Enda Stevens D Stoke City b.1990

[DannyInvincible]

Stevens scored his first goal for Doncaster at the weekend.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Released.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/aston-villa-release-darren-bent-and-irish-full-back-enda-stevens-1.2241602

Thought he acquitted himself reasonably well in the PL. Was never really given a chance.

[paul_oshea]

I thought he did ok too, was given much of a chance.

Back to Rovers? He looked very impressive that year in Europe.

[Charlie Darwin]

No, he can earn five times as much in League Two. It's been clear for a long time he wasn't going to make it at Villa so hopefully he can find a good club lower down the chain now.

[SwanVsDalton]

Whenever I seen him play for Villa, Stevens struck me as a guy who was just about hanging in there - got exposed a couple of times, not consistently but he just didn't fill me with confidence. He didn't look confortable or particuarly like someone who would become comfortable.

Still would love to see him drop down a league or two and prove himself.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Stevens was never more than 3rd choice when he was at Villa; his first league appearance was as a replacement for another sub. His first 3 starts were against Man Utd, Man City & Arsenal. I don't recall him being directly exposed for any of the 8 goals conceded in those matches; in any event, they were leaking goals like a sieve before and after he was in the team. An injury in his next match came at the worst possible time. By the time he came back, he was starting to acquit himself well, but was discarded immediately after conceding the penalty that led to the winning goal in a match against Southampton; a match he otherwise played well in. Stevens didn't even touch Rodriguez and pretty much everyone agreed penalty shouldn't have been given.

Summed up his luck. For a young lad coming over from Ireland, he carried himself well. He probably wouldn't have turned out good enough for Villa but he wasn't given the chance to prove it properly. Look at the amount of chances Westwood and Lowton were given.

[eitoof]

I'd think he'll have a good chance of a deal in League One and maybe even lower end Championship.

[SwanVsDalton]

Stevens was never more than 3rd choice when he was at Villa; his first league appearance was as a replacement for another sub. His first 3 starts were against Man Utd, Man City & Arsenal. I don't recall him being directly exposed for any of the 8 goals conceded in those matches; in any event, they were leaking goals like a sieve before and after he was in the team. An injury in his next match came at the worst possible time. By the time he came back, he was starting to acquit himself well, but was discarded immediately after conceding the penalty that led to the winning goal in a match against Southampton; a match he otherwise played well in. Stevens didn't even touch Rodriguez and pretty much everyone agreed penalty shouldn't have been given.

Summed up his luck. For a young lad coming over from Ireland, he carried himself well. He probably wouldn't have turned out good enough for Villa but he wasn't given the chance to prove it properly. Look at the amount of chances Westwood and Lowton were given.

Westwood's a decent player and Lowton ended up spending huge chunks of the past two seasons on the bench.

Stevens was never more than third choice, though, you're right and he didn't really get a run at it. In those games you mentioned, he wasn't massively at fault, he was generally tidy enough, he played ok and in context did alright.

You're not wrong - but to me he never showed any glimpse of a player who would make it at PL level. He looked a bit like a stop gap, albeit a stop gap in a team full of them.

I haven't really followed him, but I understand he played quite a bit on loan at Notts County and Doncaster and, while not doing badly, he didn't seem to show the kind of form that suggested he could cut it at the PL in the last couple of seasons.

In fairness, I wouldn't rule out him making something yet - even half-decent LBs are hard to come by. All it would take is the right team on an upward trajectory.

[Charlie Darwin]

Rather disappointed that this news was posted two hours ago and nobody's said "he has to be better than Stephen Ward" yet.

[SwanVsDalton]

Rather disappointed that this news was posted two hours ago and nobody's said "he has to be better than Stephen Ward" yet.

Common knowledge?

[Charlie Darwin]

Common knowledge?
Ah come on that's never stopped anyone before.

[eitoof]

Two year deal with Paul Cook's Portsmouth.

[Closed Account]

Linked with a move to the Championship with Sheffield United

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/pompey-set-to-lose-defender-1-7953185

(Michael Doyle and Noel Hunt mentioned out of contract, might be too soon for Tets summer transfer thread)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Has finally completed his move to Sheffield United.

[CraftyToePoke]

A Championship level left full option, very good if he's in the side, of course. He will face Villa.

[tetsujin1979]

Rising through the divisions

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I thought he looked decent in the Premier League.

Was confused by his descent.

[tetsujin1979]

In which of his seven Premier League appearances (two wins, two draws, three losses) did you think he looked decent?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I generally thought he acquitted himself well against some prime opposition.

It was a difficult run of games he played in; a difficult time to come in to the team.

[tetsujin1979]

that doesn't answer the questions - in which of his seven appearances did you think he he looked decent?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I think the Arsenal and Southampton games in particular.

