[Albion] The undropable Dale Stephens

timbha said:

Was a big Stephens fan and often stuck up for him when he came in for criticism, often using the lazy response of “well Hughton/Potter seem to rate him”. His job is done at the Albion. He has helped consolidate us as a PL team but doesn’t have the pace/speed of thought and decision making to take us further. He’s been a good servant and could play a similar role at a promoted or top 6 Championship team.
My only regret is his behaviour when we got promoted with the threat of a move to Burnley. I thought the timing was out of order although it might have just been his agent/press stiring things up.

Ps. I Won’t for give Knockaert for singing “give him the money” at the promotion celebrations

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Weststander said:

It was the year before that in 2016 where Dyche made several bids for Stephens, with DS handing in a transfer request. I don’t hold it against a player for wanting to play PL football, he was after all 27, it might’ve been his last opportunity.

Bloom rejected all of that, Stephens immediately put it all behind him, playing magnificently in our promotion season.

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timbha said:

I bow to your superior memory, but I’m sure I recall clips of Knocky singing “give him the money” and thought it was the night we got promotion. Did Dyche try twice?

Edit - just checked and he didn’t sign a new contract until the summer after we gained promotion

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Swansman said:

View attachment 125905

Found this stat when I was looking for Brighton news in Dutch media. Ball recoveries per 90 min. Pretty decent company for this alleged "Championship midfielder".

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SittingbourneSeagull said:

I really like Dale Stephens but then I also liked Barnes. These are the sort of players that unselfishly do the dirty work for the team so they don't get noticed until someone pipes up with "what do they bring to the team?"

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Swansman said:

View attachment 125905

Found this stat when I was looking for Brighton news in Dutch media. Ball recoveries per 90 min. Pretty decent company for this alleged "Championship midfielder".

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schmunk said:

Is there a corresponding stat for ball losses per 90 min...?

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Swansman said:

Sure, here's the same players but a "dispossessed per 90" top list:

143. Fred - 1.71
185. Paul Pogba - 1.49
225. Pierre Höjbjerg - 1.27
246. Naby Keita - 1.03
265. Wilfried Ndidi - 0.93
282. Jorginho - 0.80
292. Declan Rice - 0.76
304. Jefferson Lerma - 0.68
324. Dale Stephens - 0.66
373. Ruben Neves - 0.33

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