Dale Stephens confirms he was fit to play today

[Miami Seagull]

He said he was not ill and was fit to play.

 

[Luke93]

He told them that he had recovered from his virus or lacking symptoms and that doesn't necessarily equal ready to play.

Exactly this^

The player thinking he's ready may be completely different to the medical opinion(s). If this is true though, I'm really baffled by this decision. Our midfield is weak, he's needed to strengthen it. I would love to see a midfield two of Ince and Dale, with two wingers and a creative middleman behind Ulloa.

 

[kevo]

Just been on the radio, he was asked if he was still suffering from the bug. Replied no, I am fine.

Unbelievable that he wasn't in the 18.

Yet another baffling decision by the management team. Is he going to end up another Augestein? Nevermind, we have JFC and Andrews..............

Stephens played well at Bolton but was criticised by Nathan Jones in the post-match interview (Jones? Unprofessional? Never!). I wonder if that has anything to do with it (either Jones doesn't like him/rate him and OG listened to him or Stephens objected to Jones's comments, made his feelings known and, like Augestein, has been marked as having a 'bad attitude'.)

 

[portslade seagull]

Presumably Garcia didn't want any midfielders capable of passing forwards on the pitch.

Or possibly scoring a goal either

 

[clapham_gull]

He said he was not ill and was fit to play.

That's not what I heard on the radio. He was asked whether he was still suffering from a virus and he said no.

 

[BrianWade4]

Disgrace if true. Stephens and Dunk should be in the side, let alone the squad

 

[clippedgull]

Andy Naylor confirms Stephens was available but not selected.

[tweet]449969218109579265[/tweet]

 

[Miami Seagull]

Andy Naylor confirms Stephens was available but not selected.

[tweet]449969218109579265[/tweet]

Thanks for posting this and confirming what I said.

 

[Superseagull]

losing the midfield. we never had the midfield!
you would think we were the away team the way we started our formation. way too deep for a home team.

 

[BUTTERBALL]

Dale Winton is in for Tuesday.

 

[clapham_gull]

Thanks for posting this and confirming what I said.

What Andy Naylor has tweeted and what you heard on the radio are two entirely different things.

 

[Silent Bob]

Not sure if he was fully recovered but to be fair I'd rather have Stephens lying in the centre circle uncontrollably vomiting and shitting than a typical Keith Andrews performance.

 

[fat old seagull]

Didn't realise everyone here knows when Stephens recovered and how much he has trained

I know, isn't it incredible the info some posters pick up or imply. I feel underprivelaged the club never discloses this stuff to me or ever let's me know what Oscar is thinking.

 

[Miami Seagull]

What Andy Naylor has tweeted and what you heard on the radio are two entirely different things.

Just how is that different? He said he was fit and well and Naylor says he was left out by choice. Saying the same thing here... Ie, he was fit to play but the team management chose not to play him. Simple.

 

[Questions]

I don't think Oscar rates some of Burke's signings.

 

[Seasider78]

I don't think Oscar rates some of Burke's signings.

Maybe not but if he thinks JFC is a better option than Stephens then he needs some help

 

[Napper]

He loves Andrews

 

[Superseagull]

I don't think Oscar rates some of Burke's signings.

I'd imagine Obika and Stephens had a significant Jones influence.

 

[Questions]

Maybe not but if he thinks JFC is a better option than Stephens then he needs some help

I wouldn't disagree with you there Seasider at all.

 

[Questions]

I'd imagine Obika and Stephens had a significant Jones influence.

No doubt. So Jones convinced OG to sign them and Burke sanctioned it . It's all a little different nowadays isn't it.