As a result of Adam Birchall's injury we really need Stefan Payne to step up to the mark now. It's highly likely that he has only got this season to impress before he falls into non league obscurity. From what I've seen Stefan appears to lack a little confidence at league level and appears to go misssing during games. It seems he would rather be anonymous instead of just going for it 100% and not worrying about making mistakes. He turns 20 in a couple of weeks and it's time for him to show what he's about. I am sure the ability is actually there judging by his scoring exploits in brief spells at Sutton Utd and Braintree, so come on Stefan believe in yourself and do the business!
He strikes me very much as what we refer to as a `confidence player`. Jackson scored hatfuls of goals at Rushden but took a good few weeks to settle into league football. And so far we must have given Payne about a quarter of the game time that Jackson got when he first arrived. Think I read somewhere that he has played the equivalent of four full games last season 2010/2011, and with most of his appearances coming towards the tail end of matches, it must be extremely difficult for him to settle into the momentum and make an impact. This is his last contracted year with us, I'm certain that if he gets more of a run in the team he will be able to flourish.
There isn't too much of it on here but fans I think have been too quick to bash Payne when he has only had 1 start in the league (Cheltenham (h) last season). In that game he was played on his own up front as Cody was out and Bayo wasn't properly fit and it was during our terrible spell at the start so it's fair to say as Gills79 said that he hasn't been given the same time to fit in as Jackson did when he moved here. As soon as Cody and Bayo started playing and scoring, there was no way he could have broken into the first team and remember also that he is 19 soon to be 20 so he is still learning. With Birchall looking to miss the start of the season bar a miracle, this could be the opportunity for Payne to show what he can do and he's said that he watched Cody's movement and technique all the time last year so he could be the next Cody given time. He scored a few in the reserves last season so he obviously knows where the net is.
I think everybody hope's he can make the step up to first team player but only a few think he will actually make it. I for one think this year is the last we will see of Steph because I see us bringing in one or two young West Ham kid's because of the Hendon link. This would make Payne pointless and at the end of this year I can see Hess letting him go. I hope I am wrong and Payne does really well this season........however I really can't see it happening.
i watched payne against weymouth,only for 10 minutes agreed,but he looked out of his depth against a team about 3 or 4 leagues below us.
You need to be given the chance to prove yourself, several years ago Kedwell wasn't given the chance and we had to pay to get him back, before that it was Jackson we released and had to pay to get him back, lets not make the same mistake again. he's not even 20 For goodness sake.
i think he found his level at Sutton.i thought he looked very good and he had a good scoring record.that's when Fulham came calling
He may not ever make it but I think he looks bright, he got a hat trick on loan at Braintree so he can obviously do the job two leagues below us as you don't score hat tricks if you are useless, but this league well, time will tell, hope he can be a gem,
