JCL - the new kid in town
Well-known member
- Aug 23, 2011
- 1,864
Perhaps Stephens refused to travel rather than refuse to play therefore Hughton wouldn't be lying (just playing devils advocate)
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We need to talk about Dale
- Thread starter Doc Lynam
- Start date
Perhaps Stephens refused to travel rather than refuse to play therefore Hughton wouldn't be lying (just playing devils advocate)
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
You have no idea whether it affected the price though do you? It was pretty clear he wasn't going to play again and he asked for a transfer (I think?). It seems Stephens hasn't...yet
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
No, but we got a lot more money, than the majority of the fans thought he was worth.
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
We did much better selling Ulloa without him rocking the boat though didn't we? Stephens has not publically rocked the boat so we may be forcing Burnley's hand to spend more than they would otherwise. WTF do I know though.
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
Fwiw, if there was an actual bid in for Stephens, then I would agree that he's gone, but there isn't. At the moment.
I imagine the club are having a very hard time with Stephen's agent. It's what agents do. The interest from Burnley plus the year left on his contract mean the agent holds most of the aces but a form player can quickly become surplus to requirements if injuries take their toll. Jay Rodriguez at Southampton springs to mind.
Hopefully he'll be fit enough to play on Saturday and is with us for the following one.
Hopefully he'll be fit enough to play on Saturday and is with us for the following one.
I believe Hughtons press conference far more than I believe a random poster on a fan website, who I have long suspected is a palace troll.
Tell us who your sources are, as was said on this thread earlier, those who are really inthe know, don't reveal any of their knowledge on interweb message boards.
Just my opinion.
Tell us who your sources are, as was said on this thread earlier, those who are really inthe know, don't reveal any of their knowledge on interweb message boards.
Just my opinion.
JCL - the new kid in town
Well-known member
- Aug 23, 2011
- 1,864
Maybe Hughton is trying to put doubt in any potential bidders minds by a) keeping him out of the limelight so that people forget how good he is b) making them think he's injured/unfit or c) he obviously rubbish as he can't get into our team not even the bench.......
Buzzer
Languidly Clinical
- Oct 1, 2006
- 26,121
I don't know if this has been mentioned yet but when he was asked at his dinner event a few months back, Calderon said that Stephens was his player of the season and that was the view of a lot of other Albion players too. Keeping him here for the rest of the season would be a fantastic achievement and probably a key factor in whether we go up or not but if he wants to go then we really shouldn't stop him - and it does seem that he wants to move on.
In an ideal world, we could sell him in January on the proviso that he sees out the rest of the season with us, if that's at all possible.
In an ideal world, we could sell him in January on the proviso that he sees out the rest of the season with us, if that's at all possible.
lizard
Well-hung member
- Jul 14, 2005
- 3,383
It seems to me that Stephens is likely to be departing. What Hughton said with relevance to Stephens training and fitness was a good diplomatic answer which doesn't shut off any possible outcome. If he'd have said injury, he would have looked pretty silly when Stephens passes a medical at his new club, or alternatively returns to matches when the window closes.
I dare say he is working on his fitness in training, but has expressed desire to move on for geographical reasons and I expect that a deal isn't too far away for him, with us stalling in order to sign a replacement ahead of his departure.
I doubt he'd have refused to play, but maybe his head's been turned and Chris has decided he isn't focussed enough to warrant risking in the squad.
My honest opinion is we've seen the last of Stephens and in my mind this will amplified should he not make the bench for Newcastle.
September really can't come soon enough, but fingers crossed we sign the three players we're likely to need to compete at the top of this division again this season.
- Jun 27, 2012
- 14,612
Hughton hardly ever says that a player will play in a game. He says they are available. This is what he has said about DS ("he's available").
Not because he's obfuscating or trying to cover up stuff but because he doesn't want his opponents to know the team in advance and/or presumably because he hasn't 100% decided yet.
Prince Monolulu
Everything in Moderation
- Jun 27, 2012
- 14,612
Dunk refused to play last season for one game and then effectively dropped for the remaining opening games of the season when Uwe was signed despite being man of the match v Forest, and despite being fully fit.
He wasn't "Off". He's still here. So how did that happen ?
Because Dunk was being targeted by a Championship rival. We have said we won't sell to championship rivals.
Burnley are a premiership club, after a player with 9 months left on his contract. The dynamic is completely different to Dunk
- Jun 27, 2012
- 14,612
They're only going to sell Stephens if :
- he simply refuses a new contract and we won't improve it
- a prem league club has an offer that meets his value on the table
- we've signed or lined up a replacement.
I think the answer to all of those at the moment is no.
But obviously all or some will change in the next 7 days.
His fitness or availability for the Newcastle game is by the by.
- he simply refuses a new contract and we won't improve it
- a prem league club has an offer that meets his value on the table
- we've signed or lined up a replacement.
I think the answer to all of those at the moment is no.
But obviously all or some will change in the next 7 days.
His fitness or availability for the Newcastle game is by the by.
- Jun 27, 2012
- 14,612
What we're discussing is , can you see any clues for him signing a contract , being sold, or staying from Hughton picking him v Newcastle or Reading.
I'm saying no...
He could still stay, be sold, or be replaced. Club still clearly want him to and its not over til its over...but at some point the reality will bite. Its the certainty i'm questioning...There's still 7 days to go and its still up in the air....
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
If I was a betting man I'd say Burnley will be forced into offering the full 10 million at the eleventh hour and like the Ulloa price, we'll be slack jawed when it is announced
Question is have we already got his replacement in Norwood
Munchkin
Well-known member
Looks like Burnley have turned their attentions to Jeff Hendrick of Derby with a fee reportedly now agreed.
If that's the case I believe he could be staying!!
If that's the case I believe he could be staying!!
Buzzer
Languidly Clinical
- Oct 1, 2006
- 26,121
I think you're right.
portslade seagull
Well-known member
Hopefully puts this nonsense to bed then