Whilst it's nice to see some Stephens love for a change (as you say, he is everyone's favourite scapegoat right now), I would very much prefer Charles to come in for Downes. Stephens has, to my recollection, never started a game at DM and seems madness to try it out now. Its not like playing him at FB as he's done that loads before.
Vast majority do not have Stephens himself as a scapegoat. Most agree and have said that his individual performances have largely been good. It’s the shoehorning him into the side in various roles and positions which have unbalanced and unsettled the team that people have taken issue with. He’s undoubtedly a very good CB at this level. But unfortunately for him, we’ve found a successful CB partnership that doesn’t include him. Whilst in an emergency he can play full back or perhaps DM, the teams balance is far better when natural full backs or DMs play those positions, if nothing else.
100% this. I actually rate him. When he got injured at the beginning of the season he was the 1st name on the team sheet. Then we started to learn Martin's system without him. IMO Bedders & THB are the 'best' CB partnership we have. Individually, maybe Stephens is better than Bedders, but as a pair I don't think so.
I’d have Jack on the bench and use him if and when needed as DM or CM I want to see Charles owning a DM position and this a good game to continue that
Shea for Downes the only change to start. With options on the bench if needed bearing in mind Tuesday's game.
Not for me. This is our most important game of the season. Cardiff's best hope is to sh*thouse us and I think Stephens will stand up to that far better than Charles. Charles is still so raw. Great on his day, but that is only 50% of the time.
100% this. It’s a shame for him he got injured as who knows how his season would have gone. But unfortunately we have found our best CB pairing and we have to stick with it. If Downes is out, I’d stick Charles in there with Smallbone and Aribo personally. Keep us more solid and let the wingers create
It should be the same starting XI if at all possible because if we don't win today then I believe that's the end of the autos for us. I don't believe that we should be saving anyone for future games so we should start Flynn but if he feels he can't make 90 minutes then Shea should be his replacement with the rest unchanged. We still have great options on the bench to either rest players or change the game later.
