Kayal and Stephens

[Johnny Byrne superstar]

Stephens looking stronger by the game

 

[Bladders]

Stephens looking stronger by the game

Agreed, and he was quality yesterday.

 

[Captain Sensible]

It's mental isn't it. They're our most important players at the moment (no Kaz, I haven't forgotten you). It's a difficult job and we don't have cover.

maybe Hughton sees Crofts, Ince and JFC as adequate cover, also Harper may play as an attacking midfielder as a 3. I Know JFC is generally not very well regarded but I think Hughton is changing that. In the last two matches he has played JFC has been very attacking, against Walsall the best player on the park

 

[ferring seagull]

Completely agree. Having gone from three in midfield to two there might have been a danger that we'd have been overrun but Kayal and Stephens have dominated. Can't believe a few people on here would have been happy to sell Stephens to Derby.

It is a concern that, if one of them does get injured, we might end up a bit short in that position. Not convinced Ince can do the work that they put in. Crofts is the only other option, if he gets fit, unless we are in for the Chesterfield player mentioned on here earlier in the week.

Agreed as you say, at the moment Ince is great to shore up in times of stress but not sure what set of circumstances will see Crofty regaining a starting spot other than through injury or suspension.

 

[Triggaaar]

maybe Hughton sees Crofts, Ince and JFC as adequate cover, also Harper may play as an attacking midfielder as a 3.

I'll ignore having an extra midfielder, as we're currently playing 442 and it's going well. Crofts might be able to do it, but he's been out for ages so it's difficult to know. JFC is young still, and not at the level of Kayal and Stephens. In the future he could be great, and maybe he could do it this year, but it's too early to tell, IMO. Ince has proved himself to be a decent defensive midfielder, but again I don't know if he could do the central job in a 442.

Saying that, we don't seem to have been linked with many replacements.

 

[Lush]

Is anyone else constantly surprised at how TALL Stephens is

 

[BensGrandad]

When is Crofts expected to be ready for consideration for the first team having played a full DS game. Are any more on the horizon soon? IMHO if he regains his fitness etc he could provide the cover for Kayal and Stephens and also the defensive duties late in a game better than Ince.

 

[Codner pharmaceuticals]

Would love to see how many miles these guys cover in a game.

For me they are neck and neck in the (early) PotS standings and may have to arm wrestle/play Rock Paper Scissors to decide who wins.

 

[dazzer6666]

Would love to see how many miles these guys cover in a game.

For me they are neck and neck in the (early) PotS standings and may have to arm wrestle/play Rock Paper Scissors to decide who wins.

In line with prem midfielders I'd think, so 10-12km per game ?

 

[symyjym]

Andy Naylor ‏@AndyNaylorArgus 41m41 minutes ago Ilford, London

Being reported that Derby, after trying for Dale Stephens, could get Jacob Butterfield from Huddersfield for £3.5 million.

 

[spence]

Andy Naylor ‏@AndyNaylorArgus 41m41 minutes ago Ilford, London

Being reported that Derby, after trying for Dale Stephens, could get Jacob Butterfield from Huddersfield for £3.5 million.

Butterfield is at Derby now

 

[symyjym]

Butterfield is at Derby now

Naylor was confirming that Stephens isn't going anywhere.