sir albion
New member
He's not our best player and to be fair I can see dunk,goldson and knocky being worth more in time.
He's similar to kayal although kayal offers more in attack and he didn't make our best 3 last season either.
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Dale Stephens Summer 2016 shenanigans (Merged Thread)
- Thread starter Mellotron
- Start date
He's similar to kayal although kayal offers more in attack and he didn't make our best 3 last season either.
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,221
It interests me that some people assume that Stephens has been sulking while all this has gone on. Previous reports that he'd "refused to play" were categorically denied by Chris Hughton, and I'm inclined to believe him. Yet still there's the perception that he's stomping about, with a big strop on, demanding to go to Burnley.
Maybe, just maybe, it's actually been smart management from Hughton to leave him out, at a time of year when results, at least in the immediate future, tend to be ever so slightly less critical. If you're a Championship midfielder who's been made aware of offers from Premier League clubs, then, no matter how much you might want to play, and you think you're in the right frame of mind, there's always the tiniest possibility that you might commit yourself only 95% to that vital last minute tackle, because at the very back of your mind, you're thinking "don't get injured". It's just human nature.
Hughton (a) doesn't want to lose a game because a player's missed that tackle, and (b), doesn't want to see his player (who may end up staying with the club) become the target of fans' abuse because what they perceive as his lack of commitment losing them said game.
I like it that Hughton defends his players, and I bet it gains him an awful lot of loyalty and respect from them in return. If Stephens does stay, and I admit I'm a little more hopeful today than I was yesterday, then the manager's actions may well turn out to be an absolute masterstroke.
We've been here before with Dunk, after all
Maybe, just maybe, it's actually been smart management from Hughton to leave him out, at a time of year when results, at least in the immediate future, tend to be ever so slightly less critical. If you're a Championship midfielder who's been made aware of offers from Premier League clubs, then, no matter how much you might want to play, and you think you're in the right frame of mind, there's always the tiniest possibility that you might commit yourself only 95% to that vital last minute tackle, because at the very back of your mind, you're thinking "don't get injured". It's just human nature.
Hughton (a) doesn't want to lose a game because a player's missed that tackle, and (b), doesn't want to see his player (who may end up staying with the club) become the target of fans' abuse because what they perceive as his lack of commitment losing them said game.
I like it that Hughton defends his players, and I bet it gains him an awful lot of loyalty and respect from them in return. If Stephens does stay, and I admit I'm a little more hopeful today than I was yesterday, then the manager's actions may well turn out to be an absolute masterstroke.
We've been here before with Dunk, after all
What offer?
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
Nixonator
Well-known member
Dunk and Knockaert are already worth more than Stephens. Stephens offers more of a goal threat than Kayal.
Fan opinion is not the best reference, evidenced frequently on this board.
The offer that the person that was posted in response to said categorically last week had definitely been accepted whilst repeatedly telling us Duffy was Dunks replacement
Nixonator
Well-known member
That's what we all want to know. Only [MENTION=27463]Tubby-McFat-Fuc[/MENTION] has the answers.
Blue Valkyrie
Not seen such Bravery!
I'm pretty certain Stephens is now staying unless we already have a replacement ready with pen hovering over contract.
Far too little time otherwise to get a replacement.
Burnley and Hull have left it far, far too late.
2 factors now come into play which are a break with history :
- £170 million for promotion means Championship teams have little incentive to sell key players.
- No loan window to replace last day departures.
Far too little time otherwise to get a replacement.
Burnley and Hull have left it far, far too late.
2 factors now come into play which are a break with history :
- £170 million for promotion means Championship teams have little incentive to sell key players.
- No loan window to replace last day departures.
Bwian
Kiss my (_!_)
- Jul 14, 2003
- 15,898
To get promotion or to win trophies ALL results matter. All goals scored matter as we found out when settling for a draw cost us, when not pressing for one more goal cost us.It interests me that some people assume that Stephens has been sulking while all this has gone on. Previous reports that he'd "refused to play" were categorically denied by Chris Hughton, and I'm inclined to believe him. Yet still there's the perception that he's stomping about, with a big strop on, demanding to go to Burnley.
Maybe, just maybe, it's actually been smart management from Hughton to leave him out, at a time of year when results, at least in the immediate future, tend to be ever so slightly less critical. If you're a Championship midfielder who's been made aware of offers from Premier League clubs, then, no matter how much you might want to play, and you think you're in the right frame of mind, there's always the tiniest possibility that you might commit yourself only 95% to that vital last minute tackle, because at the very back of your mind, you're thinking "don't get injured". It's just human nature.
