Stephens was shocking, he never fulfills his role in the team. People that lay into Pritchard obviously weren't at Watford last week.
If you actually read my post, you'll see I acknowledged that Pritch has had a couple of great games lately and, yes, I was at Watford to see that first-hand and applaud him.
What gets me is people who think it's fine to slate a player, regardless of what he does from one week to the next, yet are quite happy to get precious about another, even when he has a bad day at the office.
He wasn't that impressive but even with a mostly static team in front of him the passing back and sidewards wasn't that ambitious.
I thought in the first 45 he was okay even getting applause for a couple sweet passes. The second 45 along with the rest of the team his performance dropped and passed to their players 2/3 times in 10 minutes and that's what most remember.
Still outperformed Pritch (who was amazing vs Leicester) though who looked like Trotter would eat him given the chance. I doubt whether Pritch'll have many performances that bad in the future.
We all have our players we like and dislike but don't let that cloud your judgement.
Stevens problem is that when receiving the ball he should either pass imediately or move. By moving he gets more angles and options for a pass. Alas he stands and looks at our static attack. Having said that he was best of our central three by a long way.
Even yesterday, I thought Stevens looked up for it and sharp. I think he has looked like that since he came back in the team. The problem was we were outdone tactically - not because of him! I'd have him above JJ on the teamsheet at the moment in all honesty!
In the end he did flatter to deceive and I'm not saying he had a good game - but I think he could have done if the team was functioning. Maybe he is a player that doesn't make the team function, but enhances it and makes it stronger when it does!
Even yesterday, I thought Stevens looked up for it and sharp. I think he has looked like that since he came back in the team. The problem was we were outdone tactically - not because of him! I'd have him above JJ on the teamsheet at the moment in all honesty!
In the end he did flatter to deceive and I'm not saying he had a good game - but I think he could have done if the team was functioning. Maybe he is a player that doesn't make the team function, but enhances it and makes it stronger when it does!
Along the right lines, but I suspect he wouldn't get into a Charlton team ticking well. We look woeful without JJ, never been the case without Stephens.
Anyway, there was one delightful pass from Stephens to Wiggins in the first half, 40 yard cross pitch ball to Wiggins feet. He's got it in his locker, still think he needs to be playing higher up the pitch though.
Even yesterday, I thought Stevens looked up for it and sharp. I think he has looked like that since he came back in the team. The problem was we were outdone tactically - not because of him! I'd have him above JJ on the teamsheet at the moment in all honesty!
In the end he did flatter to deceive and I'm not saying he had a good game - but I think he could have done if the team was functioning. Maybe he is a player that doesn't make the team function, but enhances it and makes it stronger when it does!
Worryingly ;0) I find myself agreeing with a lot of Muttleys posts these day. This post is another one.
I'm certainly not a DS fan but I think he's looked sharper and more motivated of late including yesterday when I thought he was far from the worst.
Comments
What gets me is people who think it's fine to slate a player, regardless of what he does from one week to the next, yet are quite happy to get precious about another, even when he has a bad day at the office.
Double standards all over the place here.
I thought in the first 45 he was okay even getting applause for a couple sweet passes. The second 45 along with the rest of the team his performance dropped and passed to their players 2/3 times in 10 minutes and that's what most remember.
Still outperformed Pritch (who was amazing vs Leicester) though who looked like Trotter would eat him given the chance. I doubt whether Pritch'll have many performances that bad in the future.
We all have our players we like and dislike but don't let that cloud your judgement.
In the end he did flatter to deceive and I'm not saying he had a good game - but I think he could have done if the team was functioning. Maybe he is a player that doesn't make the team function, but enhances it and makes it stronger when it does!
Anyway, there was one delightful pass from Stephens to Wiggins in the first half, 40 yard cross pitch ball to Wiggins feet. He's got it in his locker, still think he needs to be playing higher up the pitch though.
I'm certainly not a DS fan but I think he's looked sharper and more motivated of late including yesterday when I thought he was far from the worst.