Player ratings: West Brom (h)

Coalburner said:

Have to say I'm in the "Stephens isn't up to it" camp. He tried to blackmail us last year into letting him go as he was ready for Premiership football. Well, he's got that now and he is clearly not ready for it. His reflexes are too slow in this company and someone needs to drill into him that it is permissible for him to pass the ball forward. He has two default positions - pass it sideways or, preferably, kill any forward impetus by passing it backwards. He is a competent footballer but no more and is currently the weak link in the team

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mccraque said:

I don't get all this Stephens nonsense. He looked way more at home this week and am sure he'll continue to grow as he becomes more familiar with Propper and the step up. The confidence is definitely coming.

As for the others- everyone had good games. I so want Suttner to do well but seems to have his body position wrong when defending sometimes. Makes it too easy for people to drift past
Him. Looks a decent footballer though. And Solly made sure he wasn't exposed.

Very pleased for tomer - his scoring record in the Spanish top flight isn't bad and nor is his international return. He may surprise a few people. Would have been nice to supplement him with Dwamena, but I think him and Glenn will be ok.

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aolstudios said:

March 8 - superb defensively, surprisingly. Final ball generally lame

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Brightonfan1983 said:

Hemed's header was top quality, really good.
Propper's pass out to March in the first half was a thing of beauty, Dunk-esque. And it's what we do well, stretch the play from left to right. It's been said but too deep is no good for him. But needs must at the moment - Kayal/Sidwell will give him some freedom to do what he obviously does best.

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Nixonator said:

Typical bollocks from biased twits who still have bees in their bonnets about last Summer, even though he has handled himself like a model pro.

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Johnny RoastBeef said:

I have no bias against him, but his performance on Saturday was not great. Slowing down the speed of play too often, to me towards the end of the first half it seemed he only wanted to play the ball backwards. Then, towards the end of the second half, I forgot he was even on the pitch.

If that's all you want from a centre midfielder, the position which should influence the tempo of our play the most, then you obviously have a different view to me. And that's OK.

I hope he gets back to his best, but if he doesn't, when Kayal or Sidwell are availble, I would give either a go in his place.

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Nixonator said:

Thankfully you aren't in charge though are you, and I would be shocked if CH entertained the idea for a second of dropping him on that performance, based on the fact he undoubtedly sees things very differently to you.

Sidwell is good cover fair enough, but to suggest sticking Kayal in place of him shows your lack of understanding really.

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Machiavelli said:

I think you're thinking of Gross' pass that started off his one-two with Solly.

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