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Midfield 3 - Kayal, Ince & Stephens
- Thread starter Sheebo
- Start date
So true. Potentially up there with anything in Championship.
That's a strong central midfield with adequate back up with Holla & JFC.
Lua Lua wide left is a dangerous weapon but we need someone wide right ivo March's injury problems and of course a striker capable of a minimum of 15 goals.
The age of the defence bar Dunk and Bennett (would be a good signing) concern me so yes plenty of rebuilding but this central 3 should be some of the first names on the team sheet.
Lua Lua wide left is a dangerous weapon but we need someone wide right ivo March's injury problems and of course a striker capable of a minimum of 15 goals.
The age of the defence bar Dunk and Bennett (would be a good signing) concern me so yes plenty of rebuilding but this central 3 should be some of the first names on the team sheet.
understand why Chris went with tex in the centre
as he is more creative than these 3
for me Stephens out wide left did not work
would have preferred tex and Lua Lua
out wide with these 3 in the centre
but Chris has been playing more 4411 than433
tried 2 wingers at reading and that went badly
so not too surprising he went back to tex as the pivot of
a 44 1 1 but for me especially at home Lua Lua to start ahead
of Stephens on the left in this set up
as he is more creative than these 3
for me Stephens out wide left did not work
would have preferred tex and Lua Lua
out wide with these 3 in the centre
but Chris has been playing more 4411 than433
tried 2 wingers at reading and that went badly
so not too surprising he went back to tex as the pivot of
a 44 1 1 but for me especially at home Lua Lua to start ahead
of Stephens on the left in this set up
Stumpy Tim
Well-known member
Rubbish poem. Doesn't even rhyme
severnside gull
Well-known member
On three occasions in the second half yesterday Calde popped up in the box as a centre forward. The ball only reached him once and we scored from the rebound (again). His mobility and positional sense in his new free role is exceptional. It has to be accommodated.
I'm still ambivalent about Stephens.
I know my 'judgement' is clouded by my preference for Crofts.
Stephens also isn't helped by that position being so crucial to how the team plays.
But as yet I still don't really see him as 'strong' enough.
Being in front of 2 means he has to box to box, tackle, pass quickly and accurately, and weigh in with 10+ goals.
For me he's almost good enough and may well get there, but since he arrived I think he just falls short.
(Obviously the injury didn't help)
I know my 'judgement' is clouded by my preference for Crofts.
Stephens also isn't helped by that position being so crucial to how the team plays.
But as yet I still don't really see him as 'strong' enough.
Being in front of 2 means he has to box to box, tackle, pass quickly and accurately, and weigh in with 10+ goals.
For me he's almost good enough and may well get there, but since he arrived I think he just falls short.
(Obviously the injury didn't help)
Disagree about Stephens. I thought he had an excellent game yesterday and is nearly back to his best. IMO he did 3 out of the four things you identify. He hasn't had the chance to score goals this season for obvious reasons. As stated on another thread, a midfield based on Kayal, Ince and Stephens is going to be up there with the best in the Championship next year. As far as Crofts is concerned I would dearly love him to come back next season at his best but I fear the injuries he has suffered may mitigate against this.
I didn't see excellence from Stephens yesterday, granted he was out of position.
I'm certainly not JFCesque slating him either.
I'm just not seeing any of the decisiveness, at the moment.
He's always stuck me as a player coming from the Dean Hammond school of midfield.
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
I too thought Stephens had a good game, lots of one touch accurate passing, plenty of chasing back and making thing difficult for the opposition. Quality player who will get better.
I was really concerned when he was chopped down late in the 2nd half and stayed down for a while. That was a fecking disgusting challenge and it was unbelivable that both the ref and the lino in direct line missed it. More worthy of a booking than any other tackle during the game.
durrington gull
Well-known member
I think Holla will leave in the summer - far too slow for me but does take a decent set piece tbf, JFC simply isn't good enough so I would loan him out for a full season, Crofts I would release
Hampster Gull
Well-known member
- Dec 22, 2010
- 13,465
I am pro Stephens. We need depth and he is part of that
We're the Stripes
Well-known member
Big fan of Stephens, has a lot to his game, as does Kayal (and then some). Whether those two will work well with Ince in a trio is difficult to know, for starters it'd likely be at the expense of a more out and out attacking mid/winger as was the case yesterday. Also, finding the right balance in that area is never as simple as merely sticking in the three best midfielders.
100% agree. For me this our best central three. A great mix of power, quality, pace, energy and goals. I can't wait to see these three play together.
Stumpy Tim
Well-known member
Those three with two proper wingers would be excellent. Hope we see that next season
sussex_guy2k2
Well-known member
- Jun 6, 2014
- 4,080
Stephens was utterly wasted yesterday. I completely got the logic of playing him wide left to try and replicate what Calderon does on the right (and what Baldock was doing on the left) of using his movement to get into the box and support CMS but it simply didn't work because he doesn't have the pace, mobility or skill to play that role.
For me he has impressed in the sub performances in the last few games where he has been able to come on, win tackles and get into the box with clever movement, which is a trait none of our other orthodox central midfielders do. I'd be starting him but as a box-to-box midfielder. He should never be wide left again as it negated the whole side of that pitch today.
For me he has impressed in the sub performances in the last few games where he has been able to come on, win tackles and get into the box with clever movement, which is a trait none of our other orthodox central midfielders do. I'd be starting him but as a box-to-box midfielder. He should never be wide left again as it negated the whole side of that pitch today.
BensGrandad
New member
Sorry I have to disagree as I feel next season he should be the first name after Walton kn the subs bench to fill in whereever required but I would sooner sign an orthodox wide right sided player. 2 names come to mind not sure if either are possible Elliott Bennett of Norwich and Jed Wallace of Portsmouth.