As the Hollands one is turning in to it lets make a Stephens thread. Seems a completely different player than the one at the beginning of the season. Hope CP pushes him forward so he can do what he does best
Think as FHB points out, we saw the best of Stephens again when he played higher up the pitch against Notts County in the second half. I guess CP has a system and is not willing to sacrifice it to accommodate Dale's preferred style of play. He and Yann remain the best ''footballers'', but I just hope he gets his chance to shine in his natural position again.
Stephens clearly is an 'attacking midfielder' more than a 'central midfielder' (and far more than he is a defensive midfielder). When on form (and in the correct position) who is lethal, but CP seems to be trying to accomodate him in the Danny Hollands style, central-defensive midfielder role. I agree with Mary, Stephens and Kermorgant are the two most technically gifted players we have, and both have a superb reading of the game.
Won't repeat myself as I've ranted enough about Stephens on the Walsall match thread and the Hollands thread. Suffice it to say that he is a very gifted player who should be an asset. But he is either not obeying instructions or we are playing him chronically out of position. He needs to grow a pair, stop playing blind hospital passes and learn to tackle. Other than that........
One thing that concerns me over Stephens is that quite a few people believe he will be a better player in the Champs than in L1 because he'll have more time on the ball ! - I just dont get it - if he's cr4p now, he'll certainly be cr4p in the Champs !
Stu, the logic is that in League One the opposition generally get more players behind the ball, and don't give you two seconds on it before trying to tackle (or with that failing, just clattering you). In comparison, players get far more time on the ball in The Championship and opposition players generally hold off challenging. The Championship is a league suited more to those with an eye for a killer pass and an intelligent footballing brain, whereas League One is about sheer brawn. Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but you sort of get the point.
He's not crap though, Stu. Might be under performing, but I'm putting that down to tactics and him not being utilised correctly. If it was disobedience then he would be dropped. Certain players adapt to certain divisions better. Always been the case in football.
I'm with you entirely on this. I'm assuming CP has told Stephens to play the defensive role, as: 1) Like you say, he would be dropped if he was being disobedient. 2) The fact that he hasn't been dropped when under-performing suggests CP understands why/isn't willing to be proven wrong.
I agree to the point that he may be playing in the wrong position, however, if anybody thinks he is going to have more time on the ball in Champs than L1 then they are totally mistaken. Once a cleverer team find out he's shyte when he's given no time on the ball, then they will give him no time on the ball, whether its Champs,L1 or Champions League - believe me- after all, why do you think Soton released him after getting promoted last year? - because they obviously thought he wouldnt cut it in the Champs.
Yes, the Championship may be more cultured than L1, but it's still 100 mph, and players don't have time to dawdle around, and to me Stephens is too slow and unathletic at the moment to hold a central midfield berth. Imagine him at home to Millwall or away at Leeds? It's not as if he was running games before his injury like a 3rd division Glenn Hoddle, and he rarely bursts from midfield to get into the box like Russell did for his goal against Yeovil
He's not rubbish Stu I think he'll be okay in The Championship, he's a very intelligent footballer and his style of play will be more suited to pitches like those at West Ham and Brighton, than the likes of Oldham and Bury. Also, he wasn't 'released' from Southampton, he was simply on loan to them and they hadn't seen enough of him to give him a contract (considering Semedo put him out for the season). Killer, you're right about his style of play, he doesn't run around much but he can pick out a pass, and I'd rather have a midfielder who can find an unmarked winger/split a defense with one pass than one who runs into the box every chance he gets and leaves a gaping hole in the midfield.
I'd be interested to see the stats on how many goals Stephens has directly or indirectly created, for example, his quick free kcik led to the first goal against Yeovil, but I'm not sure how many others he's directly been involved in...
I will always remember the pass for Jackson away at Bury, but good point about stats regarding goal scoring opportunities. I'll have a butch to see if I can find anything, although I assume they reserve such stats for the Premiership.
Killer, I'd be interested in that too, but if its a criticism of him then I'm not sure its a strong one. Kermorgant for instance has only 2 assists this season, yet I'm sure nearly all of us would agree that he's the best 'team-player' we have.
I suspect Kermorgant was 'earned' a massive number of free kicks for us. He's probably made more telling passes too.
