Dale Stephens
-
- Posts: 2597
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:18 pm
- Been Liked: 674 times
- Has Liked: 244 times
Dale Stephens
Very simply; do you think he might move on this summer?
For what it's worth, I think he has been harshly criticised by some fans and is a much more competent footballer than he gets credit for. Also, if played in his correct position, which is a sitter in a central midfield three, I think we would see a different side to him than what we have witnessed so far.
However, Stephens has hardly figured under Dyche unless through necessity and hasn't even come off the bench very much as fresh legs or to change shape/see a game out.
It's quite clear that Dyche signed Stephens as a cheap option to bring in an extra body when we were short at the start of the season but as the season has progressed he hasn't really been used at all and, at his age, perhaps Stephens needs to move on to play some football for his own good.
For what it's worth, I think he has been harshly criticised by some fans and is a much more competent footballer than he gets credit for. Also, if played in his correct position, which is a sitter in a central midfield three, I think we would see a different side to him than what we have witnessed so far.
However, Stephens has hardly figured under Dyche unless through necessity and hasn't even come off the bench very much as fresh legs or to change shape/see a game out.
It's quite clear that Dyche signed Stephens as a cheap option to bring in an extra body when we were short at the start of the season but as the season has progressed he hasn't really been used at all and, at his age, perhaps Stephens needs to move on to play some football for his own good.
-
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2016 10:34 am
- Been Liked: 62 times
- Has Liked: 36 times
Re: Dale Stephens
I normally defend players when they are critisised - But I have not seen anything that makes me think Stephens is 'a much more competent footballer then he gets credit for'.
Poor player and an even worse signing. 5 years too late.
Poor player and an even worse signing. 5 years too late.
-
- Posts: 6907
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2016 5:04 pm
- Been Liked: 2759 times
- Has Liked: 4325 times
Re: Dale Stephens
There was a reason that he was only £750 k.The chances of signing a Premier League regular for that money are slim.
-
- Posts: 67962
- Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:07 pm
- Been Liked: 32574 times
- Has Liked: 5287 times
- Location: Burnley
- Contact:
Re: Dale Stephens
Given he's hardly kicked a ball since October I'm not sure how you have evaluated himClaretAndBlue94 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:48 pmI normally defend players when they are critisised - But I have not seen anything that makes me think Stephens is 'a much more competent footballer then he gets credit for'.
Poor player and an even worse signing. 5 years too late.
Re: Dale Stephens
The OP covers it with ‘Cheap Option’ and ‘Extra Body’. He was bought when Garlick wouldn’t release any money in case it affected what he could trouser. Past it and not good enough. Hopefully we will move him on.
These 2 users liked this post: Woodleyclaret Rumpelstiltskin
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Dale Stephens
Hard to say whether he is good enough. Was never one who excited and the fact he is a player Dyche has fancied for sometime but then never used him at all when he does land him probably says it all.
-
- Posts: 5889
- Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:39 pm
- Been Liked: 1699 times
- Has Liked: 2535 times
- Location: Rawtenstall
Re: Dale Stephens
Have to agree with CT. It would be interesting to know how many minutes he has played for us this season. His arrival co-incided with an extremely poor start for us and he became scapegoat number? To answer the question though, Yes, I think he may well move on though it seems that a club in the North West of the country might have to be his destination.
-
- Posts: 67962
- Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:07 pm
- Been Liked: 32574 times
- Has Liked: 5287 times
- Location: Burnley
- Contact:
Re: Dale Stephens
He's played 258 Premier League minutes for us and hasn't started a game since October.Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:03 pmHave to agree with CT. It would be interesting to know how many minutes he has played for us this season. His arrival co-incided with an extremely poor start for us and he became scapegoat number? To answer the question though, Yes, I think he may well move on though it seems that a club in the North West of the country might have to be his destination.
Re: Dale Stephens
I think I trust Sean Dyches judgment on D Stephens over some on here ... and Sean likes him.
I remember a number going on about Matt Lowton and Ash Westwood in a similar vein on here...
I remember a number going on about Matt Lowton and Ash Westwood in a similar vein on here...
-
- Posts: 4486
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:29 am
- Been Liked: 990 times
- Has Liked: 3266 times
- Location: Burnley
Re: Dale Stephens
Unless he is given a proper chance we will never know.For Dale Stevens read Matej Vydra.!
-
- Posts: 25697
- Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2017 9:43 pm
- Been Liked: 4644 times
- Has Liked: 9849 times
- Location: Glasgow
Re: Dale Stephens
Yes and he's only completed 90 minutes against Southampton at the start of the season when we were down to the bare bones, he has played and completed all our FA Cup ties this season mind you, and injuries haven't helped his cause, but now that Cork is fully fit again, along with Brownhill, JBG and Westwood, plus Josh Benson as an option it's hard to see where he fits into our long-term plans, and he does still have a year on his contract, so if we could shift him on even for a modest fee it might well benefit both parties, as I can't see him getting much regular game time next season either, in fact if anything he's likely to get less minutes.ClaretTony wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:06 pmHe's played 258 Premier League minutes for us and hasn't started a game since October.
