Do we persist with Dale in cm

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:53 am

He looked good in his cameo role last night
Breaking up attacks and playing forward passes.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:57 am

I’d start him, why not? The first eleven hasn’t been winning games and it’s too stale.

Westwood has been so poor this season, feels like we are just playing him for his set pieces at this point. I would be tempted to drop him.

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:04 am

There was also a couple of howlers from him too which put us under pressure.Would keep Westwood in and play him in a midfield three of him Westwood and Brownhill and play one striker only in our tough games, giving Taylor and Lowton the licence to push forward

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:07 am

Think Brownhill has COVID.

claretfern · Post by **claretfern** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:08 am

Why not? I believe he has something to offer us. He should be considered now (especially as none of our regular midfielders are pulling up any trees) He may not be the answer but he's a seasoned pro who needs to show what he can do.

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:17 am

I liked his performance last night, albeit it was when United were already relatively cruising. But he’s probably our most technical central midfielder who is comfortable at receiving the ball and picking passes, particularly forward line breaking passes. Shame he has had so many injuries since joining as I think he would have been a regular for us.

Newcastleclaret93 · Post by **Newcastleclaret93** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:43 am

Said it before the game yesterday, he’s our most technical CM. Needs to start for us, we need to start retaining the ball better, that means we need our best most technical players on the pitch.

longsidetrumpet · Post by **longsidetrumpet** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:49 am

I’d vote for you as manager Newcastle. You know everything don’t you

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:02 am

Yes I'd give him a start at Leeds in front of the back four. I thought he did well when he came on in difficult circumstances and kept the ball well.

It really does say everything though that as we get ready to go to Leeds, which has now become a crucial game for our survival chances, we're pinning our hopes on Dale Stephens and Aaron Lennon. Imagine typing that a year ago.

Newcastleclaret93 · Post by **Newcastleclaret93** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:02 am

Said it before the game yesterday, he’s our most technical CM. Needs to start for us, we need to start retaining the ball better, that means we need our best most technical players on the pitch.

Newcastleclaret93 · Post by **Newcastleclaret93** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:03 am

Said it before the game yesterday, he’s our most technical CM. Needs to start for us, we need to start retaining the ball better, that means we need our best most technical players on the pitch.

Newcastleclaret93 · Post by **Newcastleclaret93** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:03 am

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:49 am
I’d vote for you as manager Newcastle. You know everything don’t you

Thanks I like to think so.

NewClaret · Post by **NewClaret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:05 am

Getting a bit repetitive now…

Targetman · Post by **Targetman** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:18 pm

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:03 am
Thanks I like to think so.

In your haste to try to be the first with "breaking news" you do tend to get various things wrong, although sometimes getting round this with the addition of a question mark for your post or thread title.

Never have I seen you following up with "sorry about that but I got my claim totally wrong", or maybe I've just missed that??

SkiptonClaret · Post by **SkiptonClaret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:25 pm

Yes, give him a chance. Cork looks shot and I've never exactly been convinced as to what Brownhill offers.

Roosterbooster · Post by **Roosterbooster** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:31 pm

Leisure wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:07 am
Think Brownhill has COVID.

Not for long tho.
He'll lose it pretty quickly

(Ps. I quite like Brownhill)

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:44 pm

Might as well give him a shot, as we've been weak as dishwater in CM for a couple of seasons now.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:48 pm

I think we should revert to feet and inches.

Papabendi · Post by **Papabendi** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:59 pm

Persist suggest we have, do you mean try?

Boss Hogg · Post by **Boss Hogg** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 4:06 pm

Please no

burnleymik · Post by **burnleymik** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 4:08 pm

He was hit and miss, he did look far more composed on the ball that Westy or Cork did all game, but what we have seen of him previously still leaves very large doubts about him.

Guller Bull · Post by **Guller Bull** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 4:18 pm

Dale hasn't had chance to shine yet. I don't think he will but I hope he does.

