Dale Stephens

CFS · Post by **CFS** » Fri May 05, 2017 9:54 am

Do you reckon the club would know by now whether he wants to join us. Not a case of tapping a player up but would his agent have looked at our deal on the table?

KevWebstersBomber · Post by **KevWebstersBomber** » Fri May 05, 2017 9:58 am

I'd be surprised if he isn't playing for us next season.

martin_p · Post by **martin_p** » Fri May 05, 2017 10:01 am

I don't think it'd be tapping up anyway. Aren't clubs allowed to talk to players in the last six months of their contract?

Right_winger · Post by **Right_winger** » Fri May 05, 2017 10:02 am

6 months before the end of contract clubs can sign an agreement with a player to join once his contract expires

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Fri May 05, 2017 10:05 am

Are you expecting the Club to make an announcement about this right now if it is so?

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri May 05, 2017 10:09 am

Right_winger wrote:6 months before the end of contract clubs can sign an agreement with a player to join once his contract expires

English clubs cannot sign pre-contract agreements with players from other English clubs although a player in his last window of a contract can talk to other clubs.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri May 05, 2017 11:23 am

ClaretTony wrote:English clubs cannot sign pre-contract agreements with players from other English clubs although a player in his last window of a contract can talk to other clubs.

What do you mean by last window? Transfer window or just last phase with no official time limit.

SalisburyClaret · Post by **SalisburyClaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 11:49 am

Has he been a stand-out midfielder in the Championship..?

Not convinced whenever I've seen him - Ok but no Dean Marney

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Fri May 05, 2017 11:54 am

I've been saying all season I expect him to be a Claret this summer and I still believe it'll be the case. Defour hasn't worked out for whatever reason, Marney is unlikely to get back to his best after another potentially career ending injury and Barton... well you know!!

That only leaves Westwood, Hendrick, O'Neill and Ulvestad by my reckoning. Stephens is a complete no-brainer for me, especially on a free!! We've far more PL experience than Brighton and we only need to point at Boro's predicament as an example of what could happen to Brighton next season.

My list of signings seems to be growing by the day. Ruddy and Stephens on free's and Ranocchia for the rumoured £9 million. That wouldn't be a bad start!

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Fri May 05, 2017 11:58 am

I think this boat has sailed. With Brighton going up I think he'll stay put. A different style of midfielder, but from having no midfielders we are soon going to have too many. Someone soon is going to have to make way for new recruits. We operate better imo with the small squad we have.
Who won't make the retained list........

Cleveleys_claret · Post by **Cleveleys_claret** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:15 pm

jlup1980 wrote:I've been saying all season I expect him to be a Claret this summer and I still believe it'll be the case. Defour hasn't worked out for whatever reason, Marney is unlikely to get back to his best after another potentially career ending injury and Barton... well you know!!

That only leaves Westwood, Hendrick, O'Neill and Ulvestad by my reckoning. Stephens is a complete no-brainer for me, especially on a free!! We've far more PL experience than Brighton and we only need to point at Boro's predicament as an example of what could happen to Brighton next season.

My list of signings seems to be growing by the day. Ruddy and Stephens on free's and Ranocchia for the rumoured £9 million. That wouldn't be a bad start!

add Charlie Taylor from Leeds to that list on another free and some good business will be done leaving enough for a couple of marquee signings

Jakubs Tash · Post by **Jakubs Tash** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:33 pm

Colburn_Claret wrote:I think this boat has sailed. With Brighton going up I think he'll stay put. A different style of midfielder, but from having no midfielders we are soon going to have too many. Someone soon is going to have to make way for new recruits. We operate better imo with the small squad we have.
Who won't make the retained list........

Didn't Stephens say he wants to move back to the North West and play Premier League football? That doesn't leave too many options for him... And if he stays put then he makes himself look a bit silly following what he said.

Defour will probably leave (Far East or Middle East) and we might never see Marney or Barton play in a Burnley shirt again so I wouldn't say we have too many midfielders. In fact, I'd suggest we'll be a little short of them given the three players just mentioned and their probable futures.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:35 pm

Brighton fans I've spoken to, says he's not that good and certainly not a PL standard player. Mind you, what did Huddersfield fans make of Arfield before we signed him?

claretdj · Post by **claretdj** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:43 pm

Done deal next week..

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:49 pm

Pstotto wrote:Brighton fans I've spoken to, says he's not that good and certainly not a PL standard player. Mind you, what did Huddersfield fans make of Arfield before we signed him?

Derby fans said the same about Hendrick.

claretdom · Post by **claretdom** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:50 pm

Sidney1st wrote:Derby fans said the same about Hendrick.

