Absolute nonsense. Stephens has played in some big big games and kept clean sheets for us at least. Valery has never once looked like a PL level defender in his own position, let alone out of position
Yes he has. Valery was great as a CB last season against Spurs after Salisu was sent off. We kept a clean sheet in the 2nd half against Kane, Son and co so you're talking nonsense.
Mate he is terrible. He is rash, reckless, no understanding of the game. Bad decision making, weak tackle, weak header. I have absolutely no idea what you or Ralph sees in him Here’s a thought: if we let them both go for free right now.. do you think a club would come in for him from the PL? A few PL clubs would def take Stephens as a back up
He'd be a good player in the Championship. He's had enough good games in the PL to make that a safe assumption.
I don't particularly rate Valery but he has had good games for us. Much like Stephens. I don't think they're both up to the required standard but it doesn't change the fact they have played well on occasions.
Nope. He was crap at Birmingham just last year. Seven appearances (only two starts) and that was enough for them. He didn't even make a matchday squad for the last three months of the loan. You will not find a Birmingham fan who thinks he was/is a good Championship player. Saints spent all of last summer (and presumably this) trying to loan him out to the Championship and nobody would take him. I know that for a fact. They're not holding onto a 23-year-old defender because they think he might yet come good, they're holding onto him because nobody else wants him/his wages/the hassle. Thankfully his contract is up in the summer of 2023, so we can cut our losses at that point.
In 43 appearances he has made 3 mistakes leading to a goal, conceded 62 goals. And these stats don’t take into account the times he got hauled off at half time or sent off. I agree he had one good game. But he should at least go out on loan for a season to play at centre back before throwing him in like this. It’s absolutely insane. Suicidal management.
Do me a favour. That is complete bollocks, Tom. Valery has played there, what, twice? Three times. Stephens has played there his whole career.
That's one game. What about when he got double-yellowed in the first half against Swansea, a few weeks later in the 3rd round of the cup?
I agree with the latter as I think we have a good set up for 4-2-3-1, especially when players are fit. —————Bazunu————— -Tino—ABK——Salisu—KWP- ————-JWP—(Romeu or Lavia) -S Armstrong-Aribo-Elyounoussi- —————-Mara——————- —————-Bazunu—————- -Tino—-ABK——Salisu—KWP- ——-JWP—Romeu—Lavia—— —Aribo——-Mara—Elyounoussi-
Can we just agree that neither Valery nor Stephens have any business starting in central defense for a PL side? I tend to believe that Valery is worse, but neither are even remotely adequate.
If people genuinely believe Salisu is **** then I'm not quite sure what they're watching. In most matches he's solid but then has a brain freeze. It's just a case of eliminating these silly errors from his game. He has all the physical attributes to be a top CB. With more games under his belt, he will learn.
