CH has a bit of a problem in how best to incorporate the different skills and attributes of his midfielders. I'm a big Bissouma fan, but he simply couldn't have stamped his authority on the game like Stephens did today, and I think Arsenal would have got through more often. It was noticeable how in the second half they started playing more long balls to cut out the midfield altogether. But on the other hand, I missed Bissouma's driving forward runs and general support play, which enables more of us to get in their box. I think the competition is going to benefit us in the long run.
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[Albion] Dale Stephens
- Thread starter Stato
- Start date
CH has a bit of a problem in how best to incorporate the different skills and attributes of his midfielders. I'm a big Bissouma fan, but he simply couldn't have stamped his authority on the game like Stephens did today, and I think Arsenal would have got through more often. It was noticeable how in the second half they started playing more long balls to cut out the midfield altogether. But on the other hand, I missed Bissouma's driving forward runs and general support play, which enables more of us to get in their box. I think the competition is going to benefit us in the long run.
Weststander
Well-known member
Stephens hasn’t changed. He’s been a quality DM for us for many seasons now, one of the first names on the teamsheet.
BensGrandad
New member
Stephens was his usual reliable self and the engine of the team
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
I thought Dale was a cut above his 'usual reliable self', 'defensive midfielder' today. I thought he showed real attacking intent, and some of his forward passes really set us up for some good attacks. He broke up so much of Arsenal's play, BUT turned that into really good forward possession for us. Of Arsenal's 9 corners, I thought I counted Dale heading at least 5 of them clear, he was positive and for me it was an impressive midfield performance alongside the equally good Propper.
Dale, Seb and Davey have a real battle on their hands with Bissouma fighting for a place, but all 3 really put in top performances I thought, especially second half.
Dale, Seb and Davey have a real battle on their hands with Bissouma fighting for a place, but all 3 really put in top performances I thought, especially second half.
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
Only one bit I dont agree with you on..it was definitely yesterday
PS why have you included Seb?
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Official Old Man
Uckfield Seagull
He seemed to have a lot of room in the middle. From Upper East we could see how he was always finding space and ready for the pass. Good game.
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
I guess because all three have their place under threat from Bissouma.
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
Oak I am going to be a tad ignorant here and ask...Seb? Not Beram?
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
Only my opinion, but I don't think Kayal is a threat to Prop, Dale or Pascal if they're all fit and available. Bissouma is a genuine contender for their starting places.
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I think he meant 'who is Seb?'
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
Machiavelli
Well-known member
Apart from the Seb bit
shrug, agree with all of this. There's some simple binary stuff said about Stephens on here (he's crucial, or he's too negative, etc), but he was really very good today, and much of that was to do with the fact that he was more positive. He played a number of excellent long balls (which he rarely does in other games), creating good opportunities, including March's one-on-one. What hasn't really changed is that Stephens is our best sitting midfielder (Ninja Elephant compared him to Carrick, and that's as good a parallel as to how he's evolved, especially since we've stopped playing two up front) who does the mopping up, defensive work effectively and is positionally sound.
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
Wrong-Direction
Well-known member
- Mar 10, 2013
- 13,631
Dale and solly are weak links
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SIMMO SAYS
Well-known member
Weststander
Well-known member
Apart from the Seb bit
I’d say that DS is our Kante, Ledley King or Makelele .... a destroyer of threats, shielding the back 4 and passing it simple to more creative players.
Carrick was always a gifted passer, but with age Taggart brought him back as a deep lying ‘quarterback’.
Will Pep be coming in for Stephens as cover for Fernandinho?
Machiavelli
Well-known member
I see what you're trying to add there but, for me, Stephens lacks mobility and pace, which you really get from Makelele and, especially, Kante.
Exactly this.
Hit one floaty pass in the first 10 minutes, but after that gave a master class in passing.
Heard a few moans from the West upper when he went backwards, but if they’d bothered to look at the pitch, there was literally nothing on, and a square pass would have been intercepted and we’d have been open.
Great player.
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