Cork and Westwood are not getting any younger - great servants but we need more than they offer nowadays. As back up fine.

Brownhill needs a creative visionary alongside him to allow him to ferret.

We need to prioritise this position now.

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 4:50 pm

Would try him on Sunday alongside Westwood who still is our most effective CM. He played the ball of the night to Vydra last night who made a hash of it. That ball to 5 or 6 of the United team would have been a goal. He is also one of the best deliverers of a corner in the PL. Would keep Westie in the team all day long

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:02 pm

Stephens did well when Man U were cruising and not putting pressure on. But, what was also clearly apparent was, his desperate lack of pace means he’s absolutely going to get swamped in a competitive environment in a two. He was turning like a ship. You’d have to have him eyes forward at the back of a three to avoid that (which I would consider) but if that’s the case, how’s he going to use this famous forward passing?

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:11 pm

Its desperate that we are considering him for Sunday, but if Brownhill is out and if Cork took a knock we have no choice. Stephens is 32 and only played 8 games in the last two seasons and just recovered from a bad injury and COVID

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:23 pm

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:03 am
Said it before the game yesterday, he’s our most technical CM. Needs to start for us, we need to start retaining the ball better, that means we need our best most technical players on the pitch.

Sorry could you say that sgain I missed it the 1st 4 times

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:26 pm

Guller Bull wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 4:18 pm
Dale hasn't had chance to shine yet. I don't think he will but I hope he does.

Cork and Westwood are not getting any younger - great servants but we need more than they offer nowadays. As back up fine.

Brownhill needs a creative visionary alongside him to allow him to ferret.

We need to prioritise this position now.

Fair comments, but we've needed to prioritise this position for the past 2 years, and the lack of upgrading our midfield is a major source of why we're staring relegation in the face.

Let's hope Alan has some irons in the fire once the window opens.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:43 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:48 pm
I think we should revert to feet and inches.

He is 6ft or 183cm

: 20211231_174143.jpg (128.18 KiB) Viewed 3511 times

Norman · Post by **Norman** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:46 pm

Bosscat wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:43 pm
He is 6ft or 183cm20211231_174143.jpg

I'm glad that's his real name and not made up.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:50 pm

I'd play him 100%

Whitgord · Post by **Whitgord** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:54 pm

I’m sorry but from what I saw last night I felt he was desperately slow and short of match sharpness. This despite him only needing to run for about 20 mins. I would love him to be a solution for us but I really think his best is behind him. When he first came on he made a few challenges and passes but after that he appeared to run out of steam and certainly wasn’t willing (or able) to track back with any urgency.

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 6:00 pm

Does he have the legs to play in a midfield 2?

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 6:33 pm

When I've seen him play, he's definitely more of an Anchor man/Defensive midfielder but he does have a good range of passes and some vision.
You can't really criticize the guy, he came on and did well against united and he hasn't had regular game time for 1-2 years.

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 6:39 pm

I doubt he can play in a midfield two anymore. He did it very successfully alongside Kayal at Brighton in the Championship for a couple of years, but when they came up Hughton always played in three in midfield with Gross in place of a forward.

As I've said further up though, I'd play him at Leeds and sit him in front of the back four, almost in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Westwood and McNeil further ahead and JBG and Lennon wide. Cornet if available for JBG.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 6:46 pm

I would expect it to be very difficult for a player who has had the thick end of 18 months out to be able to play a full game so soon after getting back to fitness.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:32 pm

Not as good as Cork.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:37 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:32 pm
Not as good as Cork.

Cork now or the Cork of 3 years ago? because let's be honest Jack has hardly been pulling up any trees for a long time now.

Whether Dale Stephens can do any better is up for debate, but we don't exactly have a lot of options in the middle do we, especially with Brownhill missing in the short term.

Norman · Post by **Norman** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:38 pm

So has Stephens, after what feels like years of hatred from Burnley fans, now found himself as a starter?

