Be very sorry if he left, easily our classiest midfielder, don't know why he gets some poor marks on the players ratings. Apart from Chris Solly is our biggest assest. Think some comments about him are negative because they have never played a decent standard of football themselves!
The key is that if he goes, we need to re-invest in the squad to ensure we have the strength to stay up. We are already short in CM and needed one in anyway - so Stephens leaving means 2 CMs needed by transfer deadline OR 1 CM and Quinn (moving Jacko to CM).
Solly / Stephens out and nobody in means that we have effectively given up on this season.
Be very sorry if he left, easily our classiest midfielder, don't know why he gets some poor marks on the players ratings. Apart from Chris Solly is our biggest assest. Think some comments about him are negative because they have never played a decent standard of football themselves!
He's probably the best 'footballer' in the team. But then how much football do we actually play going forward? Not much if we're honest. It's mostly long balls to Yann or out wide for crosses. Would like to see him stay and progress but If the money's decent then I thin he can be replaced.
Stephens is a first teamer and those are the players you don't want to lose. Say Hollands or Pritchard gets injured- the centre midfield area is looking really exposed - where as now Pritchard can move in to cover. Would be a massive loss to us- can't understand why people don't seem to look beyond the starting eleven. If we lost Stephens, we would need to replace him with a central midfielder and £1m doesn't look so much then!
When it comes down to it our squad is so thin on the ground that CP isnt playing any subs, losing a key first team player so close to the end of the transfer window, is very depressing.
Be very disapointed if he goes. Never gets the credit he deserves. We will be woefully short in midfield if he goes without us signing anybody. Pritchard can do a job and is the sort of player fans like but he hasn't got the class of Stephens.
Looking at the Blades Mad forum, they are raving about Quinn more than ever. Apparently he has been switched to more of a central role this season and has been superb, adding some bite to their central midfield. Can imagine him a Jacko switching around during games which could work nicely.
Sheffield Star staing this morning that we (dont mention anyone else) are monitoring Quinns situtation.
IF we signed Quinn, lost Stephens, signed another loan CM, sold Solly, bought in Young on loan and signed Button.
I would take that. By my reckoning we would be up financially as well.
I'd guess there wouldn't be much change left if any from what we get for Stephens. I think that if Pritchard and Hollands stay fit - Pritchard will step up to the plate - no problem with that- and could even prove to be better than Stephens - but it is a big if and yes- we will be exposed.
Think he'd do really well in the prem. Gets stick very quickly if he makes a mistake at The Valley unlike others. Agreed he needs time on the ball sometimes, but he has such intelligence and vision when picking his pass it's a joy to watch. Haven't had anyone take corners as good as him for years, either.
Back to Dale, IMHO having never been a pro footballer at any level, if we are offered the reported 1 mil, I think the board would be made not to take it, also from Dales point of view how can we deny him the chance of Prem football. Its a weird one this, i'm happy if he goes happy if he stays.
I think his delivery from corners may be a big factor in Villa's interest - many of our own fans may not have noticed that we look dangerous from every corner but I'm sure other clubs have.
I think his delivery from corners may be a big factor in Villa's interest - many of our own fans may not have noticed that we look dangerous from every corner but I'm sure other clubs have.
True but they would still need to think he was a player with premier league quality
Comments
Solly / Stephens out and nobody in means that we have effectively given up on this season.
It hasnt happened yet, so lets not get too suicidal
Replacing someone like Chris Solly or Yann Kermorgant is a much harder task than replacing Dale Stephens.
Good luck to him if he does go.
Bollox talk
Would like to see him stay and progress but If the money's decent then I thin he can be replaced.
There again I didn't play in a World Cup so what do I know.
Sheffield Star staing this morning that we (dont mention anyone else) are monitoring Quinns situtation.
IF we signed Quinn, lost Stephens, signed another loan CM, sold Solly, bought in Young on loan and signed Button.
I would take that. By my reckoning we would be up financially as well.
Stephens isn't.