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[Albion] Dale Stephens? Really??



Gilliver's Travels

Peripatetic
Jul 5, 2003
2,916
Brighton Marina Village
This is a question for those of you with a deep knowledge of the technicalities of the game. We are told regularly that Dale Stephens is an absolutely pivotal member of the team, first name out of the hat, a real players' player, etc, etc.

What we non-cognoscenti will actually see is a player who:–

Constantly slows the game down, resulting in loss of impetus and attacking opportunity
Is ponderous on the ball, looking simply indecisive
Instinctively passes backwards or sideways, rarely forward
Frequently misplaces even the simplest short passes, to howls of anguish from the crowd
Wastes shooting opportunities through poor technique – eg spectacular Row ZZ example against Fulham


And yet… And yet… People in the know really rate the guy.

Anyone care to explain why?
 






Dick Swiveller

Well-known member
Sep 9, 2011
9,142
This is a question for those of you with a deep knowledge of the technicalities of the game. We are told regularly that Dale Stephens is an absolutely pivotal member of the team, first name out of the hat, a real players' player, etc, etc.

What we non-cognoscenti will actually see is a player who:–

Constantly slows the game down, resulting in loss of impetus and attacking opportunity
Is ponderous on the ball, looking simply indecisive
Instinctively passes backwards or sideways, rarely forward
Frequently misplaces even the simplest short passes, to howls of anguish from the crowd
Wastes shooting opportunities through poor technique – eg spectacular Row ZZ example against Fulham


And yet… And yet… People in the know really rate the guy.

Anyone care to explain why?
What you have done is confuse the phrase "we non-cognoscenti" with the word I.

HTH
 


Blue Valkyrie

Not seen such Bravery!
Sep 1, 2012
32,165
Valhalla
Balloons far, far too many shots over the bar.
 




Questions

Habitual User
Oct 18, 2006
24,722
Worthing
That through ball to Gross for our penalty against United was ‘sideways’ ?
 




Commander

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Apr 28, 2004
12,787
London
This is a question for those of you with a deep knowledge of the technicalities of the game. We are told regularly that Dale Stephens is an absolutely pivotal member of the team, first name out of the hat, a real players' player, etc, etc.

What we non-cognoscenti will actually see is a player who:–

Constantly slows the game down, resulting in loss of impetus and attacking opportunity
Is ponderous on the ball, looking simply indecisive
Instinctively passes backwards or sideways, rarely forward
Frequently misplaces even the simplest short passes, to howls of anguish from the crowd
Wastes shooting opportunities through poor technique – eg spectacular Row ZZ example against Fulham


And yet… And yet… People in the know really rate the guy.

Anyone care to explain why?

Look at our record in the Premier League when he doesn't play. That should tell you all you need to know.
 






albionfan37

Well-known member
Aug 14, 2014
4,148
What’s it called? Cumbernauld
1 he controls the tempo of the game
2 he bridges play between defending and attacking
3 he plays more forward balls than gets credit for he might also give the ball away with those passes but not as often as you clearly think
4 his game management is fantastic
5 has a fabulous understanding with the 2 cbs and the more attacking players
6plays selflessly to the benefit of the team

I suspect there’s plenty more to his game but you get the point I hope
 


theboybilly

Well-known member
What a load of tosh! Do you really expect him to consistently lump one forward to Murray or Gross? That's the surest way of inviting pressure straight away. Dale is working to our system which will mean (in his case) fetching and carrying, breaking up opponents play and being available for a pass out of defence. To my mind he does a pretty good job of it and has done since he arrived from Charlton. A bargain.

Do you sit somewhere behind me in WSL?
 




beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius
Jul 21, 2003
35,265








studio150

Well-known member
Jul 30, 2011
29,555
On the Border
This is a question for those of you with a deep knowledge of the technicalities of the game. We are told regularly that Dale Stephens is an absolutely pivotal member of the team, first name out of the hat, a real players' player, etc, etc.

What we non-cognoscenti will actually see is a player who:–

Constantly slows the game down, resulting in loss of impetus and attacking opportunity
Is ponderous on the ball, looking simply indecisive
Instinctively passes backwards or sideways, rarely forward
Frequently misplaces even the simplest short passes, to howls of anguish from the crowd
Wastes shooting opportunities through poor technique – eg spectacular Row ZZ example against Fulham


And yet… And yet… People in the know really rate the guy.

Anyone care to explain why?

I suggest you pop along to the next fans Forum and ask this question to CH. I am sure that in his best diplomatic language he talk you through what Dale offers the team.
 






bobbysmith01

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2015
785
This is a question for those of you with a deep knowledge of the technicalities of the game. We are told regularly that Dale Stephens is an absolutely pivotal member of the team, first name out of the hat, a real players' player, etc, etc.

What we non-cognoscenti will actually see is a player who:–

Constantly slows the game down, resulting in loss of impetus and attacking opportunity
Is ponderous on the ball, looking simply indecisive
Instinctively passes backwards or sideways, rarely forward
Frequently misplaces even the simplest short passes, to howls of anguish from the crowd
Wastes shooting opportunities through poor technique – eg spectacular Row ZZ example against Fulham


And yet… And yet… People in the know really rate the guy.

Anyone care to explain why?

I can explain, you have never played football if that is your understanding of Stephens. If we had 11 Stephens it would be bad, but the game is all about a mixture of skills and players. First name on my team list and The managers as well. Look how we struggle without him. If you are fishing then you confirm
What a boring pastime that is.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 




macbeth

Dismembered
Jan 3, 2018
3,650
six feet beneath the moon...
Is that what some people do when there's no football on, just pick through the team one by one and find ways to criticize them? We've had threads started or revived on Solly, Locadia and now Dale in the space of 4 days. Goodness me this is woefully pathetic.
 


Lindfield23

Well-known member
Dec 14, 2016
762
Please let this be nothing more than a :fishing: attempt:facepalm:
 



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