He was unlucky for the penalty decision in the latter game, I thought he generally played very well in that one.

[tetsujin1979]

fair enough, the ratings seem to be no better than average for those two games
V Southampton
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/aston-villa-vs-southampton/1293892/ratings

Stevens: 1/5
Gave away the penalty that led to the goal and endured a torrid afternoon at the hands of the excellent Puncheon.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/aston-villa-0-southampton-1-1203369

Stevens 5/10Poor positioning left Villa exposed. Cruel penalty injustice.

V Arsenal
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-0-arsenal-0-336564

Stevens 7/10
Kept Oxlade-Chamberlain fairly quiet. Will do wonders for his belief
http://www.goal.com/en/match/aston-villa-vs-arsenal/1293801/ratings

Stevens 2.5/5
Fared reasonably well up against Oxlade-Chamberlain on his own, but understandably had difficulty when Jenkinson joined the attack. The protection he got from Weimann was patchy.

[Closed Account]

Missed the fact that he won
PFA Fans' League Two Player of the Season awardSome achievement for a Left Back.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11750/10890533/enda-stevens-wins-pfa-fans-league-two-player-of-the-season-award
Call him up Trap

[Park_Lane]

Played well today with an assist for the 3rd goal in Sheffields win over Derby

[OwlsFan]

Played well today with an assist for the 3rd goal in Sheffields win over Derby

Sheffieds ?? :)

Good to see him working his way back up the league. I had given up on him when he was out on loan at lower teams.

[Park_Lane]

Sheffieds ?? :)

Good to see him working his way back up the league. I had given up on him when he was out on loan at lower teams.

Apologies UTD!
Similar pattern to a lot of our players in recent years, work your way up from the lower leagues. The only problem with that is that by the time they are consifered for the national team you only get a couple of campaigns out of them

[OwlsFan]

You're forgiven :)

I usually find the "Similar Threads" down the pages interesting. Often gives a good history of the player or a totally bizarre unconnected one. For Enda this one caught my eye: "Cat Stevens-Musician or Terrorist?". :0

[Park_Lane]

Assist for Enda today in Utds 2-4 away win at Wednesday (sorry owlsfan!)

[liamoo11]

for the rovers fans on here who had more potential at left full when with rovers Stevens or Trevor Clarke?

[OwlsFan]

Assist for Enda today in Utds 2-4 away win at Wednesday (sorry owlsfan!)

Thought he played well. I had high hopes for him when he was at Villa. Let's see if he can kick on now. Looks as if the manager will give him a chance.

[Park_Lane]

MOTM yesterday and another assist in Sheff. Utds loss at forest
(Call him up Trapp.)

[samhaydenjr]

Another Irish scorer in the Championship tonight as Stevens got the first for Sheffield United - they're within sight of the playoffs now: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43178126

[triggsrevenge]

New contract for.the lad! Hopefully in the PL next year

[jbyrne]

excellent goal and motm for sheff utd against forrest today. played very well

[samhaydenjr]

excellent goal and motm for sheff utd against forrest today. played very well

Yeah, whipped in a few teasing crosses - goal set up by McGoldrick with one of his slide-rule passes. McGoldrick also got the foul that led to Forest going down to ten men

[Olé Olé]

The result brings them to second on points difference as Leeds faltered. I wouldn't like to be in the play-offs; Villa look like a freight train.

[samhaydenjr]

So we now have an equivalent to Coleman on the left - Stevens got his fourth goal in six games today to equalize against Stoke: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48081883

[mark12345]

So we now have an equivalent to Coleman on the left - Stevens got his fourth goal in six games today to equalize against Stoke: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48081883

He definitely looks like a decent left full from what I've seen of him. Balance wise it makes sense for Mick to keep him there as much as possible. With Coleman on the right and Duffy and Keogh in the middle of the back four, the Irish defence is beginning to show signs of stability ahead of what is an important few games (although I'm a little concerned about Duffy's form in a Brighton team which really has no business in the Premier League - let's just say he's not evolving into a Gerard Pique or Virgil Van Dijk despite playing in one of the top leagues in world football). Stevens and his Irish team mates at Sheffield United will face a real examination of their credentials next season but the experience can only help Ireland in the long run.

[Olé Olé]

I would go easy on Duffy there. Every time I have seen him he's been fighting fires and it isn't an easy gig.

[mark12345]

I would go easy on Duffy there. Every time I have seen him he's been fighting fires and it isn't an easy gig.

It's not an easy gig for him and I can't see it getting any easier next term. In fairness to Duffy he played an absolute blinder against Arsenal on Sunday and I believe he got MOTM.
However he is not the type of defender Ireland needs in the middle of the back four, and neither is Keogh for that matter.
Both lads are great at sticking their head to the ball or hoofing it out over the halfway line. The problem at internaitonal level is, as we have seen for decades now, that the ball keeps coming back at you as the pressure builds.
We need the type of defender who can take the ball on his chest, play short passes and begin moves that will put the opposition under pressure.
That is in a perfect world, however, and I fear we are still light years from that type of football at internaitonal level.

