Source: Team_Talk
Delap praises Potters' spirit
Midfielder Rory Delap feels the spirit of Stoke shone through last night as Tony Pulis provided the inspiration for their win over Aston Villa.[LNB] Pulis arrived just after the Premier League fixture kicked off at the Britannia Stadium, having travelled back from south Wales after spending time with his family following the death of his mother earlier in the day.[LNB]With the Potters trailing 1-0 at the interval, Pulis gave a fierce half-time team-talk before taking his place in the technical area for the second period.[LNB]Stoke subsequently went on to turn the game around and earn their first points of the season thanks to late goals from Kenwyne Jones and Robert Huth, an outcome Delap believes perfectly illustrates the sense of resilience and togetherness which has always been prevalent during his time at the club.[LNB]"I think it (Pulis' team-talk) was the kick we needed and it obviously lifted the crowd as well when he came out," Delap said.[LNB]"The crowd noise went up in decibels and that lifted the players and probably did get more out of us.[LNB]"It shows the character of the man that after the day he had, he still came and made a difference.[LNB]"That has been the heartbeat here since I've been at the club - that spirit in the camp - and we proved that by scoring the winner three minutes into injury time.[LNB]"It was one of those games yesterday where we could have had every excuse had we lost the game, but we didn't want to accept that and I think we deserved to win in the end."[LNB]Jones was one of several new signings on display for Stoke last night, with Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson making their debuts after arriving on transfer deadline day.[LNB]Pulis has stressed the importance of teamwork over individuality within the Potters squad, an environment Delap feels the new recruits are settling into well.[LNB]"The manager does his background work on every player he signs and the new ones are no different," Delap said.[LNB]"They have settled in really well - they have the same attitude as the players that are at the club and the manager wouldn't have signed them if they didn't.[LNB]"They have fitted in well and hopefully they have the quality to move this club on."[LNB]Delap joined Stoke on a permanent deal from Sunderland in 2007 having previously been at Southampton, where he also played alongside Jones.[LNB]The former Republic of Ireland international has become notorious for the chaos he causes in opposition boxes with his long throw-ins and Delap hopes with the powerful figure of Jones up front for him to aim at again, the weapon can be even more potent.[LNB]"I have known Kenwyne since he came over to Southampton and when he is on his game, he is unplayable," Delap said.[LNB]"He was immense last night and he got the goal that he thoroughly deserved. I've not managed to find him yet but hopefully I can start that.[LNB]"He is one of four or five very big lads we have in the team now and that will only help for the throw-ins."
