CORK OR STEPHENS

Safron · Post by **Safron** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:02 pm

who will get the shout, or could it be both?
Stephens not really ever had a run of games to showcase what he can do, due to injuries,bad luck, maybe today's his day to shine .

Murger · Post by **Murger** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:02 pm

Should be Stephens, but will definitely be Cork.

Pearcey · Post by **Pearcey** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:03 pm

I’d start Stephens but it will be Cork. Cork has been poor this season and Stephens is better than he gets credit for.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:20 pm

I thought Stephens did ok when he came on at Man U but he’s been unused in the two league games since.

Maybe today he’ll get his chance.

jojomk1 · Post by **jojomk1** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:31 pm

Expect Cork and Lennon to start

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:48 pm

Stephens has been a poor signing, but nobody really knows how effective he could’ve been for us due to a lack of game time.

Cork, on the other hand, has been abysmal this season, so I hope Stephens starts.

Goobs · Post by **Goobs** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:56 pm

I think a lot depends on whether Dale still wants to go home due to our town not being up to his high standards

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 4:05 pm

Goobs wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:56 pm
I think a lot depends on whether Dale still wants to go home due to our town not being up to his high standards

He’s from Bolton which makes Burnley look like Monte Carlo.

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 4:17 pm

If we go 4-4-2 as usual the I think Lowton will play RB and Roberts RM alongside Cork Westy and McNeil. Hopefully Cornet and WW up front
However and taking into account no Dennis for Watford and their awful defense we should go 3-5-2
Pope
Collins Tarks Mee
Roberts Cork Westy Stevens McNeil
Cornet WW
I am assuming no Taylor. We will know soon but we have to be aggressive and go for the win

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 4:23 pm

I hope Stephens but I think it will be the tried and tested Cork. There's been two team selection threads already if you want to see what others think:
http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... =2&t=59823
http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... =2&t=59918

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 4:44 pm

Stephens for me, he deserves a proper chance now to stake a place in the team.
I’d even go so far as suggesting that if he doesn’t get it now , Dyche’s confidence in him is limited

TheOriginalLongsider · Post by **TheOriginalLongsider** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 4:46 pm

I’ve really seen nothing from Stephens to say he should get a start

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 4:51 pm

That’s the thing , none of us have seen much of him.Maybe he’s been judged more because of his age than his ability .

TheOriginalLongsider · Post by **TheOriginalLongsider** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 5:05 pm

Stephens confirmed as starting

Safron · Post by **Safron** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 5:05 pm

Well Stephens it is ,time to shine utc

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 5:22 pm

Hope DS takes his chance-good game for him to start

Murger · Post by **Murger** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 5:26 pm

Glad he's getting a game, although so think he'd be better in a 3.

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:47 pm

Anybody still thinking Stephens ?

Murger · Post by **Murger** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:50 pm

joey13 wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:47 pm
Anybody still thinking Stephens ?

Cork hasn't been much better in his appearances.

cockneyclaret · Post by **cockneyclaret** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:50 pm

I think either would just be as useless

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:51 pm

Stephens not to blame for team set up. Cork would have been equally overrun

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:52 pm

Murger wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:50 pm
Cork hasn't been much better in his appearances.

That’s the worst midfield performance I’ve seen in a long time , including Cork

Murger · Post by **Murger** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:53 pm

joey13 wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:52 pm
That’s the worst midfield performance I’ve seen in a long time , including Cork

Although not brilliant, it's yet another game that Westwood has contributed sweet fa. I just don't think any of our midfielders can play in a 2.

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:55 pm

Murger wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:53 pm
Although not brilliant, it's yet another game that Westwood has contributed sweet fa. I just don't think any of our midfielders can play in a 2.

I just don’t think any of our central midfielders are any good.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 7:20 pm

Cork or Stephens? Neither, get rid and take Westy and Lennon with them.

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:09 pm

Stephens started well and got worse and worse and worse as the game went on.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:11 pm

I’d rather have me out there

TheOriginalLongsider · Post by **TheOriginalLongsider** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:13 pm

I’d have preferred Norris

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:13 pm

It is funny though. People with eyes could see Cork was over the hill 3 1/2 years ago. He’s still here. He’s still getting touted as a starter.

CoolClaret · Post by **CoolClaret** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:24 pm

Think the question should be why the hell is Westwood guarantee a start? Constantly giving the ball away on the half way line, sideways passing poor pressing intensity

I want Stephens and Brownhill- not that I think Brownhill is good but at least he has some added athleticism

Taffy on the wing · Post by **Taffy on the wing** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:27 pm

The conditions were terrible & had a huge impact on the quality of the game.

fungus_the_bogeyman · Post by **fungus_the_bogeyman** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:27 pm

Probably the worst midfield performance of the Premier League era. Absolutely dreadful.

