[Albion] Stephens

[AmexRuislip]

If he's out for a while I take it all those clamouring for him to be 'rested' will soon be desperate for his return.

If Peter Ward was still playing for us and not scoring, they'd be some clamouring for him to rest his perm!

 

[Nixonator]

When was the last time we won 3 points when Stephens wasn’t playing?

Answers on a postcard.

The Dale Stephens myth according to some. Make your own minds up, it's not pretty reading.

Games without Dale Stephens:-

2 Promotion Campaigns (15/16, 16/17)

Played 13
Won 1
Drawn 4
Lost 8
Win 7%

Premier League (17/18, 18>)

Played 4
Won 0
Drawn 0
Lost 4
Win 0%

Last win coming back in 2016 at Hillsborough and before that you don't even want to know.

Edit: I actually forgot to include the playoff games, so that's another loss and a draw then. Updated.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

No way Stephens would have allowed any of that to happen

Of course all hypothetical, but I strongly believe he would, because he sits so well.

Both Bissouma and Propper were out of position and did not track the run anything like well enough.

If you pause the point when Lamela shoots, look for the nearest midfield player.
Stephens is integral to our team shape.

Edit - sorry misread your post [emoji20]


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[doogie004]

Never mentioned anything about lack of respect just in my opinion that I don’t think he’s that great as those who love him think he is . Time will now tell



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[doogie004]

Let’s see. [emoji2].

Would have thought the second goal immediately disproved that, as the cover was non-existent.

Incidentally who’s the better player you’re referring to?


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Think kayal is the better player let’s see over the next few games .


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[Bold Seagull]

Of course all hypothetical, but I strongly believe he would, because he sits so well.

Both Bissouma and Propper were out of position and did not track the run anything like well enough.

If you pause the point when Lamela shoots, look for the nearest midfield player.
Stephens is integral to our team shape.


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Not sure how Bissouma found himself marking Lamela but not following his run into the box was criminal.

Kayal looked more effective in that no.10 role than Bissouma had all game. Kayal always does a great job for us, consummate professional.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Not sure how Bissouma found himself marking Lamela but not following his run into the box was criminal.

Kayal looked more effective in that no.10 role than Bissouma had all game. Kayal always does a great job for us, consummate professional.

Quite.

In fact based on yesterday’s performance Kayal played better than Propper and Bissouma.



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[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Ami I missing something here? The comparisons between Kayal and Stephens seem pointless as they play different positions, as was the case yesterday.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Ami I missing something here? The comparisons between Kayal and Stephens seem pointless as they play different positions, as was the case yesterday.

I agree but Kayal replaced Stephens so I can see why. It was funny yesterday as I felt neither midfield was particularly effective, the game seemed to happen very much down the flanks for both sides.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

Ami I missing something here? The comparisons between Kayal and Stephens seem pointless as they play different positions, as was the case yesterday.

You've missed nothing. Others have though and none of them seem to want to acknowledge the point.
NSC has always been a little weaker on football than it is on politics.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Ami I missing something here? The comparisons between Kayal and Stephens seem pointless as they play different positions, as was the case yesterday.

Yes they do.

But if Kayal is going to step in, he will need to hold the team shape like Stephens does.

 

[BensGrandad]

Losing Stephens completely disrupted our formation and it doesnt matter how you dress it up he was missed as other players had to play in other positions to accommodate Kayal as he is not a straight replacement for Stephens in his position.

 

[Wardy's twin]

The problem is we have no one who can do the Stephen's role as well as him. We needed to sign a defensive midfielder and an attacking one. Bissouma is a box to box player whose strength(?) is attacking.

 

[Weststander]

Think kayal is the better player let’s see over the next few games .


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I diagree with the binary choice of Stephens v Kayal.

Stephens is essentially a defensive midfielder, but also adding bite, power, height to our team (combative, so we don't get bullied) and handy at set piece defending.

Kayal plays more forward, is more creative, but can muck in with the CM battle.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Yes they do.

But if Kayal is going to step in, he will need to hold the team shape like Stephens does.

But didn’t Kayal come on and play Groß’ role and Pröpper and Bissouma sat deeper?

 

[junior]

Stephens epitomizes everything that is wrong with this team at the moment. Constantly passing the ball backwards and giving it away. I'm looking forward to Kayal getting some game time.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

But didn’t Kayal come on and play Groß’ role and Pröpper and Bissouma sat deeper?

Thought they flexed it initially with Bissouma and Kayal rotating.

Kayal certainly pressed higher/highest in the second half out of the three, but the whole team did.

I wouldn’t say Kayal is a Gross replacement, any more than he is a Stephens replacement.

If he does come in as anticipated, he’ll have to be very disciplined in terms of his role and the team shape.

Edit - perhaps Gross will be fit...


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[Gilliver's Travels]

Stephens epitomizes everything that is wrong with this team at the moment. Constantly passing the ball backwards and giving it away. I'm looking forward to Kayal getting some game time.

A bit of an exaggeration to claim that Stephens "epitomises everything that's wrong with the team at the moment". There really isn't that much wrong anyway. IMHO.

But even our Dale's greatest fanboys can hardly deny that, whatever his acclaimed pivotal role and legendary positional sense, he all too often misplaces the simplest of short passes, and squanders [admittedly rare] shooting opportunities by being comically unable to keep the football down. This would surely debar him from a move to a bigger club.

 

[Mike Small]

We lose when Stephens is out. He plays no more backwards than Propper does. See his play for the penalty award against Man Utd to see what he can do for everyone slagging him off.

 

[El Turi]

I just witnessed some absolute moron outside the ground cheering the news they Stephens isn’t playing. I despair at some of our fanbase.