[Albion] Dale Stephens

[Stat Brother]

Holla really isn't good at tackling, and would like to see some footage of some hard examples, as there are precisely zero of them lodged in my memory. He's also painfully slow, and doesn't impose himself on the game enough. Stephens, by contrast, is a hard tackler, has physical presence, is far more dynamic and energetic, has a range of passing as good as Holla's (there were a couple of brilliant long passes against Blackburn) and, also, gets into good positions, from which he sometimes scores.

I thought Holla started last season really well, then ever so slowly disappeared.

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

What is it with JFC Hewton says he was the best player on the pitch, some here agree but equally as many say he had a bad game

On Seagulls Player JC and Warren said he had a great game as well. Funny how people can see totally different things.

 

[backson]

On Seagulls Player JC and Warren said he had a great game as well. Funny how people can see totally different things.

I know, it's almost as if people have a pre-conceived view of a player which isn't going to change, however well (or badly) they play.

 

[Machiavelli]

I thought Holla started last season really well, then ever so slowly disappeared.

I thought he started last season really well, then rapidly disappeared.

 

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

I thought Holla started last season really well, then ever so slowly disappeared.

Yep indeed very well put!

 

[fleet]

For £2.5 m I would say hand, bite and off - and go get Tex or similar

What was I thinking - he was superb at Ipswich. I was an idiot. Don't let him go to Derby or anywhere else!

 

[samtheseagull]

Cant believe people wanted to cash in. Clueless

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Cant believe people wanted to cash in. Clueless

Exactly - Stephens is a classy player, who would not easily be replaced.

 

[driller]

absolute quality today mom for me

 

[SweatyMexican]

My man of the match, although to be fair everyone played brilliantly. What more can you ask for?

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Kayal & Stephens midfield pairing is the key to this team.

 

[fleet]

Not only a possible MoM today, but worked so well with Kayal and the team in general. His dead ball delivery was the best I have seen for seasons.

 

[pornomagboy]

#****offanyonethatwantstosignstevens

 

[Machiavelli]

Not only a possible MoM today, but worked so well with Kayal and the team in general. His dead ball delivery was the best I have seen for seasons.

Yup. The best dead balls today for a long time. And against Ipswich, who are arguably the best organised defensively in the league (although CH might have a word or two to say about that).

 

[royceyboy]

Apart from being overrun all over the pitch at the start of the second half, Stephens had a cracking game. The delivery for the second goal was top draw. Him and Kayal played some great football and long may it continue.
One massive positive for me was Bong. He hit some sublime passes splitting their defence on a number of occasions. Responsible for putting LL through for the first, and nearly another with Baldock. Very positive.
My main gripe was with Bruno. I really love watching him play, and it seems like he has an extra spring in his step this season. But he was at fault for both their goals, through bad positioning. When he's tracking back, he gets the wrong side of the attacking player and allows them inside. Then he's out of position when they cut outside, and Greer has to cover left back, and he simply doesn't have the speed.
I love the way we are playing and love seeing the mighty seagulls at the top of the league, but either Hemed or Baldock need to learn how to drop deeper when we are under pressure to help our midfield, and our defence need to start working better as a unit. These are things that CH will sort out on the training ground I'm sure.

 

[Mowgli37]

I've been a huge fan of Stephens since he signed, couldn't believe what I was reading on here.

 

[royceyboy]

I've been a huge fan of Stephens since he signed, couldn't believe what I was reading on here.

I think our current system suits his style of play. I also think he has the confidence to play to his own strengths because he has Kayal behind him. Which is why he's starting to shine this season.
He also has more space in the middle because our wide players are opening up the flanks, and Baldock and Hemed are running the channels with at least one of them on the last defender, so it's easier for him to pick out some great passes.
He picked up a bit of a knock against Ipswich, which hopefully will be ok for the Hull game. But I hope they continue with the Stephens/Kayal combination, as it's obviously working.