Re: Dale Stephens
Hopefully, its time to start improving the 11, this guy doesnt even improve the back up option.
Says something when a team below us deemed him surplus to requirements.
He was literally just a body and probably the cheapest we could have got.
Mike didnt want to be spending any of his cash in the bank, he had other plans for that
But if one of the 2 CM got an injury we would all be stating why didnt we get a cheap CM option with some PL experience like Stephen's ( if he had gone somewhere else )
Says something when a team below us deemed him surplus to requirements.
He was literally just a body and probably the cheapest we could have got.
Mike didnt want to be spending any of his cash in the bank, he had other plans for that
But if one of the 2 CM got an injury we would all be stating why didnt we get a cheap CM option with some PL experience like Stephen's ( if he had gone somewhere else )
This user liked this post: Rumpelstiltskin
Re: Dale Stephens
He’s our forth choice central midfielder, so was only ever likely to figure if we had 2 injured in that area, plus he was hardly ever going to excite anybody, he’s not that type of player.
-
- Posts: 5889
- Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:39 pm
- Been Liked: 1699 times
- Has Liked: 2535 times
- Location: Rawtenstall
Re: Dale Stephens
So that's less than three games. Didn't realise he hasn't started a game since the second month of the season. It just seems strange to think of any Burnley player currently appearing to be surplus to requirement,given the numbers.ClaretTony wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:06 pmHe's played 258 Premier League minutes for us and hasn't started a game since October.
-
- Posts: 30735
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:00 am
- Been Liked: 11063 times
- Has Liked: 5668 times
- Location: clue is in the title
Re: Dale Stephens
If Dyche had been given anything resembling a budget then there is no way we would have signed him imho.
This user liked this post: Rumpelstiltskin
Re: Dale Stephens
Injuries apart you have to question why. I don't believe it's just down to players being infront of him, he couldn't even get into a Brighton team. Personally a panic buy for me and in the time I've seen him play he looks miles away from it.ClaretTony wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:06 pmHe's played 258 Premier League minutes for us and hasn't started a game since October.
-
- Posts: 4970
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:04 pm
- Been Liked: 1009 times
- Has Liked: 726 times
Re: Dale Stephens
He's just not adapted well to our system. As you say he is more of an 'Anchor Man' and his play best suited to a central midfield of 3.
Could actually have a key role to play next season if we adopt the same approach we did at tough away games like the recent Manchester United game.
Could actually have a key role to play next season if we adopt the same approach we did at tough away games like the recent Manchester United game.
-
- Posts: 67962
- Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:07 pm
- Been Liked: 32574 times
- Has Liked: 5287 times
- Location: Burnley
- Contact:
Re: Dale Stephens
He went straight into the team when he first came but then was out injured for some time. I'm not defending his position at all but I'm not sure how people can be over critical of a player who has less than three Premier League game minutes this season. He wasn't fully fit when he made the starts which led to the long period out injured. He was a player Dyche wanted very much in the summer of 2016 so hardly a panic buy.
-
- Posts: 4656
- Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2016 3:41 am
- Been Liked: 1033 times
- Has Liked: 3194 times
Re: Dale Stephens
When his legs are fresh, he's slower than the guy he's replacing. Move him on.Jakubs Tash wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:43 pmVery simply; do you think he might move on this summer?
For what it's worth, I think he has been harshly criticised by some fans and is a much more competent footballer than he gets credit for. Also, if played in his correct position, which is a sitter in a central midfield three, I think we would see a different side to him than what we have witnessed so far.
However, Stephens has hardly figured under Dyche unless through necessity and hasn't even come off the bench very much as fresh legs or to change shape/see a game out.
It's quite clear that Dyche signed Stephens as a cheap option to bring in an extra body when we were short at the start of the season but as the season has progressed he hasn't really been used at all and, at his age, perhaps Stephens needs to move on to play some football for his own good.
-
- Posts: 4955
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:47 am
- Been Liked: 1087 times
- Has Liked: 996 times
Re: Dale Stephens
Agreed. 5 years too late.Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 4:16 pmWhen his legs are fresh, he's slower than the guy he's replacing. Move him on.
Re: Dale Stephens
NoJakubs Tash wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:43 pmVery simply; do you think he might move on this summer?
Would you, if you had the chance of adding another £1m to your pension fund courtesy of Burnley FC
-
- Posts: 934
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:30 pm
- Been Liked: 254 times
- Has Liked: 321 times
Re: Dale Stephens
Jakubs Tash wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:43 pmVery simply; do you think he might move on this summer?
