He will be 24 next season, grew up in Greenwich but is a Whammy, a good player, but im not sure he's a big enough name for West Ham, alongside the likes of Nolan, Noble, Lansbury and Collison
Yeah, he's been dreadful as we've won five in a row, conceding one goal, and clinching the title hasn't he? Just as you assured us he would be. Everyone has their favourites and their favourite scapegoats - I just don't understand why you want to be so negative about any player that's played such a significant part in such a memorable campaign. Perhaps it's purely to provoke a reaction.
Glad to see the support for Stephens. Not always the most consistent but a genuinely class footballer who should thrive in the Championship. A signing or two in centre midfield would certainly be useful, but as strong competition rather than straight replacements.
Stephens hasn't really pushed on from a very promising early period. Obvious class and he's very young still 23 ? Will be major for us next season I expect and hope.
I really like watching Stephens, but someone should tell him to watch Parker on tape. He is making good tackles now, but all too often he sells himself trying to make a tackle the wrong side to knick. You can not do this when your other cm is further up the pitch. It is so fundamental to football the coaches are failing here, as he's done it all season and it becomes more of a time bomb when Hollands doesn't play. In a midfield three, if he's told this, he could become a very destructive offensive player, if someone is breaking up patterns of play creating space for Stephens to push into.
As for Bostwick anyone seen him a fair bit? Sounds interesting, but I've never seen him.
I like Stephens but unfortunately he's a bit one paced and looks a bit like an estate car with a 1.3 engine. I don't see him getting more time on the ball next year, less if anything, but hope he comes good and certainly shouldn't be discarded but think he will become a bit more in and out rather than nailed on starter.
With the discouragement of contact by officials across the game, tacklers like Parker are becoming rarer all the time, especially ones with the ability to then bring the ball away.
Stephens appears to have added more steel to his game since returning from injury; perhaps it's something they're working on to make him a more complete player. Think most of us would like to see him more advanced again, where he has the ability to hurt opponents, but there'll be times when we need him to dig in too, hopefully not at the expense of all his attacking qualities. Great to see players developing before our eyes instead of going the other way!
With the discouragement of contact by officials across the game, tacklers like Parker are becoming rarer all the time, especially ones with the ability to then bring the ball away.
Stephens appears to have added more steel to his game since returning from injury; perhaps it's something they're working on to make him a more complete player. Think most of us would like to see him more advanced again, where he has the ability to hurt opponents, but there'll be times when we need him to dig in too, hopefully not at the expense of all his attacking qualities. Great to see players developing before our eyes instead of going the other way!
Saw him play for Ebbsfleet when he was 19..knew back then that he would eventually play in a higher tier in the Football League.....sort of midfielder that we would relish.
Thought I read that he was going back to Milwall but if he's still contracted for another year, that is probably not right.
Bostwick impressed in the games against us and in Stevenage's big cup games since they came up. Big step up to the Championship though and possibly questions over how he's play in a side with such a different style of play to Stevenage, may need another year in League 1.
Saw him play for Ebbsfleet when he was 19..knew back then that he would eventually play in a higher tier in the Football League.....sort of midfielder that we would relish.
This!! You could see back then that the boy had a lot of talent. A very good player who will more than hold his own in the championship I think!
Don't write Stephens off. Agreed he has a few rough edges, but he has a real footballing brain. He is the type of player that is always going to look a bit languid/laid back. He is much better than many of the "donkeys" we've had in the last few years. I reckon there is a lot more top come from him and he is going to get much better. So if we were to get Bostock in, or anyone one else, i dont think it necessarily means the demise of Stphens.
This is up there with the quote from the bloke in front of me on Saturday when it was 1-1. "That's been the trouble this season, dropping points against teams at the bottom!"
Incredible isn't it? Whilst there's always room for constructive criticism - and Lord knows, the last few years have given us plenty of ammunition - there are still some who appear genuinely incapable of enjoying what has been a truly remarkable season without finding imaginary negatives.
Sometimes it just seems to be an in-built defence blanket to ensure thay can't be disappointed when things go wrong. But then of course, all of us savouring the moment are simply wearing rose-tinted Charlton goggles! If we can't lavish praise on a squad that's likely to claim 100 points, when the hell can we?
Try, just try, to understand how well this lot have done.
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As for Bostwick anyone seen him a fair bit? Sounds interesting, but I've never seen him.
Stephens appears to have added more steel to his game since returning from injury; perhaps it's something they're working on to make him a more complete player. Think most of us would like to see him more advanced again, where he has the ability to hurt opponents, but there'll be times when we need him to dig in too, hopefully not at the expense of all his attacking qualities. Great to see players developing before our eyes instead of going the other way!
what is wrong with some people
Bostwick impressed in the games against us and in Stevenage's big cup games since they came up. Big step up to the Championship though and possibly questions over how he's play in a side with such a different style of play to Stevenage, may need another year in League 1.
I kid you not!
Sometimes it just seems to be an in-built defence blanket to ensure thay can't be disappointed when things go wrong. But then of course, all of us savouring the moment are simply wearing rose-tinted Charlton goggles! If we can't lavish praise on a squad that's likely to claim 100 points, when the hell can we?
Try, just try, to understand how well this lot have done.