OF COURSE SOCCER PLAYERS ARE AFRAID...:

Arsenal lose to Stoke City as Robin van Persie is sent off and Theo Walcott injured (Simon Hart, 01 Nov 2008, Daily Telegraph)

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has claimed that the hype over throw-in specialist Rory Delap was beginning to strike fear into the hearts of the opposing teams after Arsenal were undone by two of the Irishman’s long-range missiles on Saturday afternoon.

Delap’s throws, which led directly to goals from Ricardo Fuller and Seyi Olofinjana, caused panic in the Arsenal defence, exposing many of the fault-lines that were revealed in their 4-4 draw with Tottenham in midweek, and Pulis is convinced their problems were as much psychological as tactical.

“He throws it very flat and it is very difficult for defenders to pick the ball up but I think the media has helped by giving it so much publicity,” he said. “I think people are frightened to death about it.”

...of guys who can throw.

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Posted by Orrin Judd at November 1, 2008 3:43 PM