Stoke City: Delap's delivery just like Becks, says Bruce

WIGAN boss Steve Bruce has compared Rory Delap's throw-ins to David Beckham's legendary free-kicks.

And Bruce is hoping he has enough height and will-power to succeed where others have failed in defending a set-piece routine yielding seven Premier League goals for Stoke – including their last three.

"He's just unbelievable," Bruce said of Delap.

"David Beckham was the master of free-kicks because he used to consistently put the ball into the area and Delap can whiz it in with the same pace and the same trajectory, time and time again."

He continued: "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.

"We have 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 have to be prepared to head it. They (Stoke's players) will and if you don't match that you are going to come unstuck.

"To be fair, we have 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."