Should Stephens start on Saturday?

[Lady Whistledown]

Now Dale's fitness is, miraculously, it seems, back up to speed, do you think Hughton should pick him to start against Brentford?

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Bench?

 

[Gazwag]

Need to play our best team especially at home so yes he should start

 

[Miximate]

Depends on how he has been performing at training

 

[Foul Play Rocks]

I think he will come on from the bench at around 60 mins.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

In favour of him starting:

-he's one of our two best midfielders
-we lacked something against Newcastle in his absence
-Hughton previously said he'd been good as gold about potential transfers
-Sidwell hasn't set the world alight thus far


Against:
-he's made it clear he didn't want to stay here
-he handed in a transfer request, which perhaps went against what Hughton said about him displaying a great attitude to transfer activity.
-players are supposed to feel like they've earned their place, and he can hardly claim that this season so far

-

 

[Driver8]

Harsh on the players that want to play for us if he does. I think he has to earn his place back.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Brentford, Huddersfield and Burton games in quick succession to rotate Norwood, Sidwell, Stephens and Kayal.

Stephens, Sidwell - Brentford
Norwood, Kayal - Huddersfield
Stephens, Kayal - Burton

 

[Lady Whistledown]

**I've changed the thread title/ question to "Should...?" rather than "Will...?", as I'm interested to see what the NSC consensus is on this.

 

[Gilliver's Travels]

Where's the box for Meh? Like a good few others, I can't see why people swoon over Dale Stephens (cheeky smile notwithstanding). He's had loads of pretty indifferent games for us over the last two seasons.

 

[LamieRobertson]

**I've changed the thread title/ question to "Should...?" rather than "Will...?", as I'm interested to see what the NSC consensus is on this.

I'd go for no...but not for the reasons stated..such as sulking and getting stick as CH I'm pretty sure wouldn't even consider that.

 

[jessiejames]

Yes

 

[fat old seagull]

Get him back in the fold ASAP. Quicker his ambition is forgotten and replaced with the possibility he could achieve the same goal by giving his all for the better in my view.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

There is no evidence this season to back that up as he has barely played.

You think there's no evidence that Dale Stephens is one of our two best midfielders?

I'd suggest most of last season was enough to suggest to me he is. Granted, we've since signed Norwood and Sidwell, but I've yet to see conclusive proof that either of them is superior (not intended to be disrespectful to them: I just mean we've not seen enough of either to judge yet).

 

[dangull]

Yes. Or what was the point in turning down 7-8 million.

 

[El Turi]

I'd start Kayal and Stephens. I think the reason we haven't started this season as well as we did last year is because they are yet to play together.

 

[theboybilly]

Absolutely yes. He is a key player for us and surely professional enough not to stew on the events of last week. He won't want to let down his teammates let alone the club and fans.

 

[drew]

I'd go for no...but not for the reasons stated..such as sulking and getting stick as CH I'm pretty sure wouldn't even consider that.

What reasons then?

 

[Quinney]

It's a yes from me. If not then Norwood and Kayal. We need to get Kayal and Stephens paired up again, they are one of the best pairings in the division.

 

[LamieRobertson]

What reasons then?

One reason...and that's for now those who wanted to stay at the club...I don't think Kayal and Sidwell works...the only game I've seen it was the SW play off home leg....so for me Norwood should start...that's not to say I don't want Stephens in..he was my vote for player of last season..but straight after handing in a transfer request...nope.