Enda Stevens D Stoke City b.1990

[SkStu]

Ahem....

http://www.studentnewsie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/enda-kenny-time-magazine.jpg

[Charlie Darwin]

Ahem...

http://www.didyouknowthat.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/hitler-Time-man-of-the-year.jpg

[SkStu]

He's not an Enda!

[Charlie Darwin]

He was the Enda the world as we knew it...

[tetsujin1979]

I think I preferred the fish puns

[DannyInvincible]

I think I preferred the fish puns

I can't say I have a preference; As far as I'm concerned, it's even-Stevens.

[JC_GUFC]

I think I preferred the fish puns

There's a Time and a plaice for all differnt type of puns.

One ex-UCD player who seems to be totally ignored is Gary Dicker.

[SkStu]

I can't say I have a preference; As far as I'm concerned, it's even-Stevens.

some reports that his positional sense is cat, Stevens.

[pineapple stu]

There's a Time and a plaice for all differnt type of puns.

One ex-UCD player who seems to be totally ignored is Gary Dicker.
Yup. He's been dropped in recent weeks I think, though it's a full Spanish international who's taken his place. And they've stopped winning. Supposed to be doing quite well at Brighton. Get the feeling that him (and Corry) aren't exactly Trap players though, if they were to make the step up a division.

[Manblue]

Looks likely to get a start this weekend as villa are badly hit by injuries/suspensions/outcasts.

Dunne, warnock and hutton all have no chance of playing.
Lichaj, baker and Bennett are either injured or suspended.
Herd is also doubtful, he has been used as defensive cover.
Clark who could be shoved in there is rated as doubtful and is probably needed for the centre back role.

Looks like his competition for left back could be nzogbia or maybe one of the above becomes available.

What a baptism of fire that would be against possibly Valencia who has been in good form.

[TrapAPony]

Starting today

[Charlie Darwin]

Delighted for him. Hopefully Valencia goes easy on him.

[the 12 th man]

Had a good first half,was more than up to the job.

[TrapAPony]

Call him up Trap

[drummerboy]

At fault for 2 goals, despite this his general game was decent. A lot to learn yet.

[Manblue]

At fault for 2 goals, despite this his general game was decent. A lot to learn yet.

Had a hand in all the goals for me. First one he kept them onside, second one he was in no position to defend the cross (granted gabby agbon was terrible for this and gave him no protection), third was the worst for me, didn't do enough to stop Hernandez.

His defensive play in the first half was decent, didnt dive in which was good. Second half he came undone a bit under severe pressure.

Not the worst debut Ive ever seen but has a long way to come.

[Charlie Darwin]

Had a hand in all the goals for me. First one he kept them onside, second one he was in no position to defend the cross (granted gabby agbon was terrible for this and gave him no protection), third was the worst for me, didn't do enough to stop Hernandez.

His defensive play in the first half was decent, didnt dive in which was good. Second half he came undone a bit under severe pressure.

Not the worst debut Ive ever seen but has a long way to come.
They weren't playing offside for the first goal - he was in a good position. The second he followed his man's run like he's supposed to for the second. The third he should have done better for but, again, great movement from Hernandez and the whole defence was a bit disorganised.

[Manblue]

They weren't playing offside for the first goal - he was in a good position. The second he followed his man's run like he's supposed to for the second. The third he should have done better for but, again, great movement from Hernandez and the whole defence was a bit disorganised.

If hernandez is in behind Clark and Stevens is keeping Hernandez onside, that for me is playing him on side. I said for the second agbon should of done better. But with ample men in the box a more experienced defender may of pushed across to give support to Gabby as the ball was very obviously going to end up in behind him before it was played but he didnt read it.

[Charlie Darwin]

Well he was playing him onside, I'm just saying he wasn't supposed to be holding the line when there was essentially no danger and United were in their own half.

For the second, I think he's positioned close to his centre halves like he should be when the winger runs inside. It is never the full back's job to cover the opposing full back, and even if it was it wasn't physically possible for him to get anywhere near Rafael. He wouldn't have gotten within 10 yards even if he had tried to close him down.

[the doc]

Was at the game, yes Enda was at fault from time to time, but he's still young and as long as he learns from this it can only be good for him long term.

Rome wasn't built in a day, as a very good manager often says.

[Charlie Darwin]

How did Ciaran Clark play, Sean?

[Manblue]

Well he was playing him onside, I'm just saying he wasn't supposed to be holding the line when there was essentially no danger and United were in their own half.

For the second, I think he's positioned close to his centre halves like he should be when the winger runs inside. It is never the full back's job to cover the opposing full back, and even if it was it wasn't physically possible for him to get anywhere near Rafael. He wouldn't have gotten within 10 yards even if he had tried to close him down.

Wasn't supposed to be holding the line? He should always be aware, especially against a team with someone who can pick a pass like Scholes. He was covering too deep regardless. His position wasnt good enough to cover the run of Hernandez and stop him,he kept Hernandez onside, Hernandez got the ball and scored, hence he was in a poor position.
Essentially no danger?? They scored and it wasn't a wonder goal.

For the second, did you watch it live?? It was a stick out what was going to happen. All I'm saying is a more experienced player may have moved across. Not that it was gross negligence.

Im not saying he had a stinker. I already praised his defensive qualities for the first half, just saying he was involved in all 3 goals in some way.

[SkStu]

Im not saying he had a stinker. I already praised his defensive qualities for the first half, just saying he was involved in all 3 goals in some way.

Given that it was against Man Yoo and that even you ;) seem to think there's something there, I think Endas gonna be alright!