Burnley fans said the same about Westwood

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:54 pm

Jakubs Tash wrote:Didn't Stephens say he wants to move back to the North West and play Premier League football? That doesn't leave too many options for him... And if he stays put then he makes himself look a bit silly following what he said.

Defour will probably leave (Far East or Middle East) and we might never see Marney or Barton play in a Burnley shirt again so I wouldn't say we have too many midfielders. In fact, I'd suggest we'll be a little short of them given the three players just mentioned and their probable futures.

True but I said there would need to be departures. Barton, Defour and Marney would all be departing in your opinion.

Stayingup · Post by **Stayingup** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:35 pm

Cleveleys_claret wrote:add Charlie Taylor from Leeds to that list on another free and some good business will be done leaving enough for a couple of marquee signings

West Brom in for Charlie Taylor.

Cleveleys_claret · Post by **Cleveleys_claret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:41 pm

Stayingup wrote:West Brom in for Charlie Taylor.

well considering Pulis prefers centre halves as full backs doubt there is much in that, not saying we have as much of a chance as can see the likes of Bournemouth being in for him also. Shame Leeds didn't sell him at xmas and were happy letting him rot on the bench until his contract ends

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:45 pm

Charlie Taylor is only 6ft 13" so has no chance of making a Pulis back 4.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:47 pm

Charlie Taylor is someone I'd have loved to join us, but I can't see it now.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:47 pm

minnieclaret wrote:Charlie Taylor is only 6ft 13" so has no chance of making a Pulis back 4.

7ft 1 is pretty tall.

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:51 pm

Colburn_Claret wrote:True but I said there would need to be departures. Barton, Defour and Marney would all be departing in your opinion.

Well Barton has already departed, so that's one of the three down already!

IMO we can't rely on Marney because we don't know how he'll be after his latest set-back.

Plus it's highly likely Defour will leave. He's not going to sit around on our bench when he can go and play on more money in the Middle East or China. One last pay day and all that.

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:53 pm

Cleveleys_claret wrote:add Charlie Taylor from Leeds to that list on another free and some good business will be done leaving enough for a couple of marquee signings

Ruddy, Taylor and Stephens would be three great signings to kick start the summer. They could be the new Heaton, Arfield and Jones of free transfers!!

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:11 pm

Any possibility that we may have some players in the development squad who may be ready?

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:11 pm

boatshed bill wrote:Any possibility that we may have some players in the development squad who may be ready?

No.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:27 pm

Quicknick wrote:No.

Ever?

KeighleyClaret · Post by **KeighleyClaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 4:53 pm

We can assume Barton has finished and Marney won't be fit to play until towards the end of the season. Both need replacing and if Defour leaves that will make the midfield very thin indeed.

This transfer window is going to be the most crucial the Club have ever faced. No doubt the messageboard will be in meltdown by mid-July.

claretlegend · Post by **claretlegend** » Fri May 05, 2017 5:07 pm

I've spent some time reading Brighton fans opinions of Stephens and i would say he's very highly rated by most. They feel he's a vital cog to their team, and the one or two that suggested he might not hack the Premier League were shot down by the majority. Weren't we offering £6-8 million for him last year? To get him on a free would seem a great capture. From what I've seen he could help replace Barton in that he's comfortable picking the ball up out of defence and looking to get things moving forward.

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 5:27 pm

SD seems likes him. Or at least the rumour mill says he does.
Watching him on TV a good few times and never seen him have a bad game, though guess l could have been lucky.

Reckon it's going to rest with him.
He'd certainly fit our framework and, add a bit.

Least it'll be a different bit of 'thread fun' than Lansbury for the close season.

Really wish, sometimes, we were back in th'old days when when they signed you heard about it the following few days.
When they didn't, it didn't matter.

Giftonsnoidea · Post by **Giftonsnoidea** » Fri May 05, 2017 5:33 pm

Like an upgrade on Marney if that was possible, great shot on him too, has scored some great goals from midfield.

If we can get him for free that would be ideal and a steal.

What are the noises coming from Brighton, does he want to stay there now?

Duffer_ · Post by **Duffer_** » Fri May 05, 2017 5:39 pm

As Pulis said about Defoe, Stephens isn't going to be "free". He will expect to receive a significant signing on fee and a premium in wages that could be problematic for our wage structure. I do rate him though and think he would be a very good fit for us.

UTC!

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:13 pm

I seem to remember reading that he had one of the highest pass completion rates in the division.

If we are in for a full back I'd prefer to go back in for Robertson.

