Would you buy Rory Delap?

[we_all_loved_freund]

No but id definatly look into this as a preferable skill for a player to have. For example Bentley was bought because he is a good player but also to solve the problem of set-pieces. There must be hundreds of players with this skill around europe and beyond, and maybe not been publicised due to it not being a fashionable tactic used.

Exactly, players have different attributes, this is an attribute that is only just being discovered. People laugh at it just because its a bit different but if it gets 30 goals a season (and on current form that is a distinct possibility) then i bet most of stoke's relegation rivals won't be laughing. Its often said the teams that have a 25+ goal a season striker in thir team are the team most likely to stay up... step forward rory delap, I reakon his value has probably increased 10 fold, ie from 300k to 3mil?

 

[DFF]

no, he's like a kicker in the nfl, only good for his special ability, apart from his throw he doesnt do much else ( with the exception of his goal against us lol)

Except a kicker in the NFL only comes on when he's required.

If we could have our regular starting 11 and only have him on for throw ins, then great. But yeah, unfortunately, we'd have to actually use one of our 11 starting spots on him, and that's not worth it.

 

[we_all_loved_freund]

Except a kicker in the NFL only comes on when he's required.

But yeah, we'd have to actually use one of our 11 starting spots on him, and that's not worth it.

well people like owen and liniker contribute nothing but goals, i would see him as a luxury player, one that in all likleyhood would contribute 20-30 goals but not a lot else

 

[DFF]

well people like owen and liniker contribute nothing but goals, i would see him as a luxury player, one that in all likleyhood would contribute 20-30 goals but not a lot else

Bad examples. He doesn't actually contribute goals. You're taking it as a given that we'd convert his throw-ins into goals.

 

[Supersonic]

No, not a chance.

He is a very average player, with one outstanding attribute.

The fact is, if we had Stoke's strikers, he would be very useful.

As it is, he would be a tad wasted.

And Im sure other teams will work out a tactic to deal with him anyway.

I have a great deal of respect for him for taking an underrated talent and turning it into an Arsenal beater. But IMO Delap needs to be a creative and talented footballer to make our team, not just be able to chuck it miles.

 

[KeaneIsKeane]

If we had the strikers to take advantage of it yes, but we don't.

 

[grantalope]

I reakon his value has probably increased 10 fold, ie from 300k to 3mil?

No way stoke would sell him for 3 million at this rate he might just be able to keep them up. No one in the world would match Stoke's evaluation which would have to be 10 mil+.

 

[mackay78]

no... but watching MOTD tonight it was amazing to watch. As the pundits mentioned... it's better than a free kick (no offsides, more accurate) - but what makes it awsome is the way he can get a ball to go horizontally for 30 yards (or in a swooping arch...) amazing.

 

[KentuckyYid]

I guess I'm the first to say I'd take him as a squad player.

On a wet Wednesday night in Bolton a player like Delap would be very handy and certainly more useful than a fancy dan...

 

[Piaki]

No

 

[Yorkshireyiddo]

NO

 

[Barmy_in_Palmy]

I'm a student, work part time. I simply couldn't afford to buy him.

 

[we_all_loved_freund]

Bad examples. He doesn't actually contribute goals. You're taking it as a given that we'd convert his throw-ins into goals.

Accepted that if we bought Delap we would have to buy a Crouch or Hesky in Jan with him, but on present form i think it would be a given that if we did then his throwins would be a certain 20-30 goals a season... he has got an ability that is, at the moment, unique and undefendable. I'd definately take him!

 

[milkman]

He is really good and effective for stoke, but he isn't good enough at other things than our current defenders or midfielders...

Although I would definately love one of our players to throw like that!

 

[phil]

No, I wouldn't take Delap......

.....but I would encourage some of our current squad to learn the skill. Long throws used to be a common part of the game, including from our own Dave Mackay. For some reason the tactic was not used for many years until it was resurrected by Delap.

I know from personal experience that it is not that difficult to learn the skill albeit that I played on narrower pitches. Suspect that there will now be many players studying Delap's technique.

 

[don1]

no

 

[Flatters]

I'm a student, work part time. I simply couldn't afford to buy him.

Rory Delap? I reckon you could.

 

[gibbs131]

He's not that bad.

 

[Mornstar]

nein

 

[MarkTHFC9]

Anyone see Huddlestones long throw yesterday? Sorry, i said long throw didnt i.