central midfielder for a Premiership club all season. Put it this way no-one in Stoke would have Whelan instead of him.

**irishfan86** · 22/01/2009, 6:52 PM

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

Ignore the throws he has been a succesful central midfielder for a Premiership club all season. Put it this way no-one in Stoke would have Whelan instead of him.

This is simply inaccurate, or at the very best, outdated.

Delap has played most of the season as a left midfielder. He did play a couple of games in the centre, but the vast majority of games he has played as a left sided midfielder.

Whelan has been in the starting XI for the past two months as a central midfield player.

It's time to stop calling Whelan a reserve player or bench warmer. He has won his place and is keeping it.

Criticize his play all you want, but don't call him what he isn't.

I think the comparisons with Matt Holland that some brought up in the past are bang on...very similar players for me.

**Junior** · 01/02/2009, 9:12 AM

Some poor discipline yesterday leading to his deserved Red card - very poor challenge followed up with a baiscally booting the ball at SWP from point blank range.

Could have cost Stoke badly, just as well City were so poor as Stoke ran out 1-0 winners. Whelan played though didnt see much of him on MOTD.

**Colbert Report** · 01/02/2009, 3:04 PM

Lawrence out for the next three matches. Devastating for Stoke.

Shaun Wright-Phillips should have been sent off as well! Not only for from-behind tackle that started the whole thing, but he kicked Lawrence hard from the ground. I can't believe he got off scot-free.

**Junior** · 01/02/2009, 3:55 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Lawrence out for the next three matches. Devastating for Stoke.

Shaun Wright-Phillips should have been sent off as well! Not only for from-behind tackle that started the whole thing, but he kicked Lawrence hard from the ground. I can't believe he got off scot-free.

Not for the tackle IMO that was fine. But he did kick out at Delap after Delap had fouled him and booted the ball at him - he could have gone for that.

**DeLorean** · 02/02/2009, 1:57 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

It's time to stop calling Whelan a reserve player or bench warmer. He has won his place and is keeping it.

He got his place back due to Diao getting injured and Stoke went on their worst run of the season. Probably a coincidence though, maybe. Diao is still injured and therefore Whelan has maintained his place. He was dropped for the match aginst Liverpool but Diao again had a setback in the warm-up so I don't think it's accurate to suggest Whelan has won his place back at all.

Delap has played the majority of the season on the left though and has been moved to the right in recent times to accomodate Etherington.

**tricky_colour** · 21/03/2009, 4:14 PM

His long throw provided the assist for the headed goal which takes Stoke out of the relegation zone - and drops Newcastle into it.

**tricky_colour** · 21/03/2009, 5:18 PM

Incidently Stoke had 4 Irish on the pitch at one point, Delap, Lawrence, Whelan and Kelly. Not sure where the ref was from.

**Pike B** · 23/03/2009, 9:51 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Incidently Stoke had 4 Irish on the pitch at one point, Delap, Lawrence, Whelan and Kelly.

Great to see. Hope the Potters stay up. Honest team with bags of heart.

**Junior** · 09/06/2010, 11:45 AM

Nice interview with Delap here.

On the Stoke Dressing Room, Ireland Career, 'The throw' and Lawrence to Celtic....

Has pretty much written off any chance of resurrecting his Ireland career in a very kind of honest and pragmatic way. Says he stills follows the results as he did before he ever played for Ireland and has a lot of friends in the squad (outside of Whelan and Lawrence). Basically, he feels he was a little unfortunate with niggling injuries which always seemed to prevent him staking a proper claim for a squad place 7/8 years ago when he was featuring and that, partially at least, resulting in him not making the 2002 squad.

http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2010/pc/p...ventuesday.mp3 (From 40:30 onwards)