Everyone knows we wouldn't be in the PL without DS, nor have survived last season without DS. I bet Warren rates DS.
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[Albion] Dale Stephens
- Thread starter Stato
- Start date
Everyone knows we wouldn't be in the PL without DS, nor have survived last season without DS. I bet Warren rates DS.
Stato
Well-known member
- Dec 21, 2011
- 6,585
- Thread starter
- #23
Let's be honest. When a midfield like Gomes, Gueye and Sigurdsson clicks, our midfielders are unlikely to have an easy day.
We are not in the position to spend the £70m+ and wages it would cost to buy three like them. In games against the teams with really big money Stephens, Kayal etc. are always going to be underdogs. Some days they'll beat the odds. Some days they won't. Let's not slate them as rubbish on days when they don't beat the odds.
We are not in the position to spend the £70m+ and wages it would cost to buy three like them. In games against the teams with really big money Stephens, Kayal etc. are always going to be underdogs. Some days they'll beat the odds. Some days they won't. Let's not slate them as rubbish on days when they don't beat the odds.
dadams2k11
ID10T Error
He has more good games than bad and like someone else said he was one of the main reasons we were promoted imo.
He was like our Zaha, in the Championship in that when he didn't play we didn't win..
I like him.
He was like our Zaha, in the Championship in that when he didn't play we didn't win..
I like him.
BensGrandad
New member
Not today unfortunately as Kayal was poor and Stephens struggled to get to grips with the midfield which Everton dominated, with little help from those around him.
Realism.
Farehamseagull
Solly March Fan Club
He’s been a fantastic signing and player for us over the years but I really don’t think he’s had a very good season so far. We’ve been outclassed and over-run in midfield in the majority of games this season. Same again today.
BensGrandad
New member
DS is our engine in midfield and most of our good moves come through or from him and without him we would be alongside of Huddersfield.
Dorset Seagull
Once Dolphin, Now Seagull
I thought today he took up some poor positions by not giving an angle to the players around him. The man on the ball couldn’t find him because he was in the shadow of the opposition player between them
Privately, and amongst friends, I questioned the capability of Stephens in the PL, thankfully, on the whole, he's proved me wrong, he has raised his game and is a worthy team member.
However, the commentary team, I don't consider any more qualified than a Current Crawley player. Which is about the standard they attained. BBC R Sussex has been difficult to listen to since John Byrne gave up.
However, the commentary team, I don't consider any more qualified than a Current Crawley player. Which is about the standard they attained. BBC R Sussex has been difficult to listen to since John Byrne gave up.
doogie004
Well-known member
were you at the game,BG? Or have you just decided for yourself that Stephens' under par performance was Kayal's fault?
BensGrandad
New member
I watched it on Bein Sports and even they commented on the number of times Kayal either lost the ball or missed a tackle and when substituted they said it was an obvious move as he had not been at the races. As good as he is DS cannot carry his midfield partner but in fairness it is BK first poor game in recent times.
I rest my case............He wasn't good today. Wonderful player but he will ave better days. And when he does, we will win
Don't knock Beram. The 9 points we amassed in the last 3 games. He has played a massive part in that. He doesn't need to be carried by anyone. We all have off days. Everton were good today. Sometimes you just have to hold your hand up and say the opposition played well and they nullified us
seagull_special
Well-known member
Fair comment, we were over run In midfield. Everton were superior but actually tactically we weren’t right. When Bissouma came in n we improved. For me March does not work with n his current role.
Fair play to Everton who have spent 100s of millions it was their day.
Is it PotG?
Thrifty non-licker
Sublime today. Bernardo and he, different gravy.
Thought DS had a slow start today but as the game went on he got better and better. Good to see his range of forward passes.
Big plusses also for Duffy, Bernado, Ryan and Locadia. Oh, and Propper
Ninja Elephant
Doctor Elephant
- Feb 16, 2009
- 18,855
I really feel sorry for Stephens. Yes, at times he is too negative and needs to study Michael Carrick's game a bit more (similar role in the sides they played in, slightly different quality around them though!) because he could offer us much more in a positive way. But defensively, his reading of the game and the ground he covers is sublime. We're a better team with him in it but I think our natural progression into a counter attacking team with pace all over the pitch will require either Stephens playing in a screening position in front of the defence or him needing to show more dynamism to suit a 4-4-1-1 formation if we stick with Gross as a number 10.
I rate Stephens highly. I think, whatever our long term plans are, Stephens will continue to be a key player in this team.
I rate Stephens highly. I think, whatever our long term plans are, Stephens will continue to be a key player in this team.
albionfan37
Well-known member
With bissouma on the lookout for a regular start dale will need to up his game and tbf he did just that today