Dale Stephens today

[big nuts]

Firstly, promotion is an amazing achievement so the disappointment of today will be short lived. The team have been amazing to achieve promotion so well done the lads, take a bow !

But the performances of Dale Stephens in this final run-in in particular causes me to question whether he has the credentials to be a first choice in the PL - I say this because I find his style of play very pedestrian, everything slows down when he gets the ball and his natural instinct is to go backwards or sideways - especially today. I have a big concern that this style of play will be punished heavily in the PL as I fear he would get closed down very quickly and lose possession easily - which will ultimately cost us goals. This isn't a knee jerk opinion, it's an opinion formed for a little while now - I know our form with him in the team this season speaks for itself, but next season is a whole new ball game. Would love to be proved wrong though - time will tell. UTA !

Dick Head

 

[DJ NOBO]

Any of them COULD struggle next season,some of them definitely will.
But to pick out Stephens? Sorry , I just don't get it

 

[Murray 17]

Agree - and Sidwell hasn't got nearly enough credit for his performance over the whole season imo.

I prefer him to Kayal.

 

[sjamesb3466]

Strikes me the same as all the Ashley Barnes slagging a few years ago. Been one of our most consistent performers all season and wanted by another Premier League club. If he isn't good enough next season is going to be shite

 

[MattBackHome]

Stephens is not pedestrian

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[dazzer6666]

Firstly, promotion is an amazing achievement so the disappointment of today will be short lived. The team have been amazing to achieve promotion so well done the lads, take a bow !

But the performances of Dale Stephens in this final run-in in particular causes me to question whether he has the credentials to be a first choice in the PL - I say this because I find his style of play very pedestrian, everything slows down when he gets the ball and his natural instinct is to go backwards or sideways - especially today. I have a big concern that this style of play will be punished heavily in the PL as I fear he would get closed down very quickly and lose possession easily - which will ultimately cost us goals. This isn't a knee jerk opinion, it's an opinion formed for a little while now - I know our form with him in the team this season speaks for itself, but next season is a whole new ball game. Would love to be proved wrong though - time will tell. UTA !

Jesus Christ.

'I don't ever contradict myself but I do sometimes'.

 

[darkwolf666]

Firstly, promotion is an amazing achievement so the disappointment of today will be short lived. The team have been amazing to achieve promotion so well done the lads, take a bow !

But the performances of Dale Stephens in this final run-in in particular causes me to question whether he has the credentials to be a first choice in the PL - I say this because I find his style of play very pedestrian, everything slows down when he gets the ball and his natural instinct is to go backwards or sideways - especially today. I have a big concern that this style of play will be punished heavily in the PL as I fear he would get closed down very quickly and lose possession easily - which will ultimately cost us goals. This isn't a knee jerk opinion, it's an opinion formed for a little while now - I know our form with him in the team this season speaks for itself, but next season is a whole new ball game. Would love to be proved wrong though - time will tell. UTA !

I know this is probably a exercise, in which case I have been well and truly caught - failing that the OP is a Grade 1 plum - you decide?

 

[Perkino]

Last season Kayal became my favourite player as I thought he was vital to the side. This season I have realised Stephens was a key factor to last seasons success and it would be a huge setback to our chances of survival if he left over the summer

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

There's me thinking this thread was going to be about either:-

Without Stephens we'd be lucky to be in the play offs.
Or
Without Stephens we'd have been properly embarrassed over these last 3 games.

Exactly right. What game was the OP watching? Other than Bruno thought he was our best player


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[dazzer6666]

I know this is probably a exercise, in which case I have been well and truly caught - failing that the OP is a Grade 1 plum - you decide?

#voteplum

 

[Wardy's twin]

Nothing wrong with Stephen's game today. AK and Murphy were carried for most of the time they were on the park.r

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Stephens has been outstanding recently. Strange thread.

 

[theboybilly]

Stephens was everything Lansbury wasn't today

 

[dangull]

There is a reason premier league Burnley were trying to buy him before the season started, at around 7M

An outstanding decision by the club to turn down that, even though Stephens wanted to go.

Now we are in the premier league, I hope he signs a new contract, if not all credit to him for not sulking and helping us get to the promised land.

 

[drew]

Firstly, promotion is an amazing achievement so the disappointment of today will be short lived. The team have been amazing to achieve promotion so well done the lads, take a bow !

But the performances of Dale Stephens in this final run-in in particular causes me to question whether he has the credentials to be a first choice in the PL - I say this because I find his style of play very pedestrian, everything slows down when he gets the ball and his natural instinct is to go backwards or sideways - especially today. I have a big concern that this style of play will be punished heavily in the PL as I fear he would get closed down very quickly and lose possession easily - which will ultimately cost us goals. This isn't a knee jerk opinion, it's an opinion formed for a little while now - I know our form with him in the team this season speaks for itself, but next season is a whole new ball game. Would love to be proved wrong though - time will tell. UTA !

This looks like a 'look at me' thread. That or the OP is truly ignorant

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

I do wonder sometimes whether some people have any understanding about basic football tactics and player roles within said tactics.

 

[TottonSeagull]

Firstly, promotion is an amazing achievement so the disappointment of today will be short lived. The team have been amazing to achieve promotion so well done the lads, take a bow !

But the performances of Dale Stephens in this final run-in in particular causes me to question whether he has the credentials to be a first choice in the PL - I say this because I find his style of play very pedestrian, everything slows down when he gets the ball and his natural instinct is to go backwards or sideways - especially today. I have a big concern that this style of play will be punished heavily in the PL as I fear he would get closed down very quickly and lose possession easily - which will ultimately cost us goals. This isn't a knee jerk opinion, it's an opinion formed for a little while now - I know our form with him in the team this season speaks for itself, but next season is a whole new ball game. Would love to be proved wrong though - time will tell. UTA !

Glad to see that this is going well!

 

[Munchkin]

Dale Stephens will be fundamental for us if we wish to remain in the PL.

Getting him to sign a new contract will be pivotal.

 

[Prettyboyshaw]

Firstly, promotion is an amazing achievement so the disappointment of today will be short lived. The team have been amazing to achieve promotion so well done the lads, take a bow !

But the performances of Dale Stephens in this final run-in in particular causes me to question whether he has the credentials to be a first choice in the PL - I say this because I find his style of play very pedestrian, everything slows down when he gets the ball and his natural instinct is to go backwards or sideways - especially today. I have a big concern that this style of play will be punished heavily in the PL as I fear he would get closed down very quickly and lose possession easily - which will ultimately cost us goals. This isn't a knee jerk opinion, it's an opinion formed for a little while now - I know our form with him in the team this season speaks for itself, but next season is a whole new ball game. Would love to be proved wrong though - time will tell. UTA !

Are you beam back George

 

[sir albion]

For a player who's likely to be off soon he's been fantastic