[Charlie Darwin]

It wouldn't have hurt had he been level with Clark but if there had been a line to hold I think Vlaar would have been screaming at him to hold it. It was a world class pass and a great run but I think he was in the correct position to guard against Valencia running from deep, which I think was the main danger.

I watched the second live and thought he did exactly what he was supposed to do. My only thought was "where the hell is the winger?" This same argument was brought up in Ireland-Russia when Ward kept following Arshavin's run infield. He chose to do his job and defend his man - it was his teammate who didn't do his, and Stevens couldn't possibly and shouldn't have anticipated that. If he had moved across he'd have been in no man's land.

[paul_oshea]

i dont know if its experience,doziness,lapse of concentration or Wardism he was very poor positionally. hopefully he gets another chance.clark was ok.beaten too easily for the first

[SwanVsDalton]

I haven't seen any of it but Stevens has got some good notices from the usually ascerbic (not always particularly fair) Villa Talk forum. Consensus seems to be he largely did well if showed his inexperience in lead up to goals.

[paul_oshea]

none were clear cut in fairness like ward for example

[SkStu]

In terms of irrational hatreds throughout history, Paul O'Shea vs. Stephen Ward has now moved ahead of Adolf Hitler vs. The Jews... :D

(Thank you Mr. Godwin!)

[sbsbsbsb]

Why was he thrown in against united of all teams for his debut? Villa injury crisis?

[paul_oshea]

no he is just a good barometer to compare with.start at 0 and work your way up....:D

[Manblue]

Why was he thrown in against united of all teams for his debut? Villa injury crisis?

Yes, injuries, suspensions and small squad.

[elroy]

Think to blame him for the first goal is harsh. it was a superb ball from Scholes followed by a superb finish from Hernandez even though he got the ball caught in his feet.

The third goal, well he lost his man, albeit that his man the superb in form hernandez. Still shouldve done better and should learn from it.

[Charlie Darwin]

I thought it was a bit strange he was marking United's main goal threat for the third. I know Hernandez isn't big but he wins a lot of headers - you'd think they'd put somebody like Vlaar on him who'll attack the ball.

[Stuttgart88]

UK Times gave him 7/10, Clark 6 and Ireland 8.

[zero]

i reckon he needs maybe two more appearances before we hear the old 'trap is an idiot, why isn't stevens in the squad' routine being rolled out.

[paul_oshea]

I hope he gets a run in the team now.

[Charlie Darwin]

i reckon he needs maybe two more appearances before we hear the old 'trap is an idiot, why isn't stevens in the squad' routine being rolled out.
The next international isn't until February, so I'll give it until Christmas before people start slamming Trap for ignoring him.

[SkStu]

I just think its a fcking disgrace that he hasn't been called up yet. He's a premiership first teamer FFS.

[SwanVsDalton]

Is Stevens eligible for Scotland?

[Colbert Report]

I just think its a fcking disgrace that he hasn't been called up yet. He's a premiership first teamer FFS.

He's started one Premiership match. One. He's come off the bench once. Once.

[nigel-harps1954]

He's started one Premiership match. One. He's come off the bench once. Once.

So, one more time than Robbie Brady then? One more time than Conor Clifford?

Technically he's played more Premier League games than (correct me if I'm wrong) from the current Ireland squad v Greece: David Forde, Darren O'Dea, Robbie Brady, Conor Clifford and Aiden McGeady.

Interesting.

Call him up.

[tetsujin1979]

err. reasonably sure Stu was taking the mick from some of the reactionary comments from the board before calling for players to be capped after a minimal appearance
well, pretty sure that's what he meant
at the very worst, fairly sure that's what he was aiming at

[SkStu]

Correct Tets! Sorry CR! You need to stick another loonie in the sarcasm detector! ;)

[swinfordfc]

Stevens will not be near the team when Bennett gets fit and he is also behind Lichjai as well ....... might play another game next Saturday and that will be it in the Premier League!

[Colbert Report]

Correct Tets! Sorry CR! You need to stick another loonie in the sarcasm detector! ;)

No, I got it, but I do love the guy who responded to me. Surely he must be taking the mick as well with his comments re: Aiden McGeady???

[patsdad]

Enda's still on the early part of a learning curve but there's no doubting his potential. And we're not exactly spoiled for choice at left-back.

[pineapple stu]

Backtraaaack!

[Kingdom]

I actually felt sorry for Ciaran Clark for the 1st United goal. It was very obvious they were trying to hold the line and then press for offside, which three of them did well, but Enda played Hernandez (I think it was him) on. You have to be sure if you go I suppose, but if you go as a line and one stops, then it's harsh on the Centre Half.

Also it's mentioned in the Times this morning that Philly McmAhon, new strength and conditioning coach at Rovers, and All-Ireland winning **spits** Dublin footballer, has been working individually with Enda Stevens since he moved over to the UK

[elroy]

I actually felt sorry for Ciaran Clark for the 1st United goal. It was very obvious they were trying to hold the line and then press for offside, which three of them did well, but Enda played Hernandez (I think it was him) on. You have to be sure if you go I suppose, but if you go as a line and one stops, then it's harsh on the Centre Half.

Also it's mentioned in the Times this morning that Philly McmAhon, new strength and conditioning coach at Rovers, and All-Ireland winning **spits** Dublin footballer, has been working individually with Enda Stevens since he moved over to the UK

Ya read that a few months back alright. Apparently, Villa werent happy with Stevens fitness and conditioning levels when he came over, so I think Enda got Philly involved to help him catch up.

[paul_oshea]

And philly is now at rovers as a strength and conditioning coach. That can only be a good thing!