Dale Stephens

At the risk of taking the thread away from Dale. I think Jordon Cousins would make me look good in midfield. I think that boy is class, I've seen him in youth teams but he was so effective that he was never on the ball that long, now he is in the first team you see more of him.

I've never knocked Dale just the way in which our midfield was setup, I always thought that that was the problem and I think the same was true of Danny Hollands situation. Dale was being asked to perform tasks that he is not best suited to and while he can do that, like anybody to get the best out of him you have to play to his strengths and now we are. I agree, get Stephens signed up as soon as possible because he will be difficult to replace should we need to.

For me though, Cousins is by far the best player we have ATM and I would not be surprised if he wins player of the year (pray to God he remains injury free), surely he is a cert for young player of the year. In a season that may only bring midtable (I still think that is where we will be) mediocracey it is Cousins who will be a most welcome highlight.

I haven’t seen Stephens on telly this season but he was outstanding for Brighton in the Championship (hence Burnley’s bid of £7million a year ago) and any English midfielder getting regular games in the Premier Leaguemust have a chance. If Doug Livermore can get into the England squad, why not Dale Stephens ?

Blucher said:

I haven’t seen Stephens on telly this season but he was outstanding for Brighton in the Championship (hence Burnley’s bid of £7million a year ago) and any English midfielder getting regular games in the Premier Leaguemust have a chance. If Doug Livermore can get into the England squad, why not Dale Stephens ?

northstandsteve said:

fuck me how old is Doug Livermore, think you might mean Jake

I think Blucher has given away his age and vast knowledge of football - Doug Livermore played in the 60s and 70s.

A few years ago England had lampard & Gerrard at the heart of our midfield. Now we're taking about jake Livermere and Dale Stephens.....

killerandflash said:

rememberbillybonds said:

He was always good. Was class when he played for us. I remember when he received a pass at waist high in midfield and scissor passed it to the other wing. He was not flash, scored a few as well.
He was RD/KMs first stupid acts of getting rid of assets.

The spivs should be blamed more for letting his contract run down, I imagine Dale would have left for nothing in the summer if he hadn't been sold

Although the spivs supposedly turned down a bid for £2m from then Prem Aston Villa for Stephens.

It was said that Stephens was upset at the time, thinking his big opportunity had been denied him.
Maybe he was offered a new contract by the spivs - but declined to sign it?

Shelvey is a better player imo - if he could get rid of his "temper" then he could play for England again, although as Souness said at the weekend, thats what makes him the player he is.

sorry, but imo Stephens is a good Championship midfielder & average Premiership one. No more. no less.

Rizzo said:

ForeverAddickted said:

Oggy Red said:

killerandflash said:

rememberbillybonds said:

He was always good. Was class when he played for us. I remember when he received a pass at waist high in midfield and scissor passed it to the other wing. He was not flash, scored a few as well.
He was RD/KMs first stupid acts of getting rid of assets.

The spivs should be blamed more for letting his contract run down, I imagine Dale would have left for nothing in the summer if he hadn't been sold

Although the spivs supposedly turned down a bid for £2m from then Prem Aston Villa for Stephens.

It was said that Stephens was upset at the time, thinking his big opportunity had been denied him.
Maybe he was offered a new contract by the spivs - but declined to sign it?

That wasnt the same season though... I seem to remember us turning down that Aston Villa bid because we were away @ Nottingham Forest (we lost 2-1 and looked utterly toothless) which was the 2012/13 season... Stephens then left in January 2014.

In the intervening period, to say that his game suffered would be a huge understatement. If Villa had put in a similar bid during that time there were many of us who'd have driven him up there personally.

Nonetheless, it's good to see him putting his undoubted talent to good use and reaping the rewards.

Have always had the opinion that he was poor in 2012/13 yet the moment Jordan Cousins came in the following season, the two really linked up well in the middle of midfield and really complemented each other.

I said he was worth 5 million years ago , must be worth at least 10 now!

Addick Addict said:

Blucher said:

I haven’t seen Stephens on telly this season but he was outstanding for Brighton in the Championship (hence Burnley’s bid of £7million a year ago) and any English midfielder getting regular games in the Premier Leaguemust have a chance. If Doug Livermore can get into the England squad, why not Dale Stephens ?

northstandsteve said:

fuck me how old is Doug Livermore, think you might mean Jake

I think Blucher has given away his age and vast knowledge of football - Doug Livermore played in the 60s and 70s.

Addick Addict said:

Blucher said:

I haven’t seen Stephens on telly this season but he was outstanding for Brighton in the Championship (hence Burnley’s bid of £7million a year ago) and any English midfielder getting regular games in the Premier Leaguemust have a chance. If Doug Livermore can get into the England squad, why not Dale Stephens ?

northstandsteve said:

fuck me how old is Doug Livermore, think you might mean Jake

I think Blucher has given away his age and vast knowledge of football - Doug Livermore played in the 60s and 70s.

It’s a fair cop. I think old Doug also played for Norwich. Lots of useless information becoming increasingly confused.

Jake was the bloke on the bench for West Brom last week. Reminds me of when Paul Konchesky made his debut for England against Australia at left back - England’s potential number 3; Charlton’s third choice behind Chris Powell and Hermann

killerandflash said:

The strange thing is that after Dale left us, Diego Poyet came in and we didn't miss him at all. I would never have thought that 3 years later Dale would be the PL midfielder, and Diego nowhere

I'm just grateful we got to see a pl player of tomorrow play.

I never really rated him for us, but he's done alright since moving on. Fair play to him. He was nailed on to leave us well before Roland turned up. Seem to remember Powell stating they would listen to offers as he wanted a move back north! Dowie syndrome

cafcdave123 said:

ricky_otto said:

ForeverAddickted said:

agim said:

ForeverAddickted said:

agim said:

A few years ago England had lampard & Gerrard at the heart of our midfield. Now we're taking about jake Livermere and Dale Stephens.....

Won loads with Lampard and Gerrard didnt we...

What a muppet you are

Yeah that I am... Not the first and not the last to tell me that

Muppet! You’ve taken that well.

that's what his last date said...

Did he?