[samhaydenjr]

He definitely looks like a decent left full from what I've seen of him. Balance wise it makes sense for Mick to keep him there as much as possible. With Coleman on the right and Duffy and Keogh in the middle of the back four, the Irish defence is beginning to show signs of stability ahead of what is an important few games (although I'm a little concerned about Duffy's form in a Brighton team which really has no business in the Premier League - let's just say he's not evolving into a Gerard Pique or Virgil Van Dijk despite playing in one of the top leagues in world football). Stevens and his Irish team mates at Sheffield United will face a real examination of their credentials next season but the experience can only help Ireland in the long run.

Well, it was unlikely to happen that Duffy would become a Virgil Van Dijk, but the goalscoring stats show that he has learned to put what abilities he has to good use - with 56 goals conceded, Brighton have a much meaner defence than any of the other teams in the bottom six. They've conceded only one more than tenth-placed Watford and only four more than ManU. Just because he isn't a different player doesn't mean he isn't a better player than he was two years ago. So until the likes of Masterson or Nolan prove themselves at senior level, we'll have to make do with high quality old-fashioned style centre-backs

[mark12345]

Well, it was unlikely to happen that Duffy would become a Virgil Van Dijk, but the goalscoring stats show that he has learned to put what abilities he has to good use - with 56 goals conceded, Brighton have a much meaner defence than any of the other teams in the bottom six. They've conceded only one more than tenth-placed Watford and only four more than ManU. Just because he isn't a different player doesn't mean he isn't a better player than he was two years ago. So until the likes of Masterson or Nolan prove themselves at senior level, we'll have to make do with high quality old-fashioned style centre-backs

That is true - we will have to make do with Duffy and Keogh as centre-halves for Ireland. Can't fault their commitment at all - they give 110 per cent every time they pull on a green shirt. However neither one of them is international standard - they just happen to be playing international football.

[Cathalsmart]

That is true - we will have to make do with Duffy and Keogh as centre-halves for Ireland. Can't fault their commitment at all - they give 110 per cent every time they pull on a green shirt. However neither one of them is international standard - they just happen to be playing international football.

International standard...Jesus fcuking christ. Secondly how is Duffy not international standard, or do you need to be world class to be considered international class?

[Kingdom]

It's not an easy gig for him and I can't see it getting any easier next term. In fairness to Duffy he played an absolute blinder against Arsenal on Sunday and I believe he got MOTM.
However he is not the type of defender Ireland needs in the middle of the back four, and neither is Keogh for that matter.
Both lads are great at sticking their head to the ball or hoofing it out over the halfway line. The problem at internaitonal level is, as we have seen for decades now, that the ball keeps coming back at you as the pressure builds.
We need the type of defender who can take the ball on his chest, play short passes and begin moves that will put the opposition under pressure.
That is in a perfect world, however, and I fear we are still light years from that type of football at internaitonal level.

The emboldened, underlined elements of your post do not tally.

Richard Keogh might be a lot of things - a 'nam survivor being one of them anytime I see him concentrate - but a hoofer of the football he is not. I've been accused of making posts too long, or having off-the-wall opinions about some of our players, or squads, or performances, but I at least try to back up my opinion with facts trying to use the best of my limited ability to link video clips etc.
For two campaigns I have solidly criticised Randolph and Shane Duffy for their use of the ball - because they bloody well deserved to be criticised - as it was shameful of a pro-footballer to do what they do in possession. This carried over to the very first minute of the game against Gibraltar, when despite playing into a gale, Shane Duffy launched a rocket up top. It was all downhill from there.

Cut to the Georgia game, and it was very noticeable how dominant Richard Keogh was in possession, only using Duffy to engineer some space for himself, and almost not using Randolph at all. He wasn't just dominant in taking ownership of the ball, it was the speed in which he wanted to get us onto the front foot. In fact he played one of the best passes I've seen by an Irish player in a few years. He got the ball around level with the 18 yd box progressed about10 yds and played an arching ball onto Dave McGoldrick (or possibly Hendrick) just beyond the centre circle, completely cutting out two Georgians.

So I disagree that Richard Keogh isn't a technically profficient centre-back.

[DeLorean]

He carries the ball out of defence and initiates attacks very well for Derby. He's certainly not a hoofer. He tends to take less risks for us, particular against more serious opposition, which is understandable and somewhat comforting!

[SkStu]

The emboldened, underlined elements of your post do not tally.

