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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2009 9:25:53 GMT
I think its amazing that we can say Cresswell is not good enough, despite the fact that he runs around a lot and 'covers every blade of grass', but yet Delap should be first-team regular purely on this basis (oh, and the gimmicky long-throw, which HAS been sussed out). I think some of us need to drop the sentimentality - take off the rose-tinted specs - and recognise Rory needs replacing. Let's be honest - take away his long-throw and he'd be getting more stick than Pericard. Bollocks mikey. While he probably does need to be phased out, he's far more than a long throw and to compare him to Cresswell is grossly unfair. He's an intelligent reader of the game for a start. He's one of the few midfielders who can tidy up in the holding role, breaking up play and keeping it simple, and gets forward as well. He was an important player even without the throw over the last two seasons. Yes we need to improve on him, but we need to improve on Whelan as well if we're going to push forward.
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Post by luke45 on Jul 7, 2009 12:52:23 GMT
He says he wants to keep going until he is 38. If he plays at the top till then it will be a minor miracle. Tugay still looked the part for Blackburn aged 38 last season. I think we may get two more seasons out of Rory, then aged 35 he may spend his final few seasons back at Carlisle.
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Jul 7, 2009 13:14:04 GMT
Wouldn't say he was a shocking passer, the best central midfielder we have or past it. He does some things very well, reading the game, getting to second balls, likes to start counter attacks. His passing could be more clinical but lets be fair the way we play all our central midfielders find it hard to find another stoke player for parts of matches.
I think he'll be a squad player this year, will get 10-15 starts i think, I thought he looked a bit tired towards the end of the season which is probably a sign of his aging. I prefer him central, but at the moment we don't have a lot of wide options beyond etherington and lawrence so I can see him filling in on the wings some more. Would be a useful player to stick on the wing when we have games against the big 4 and we are planning to park the bus.
The throw of epic proportions onto ric's head for the opener against arsenal was one of the best moments of last season for me, not to mentino the chelsea goal.
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Post by th05 on Jul 7, 2009 17:15:04 GMT
Last year as a first team regular I think.
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Post by eddiecurrent on Jul 7, 2009 17:16:39 GMT
IMO there's Certainly another season in the prem in him easily, then realistically it's the Championship. :-) Hopefully not with us ( the Championship bit, that is )
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Post by Block 26 on Jul 7, 2009 17:17:26 GMT
This season as a regular definatley, then at least 2 season in the squad after that. Who know's, in 3-4 years time Rory could be part of the managment staff. I know I'd like him too.
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Post by cobhamstokey on Jul 7, 2009 17:19:04 GMT
I like Rory what ever happens he's been a key player for us over the last 2 years and a great ambassador for the club.
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Post by eddiecurrent on Jul 7, 2009 17:24:53 GMT
I think its amazing that we can say Cresswell is not good enough, despite the fact that he runs around a lot and 'covers every blade of grass', but yet Delap should be first-team regular purely on this basis (oh, and the gimmicky long-throw, which HAS been sussed out). I think some of us need to drop the sentimentality - take off the rose-tinted specs - and recognise Rory needs replacing. Let's be honest - take away his long-throw and he'd be getting more stick than Pericard. I just cant beleive that you'd think that. Delap has has some cracking games from us. He reads the game very well, he gets into the right place at the right time and is extremely versatile. Granted he had some shit games, but who hasn't? He's never going to be the Worlds best midfield player but he's definately worth a place in our squad. Ps - his throw isnt gimmicky, its fucking lethal!
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Post by thepoet64 on Jul 7, 2009 18:19:30 GMT
I Just Love Him and hope he stays with us in some capacity for ever!!!
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Post by actongatestokie on Jul 7, 2009 18:27:26 GMT
I agree with your general consensus mikeyb, but I think you're a bit harsh comparing him to Cresswell.
In my humble opinion, Delap does need to be phased out next season. I fear that the more he plays next year and the year beyond, the more he will be seen as a Diao type figure (ie. one of the few that started all this but has sadly lost his legs).
He is an intelligent footballer and more than just a long throw, but his legs are fastly going and the Premiership (sadly in my opinion and much to its detriment at times) is more and more about physical attributes like power and pace.
I can see us bringing in two better central midfielders this summer so where would that leave Rory? If we signed Nolan and somebody like Papa Bouba Diop or a similar midfield destroyer where would you play him?
I genuinely like the guy. He is a top, top professional and has done some incredible work for local charities - which is really above and beyond his call of duty and something way out of character (in a good way) of today's footballers.
There's no room for sentiment though and we musn't keep hold of him for longer than he is useful to us.
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Post by Stokester on Jul 7, 2009 21:41:09 GMT
Rory is 33? bloody hell! I think Rory is great BUT wouldn't hesitate to drop him IF we brough in some real quality in the middle i.e a Huddlestone type. He has been massive this season but is far from irreplaceable.
To be fair to him though he seems like a good man and I am still extremely glad he's a Stoke player.
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