Enda Stevens D Stoke City b.1990

**Crosby87** · 01/01/2013, 2:05 PM

Surely he will stub his toe or something?

**tommy_c12000** · 01/01/2013, 2:21 PM

The bar hasn't been set too high with Villa's recent defensive record. If he just keeps it nice and steady today, hopefully, he will get a good run in the side. Already 1-0 down tho, signs are ominous

**Manblue** · 01/01/2013, 2:25 PM

Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

The bar hasn't been set too high with Villa's recent defensive record. If he just keeps it nice and steady today, hopefully, he will get a good run in the side. Already 1-0 down tho, signs are ominous

hes been fine so far...the middle is the problem area

**Cuyahoga** · 12/01/2013, 1:23 PM

Back in starting 11 for Villa at home to Southampton.

**Charlie Darwin** · 12/01/2013, 1:24 PM

No surprise following Bennett's horror show at Bradford.

**tetsujin1979** · 12/01/2013, 2:34 PM

Conceded a penalty, but suggestions that there may have been a dive

**Charlie Darwin** · 12/01/2013, 2:39 PM

BBC report: "Rickie Lambert confidently sends Brad Guzan the wrong way from the spot, but I suspect we'll be talking about the incident that led to the penalty. I don't think Enda Stevens touched Jay Rodriguez there."

**tetsujin1979** · 12/01/2013, 7:55 PM

just seen the penalty on Premier Soccer Saturday, blatant dive.

**CraftyToePoke** · 13/01/2013, 4:21 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

just seen the penalty on Premier Soccer Saturday, blatant dive.

Yes, a dive. No contact made, but a naive challenge at the same time and had the diving player not instinctively pulled his foot away, there would have been contact. I don't think Stevens was ever getting to the ball. My point is he gave the guy the opportunity to dive and gave the ref a decision to make, the ref called it wrongly, certainly but he cant lunge in on such a low percentage challenge like that inside the box.

**Stuttgart88** · 14/01/2013, 2:16 PM

I haven't seen the Stevens tackle.

There was a good debate on R5 Live recently with one pundit coming out strongly that there doesn't need to be contact for a foul. In particular, he said that goalies are constantly charging out missing the ball but causing the striker to lose control and often having to jump over the dive. They said also that often the "dive" is actually in anticipation of a foul that doesn't happen, not an out & out effort at cheating. I sympathise with these views.

**Closed Account** · 14/01/2013, 2:50 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I haven't seen the Stevens tackle.

There was a good debate on R5 Live recently with one pundit coming out strongly that there doesn't need to be contact for a foul. In particular, he said that goalies are constantly charging out missing the ball but causing the striker to lose control and often having to jump over the dive. They said also that often the "dive" is actually in anticipation of a foul that doesn't happen, not an out & out effort at cheating. I sympathise with these views.

I agree, there doesn't have to be contact, but each case should be taken on it's own merits.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos...ty-highlights/
In this case, I'd say it was easier for Rodriguez to stay on his feet, no penalty.

**the 12 th man** · 14/01/2013, 3:30 PM

Disgraceful dive.

**Manblue** · 14/01/2013, 7:44 PM

youd struggle to find any weaker full backs in the league than those villa currently have in there ranks...Lowton, Bennett, Lichaj and Stevens are all horrendous

**nigel-harps1954** · 14/01/2013, 7:53 PM

Originally Posted by Manblue

youd struggle to find any weaker full backs in the league than those villa currently have in there ranks...Lowton, Bennett, Lichaj and Stevens are all horrendous

That's pretty harsh on a couple of fellas that have only played a handful of games.

**SkStu** · 14/01/2013, 7:53 PM

Originally Posted by Manblue

youd struggle to find any weaker full backs in the league than those villa currently have in there ranks...Lowton, Bennett, Lichaj and Stevens are all horrendous

so Clark is carrying them?

**Manblue** · 14/01/2013, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

so Clark is carrying them?

Is that what I said? Judging by the amount of goals they've shipped id say no one is carrying anyone

**SwanVsDalton** · 15/01/2013, 12:01 PM

Lowton isn't bad, decent potential. Bennett and Lichaj are pretty rubbish. Stevens I'm not sure will make at this level but his crossing and attacking has been very good.

However all of them deserve a reevaluation when they play in a team not in freefall who incorporate a defensive system and possess some experienced leaders.