[Football] Naughty, naughty Dale Stephens

[GT49er]

Stupid thing to do. Good news is 1). he's off the road for 12 months and 2). he didn't kill anyone through his stupidity.

 

[Mackenzie]

Burnley’s statement reads a bit like a opportunistic moment to sack a player who they don’t want anymore. We’ll see.

 

[willalbion]

Errrm . . . because he isn't good enough? Has barely featured for Burnley in nearly two seasons with them. I've no idea when hist contract ends, but at 32 l certainlt can't see the club extending it.

A shame, l was one of the relative few who thought he did a good job in all of his years at the Albion.

He was superb for us.

 

[Swansman]

Burnley’s statement reads a bit like a opportunistic moment to sack a player who they don’t want anymore. We’ll see.

Wouldnt it be a bit strange though since they just shrugged their shoulders re Barnes?

Anyway his contract is out in three months, not quite sure they are going to bother with the potential legal hassle of sacking him.

He has obviously played his last game for them though.

 

[BBassic]

Always liked Stephens. Hard worker though he definitely trailed off in his latter appearances for us.

Also the scorer of the best overhead kick ever, about 40 seconds in:

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

When they were first after him, he'd have been an excellent signing for them - a perfect fit.

But his athleticism really went downhill in his last year or so with us, and by the time they got their man, he was simply not physically up to the demands of playing in a two-man Burnley centre midfield. A really bad signing to be honest, possibly driven by ego - wanting to finally land their earlier target.[/

I was going to say that the possible reasons for him only appearing nine times in a Burnley shirt over two seasons were either . . .

He doesn't have the energy to play in a high tempo Burnley side, where speed and physicality is key, or at 32 his career is on the wane and he just isn't up to Premier League football any more.

Maybe both reasons apply! He was probably the right signing for them, but put pen to paper a couple of seasons too late.

 

[pure_white]

Does every northern footballer live in Alderley Edge or was he just visiting to see what the real PL stars lifestyle was like?

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Burnley’s statement reads a bit like a opportunistic moment to sack a player who they don’t want anymore. We’ll see.

I thought the same.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Does every northern footballer live in Alderley Edge or was he just visiting to see what the real PL stars lifestyle was like?

Well l wouldn't imagine that any Burnley player would choose to reside in . . . Burnley!

 

[Mackenzie]

Wouldnt it be a bit strange though since they just shrugged their shoulders re Barnes?

Anyway his contract is out in three months, not quite sure they are going to bother with the potential legal hassle of sacking him.

He has obviously played his last game for them though.

Yeah well you’re probably right. It just looked like a good excuse for Burnley to get rid. As for Barnes, he probably still has a future with them.

 

[Wardy's twin]

Stephens cannot be compared in any way to Ali J as a player.

His influence in getting us promoted and our nursery period in the PL was highly significant.

The reference is to the fact we chased and chased the player for years and then fail to play him once we had signed him.

Stephens is miles ahead in contribution to the Albion's progress over the years.

And yes Ali J was a disappointment but when he looked like he might do it i.e. around that Chelsea game he just wasn't played. On paper he was the sort of player we miss someone who is prepared to run at defences

 

[m@goo]

He always looked hungover.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Dale was one of the worst offenders, in those last 3 games which lost us the title, of looking like he was going to puke on the pitch.

Not to take anything away from what he did for the rest of the season and the one before

 

[Farehamseagull]

Just read he’s chosen to retire at 33 as he can’t find a club and concentrate on coaching. Seems too young for him to retire really, shame he couldn’t find a club at his level to carry on.

I was a never a fan of his in the PL but he was great for us in the Championship and to me gets legendary status along with every other member of that promotion side.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Just read he’s chosen to retire at 33 as he can’t find a club and concentrate on coaching. Seems too young for him to retire really, shame he couldn’t find a club at his level to carry on.

I was a never a fan of his in the PL but he was great for us in the Championship and to me gets legendary status along with every other member of that promotion side.

I guess being banned from driving might affect his playing options.

 

[Springal]

does seem young, but to be fair he’s earnt decent money, no doubt dropping down the leagues for a lot less isn’t really motivating. Plus I think he has a new baby with ex-Mrs el-Abd so probably doesn’t want to move far

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Just read he’s chosen to retire at 33 as he can’t find a club and concentrate on coaching. Seems too young for him to retire really, shame he couldn’t find a club at his level to carry on.

I was a never a fan of his in the PL but he was great for us in the Championship and to me gets legendary status along with every other member of that promotion side.

Agree, but he didn’t do a lot wrong in the PL either to be fair.

Him and Propper both did okay in the hardest league in the world, in a team that was always going to struggle under Hughton and initially Potter. We just needed to improve, same goes for Propper as well.

 

[Stat Brother]

Before we head off down the usual tired and undignified route, just a quick reminder:-

Without the likes of Stephens, Ryan, Propper and to a lesser extent Izquierdo et al, we absolutely do not get to Caicedo, Sanchez, Mac Allister, Mitoma.

Who in turn have us fans in touching distance of European football via The FA Cup AND the league.

 

[albionfan37]

Before we head off down the usual tired and undignified route, just a quick reminder:-

Without the likes of Stephens, Ryan, Propper and to a lesser extent Izquierdo et al, we absolutely do not get to Caicedo, Sanchez, Mac Allister, Mitoma.

Who in turn have us fans in touching distance of European football via The FA Cup AND the league.

This all day long

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

I guess being banned from driving might affect his playing options.

Stockport County, Northwich Victoria, Macclesfield ? He has probably just had enough of playing.