Slurpy · Post by **Slurpy** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:28 pm

cant believe we just had a whole month to sign an actual decent centre mid and we haven't. embarrasing

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:30 pm

DCWat wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:09 pm
Stephens started well and got worse and worse and worse as the game went on.

You can see why it took a season and a half to start a PL game. Potter got one over us

Myk · Post by **Myk** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:30 pm

Stephens needs Velcro boots, spent 80% of game trying to tie his laces

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:31 pm

Dale Stephens played like the overweight hungover mate you call in when you are short at Sunday League.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:34 pm

Looked like one of the old lads who used to turn out in the ‘Masters’ 5-a-side on Sky.

Started ok but within 10 minutes was so far behind the play and with some of the worst 5 yard passing I can remember. Sad state of affairs having to call on him.

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:35 pm

Is Helm worth a go v United?

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:37 pm

Cork or Stephens? Like being asked which testicle you would choose to be removed without anaesthetic, left or right......

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:38 pm

Had his chance against a side almost as bad as us. Does not need to start again-how long is Brownhill out for ?

Longsidejono · Post by **Longsidejono** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:48 pm

I’m sorry but how on earth could we not recruit in this area Westwood is the best of a bad bunch of central midfielders we have at the club, just any midfielder willing to get his head up look forward and work for the team it’s not rocket science

LoveCurryPies · Post by **LoveCurryPies** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:49 pm

Cork.

dermotdermot · Post by **dermotdermot** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:56 pm

Stephens was pretty useless. He kept giving the ball away. Cork surely would have been a better option.

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 9:00 pm

Tonight the answer was definitely not Stephens unfortunately. Dreadful performance.

Espia · Post by **Espia** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 9:01 pm

Hopefully DS has made some decent property investments over the years. If so he's pulled it off. Well done.

ashtonlongsider · Post by **ashtonlongsider** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 9:02 pm

Cork still has more to offer than Stephens ever could. I can't believe for the life of me how he was picked ahead of JC. Our midfield is like running a high powered car with no torque.

dermotdermot · Post by **dermotdermot** » Sun Feb 06, 2022 11:41 am

Dean Dyche does make some strange decisions sometimes. Stephens was that bad that I was surprised he wasn’t replaced at half time. And Lennon should have stayed on. I thought he was playing well.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sun Feb 06, 2022 3:19 pm

warksclaret wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:38 pm
Had his chance against a side almost as bad as us. Does not need to start again-how long is Brownhill out for ?

Brownhill was only a 1 match suspension, so he will be available to face Utd.

TBH it doesn't matter which midfield combo or even trio we select, they simply aren't good enough to compete at this level anymore, and why we didn't move heaven and earth to recruit I have no idea, surely AP & SD must see how poor we are in the engine room, and that's even before I mention our shocking lack of creativity.

NewClaret · Post by **NewClaret** » Sun Feb 06, 2022 3:35 pm

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 06, 2022 3:19 pm
Brownhill was only a 1 match suspension, so he will be available to face Utd.

TBH it doesn't matter which midfield combo or even trio we select, they simply aren't good enough to compete at this level anymore, and why we didn't move heaven and earth to recruit I have no idea, surely AP & SD must see how poor we are in the engine room, and that's even before I mention our shocking lack of creativity.

Yeah, in my mind, it’s essentially the repeated failure to replace technical quality of Defour that has been our downfall. Successive chairman have been negligent there, but the one constant has been Dyche and the recruitment team, presumably.

Whilst accepting players of that quality must be hard to find on our budget, we don’t even seem to have made any effort to recruit someone similar - able to take the ball under pressure, keep hold of it, create space for themselves, pick a positive ball forward.

I don’t think it’s just us though and think we underrate our own players sometimes. I had a look at the Watford message board yesterday and saw they were pretty scathing of their own midfield. Ditto Toon.

I’m not one calling for a system change. Particularly not the 3-5-1 being muted as I can’t see how playing an extra central defender gets us more goals. But I think if we did play all Brownhill, Westwood and Cork/Stephens in a 3, we’d find they look better players when not outnumbered.

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Sun Feb 06, 2022 3:41 pm

If we play 3-5-1 we will certainly lose every game. Now 3-5-2 might work very well and help us score more goals. Collins Tarks Mee is a great back 3 ahead of Pope