[Albion] Stephens

[Nixonator]

I'm a big fan of Stephens. But I do agree with [MENTION=17545]Arkwright[/MENTION] here - Stephens seems to give away free kicks when he tackles players from behind as they're running away from him inside his half despite there being plenty of players left for them to get past. But, no, I don't have any stats either, it's just that you think 'oh no, another free-kick in a place where they can launch a high ball', and it seems to often be Stephens (but then it would be, because that's his position on the pitch). But, he hasn't done it for a while.

He's a physical and niggly player, if he does have the most fouls (I haven't checked this but not uncommon for a CM) then he also has the most interceptions and tackles. There are some world class players in this league who will make him and the rest of our players look ordinary at times. Is it best that Stephens gives away a free kick or that he just lets them ghost past him (as is common with Propper)?

The reason myself and a few others leap to his defence repeatedly is not necessarily because of opinions on this forum, but fan opinion on the whole. I go to all home and most away games and generally the player is not well regarded for some mystifying reason (not a flair player, him wanting away.. who knows) when in my opinion he is in the running for PoS, albeit is some way behind Dunk. We've had a few quality players in the past (I'm sure I don't need to mention) who weren't rated and this smacks of the same thing. Short of dooming us to relegation by wanting him to get injured, there seems little other way to convince some of our fans to value him. Anybody who thinks Kayal can step in and do what he does is dreaming, we would be utterly ****ed until Sidwell is back and match fit.

 

[SeagullDubai]

Gave away a penalty and failed to win the cross which Knocky cleared off the line. If it had been Gaeton he would have been slated.

Sent from my MI 6 using Tapatalk

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

Gave away a penalty and failed to win the cross which Knocky cleared off the line. If it had been Gaeton he would have been slated.

Sent from my MI 6 using Tapatalk

What was the question - remind me, its been so long

 

[Perry Milkins]

Woman next to me was slagging off Stephens all game - shouting at Hughton for not subbing him and constantly saying how he is useless.
Seemed to hate Propper too as she wanted them both subbed off!

I had to read that twice...

 

[Weststander]

The guy is an absolutely fantastic footballer. The fact that there are still some Albion fans who can’t see what he offers to the team is true testament to just how stupid football fans can be.

I wonder if it's the same 'supporters' who never warmed to (seizing upon any apparent failing by):
Murray
Barnes
Baldock
Lopez

 

[Weststander]

He's a physical and niggly player, if he does have the most fouls (I haven't checked this but not uncommon for a CM) then he also has the most interceptions and tackles. There are some world class players in this league who will make him and the rest of our players look ordinary at times. Is it best that Stephens gives away a free kick or that he just lets them ghost past him (as is common with Propper)?

The reason myself and a few others leap to his defence repeatedly is not necessarily because of opinions on this forum, but fan opinion on the whole. I go to all home and most away games and generally the player is not well regarded for some mystifying reason (not a flair player, him wanting away.. who knows) when in my opinion he is in the running for PoS, albeit is some way behind Dunk. We've had a few quality players in the past (I'm sure I don't need to mention) who weren't rated and this smacks of the same thing. Short of dooming us to relegation by wanting him to get injured, there seems little other way to convince some of our fans to value him. Anybody who thinks Kayal can step in and do what he does is dreaming, we would be utterly ****ed until Sidwell is back and match fit.

Great post.

 

[Weststander]

Gerrard and Lampard have the shirt so Scholes plays on the wing.

Carlton Palmer and Geoff Thomas, with Ripley and Salako on the wings, have the midfield sown up. Quality.

So unfortunately, DS won't get a look in.

 

[Perry Milkins]

Gareth Southgate was at yesterday’s game.

Stephens and Dunk must have impressed IMO.

He was there to see Charlie Adam and Pierre Crouch.

 

[Washie]

I know quite a lot of people who still can't see past his transfer request, maybe that's why stupid people hate him?

 

[Weststander]

I know quite a lot of people who still can't see past his transfer request, maybe that's why stupid people hate him?

They're going to have a lot of ex-players to hate if we get relegated then.

 

[golddene]

Just my opinion, first I think Stephens has grown into the season and looks excellent in the middle with Propper.

I'm sure he wants to mark tight and not let attackers turn him but within this the slightest touch players go down, these are the "silly" fouls he gives away. Maybe it's naivety or maybe just being beaten by skill.

Thought this may help!
Premier league player stats for fouls committed
7th Dale Stephens".............. 37
=19th Davy P........................28
=30th Solly............................25
=37th Pascal.........................23
=68th Knocky........................16
=141st Beram.......................3

Fouls conceded by midfielders, the list is headed by........Milivojevic of our chums up the road with 51

 

[Skaville]

He's good, very good in fact, but Robson was a different class driving forward and scoring goals.

The player of a generation. Stephens isn’t even the vast player in our team

 

[Arkwright]

Thought this may help!
Premier league player stats for fouls committed
7th Dale Stephens".............. 37
=19th Davy P........................28
=30th Solly............................25
=37th Pascal.........................23
=68th Knocky........................16
=141st Beram.......................3

Fouls conceded by midfielders, the list is headed by........Milivojevic of our chums up the road with 51

Many thanks. As I said it doesn't make him a bad player, to contradict myself you could argue 37 fouls in 27 games isn't as bad as I had thought.

Out of curiosity how many fouls has Murray made, he seems to concede a few.

 

[golddene]

Many thanks. As I said it doesn't make him a bad player, to contradict myself you could argue 37 fouls in 27 games isn't as bad as I had thought.

Out of curiosity how many fouls has Murray made, he seems to concede a few.

On the all player list,
Glen =5th 41 fouls
Dale 12th 37 fouls

With Luka heading the premier league with 52 (well, equal 1st with some other guy?