Farehamseagull
Solly March Fan Club
Yes he should. We're just not the same team without him and Kayal in the middle.
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Should Stephens start on Saturday?
- Thread starter edna krabappel
- Start date
DarrenFreemansPerm
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If he's been working his plums off in training and demonstrating a desire to compete, then I'd say yes he should start. If he's dragging his arse around then no. I trust Hughton to make the correct call.
BensGrandad
New member
The sooner him and Kayal are linked together again the better but I believe that CH may start him on the bench and bring him on about 65 mins then start them together against. Huddersfield. If he wants rotation he can do that at Burton.
Mellor 3 Ward 4
Well-known member
Yes, he should start IMO.
Sidwell was crap at Newcastle, the sooner Kayal,and Stephens are playing together the better.
Sidwell was crap at Newcastle, the sooner Kayal,and Stephens are playing together the better.
S'hampton Seagull
Well-known member
Yes Chef
Well-known member
I agree with most of this, as we have a spell of 7 games in roughly 3 weeks coming up, so everyone will get plenty of opportunities.
I would however start Stephens against Huddersfield as he seems a little more robust then Norwood, and perhaps more resilient to their gegenpressen style. Give Norwood a bit of protection at Burton and we could see him flourish.
Kayal, in my opinion, is the most important CM at our club.
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Absolutely right, and we can't tell from here
sir albion
New member
Don't think I could hack another game with sidwell starting...so YES he should start 
Da Man Clay
T'Blades
- Dec 16, 2004
- 16,254
Depends entirely how he's been in training. Presuming he hasn't stopped making the effort required he would be one of the first names on the team sheet. Couldn't really care less if he wants to be elsewhere.
albionfan37
Well-known member
If he's trained well and shows he wants to play then he should start otherwise BK and ON
Mackenzie
Old Brightonian
Absolutely not. What sort of message does that send out to his team mates who've stood in for him whilst he's been doing his level best to leave! No he needs to play exceptionally well for the reserves and/or wait for an injury to the first choice picks. No player is bigger than the club, he has to wait his turn now.
I won't be booing him when he does eventually get some game time but this episode has left a sour taste.
I won't be booing him when he does eventually get some game time but this episode has left a sour taste.
I'd go:
Brentford. Stephens and Kayal
Huddersfield. Stephens and Kayal
Burton. Maybe change it up - Kayal and Stephens.
Sidwell and Norwood can play in the Reading cup game.
The Sock of Poskett
The best is yet to come (spoiler alert)
- Jun 12, 2009
- 2,802
Stephens and Kayal are a killer combination. Unless it's clear from training that Dale's head is not right, or his heart's not in it, get those two back and functioning pronto. If not, Kayal + Norwood.
portslade seagull
Well-known member
Think I would rather Stephens/Kayal against udders
CaptainDaveUK
Well-known member
- Oct 18, 2010
- 1,506
Probably has to win his starting place back, i.e. come on off the bench and play a blinding 30 mins.
Sheebo
Well-known member
- Jul 13, 2003
- 29,287
Agreed 100%
CP 0 3 BHA
Well-known member
I'd start him alongside Kayal - they are demonstrably our strongest pairing. If his head isn't right Hughton can sub him off and bring Norwood on if needed.
crookie
Well-known member
Totally agree. Kayal/Stephens partnership massive reason why we almost went up last year. We really need to win on Saturday so our best XI have to be selected. Stephens is better than Sidwell, therefore he has to be picked. The only excuse would be if he hasn't pulled his weight in training. Normally I'd agree that a player should win his place back, but Sidwell was a passenger against Newcastle and Norwood has not yet shown he should be on the team sheet areas of Stephens.
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GT49er
Well-known member
You wouldn't play our best midfield pairing against the runaway league leaders?
Voted yes in the poll myself, but may well have opted for 'bench' if it had been an option.