An in-depth analysis of Rory Delap’s long throws for Stoke
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
YouTuber “GerryDisthename” has compiled a fabulous video collecting video evidence of Rory Delap’s now famous long throw-ins for Stoke City, with commentary from the pundits at Match of the Day analysing the threat posed from the Delapatron (as he is now known).
The video can be seen here.
In response to the problems posed by Delap’s throw-ins, the BBC’s pundit Lee Dixon has come up with his own tactical solutions to how teams may equip themselves to defend themselves against this now well-publicised ploy.
According to the talking head, “the simplest and obvious thing to do is not give throw-ins away.” But saving for that almost certain inevitability, Dixon says that he “would tackle this by putting a team’s four best headers of the ball on the goalline with the goalkeeper and ask them to ignore the forward and just go and attack the throw-in… It is a lot easier if you are not concerned about your opposite man as you can concentrate on the flight of the ball, judge whether it is coming in your area and decide whether to deal with it or not… Everyone might think you are mad but if I was a manager I would try it.”
6 Responses to “An in-depth analysis of Rory Delap’s long throws for Stoke”
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November 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
one way to defend it is very cheap but was done by aston villa to end tranmeres amazing cup run thanks similar tactics by dave challinor
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what you do is everytime theres the throw in and delap has it, send out your subs to run down the touchline in a row. delap cant wait for them all to keep passing and will be booked for time wasting and as they are in his way his run up would be screwed
November 4th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
agree with lee dixon, defenders should stand further back(nearer to their goal area), and they should seek to attack the ball(much like they would in an attacking corner situation). if the defenders are man marking in a stationary position and stance, they would always be on the losing end as the Stoke players would have the aid of forward momentum. this is a similar concept to having one of your defenders be a ‘free man’ while defending a corner.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Put four on the line - Stoke never get decent headers to the ball, mainly just glanced headers. Have three attacking the ball and your keeper to try to claim early. Cech did well against them because he’s a very good keeper in the air. I think Reina might struggle as Almunia did, not sure about Van Der Sar.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Alex,
Rory Delap didn’t play against Chelsea as he was injured. Alan Hanson also said this on Match Of The Day!
November 4th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Kick it out for a corner. Much safer.
November 4th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Alex, clearly you didn’t see the Sunderland game - Fuller’s header was a bullet, not a glance!