Hughton (a) doesn't want to lose a game because a player's missed that tackle, and (b), doesn't want to see his player (who may end up staying with the club) become the target of fans' abuse because what they perceive as his lack of commitment losing them said game.
I like it that Hughton defends his players, and I bet it gains him an awful lot of loyalty and respect from them in return. If Stephens does stay, and I admit I'm a little more hopeful today than I was yesterday, then the manager's actions may well turn out to be an absolute masterstroke.
We've been here before with Dunk, after all
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,221
Yes, but it doesn't feel like that at this time of year, does it? Lose a game in April, and your season can be over at a stroke. Lose one in August, and you tell yourself that you have forty odd games left. That's the point.
BensGrandad
New member
Until May when you look back and say if only we had won that game
The point youre clearly deliberately ignoring is the old the league table means nothing until after 10 games.
seagurn
Well-known member
Points make prizes.
Behind Enemy Lines
Well-known member
Good post. A couple of observations:It interests me that some people assume that Stephens has been sulking while all this has gone on. Previous reports that he'd "refused to play" were categorically denied by Chris Hughton, and I'm inclined to believe him. Yet still there's the perception that he's stomping about, with a big strop on, demanding to go to Burnley.
Maybe, just maybe, it's actually been smart management from Hughton to leave him out, at a time of year when results, at least in the immediate future, tend to be ever so slightly less critical. If you're a Championship midfielder who's been made aware of offers from Premier League clubs, then, no matter how much you might want to play, and you think you're in the right frame of mind, there's always the tiniest possibility that you might commit yourself only 95% to that vital last minute tackle, because at the very back of your mind, you're thinking "don't get injured". It's just human nature.
Hughton (a) doesn't want to lose a game because a player's missed that tackle, and (b), doesn't want to see his player (who may end up staying with the club) become the target of fans' abuse because what they perceive as his lack of commitment losing them said game.
I like it that Hughton defends his players, and I bet it gains him an awful lot of loyalty and respect from them in return. If Stephens does stay, and I admit I'm a little more hopeful today than I was yesterday, then the manager's actions may well turn out to be an absolute masterstroke.
We've been here before with Dunk, after all
Dunk had signed a new contract a full week before the window closed. Stephens hasn't. Stephens has said nothing publicly about his future, either way. Kayal hasn't agreed a new deal but the "mood music" from him suggests he's happy to carry on playing for us and that enjoys his life in Brighton. No such sentiment from Stephens, long rumoured ( and it is just a rumour) to want to move back up north. He's a northern man and thus understandable.
We do know Bloom has stated he doesn't want to sign a new contract. Bloom's admiral determination to hang onto our best players is to be hugely admired and Stephens must have been offered one of the best contracts in the Albion's history. Yet the realities of Premiership mean that will still fall well short of what he could command in that league. If his attitude has been "exemplary" ( CH) why then leave him out against the best team in the league away from home? That makes no sense.
The bottom line for me is that I really like Stephens. He's now good enough to dominate and really run games, not just once in while, but most weeks. He's that good. But I need him to want to be here and play for the Albion. If he does, let's see him say so and sign a new deal in the next few days. Otherwise, he should leave and we will move on.
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,221
You could look back in May and think "If only" about every single game we didn't win. Silly argument. I know why people do it, but rationally, it doesn't make sense.
BensGrandad
New member
Its human nature to reflect back on bad results.
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
Where did Bloom say state he didn't want to sign? At the fans forum, he mentioned Kayal but didn't mention Stephens at all.
Hughton has stood up for Stephens all along. Standing up for him includes taking him out of the firing line.
Blue Valkyrie
Not seen such Bravery!
Eh ?
At the fans forum Tony was asked about Stephens and Kayal. He then replied at length about Stephens not signing and didn't mention Kayal.
Allegedly there had been a noise in the room which meant Tony didn't hear the part of the question about Kayal. This noise didn't appear on the live feed.
The question about Kayal was then repeated, Cantor mumbled about not giving anything away, whatever that alluded to, and Tony only answered very briefly.
Tubby-McFat-Fuc
Well-known member
You're a strange one aren't you. If he's talked into staying, as he was last year when Fulham wanted to sign him, then I doubt it will be? Why would it be?