After a crazy week of Football I was left thinking coming back from Hartlepool... Are Dale Stephens and Danny Hollands too alike. i.e. Could it be a case of having the England problem which tries to accommodate Lampard and Gerrard yet one will always have to be dropped? Am saying this because in the last week Danny Hollands has 2 Goals / 1 Assist. If this is the case I'd say its because Andy Hughes is sitting in front of the back four letting Hollands get forward (and it slotting into Right-Back whenever Solly gets forward as well). As many people will know I'm a big believer of leaving a winning Squad alone (especially when we've won 4-0 on consecutive weekends, when did we last manage that... Mr Cameron?) If Andy Hughes was to get injured am surprised to say it do we have enough cover to replace him in the holding role (i.e. we're kinda playing the Diamond 4-4-5 at the moment)
I don't think Stephens and Hollands are alike at all. Despite getting a number of goals, Hollands main strength is his defensive ability, he's a great tackler and has been paired with Stephens as the latter isn't so great tackling but is a playmaker and likes to attack.
I just feel that our Midfield has a little more bite to it now with Hollands who can tackle and create and Hughes who can just get in the way and play the safe ball (1 conceded in three matches proves that its worked) There were definitely moments yesterday when I felt Hollands and Hughes both went into challenges letting Hartlepool they were in a match this week
Anyone know why Stephens wasn't even on the bench yesterday? Surely a better bet than Euell to cover midfield(assuming he's back from parernity leave)
We've all assumed that Hollands is a defensive midfielder, with Stephens as the creative visionary. The past 3 games have shown that Hollands is much more than that, as he has scored twice. Not only does he have the bite of a rottweiler, he also plays a key role in our passing game which tears every team apart. He is indispensable. Hughes, on the other hand, is pretty much solely a defensive player. Passing wise he is limited but the job he does protecting the back four is vital, and he does it very well. I certainly don't think he deserves to be dropped. As for Stephens...the harshest judgement on him is that he is a luxury. His passing is superb, his tackling less so. He can occasionally go missing in games, but he and Hollands work well together and I would not be upset if he came back next week, despite what I just said about Hughes. Basically, either way our midfield works. Happy days
'Never change a winning squad' ?? I agree with you. Not sure how Euell could be seen as better cover for midfield than Stephens. Thought Hughes had a good game yesterday. His passing isn't amazing, but he put in a few good crosses, and he covers well.
Not too similar, but Hollands has benefited more in an attacking sense since Stephens has been out. It wont be too long before we see him though- I guess a couple weeks off for Dale to adjust to his wife giving birth wont upset him too much.
I think this is a situation where timing has helped. I think in the few games prior to becoming a dad, Stephens wasn't quite performing as he had done earlier in the season. Added to this is him 'having a slight injury' which has meant Powell could give him a couple of weeks rest without actually dropping him. It has worked out well and we now know that Hughes can do a good job int hat position. We also musn't forget that Stephens is only 22 and pretty inexperienced. He will get better and better.
He got injured in a league cup match and aint played since...I think he was always gonna be a squad player at millwall.
I have been surprised and delighted at how well Hughes has done as I had prematurely written him off as CP's only duff signing. But you have to bear in mind that the three matches he has played were not against the strongest opponents, Carlisle, Wycombe and Hartlepool. And defensive central midfielder is the easiest outfield position in the team to play, both physically and mentally. Don't take my word for it. This was admitted by Claude Makelele who was so good at it they name the role after him. I suspect that against teams who are harder to score against we may need a bit more creativity in midfield which an on-form Stephens could supply. If Hughes does as well in the next three League matches, against stronger opposition in Preston, Brentford and Huddersfield, then I will really be impressed and he will have earned a regular first team place. Meanwhile a little spell out of the team won't hurt Stephens. He was coasting through games before being left out. Possibly because he was nursing an injury, though I suspect that story is more of a face-saver.
I am sure Hughes will keep his place against Preston but they are hardly a "team harder to score against". Just noticed they have conceded 13 goals in their last four league matches (and were conceding a steady trickle of goals even before that when doing well). I reckon Phil Brown will be packing his midfield with defensive players next Saturday. Maybe he will leave out Mayor who destroyed us almost single-handed in the League Cup tie.
I think he was being modest. The Arsenal and Chelsea game was an amazing attacking spectacle, but both teams were desperately open, and really could have done with a Makelele type.