The fact that could happen along with Lennon, can only happen in football. Incredible.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:07 pm

it would be the height of irony if Stephens and Lennon were the two who changed our fortunes this season. I hope beyond hope it happens then I along with the majority can dive head first into the biggest slice of humble pie ever seen !!!

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:10 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:07 pm
it would be the height of irony if Stephens and Lennon were the two who changed our fortunes this season. I hope beyond hope it happens then I along with the majority can dive head first into the biggest slice of humble pie ever seen !!!

I'd say the height of fantasy.... not going to happen.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:11 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:07 pm
it would be the height of irony if Stephens and Lennon were the two who changed our fortunes this season. I hope beyond hope it happens then I along with the majority can dive head first into the biggest slice of humble pie ever seen !!!

Hopefully we'll look back on this as the Heaton/McNeil moment of 2021, we sure as hell need something to click if we're to get out of trouble.

Norman · Post by **Norman** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:11 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:07 pm
it would be the height of irony if Stephens and Lennon were the two who changed our fortunes this season. I hope beyond hope it happens then I along with the majority can dive head first into the biggest slice of humble pie ever seen !!!

Made me laugh. You're spot on though. Stephens has been hanged, drawn and quartered and he's never deserved it. Lennon has always been asked to defend. Look what happens when you give Lennon freedom - he was the best player in the team!

One thing though which I've mentioned before - nobody has given Dyche credit for this move. He's chanced Lennon up top and it's worked. Well played Sean Dyche.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:21 pm

Norman wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:11 pm

One thing though which I've mentioned before - nobody has given Dyche credit for this move. He's chanced Lennon up top and it's worked. Well played Sean Dyche.

funnily enough, if you listen to Lennon's post match interview on the club site, it sounds like it' something they've been working on for the past few weeks, I'm guessing because we know Cornet is going to be away. It's an option I've not seen a single person mention so indeed, kudos to the gaffer

Norman · Post by **Norman** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:26 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:21 pm
funnily enough, if you listen to Lennon's post match interview on the club site, it sounds like it' something they've been working on for the past few weeks, I'm guessing because we know Cornet is going to be away. It's an option I've not seen a single person mention so indeed, kudos to the gaffer

It's a nice problem for Dyche to have pal.

We can't drop Lennon. We need him running at the Leeds defence, which I think is incredibly weak, even if they're at full strength.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 12:32 am

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:37 pm
Cork now or the Cork of 3 years ago? because let's be honest Jack has hardly been pulling up any trees for a long time now.

Whether Dale Stephens can do any better is up for debate, but we don't exactly have a lot of options in the middle do we, especially with Brownhill missing in the short term.

Cork was injured for a long, long time and not had a run of games, to get in the groove. He reads the game brilliantly.

Dale Stevens has not had a look in, owing to his own injury.

Not sure anyone can judge at present.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 11:08 am

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Sat Jan 01, 2022 12:32 am
Cork was injured for a long, long time and not had a run of games, to get in the groove. He reads the game brilliantly.

Dale Stevens has not had a look in, owing to his own injury.

Not sure anyone can judge at present.

So who was it a few posts up that posted: "Not as good as Cork".

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 11:38 am

nil_desperandum wrote: ↑
Sat Jan 01, 2022 11:08 am
So who was it a few posts up that posted: "Not as good as Cork".

Me.
He isn't as good as Cork.
However, we are trying to compare 2 players making their way back and there is a possibility that one is now better equipped, at this point. Neither have had a proper opportunity. Hence, why we cannot compare at this moment.

Pre injuries, Cork was much better equipped.

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 1:51 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:32 pm
Not as good as Cork.

Cork was dreadful against United. I wouldn't hesitate in starting Stephens who as a bigger presence than Cork

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 5:00 pm

Stephens has certainly had many critics

We will win anyway.

Peter Loo · Post by **Peter Loo** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 8:26 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:48 pm
I think we should revert to feet and inches.

As we are now out of Europe I assume that we will be.