Agree with those who say he needs the right players around him. When he plays with Hollands he thinks he has to be the creative one, looking for the killer pass etc, and it's not really his game. I actually think he would be better alongside a creative player, where Stevo could do the simple things and play the Carrick role
The thing with Stephens is he's obviously got ability, but it doesn't meld into one complete player. We're constantly having to invent a new role that will work for him. He was signed as our creative attacking midfielder, but it turns out he's not good at that, so he was our box-to-box midfielder, but he doesn't have the engine for that, so he became the deep-lying quarterback type player, but he doesn't impose himself enough. Where is left for Dale? The tough-tackling enforcer who doesn't tackle? I don't mind sideways passing as much as many others but too often he gives the ball away or gets caught in possession right in front of the back four. I've said before that we always seem to 'miss' Dale when he doesn't play but those phantom attributes rarely materialise on the pitch. I like him, I want him to be a top player for us, and I agree with what some have said that it would be interesting to see him in a 3 man midfield where Dervite takes the defensive responsbility and Pritch does the running, but I can still see him drifting out of the game. Hope he proves me wrong tonight and smashes a couple in, but I feel like I've been waiting since he came back from injury last season for him to turn up
His goal will divide opinion on whether it was fluke or technique but he does have a knack of scoring spectacular ones. He harried and tackled better than I have seen him for a long time but he needs to do it more often and maintain that good consistency. Perhaps a luxury player in that when things go well he plays well, and vice versa when things on the pitch are tough. But I like him and I hope he can build on tonight's performance for us.
I admit that I am more often than not a fan/apologist for Stephens so I may be biased but I thought he did very well tonight, not flawless but very well indeed. I just wonder how deliberate that goal was! Looked more like he was looking for a back-post header to come steaming in but it still counts!
Undeniably talented. Free kick delivery is superb but simple passes go astray
One thing that works against him is the lack of pace. He needs a runner doing the terrier work (Hughes did this last season) and dale can pull the strings.
We had 59 % against a passing Cardiff side featuring Noone, Whittingham and Cowie in the midfield. Stephens and Pritchard can both take huge credit for that. Together they bossed it.
An excellent second half, a more mixed first half, we had one breakaway when he delayed the pass too long, and lost the ball, but some excellent delivery on his dead balls, except the goal which was overhit!
Thought he was excellent 2nite (admit i'm a fan!) possibly his best game in a Charlton shirt. Took responsibility, was aggressive when needed, played great simple passes, the goal was I'm sure a total fluke but as a free kick was brilliant. Curving ball with pace for people to attack. The fact that nobody did says more about his team mates than him. Showed why villa wanted him, lets hope he can start producing consistently.
Ridiculous to say this league is too fast paced for him. He's the only player we have that doesn't need a touch before passing. He keeps it moving faster than anyone we have. And he puts in a shift defensively.
Cannot understand the moaners. So, he has the odd off game? What was it £10million we paid for him? Or £300k? Credit should go to the club for keeping a good young player who has a bright future ahead of him.
More of the same please Dale. Second half he played like he had a rocket up his rear end. Winning tackles he usually wouldn't. Spraying the ball around beautifully. It may have been a fluke of a free kick but it felt like the lucky break we sorely needed. Suddenly every second ball was being won by a red shirt and Dale began to run the show. As much as it was a great cross from Kerkar for the fifth, if it wasn't for Dale closing down the centre half and winning the ball where he had no right to, then Hulse wouldn't have had a chance to bury.
More of the same please Dale. Second half he played like he had a rocket up his rear end. Winning tackles he usually wouldn't. Spraying the ball around beautifully. It may have been a fluke of a free kick but it felt like the lucky break we sorely needed. Suddenly every second ball was being won by a red shirt and Dale began to run the show. As much as it was a great cross from Kerkar for the fifth, if it wasn't for Dale closing down the centre half and winning the ball where he had no right to, then Hulse wouldn't have had a chance to bury.
and this is the perfect reason why I don't think we can afford a player like this , one that has bundles of ability but doesn't show it enough and needs a "rocket up his backside" at half time to do what he's best at.
Once he starts doing it on a regular basis over 90 minutes then I'll be the first to come on here and praise him but until then......…
More of the same please Dale. Second half he played like he had a rocket up his rear end. Winning tackles he usually wouldn't. Spraying the ball around beautifully. It may have been a fluke of a free kick but it felt like the lucky break we sorely needed. Suddenly every second ball was being won by a red shirt and Dale began to run the show. As much as it was a great cross from Kerkar for the fifth, if it wasn't for Dale closing down the centre half and winning the ball where he had no right to, then Hulse wouldn't have had a chance to bury.
and this is the perfect reason why I don't think we can afford a player like this , one that has bundles of ability but doesn't show it enough and needs a "rocket up his backside" at half time to do what he's best at.
Once he starts doing it on a regular basis over 90 minutes then I'll be the first to come on here and praise him but until then......…
What I think this shows is that the absolutes of "he's crap, get rid" or "he's great, play him every game" just don't apply.
Players have good games and bad games, go through periods of good and bad form, look better alongside certain players or in different formations, have injuries or personal issues or just good or bad luck.
Stephens, Jackson, BWP are all recent examples of this.
In the right setting and with the motivation and belief all can do the business. There was a reason Villa wanted Dale and the Jackson scored so many goals for us.
Kerker and Hulse are going down the same road where they are either great or rubbish regardless of how they have played that game.
Things are rarely black or white, let a few shades of grey into your life : - )
Comments
I actually think he would be better alongside a creative player, where Stevo could do the simple things and play the Carrick role
One thing that works against him is the lack of pace. He needs a runner doing the terrier work (Hughes did this last season) and dale can pull the strings.
Decent tonight but not mom tonight.
Makes a few too many mistakes but I'm sure if we can set up the team to his strengths, we can only benefit.
Showed why villa wanted him, lets hope he can start producing consistently.
Cannot understand the moaners. So, he has the odd off game? What was it £10million we paid for him? Or £300k? Credit should go to the club for keeping a good young player who has a bright future ahead of him.
Was superb last night, controlled the game in a way that none of our other players could.
Once he starts doing it on a regular basis over 90 minutes then I'll be the first to come on here and praise him but until then......…
Players have good games and bad games, go through periods of good and bad form, look better alongside certain players or in different formations, have injuries or personal issues or just good or bad luck.
Stephens, Jackson, BWP are all recent examples of this.
In the right setting and with the motivation and belief all can do the business. There was a reason Villa wanted Dale and the Jackson scored so many goals for us.
Kerker and Hulse are going down the same road where they are either great or rubbish regardless of how they have played that game.
Things are rarely black or white, let a few shades of grey into your life : - )