Richard Keogh might be a lot of things - a 'nam survivor being one of them anytime I see him concentrate - but a hoofer of the football he is not. I've been accused of making posts too long, or having off-the-wall opinions about some of our players, or squads, or performances, but I at least try to back up my opinion with facts trying to use the best of my limited ability to link video clips etc.
For two campaigns I have solidly criticised Randolph and Shane Duffy for their use of the ball - because they bloody well deserved to be criticised - as it was shameful of a pro-footballer to do what they do in possession. This carried over to the very first minute of the game against Gibraltar, when despite playing into a gale, Shane Duffy launched a rocket up top. It was all downhill from there.

Cut to the Georgia game, and it was very noticeable how dominant Richard Keogh was in possession, only using Duffy to engineer some space for himself, and almost not using Randolph at all. He wasn't just dominant in taking ownership of the ball, it was the speed in which he wanted to get us onto the front foot. In fact he played one of the best passes I've seen by an Irish player in a few years. He got the ball around level with the 18 yd box progressed about10 yds and played an arching ball onto Dave McGoldrick (or possibly Hendrick) just beyond the centre circle, completely cutting out two Georgians.

So I disagree that Richard Keogh isn't a technically profficient centre-back.

Too long, didn't read.

In seriousness, completely agree. And I also agree with Del that from what I have seen from Derby this season he is very capable of bringing the ball out and finding a pass. It is less obvious in an Ireland shirt that he has this ability especially because, under O'Neill, he was playing in a "system" that essentially forced midfielders to turn their backs and give very few options for an out pass. Playing beside Duffy, he had very little in terms of options and I think was forced to pass long more often than is his natural style.

[mark12345]

International standard...Jesus fcuking christ. Secondly how is Duffy not international standard, or do you need to be world class to be considered international class?

How is he not international standard? Well take a pen and paper and write down the number of times he just belts the ball out of the back for Brighton. All well and good that he is averting the danger but he is as predictable as daybreak to opposing teams and all they do is outnumber Duffy's teammate and take back possession like it was wrapped up with a ribbon in a gift box. An international standard defender should be able to take a high ball on his chest and distribute it to a team mate with one touch, and make himself available for a return pass if necessary. With that type of ability Duffy (or any centre back) begins a move that will hopefully result in a period of attacking play for his team. It's no big revelation - it's what we have been watching on television for a long time now. I honestly don't know if Shane is capable of doing that - to be honest I'm quite sure he is. But for some reason, he is not incorporating this type of play in his game. Ditto Richard Keogh.

To be honest, I don't even know why we are debating this. Do we need to wait until June for the away game in Denmark to see it in its full glory? Or can we just accept it as fact now?

[mark12345]

The emboldened, underlined elements of your post do not tally.

Richard Keogh might be a lot of things - a 'nam survivor being one of them anytime I see him concentrate - but a hoofer of the football he is not. I've been accused of making posts too long, or having off-the-wall opinions about some of our players, or squads, or performances, but I at least try to back up my opinion with facts trying to use the best of my limited ability to link video clips etc.
For two campaigns I have solidly criticised Randolph and Shane Duffy for their use of the ball - because they bloody well deserved to be criticised - as it was shameful of a pro-footballer to do what they do in possession. This carried over to the very first minute of the game against Gibraltar, when despite playing into a gale, Shane Duffy launched a rocket up top. It was all downhill from there.

Cut to the Georgia game, and it was very noticeable how dominant Richard Keogh was in possession, only using Duffy to engineer some space for himself, and almost not using Randolph at all. He wasn't just dominant in taking ownership of the ball, it was the speed in which he wanted to get us onto the front foot. In fact he played one of the best passes I've seen by an Irish player in a few years. He got the ball around level with the 18 yd box progressed about10 yds and played an arching ball onto Dave McGoldrick (or possibly Hendrick) just beyond the centre circle, completely cutting out two Georgians.

So I disagree that Richard Keogh isn't a technically profficient centre-back.

As luck would have it I did not see the Georgia game. I think Keogh got a raw deal recently when dropped by MON for no apparent reason (based on the alternatives). But with Denmark or Switzerland pinning us down in our own half, in the upcoming matches, do you honestly think Richard has the courage to play it out of the back and set up a chance at the other end? I don't. I am not knocking Keogh's or Duffy's commitment - it is first rate - but their effectiveness (or maybe it's a lack of courage to play the ball out from the back) is very apparent. Having said that you did point out that he looked quite good in this department against Georgia. Maybe he has turned the corner? I would be over the moon to see him turn into a ball playing defender who poses a threat to other teams.

[tetsujin1979]

Surely playing international football makes you international class?

[mark12345]

Surely playing international football makes you international class?

One way of looking at it I suppose. But would the same apply to an international playing for Andorra or Gibraltar verus one playing for Spain or Germany. Different standards?