Manchester City keeper Shay Given believes dealing with Rory
Delap's long throw will go a long way to nullifying Stoke's threat
on Tuesday.
Roberto Mancini's side take on the Potters for the second
time in four days after the sides drew 1-1 in the FA Cup fifth
round at Eastlands on Saturday.
It was Delap's long throw that led to Ricardo Fuller's
leveller at the weekend and Given believes they must deal with
Stoke's special weapon if they are to claim the points.
City are desperate to pip the likes of Liverpool and Spurs to
that all-important fourth place in the Premier League - and the
Irishman said: "You see it every week on Match of the Day, you know
what is coming, you know what to expect - but it is another thing
dealing with it.
"At the Britannia Stadium you have the narrowest pitch in the
Premier League and Delap can wang it to the near post, to the far
post, anywhere! He's got that ability.
"So, we know what's coming. If we win Tuesday's game we move
into fourth position. And then we go back again the following week
for the replay.
"So, hopefully, by the end of the three games we'll finally
know how to deal with Delap's long throw! But, certainly, if we
want to win the FA Cup and finish fourth in the league then we've
got to come out on top of that long throw - and deal with how they
play."