-
- Posts: 934
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:30 pm
- Been Liked: 254 times
- Has Liked: 321 times
Re: Dale Stephens
Yes I hope so.
-
- Posts: 13275
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2016 11:00 pm
- Been Liked: 5103 times
- Has Liked: 5179 times
- Location: Montpellier, France
Re: Dale Stephens
He has looked either not fit (don't know if there's an niggling long term injury we don't know about) or past it. When a player comes with such a highly regarded attitude and a reputation for professionalism I cannot think of another feasible reason.
It'll be up to Sean to decide (or know) which of the two it is but he really hasn't looked the business for us.
It'll be up to Sean to decide (or know) which of the two it is but he really hasn't looked the business for us.
-
- Posts: 30735
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:00 am
- Been Liked: 11063 times
- Has Liked: 5668 times
- Location: clue is in the title
Re: Dale Stephens
massive difference in the player from 2016. I'm not convinced had Dyche been given 7 million to spend we would have signed him. We needed bodies and he was within the non budget.ClaretTony wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 4:12 pmHe went straight into the team when he first came but then was out injured for some time. I'm not defending his position at all but I'm not sure how people can be over critical of a player who has less than three Premier League game minutes this season. He wasn't fully fit when he made the starts which led to the long period out injured. He was a player Dyche wanted very much in the summer of 2016 so hardly a panic buy.
-
- Posts: 67962
- Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:07 pm
- Been Liked: 32574 times
- Has Liked: 5287 times
- Location: Burnley
- Contact:
Re: Dale Stephens
He wasn't fit when he played those early games, that was obvious, Dyche said as much and eventually he had to be left out of the squad, ironically at Brighton. He's just had three sub appearances in the league since totally around 40 minutes. So far it hasn't worked but at the time I thought he'd be a good signing for us, particularly knowing that Jack Cork would be out for a while.Rowls wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 4:31 pmHe has looked either not fit (don't know if there's an niggling long term injury we don't know about) or past it. When a player comes with such a highly regarded attitude and a reputation for professionalism I cannot think of another feasible reason.
It'll be up to Sean to decide (or know) which of the two it is but he really hasn't looked the business for us.
-
- Posts: 13275
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2016 11:00 pm
- Been Liked: 5103 times
- Has Liked: 5179 times
- Location: Montpellier, France
Re: Dale Stephens
Yeah I had presumed he was obviously injured from his performances but sometimes that's what triggers a player's playing days as being over.
We've all seen it happen before.
Who knows, eh? I think we might get one good season out of him but who knows?
We've all seen it happen before.
Who knows, eh? I think we might get one good season out of him but who knows?
Re: Dale Stephens
He's a seasoned pro who was brought on for squad depth. A player who if needed could be called upon to provide a competent and professional performance. I think he's done what he was brought on to do. Especially considering our budget limitations. I for one never expected or hoped he'd be anything more then a bench player who could come in if there was an injury to a Central Mid and give us 15 or 20 minutes at the end of a match with the hope that the player injured would be fit for the next week or that we'd have time to prepare a younger player like Benson to play a full game.
This user liked this post: AfloatinClaret
Re: Dale Stephens
I've seen nothing to suggest Stephens is a more competent footballer than he gets credit for, he's been woeful for us and looked so past it. fresh legs? he'd be more tired and leggy than the player he's replacing mid game.Jakubs Tash wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:43 pmVery simply; do you think he might move on this summer?
For what it's worth, I think he has been harshly criticised by some fans and is a much more competent footballer than he gets credit for. Also, if played in his correct position, which is a sitter in a central midfield three, I think we would see a different side to him than what we have witnessed so far.
However, Stephens has hardly figured under Dyche unless through necessity and hasn't even come off the bench very much as fresh legs or to change shape/see a game out.
It's quite clear that Dyche signed Stephens as a cheap option to bring in an extra body when we were short at the start of the season but as the season has progressed he hasn't really been used at all and, at his age, perhaps Stephens needs to move on to play some football for his own good.
As for his correct position, did Chris Houghton not play 442 at Brighton?
Re: Dale Stephens
So Sean liked him once upon a time, then once he got him, decides against playing him. It's pretty clear Sean thinks Stephens isn't good enough anymore and I agree with Dyche, I take Dyche's opinion over ''some on here''.
-
- Posts: 17108
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:12 pm
- Been Liked: 4384 times
- Has Liked: 15117 times
Re: Dale Stephens
I believe Real Madrid were Desperate to sign Him but the terms offered didnt match Burnley's.
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets
-
- Posts: 3013
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:20 am
- Been Liked: 1050 times
- Has Liked: 996 times
- Location: The Moon, Outer Space.
