We have never really replaced Stephens, Kermogrant and to some extent Morrison since they all left.
Poyet (first time round) and Buyens both did a good job in a similar role to Dale. Indeed Dale only came good in his final season with us
I agree they both did, and I think Buyens was actually quiet underrated by a lot of Charlton fans - however neither were the creative force in the middle of the park that Stephens was.
We have never really replaced Stephens, Kermogrant and to some extent Morrison since they all left.
Poyet (first time round) and Buyens both did a good job in a similar role to Dale. Indeed Dale only came good in his final season with us
I agree they both did, and I think Buyens was actually quiet underrated by a lot of Charlton fans - however neither were the creative force in the middle of the park that Stephens was.
I liked Buyens, thought Poyet was effective but overrated by many here (now he's been found out...). As for Dale, from his very first game back in L1 he made a difference, liked him from the start
We have never really replaced Stephens, Kermogrant and to some extent Morrison since they all left.
Poyet (first time round) and Buyens both did a good job in a similar role to Dale. Indeed Dale only came good in his final season with us
Dale came good because Jordan Cousins made his debut...
Those two alongside each other meant that Dale could just concentrate on creating play
Spot on. What a core to the team we could've had with those two, Morrison and Kermorgant. But Roland knew best.
Not sure you can blame RD for the Dale Stephens departure, if a player has 6 months left on his contract and isn't going to sign another, then you either lose them for nothing or sell them in January and get a fee. That one is down to the money running out for TJ and MS
We have never really replaced Stephens, Kermogrant and to some extent Morrison since they all left.
Poyet (first time round) and Buyens both did a good job in a similar role to Dale. Indeed Dale only came good in his final season with us
Dale came good because Jordan Cousins made his debut...
Those two alongside each other meant that Dale could just concentrate on creating play
Spot on. What a core to the team we could've had with those two, Morrison and Kermorgant. But Roland knew best.
Not sure you can blame RD for the Dale Stephens departure, if a player has 6 months left on his contract and isn't going to sign another, then you either lose them for nothing or sell them in January and get a fee. That one is down to the money running out for TJ and MS
Simon Francis is now a premier league defender, so anything is possible
Or maybe some Charlton fans just didn't recognise his talent?
Francis always got forward well and was / is a very good crosser of the ball. My only criticism at the time was that he got caught up field a lot and then struggled to get back. Good luck to him, Bournemouth fans love him.
We have never really replaced Stephens, Kermogrant and to some extent Morrison since they all left.
Poyet (first time round) and Buyens both did a good job in a similar role to Dale. Indeed Dale only came good in his final season with us
I agree they both did, and I think Buyens was actually quiet underrated by a lot of Charlton fans - however neither were the creative force in the middle of the park that Stephens was.
Agree about Buyens. Would love to know how many assists Stephens made for us
Simon Francis is now a premier league defender, so anything is possible
Or maybe some Charlton fans just didn't recognise his talent?
Francis always got forward well and was / is a very good crosser of the ball. My only criticism at the time was that he got caught up field a lot and then struggled to get back. Good luck to him, Bournemouth fans love him.
Yes but he now plays as a Centre back so his defending really can't be that bad..
Dale Stephens certainly controlled the tempo of the game today and he may be one of the Brighton players who could cut it in the Premier League if they make it this season. He and Jordan Cousins were a very fine combination and the best we have had in recent years. Since he left, we have lacked a high quality creator in midfield and this has been an ongoing problem for the team over the last two and a half seasons.
There must be someone out there in the lower leagues with this sort of potential for whom Charlton would be a big step up (just as it was for Stephens when he joined from Oldham). Unfortunately, however, we have neither the scouting and recruitment system to identify such players, nor the appetite or credibility to get deals over the line.
To be fair he got slated by most on here. My mates included. I put this this down to them sitting in the Covered End and me in the East Stand. Different perspective etc.
I never really rated him that much....but I guess others might have. All I can say is he must have improved immensely to be voted the 6th best player of the season in The Championship......good luck to him I suppose.
Always liked him. Very talented and could pick a pass. Was in the Millennium lounge last year when we played them as he was injured. Seemed a nice guy. All the best to him.
To be fair he got slated by most on here. My mates included. I put this this down to them sitting in the Covered End and me in the East Stand. Different perspective etc.
I put it down to us going every week and watching him play :-)
PS He did improve immensely towards the end of his Charlton career ie the last season of 2.5 seasons and he's continued to improve since he left us.
To be fair he got slated by most on here. My mates included. I put this this down to them sitting in the Covered End and me in the East Stand. Different perspective etc.
I put it down to us going every week and watching him play :-)
PS He did improve immensely towards the end of his Charlton career ie the last season of 2.5 seasons and he's continued to improve since he left us.
He was only 21 when he joined us. In 11/12 it was clear he had the potential to make the step up while for some of our CMs it wasn't the case. He had ups and downs and the team was largely struggling for the 2 years he played in the championship. But he improved and clearly had ability.
Good luck to the guy, just shows what I know, I thought he is to slow although good on the ball, still he would say I'm an old soak so hope he does really well.
Comments
There must be someone out there in the lower leagues with this sort of potential for whom Charlton would be a big step up (just as it was for Stephens when he joined from Oldham). Unfortunately, however, we have neither the scouting and recruitment system to identify such players, nor the appetite or credibility to get deals over the line.
Thanks Roland.
I wonder if that has cured his homesickness ?
All I can say is he must have improved immensely to be voted the 6th best player of the season in The Championship......good luck to him I suppose.
PS He did improve immensely towards the end of his Charlton career ie the last season of 2.5 seasons and he's continued to improve since he left us.