BensGrandad
New member
That must be a very serious consideration. The final outcome of our season could depend on this one thought.
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[Albion] Oh dear....Dale Stephens
- Thread starter Richy_Seagull
- Start date
That must be a very serious consideration. The final outcome of our season could depend on this one thought.
Weststander
Well-known member
Stephens is key any Albion midfield. Hudd, Burnley and Palace all play 5 in CM, obessing with overloading that department, so I really hope DS is a starter in all 3 matches. We need him.
Before Stephens' injury, I was starting to believe that all Brighton players were indestructible.
Your medical staff will certainly deserve their "staying up" bonuses.
If only. We have been lucky to a large extent with the core of the team, but we’ve had our share. Kayal broke his leg in the final friendly, a week before the season started. Baldock missed half the season. Steve Sidwell, who would have been crucial cover in Kayal’s absence, hasn’t been fit to kick a ball all season. Goldson had to complete his recuperation from his heart surgery. Captain Bruno had a spell out with back trouble, and Glenn Murray’s persistent injury at the start meant we played the first six weeks with one fit striker.
Apart from those though, indestructible.
Wellesley
Well-known member
- Jul 24, 2013
- 4,973
Disgraceful behaviour, thank goodness our Manager is much straighter
BensGrandad
New member
When did we need Sidwell to cover Kayal other than possibly now? Kayal has only been a first choice for 3 or 4 games during Stephens injury and a couple of sub appearances but prior to that cover was not needed for him. I cannot thin k of one occasion when we have had to use somebody else in that position.
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
So you have managed to completely ignore the three month period (from the end of August when Sidwell's back problem finally became too severe to late November when Kayal returned to the first-team squad) when we had no first-team cover in central midfield?
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
So you have managed to completely ignore the three month period (from the end of August when Sidwell's back problem finally became too severe to late November when Kayal returned to the first-team squad) when we had no first-team cover in central midfield?
Just a minor mishap
SIMMO SAYS
Well-known member
Just a minor mishap
Now going through his BIG BOOK of excuses to find one he hasn't used for a while
Are we a one man team? We make fun of Palace for not winning without Zaha, but our premier league record without Stephens isn't much better, albeit over a shorter time period. Sure, he's not as flashy as Zaha, doesn't win us as many penalties, but our record isn't good without him.
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
Two defeats in two league games...I thought Zaha’s was quite a few more.....interesting point though
BensGrandad
New member
So you have managed to completely ignore the three month period (from the end of August when Sidwell's back problem finally became too severe to late November when Kayal returned to the first-team squad) when we had no first-team cover in central midfield?
Agreed about the 3 months but for which game was a CM needed that wasnt available and we were exposed by his absence.
Weststander
Well-known member
Plus Knockaert injured just before the season began, which at the time (based on his incredible promotion season form) seemed a major setback for the club and its vital first set of PL games.
https://nortr3nixy.nimpr.uk/showthread.php?353892-Knockaert-injured
In the end he was back pretty quickly, despite Britos then trying to end his career.
- Jun 27, 2012
- 14,612
Sorry Icy ! Didn't mean to ramble on. Several times !!
We'll have to see about Saturday. I agree with you that its doubtful given what CH said yesterday.
Papa Lazarou
Living in a De Zerbi wonderland
And Izzy Brown got injured about 10 mins into the season and never really recovered.
BensGrandad
New member
I fully accept the examples given but our 2 first choice CM are Propper and Stephens so when did not having an able cover for them hinder us prior to Stephens latest 'minor' injury.
Nixonator
Well-known member
I think you will find it goes way beyond that. The last time I remember winning a match without him was Massive away 2016. Which was incidentally the exception that everyone used as the basis of their arguments against the notion that we don't function as a 442 without him, which ultimately just proves it is true.
Let's hope we break that rut tomorrow.
Is it PotG?
Thrifty non-licker
I would feel a lot more confident about tomorrow if DS were present.
Hotchilidog
Well-known member
- Jan 24, 2009
- 9,120
I don't think Stephens' absence was a factor against Leicester, they did not overrun us in midfield.
We were bright in attack but failed to A: score a penalty, and B: take our chances in open pay. We are a better team with Stephens in but I thought Kayal played well last week and until he got a knock in the second half Locadia provided us with added threat up front.
If we fail tomorrow it will not be because Dale is missing.
We were bright in attack but failed to A: score a penalty, and B: take our chances in open pay. We are a better team with Stephens in but I thought Kayal played well last week and until he got a knock in the second half Locadia provided us with added threat up front.
If we fail tomorrow it will not be because Dale is missing.
BensGrandad
New member
I agree so would I but it doesnt seem likely.