Yeah I was a little unsure as to why we're after Stephens,Thorne is quite creative too though which is what we need. Maybe Stephens would be able to do Thorne's current job to give Thorne a bit of freedom.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Albion] Dale Stephens
- Thread starter British Bulldog
- Start date
Yeah I was a little unsure as to why we're after Stephens,Thorne is quite creative too though which is what we need. Maybe Stephens would be able to do Thorne's current job to give Thorne a bit of freedom.
Or better still keep Stephens buy Thorne and Butterfield.
Can you imagine that midfield along with kayal. Be like playing championship manager so many good players and you can't put them all in same team.
SweatyMexican
Well-known member
- Mar 31, 2013
- 4,101
Thanks for your post.
I heard about this rumour last week but I didn't make much of it, especially after our management then goes on to say he's not going anywhere, but every player has a price. Stump up 4 million, and I'd say that's a deal I'd do! (But in my opinion, I don't see him moving unless Derby up their offer)
If you do sign Dale, don't expect brilliance. He's the 'silent' box-to-box type player who keeps the midfield ticking and does a lot defensively, AND he likes to push up at times too. So he's quite versatile in that respect. He's surprisingly controversial at Brighton, some hate him with a passion, and some like him. Although I'd say he's very important in our midfield especially since our new 442 formation means we have 1 less in the centre, so the versatility is handy.
With your squad this year, I don't know if it's possible for Derby to not get promoted with the squad you have. It's insane considering the attacking talent you've got to play with. If you want, we'll swap Dale Stephens for Johnny Russell. That seems fair.
Good luck for the season, and may we never meet in the play-offs, god forbid.
We ought to nickname Stephens '3 touch'.
1 to control the ball coming in.
1 to steady himself.
1 to pass the ball 6 yards back to the player it came from.
1 to control the ball coming in.
1 to steady himself.
1 to pass the ball 6 yards back to the player it came from.
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
*shudder*
Finchley Seagull
New member
Is Stephens that controversial? Do people really hate him with a passion? I've seen some people maybe don't rate him as highly as others but hate is a strong word.
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
I thought you rated players who had problems controlling the ball.
Thanks for your post.
I heard about this rumour last week but I didn't make much of it, especially after our management then goes on to say he's not going anywhere, but every player has a price. Stump up 4 million, and I'd say that's a deal I'd do! (But in my opinion, I don't see him moving unless Derby up their offer)
If you do sign Dale, don't expect brilliance. He's the 'silent' box-to-box type player who keeps the midfield ticking and does a lot defensively, AND he likes to push up at times too. So he's quite versatile in that respect. He's surprisingly controversial at Brighton, some hate him with a passion, and some like him. Although I'd say he's very important in our midfield especially since our new 442 formation means we have 1 less in the centre, so the versatility is handy.
With your squad this year, I don't know if it's possible for Derby to not get promoted with the squad you have. It's insane considering the attacking talent you've got to play with. If you want, we'll swap Dale Stephens for Johnny Russell. That seems fair.
Good luck for the season, and may we never meet in the play-offs, god forbid.
Haha, it does feel like we HAVE to go up this season or it will all come tumbling down.
Good luck to you guys too, not a bad start at all!
SweatyMexican
Well-known member
- Mar 31, 2013
- 4,101
Don't underestimate NSC. It may be a minority, but it's a vocal one. Perhaps "Hate with a passion" was too strong, but some people just don't like him. On the way back from Fulham 2 weeks ago, I was talking to a Brighton fan on the coach who kept saying how awful Stephens was. I thought he had a decent game, especially in the first half. People just want targets to moan at sometimes, I wouldn't think much into it.
Tony Meolas Loan Spell
Slut Faced Whores
Same as Dean Hammond then.
At least his first touch doesn't bounce of out play like CMS
The Wizard
Well-known member
- Jul 2, 2009
- 18,383
Do you ever have anything positive to say, like ever? Unless I've missed the sarcasm here.
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
It always amazes how differently people see things. For me midfielders like Stephens - who are proper box to box players (for the second goal in a row he was the furthest player forward), who is also an aerial threat, who can tackle, pass, who will score a goal, a player who demands the ball are bloomin' difficult to replace. We have a player who together with Kayal allows us to play two wide players in a 4-4-2 and still people are not satisfied.
Look at the career Hammond has had after leaving us for the first time. And there were plenty happy to drive him to the station.
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
Ha ha. And there you go.
He's lucky to have someone 6 yards away to pass too!! but enough of that.
Yeah I very much see him as Dean Hammond II
I have no idea how he can be 'brilliant, 8.5/10, MotM etc' on the player rating threads.
He's clearly the second best central midfielder, and certainly isn't a dud.
I appreciate it's the start of the season plus the fact he had such a long injury lay off.
I hope there's more to come, I'm just not seeing the 'box to box', 'incisive passing' & 'easily contributing 10 goals from midfield' that Team Dale does.
Finchley Seagull
New member
Fair enough. I know there are some fans who don't rate him, I was just a bit surprised by the suggestion people hate him.
I'm sure there are a few fans that would have taken the £2.5 million from Derby. They would have been wrong though as Stephens and Kayal are forming a fantastic partnership in midfield in my opinion and are key to the new system.
drew
Drew
Suggest you start watching the games a bit closer!!
Excellent post. That is all.
Finchley Seagull
New member
Others make a fair point. The fact you rated CMS so highly shows how much we should respect your opinion on Stephens.
Albumen
Don't wait for me!
Your understanding of maths is better than your understanding of football.
Blimey anyone would think I suggested we 'put him out of his misery'.
I just don't get the love in.
He's clearly better (by virtue of the market) than Derby's £2.5m offer.
It'll certainly take more than that to replace him, all good news.
Assuming we're all saying Kayal is out best CM.
I think the drop off to Stephens is a decent margin, which says more about Kayal than Stephens.
Although there's still a drop in ability etc from Stephens to the other 4 squad players looking at the first team, I don't think it's quite such a gulf in class.
I just don't get the love in.
He's clearly better (by virtue of the market) than Derby's £2.5m offer.
It'll certainly take more than that to replace him, all good news.
Assuming we're all saying Kayal is out best CM.
I think the drop off to Stephens is a decent margin, which says more about Kayal than Stephens.
Although there's still a drop in ability etc from Stephens to the other 4 squad players looking at the first team, I don't think it's quite such a gulf in class.