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Bruce's Beckham belief
Wigan Athletic, 17:22, November 6, 2008 ,
Steve Bruce has compared Stoke star Rory Delap's throw-in delivery to David Beckham's crosses and says Wigan have a plan to combat it.
Wigan have held meetings this week to discuss the threat of the Republic of Ireland full-back's flat-trajectory throw which has led to seven goals this season - from 88 Delap deliveries.
And Bruce says they have got a plan to deal with the situations, which could mean Wigan defenders will to be under instruction to concede corners in preference to throws in those areas on Saturday.
"Fair play to them - unless you are prepared to head the ball and defend properly, you are going to come unstuck. It's as simple as that," said Bruce.
"We have got some sort of plan, and we'll be looking to put it into effect. The long throw is awkward because you can't play offside and you can't stand people on the line like you can from a corner.
"It's a weapon that is incredible to have in your armoury, but the simple fact is you've got to be prepared to head it.
"They (the Wigan players) will - and if you don't match that you are going to come unstuck.
"To be fair we have got a big back four. My right-back is 6ft 3ins, my left-back is 6ft 1ins, both my centre-backs are 6ft 2ins or 6ft 3ins and my goalkeeper is 6ft 5ins so we'll have enough, I hope, to deal with it.
"We know what's coming but we have to be prepared to put our heads in there and accept a whack every now and again."
Bruce believes Delap's deliveries are as accurate as Beckham's crosses and free-kicks and has heaped further praise on the Stoke defender ahead of the clash.
"I don't think I've seen anybody throw a ball like this boy can throw it," added the Latics boss
"He's just unbelievable. David Beckham was the master of free-kicks because he used to consistently put the ball into the area, and Delap can whizz it in with the same pace and the same trajectory, time and time again."