Griffin backs Stoke's tactics

Griffin: Only focused on staying up

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Stoke City captain Andy Griffin has defended the way his side play and declares that if it is successful then why change it.

Tony Pulis' men have come in for criticism this season for their aggressive and physical approach with Rory Delap's long throws-in causing mayhem in opposition penalty areas.

Arsenal were the latest to lose to Stoke's tactics when they were beaten 2-1 at the Britannia in which both of the hosts' goals came from Delap's superhuman throws.

With such an effective weapon Potters skipper Griffin sees no reason why they should change their style.

He told The Sun: "A lot of people don't appreciate the way we play, they don't appreciate Rory Delap's throw-ins but it gets us goals.

"As a club we have to be selfish, we want to survive in the Premier League, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

"Our way of football has got us results, we're not in this league to try and please other people, it's about Stoke staying in this league."

Griffin was part of the Derby County team which took a battering most weekends last season in the Premier League and admits so far the current campaign has been more enjoyable.

Confidence

He added: "I played against Arsenal for Derby last year and we got beat 5-0 and it wasn't very nice. I know which I prefer.

"So beating a top team is great for our fans. It's great for our fans to see us competing against a team like Arsenal. We thoroughly deserved the win on that day, it instils a lot of belief and confidence."

Griffin and his team-mates were accused of 'parking two buses in front of the goal' by Wigan manager Steve Bruce after the two sides drew 0-0 at the JJB on Saturday.

Stoke will need all their belief and confidence in abundance when they visit Old Trafford on Saturday and Griffin explains that fans can expect more of the same from the Wigan clash when they come up against Manchester United.

He said: "Will it be the same there? Yes there's no point trying to kid anyone.

"We feel if we can beat Arsenal then surely on our day if things go well, we can do the same against United.

"It's obviously better to go to Old Trafford on a good run. We'll go there with belief and confidence and we'll just have to see how it goes."