Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
With 2.
Pretty sure it was @Tactician that posted the stats in his review of the tactics of beating Palace at Selhurst. Still, mustn't let that distract from the narrative.
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UPDATED: Dale Stephens SIGNS 3.5 Year Deal
- Thread starter B.W.
- Start date
Pretty sure it was @Tactician that posted the stats in his review of the tactics of beating Palace at Selhurst. Still, mustn't let that distract from the narrative.
He's gone
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
One characteristic of Stephens in the early days was his runs into the opposition box. Latterly any of our midfield were seldom seen there. What I am hoping for under GP is that midfield get into the box and get the opportunity to score.
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
Really? I rate Propper but he does not get stuck in and is probably slower than Stephens and nowhere near as good defensively. Bissouma and Propper together will see us being overrun in midfield when teams attack. You surprise me that you think these two could go toe to toe with any teams midfield other than a relegation rival.
As you say though, we will see.
London Irish
Well-known member
Lol Propper slower than Stephens? I don't these are accurate perceptions of Biss and Propper, simply because they don't litter the pitch with late and clumsy fouls.
If Biss has a problem it's more that he overplays in danger areas
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
He couldn't when the rest of the team were sitting so deep, so he was limited when players weren't available for a pass. I agree with you, and hope the same thing.
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
A major criticism of our forwards has been lack of movement. Glenn we will forgive. There was some on the right in the Bruno/Knockaert days - but typically none on the left. March is typically on his heels rather than spinning his defender and demanding the ball. Again - that is another thing to hope for under GP.
Tiptoe through the NSC
Active member
1:06. This sums up perfectly what Stephens offers us when he's on song.
https://youtu.be/b4LNu4unwrg
https://youtu.be/b4LNu4unwrg
This. Even ManC always play a deep lying CM who can tackle/close down for 90 minutes, and face up to teams trying to rough them up. Stephens is the obvious Albion player who does just that.
.... some fans, who desperately look out for any Stephens mistake in a match.
Whilst most of us will always appreciate any Albion DM quietly doing the unglamorous work for the midfield.
I'm so glad we've had a small move of seats for this season.
For the last 2 we have sat directly in front of Stephens & Bong's biggest and loudest critic.
Some other poor bugger will have to put up with "forward Stephens" & "why can't you defend", bellowed a 100 times every game.
Mike Small
Well-known member
- Dec 26, 2008
- 2,685
We wouldn't be in the PL without Dale and he deserves so much more respect. He's no world beater at this level but you'll see him play better this season than the last two because he will have more than one person in front of him to pass to! Think we'll need to aim for better in the long term but he's important to us at the moment and the sideways passing thing is a result of the way we have been playing and people not being in a forward position to receive the ball. Our possession stats would be the worst if it wasn't for DS!
Agreed. Of course we all know he's probably going to end up as a squad player if we progress and become the top half team TB is targeting. But we're not there yet - and, overall, Stephens brings more to our midfield than anyone else.
In the NS last season (when buying individual tickets in different locations), I often sat within verbal diarrhoea distance of Propper/Stephens haters. Clearly looking for any mistake from the off, seizing upon any transgression: “There, I told you, Propper’s a
”. Interchangeable with the name Stephens.
Skaville
Well-known member
Another example, another key point
“GOAL! Brighton 1-1 Newcastle (Gross 75)
It had been coming. Just a near-12-hour wait. But when it came, it was so simple. Stephens sprayed a fine diagonal pass to Bruno, who crossed from the right. Murray jumped above Schar on the penalty spot to win a flick-on header. Dubravka hesitated, and Gross nipped in between to head past him!”
Skaville
Well-known member
In fact, if he played a key pass in the Knockaert goal at Palace and the Gross one at Newcastle, isn’t that a creative contribution at the start and end of the goal drought. Maybe your fingers should be pointing elsewhere?
Nixonator
Well-known member
Either you didn't get to many games or your memories are total shit.
Or you're just a bit thick with an agenda. Lucky dip I guess.
Skaville
Well-known member
Stephens is more divisive than BREXIT.
Frankworthington
Well-known member
This.
I honestly hope he has a good season.Maybe he has just been playing under orders.
I prepare to be amazed!!
Murray too.
When he doesn’t score when starting in a loss, the sharpened stilettos are out in force on NSC.