Re: Dale Stephens
Dale Stephens even at his best would not be in the team ahead of Westwood and Cork. Treading water at Brighton for the last couple of years. Nothing but a squad filler and as others have said five years past his sell by date.
This user liked this post: LeadBelly
-
- Posts: 30735
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:00 am
- Been Liked: 11063 times
- Has Liked: 5668 times
- Location: clue is in the title
Re: Dale Stephens
at the time we signed him the consensus on the Brighton board was his legs had gone at PL level but many wanted to keep him as he would be more than good enough at Championship level should they go down. I've not seen enough of him to make a truly fair judgement but the bits I have seen he's been average at best.
-
- Posts: 2128
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:57 am
- Been Liked: 895 times
- Has Liked: 134 times
Re: Dale Stephens
i did wonder when the negativity would start on here again.
Re: Dale Stephens
Or that someone has a different opinion to youpushpinpussy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 5:29 pmi did wonder when the negativity would start on here again.
This user liked this post: MrTopTier
-
- Posts: 3013
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:20 am
- Been Liked: 1050 times
- Has Liked: 996 times
- Location: The Moon, Outer Space.
Re: Dale Stephens
Football message board, a discussion about a player who some people rate and some don’t. Am I missing something?pushpinpussy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 5:29 pmi did wonder when the negativity would start on here again.
-
- Posts: 18127
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:35 am
- Been Liked: 3879 times
- Has Liked: 2073 times
Re: Dale Stephens
I'd forgotten he was here to be honest.
I do wonder how he passed his medical though with the injury problems happening more or less straight away.
Dyche wanted him and it's his call at the end of the day.
I do wonder how he passed his medical though with the injury problems happening more or less straight away.
Dyche wanted him and it's his call at the end of the day.
-
- Posts: 2602
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:41 am
- Been Liked: 956 times
- Has Liked: 170 times
Re: Dale Stephens
Time to move him on, we need more agility in midfield.
-
- Posts: 2128
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:57 am
- Been Liked: 895 times
- Has Liked: 134 times
Re: Dale Stephens
its the usual posters like yourself sounding as lugubrious than usual
This user liked this post: MrTopTier
Re: Dale Stephens
Make it make sense.pushpinpussy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 6:25 pmits the usual posters like yourself sounding as lugubrious than usual
Re: Dale Stephens
Total waste of time and money - panic buy on the cheap but still more wasted money
-
- Posts: 3013
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:20 am
- Been Liked: 1050 times
- Has Liked: 996 times
- Location: The Moon, Outer Space.
Re: Dale Stephens
I am going to give you a like for using a big word in your sentence, makes a change from the usual crap you post.pushpinpussy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 6:25 pmits the usual posters like yourself sounding as lugubrious than usual
-
- Posts: 6700
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 7:13 pm
- Been Liked: 1706 times
- Has Liked: 791 times
Re: Dale Stephens
A bit like Vydra when he joined us, I believe he has had a rough deal in terms of game time. When Benson comes on from the bench ahead of him it sounds a tad unfair. He must be wondering what he has done-presumably he has relocated his family too.
-
- Posts: 17288
- Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2016 1:57 pm
- Been Liked: 6493 times
- Has Liked: 2919 times
- Location: Fife
Re: Dale Stephens
Stephens must be regretting signing for us more than Ben Gibson did....cant see Stephens ever threatening to get a start for us again,i 'd offload him and free up a wage.....panic signing five years to late.
-
- Posts: 1064
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:15 am
- Been Liked: 349 times
- Has Liked: 151 times
Re: Dale Stephens
An astute signing given he provides experienced cover for peanuts (in Premier League terms). Admittedly he’s been unlucky with injuries.
If we manage to strengthen the XI this summer we shouldn’t have a problem in someone taking him off our hands, even on a loan.
If we manage to strengthen the XI this summer we shouldn’t have a problem in someone taking him off our hands, even on a loan.
Re: Dale Stephens
Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 4:16 pmWhen his legs are fresh, he's slower than the guy he's replacing. Move him on.
Sometimes you don’t need to see more of a player to know it’s not going to work out and they won’t cut it .....Stephens....Flanagan ... Eckersley....Gallagher ....D Jones Mk1.... the list is endless and sometimes they were formerly half decent players. Sometimes ( but not in this case) you know there’s a good player in there and they are just temporarily unfit.
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Dale Stephens
Five years is a long long time in football.ClaretTony wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 4:12 pmHe went straight into the team when he first came but then was out injured for some time. I'm not defending his position at all but I'm not sure how people can be over critical of a player who has less than three Premier League game minutes this season. He wasn't fully fit when he made the starts which led to the long period out injured. He was a player Dyche wanted very much in the summer of 2016 so hardly a panic buy.
Not only should we be looking at better than the stephens from then. We should certainly be looking at better than him now.