In midfield, we MUST recruit to replace Barton, Marney and probably Defour. Get the midfield wrong and you're going variably relegated, as we've found out twice.

Holtyclaret · Post by **Holtyclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:14 pm

Would love him to sign. Brightons results with and without him are staggeringly different. I heard one Brighton fan compare his role to their side as Kante esque, would be a great Joey replacement. Taylor and Ruddy good shouts too.

taio · Post by **taio** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:24 pm

DCWat wrote:I seem to remember reading that he had one of the highest pass completion rates in the division.

Yes, joint 5th highest in Championship at 87%. Highest is Tom Cairney (92%) who we should try and sign if Fulham don't get promoted - I'd break our record transfer fee for him.

Holtyclaret · Post by **Holtyclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:26 pm

Good shout Taio, really impressed with him.

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:28 pm

Holtyclaret wrote:Good shout Taio, really impressed with him.

I'd agree with that. Looks a real player.

AshevilleNCClaret · Post by **AshevilleNCClaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:37 pm

Giftonsnoidea wrote:Like an upgrade on Marney if that was possible, great shot on him too, has scored some great goals from midfield.

If we can get him for free that would be ideal and a steal.

What are the noises coming from Brighton, does he want to stay there now?

strictly my opinion but I think that he is playing both us and Brighton. we had like 4 bids shot down but the day before the transfer window closes he decides to put in a transfer request? I think the only aspirations he has is to play in the PL. now that bha are promoted, I think he stays there.

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:48 pm

AshevilleNCClaret wrote:strictly my opinion but I think that he is playing both us and Brighton. we had like 4 bids shot down but the day before the transfer window closes he decides to put in a transfer request? I think the only aspirations he has is to play in the PL. now that bha are promoted, I think he stays there.

Or, he's done what plenty wouldn't do when they did BT get their way, he knuckled down and played a major role in their promotion.

None of us know what Dale Stephens wants other than a supposed wish to return north. Time will tell.

boiledclaret · Post by **boiledclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 7:10 pm

Hopefully Defours season has just been down to fitness and we'll see better next season. Somehow I doubt it though. I think the club will need to splash the cash on a midfielder, which still leaves us a tad short.

So Stephens on a free would be a no brainer. If he steps up as well as Hendrick has then it'll be a good signing.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri May 05, 2017 7:20 pm

Defour is hundred percent off

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Fri May 05, 2017 7:36 pm

It is hard to argue against Stephens as a potential signing for us. We've got a good core of midfielders in Westwood, Hendrick in particular and I think we're really looking for someone to compete with them for a role in a 2, and possibly compliment them in a 3. Stephens is a player who has learned his craft, has a bit of presence about him and who has been one of the stand out players in the Championship as a box to box midfielder playing in a system quite similar to ours for the past couple of years.

Also quite like the idea of Cairney, and certainly if Defour were to be off, then he's a player who might make a fair bit of sense. He's spent a decent chunk of this season playing on the right flank for Fulham this season, even though he's left footed and provided Dyche is comfortable with his work rate, its reasonably to imagine him filling the same role for us. Certainly if Defour does leave, then I think a left footed version of Defour - a sort of playmaker - is the ideal replacement because with Brady inked in for the wide left role next season, someone to offer a more creative option on that right flank that is our real priority next season. Cairney also has a fantastic cross-field ball, and at times this season our inability to switch the play quickly
against a narrow defence has been one reason we've looked a bit ponderous.

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 7:41 pm

Good technical player with great positional sense - would be a good addition

box_of_frogs · Post by **box_of_frogs** » Fri May 05, 2017 7:55 pm

I was half listening to SSN earlier today and I thought Hughton was pretty confident of keeping him.

Geoff · Post by **Geoff** » Tue May 09, 2017 2:41 pm

ClaretTony wrote:English clubs cannot sign pre-contract agreements with players from other English clubs although a player in his last window of a contract can talk to other clubs.

I don't have a clue what you mean by last window but we'd be unable to talk to the player without his club's permission until the professional season has finished in England. So after all play off and cup games have been completed.

claretdom · Post by **claretdom** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:02 pm

Signed a new 4 yr deal

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:03 pm

next .....

Zesty · Post by **Zesty** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:06 pm

Cairney would be a class signing

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:08 pm

We've got Jeff Hendrick a full international who is getting better every game.We've got JBG who is a class act and Aiden O Neill to come back.Stephens used us as a lever to get more out of Brighton.
But it's his choice and now we move on to our Defour replacement hunt.

HelloHiGoodbye · Post by **HelloHiGoodbye** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:10 pm

This is news to us but you'd imagine Dyche and the board would've moved on months ago.