Enda Stevens D Stoke City b.1990

[DeLorean]

Maybe it's term that should be avoided as it doesn't make a lot of sense. If Spain or Germany are the benchmark, then we don't have any international class centre backs and probably won't for a long time.

[samhaydenjr]

I think International Class means being good enough to play international football without looking out of your depth for the most part, but may run into trouble against Top Class and World-Class players.

[DeLorean]

I think International Class means being good enough to play international football without looking out of your depth for the most part, but may run into trouble against Top Class and World-Class players.

You're probably right and I think Duffy and Keogh would be okay under that criteria, neither have looked out of their depth for the most part. And basically every defender runs into trouble against world class players.

[jbyrne]

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!

central to two of derbys goals tonight against leeds by taking the ball forward. the winner was superbly set up by keogh

[paul_oshea]

I think International Class means being good enough to play international football without looking out of your depth for the most part, but may run into trouble against Top Class and World-Class players.

Pretty simple and pretty obvious I'd have thought.

[OwlsFan]

central to two of derbys goals tonight against leeds by taking the ball forward. the winner was superbly set up by keogh

Yes, great run by Keogh and then a lovely lay off to put the scorer through.

[DeLorean]

It was an inspiring burst forward from him. Did he intend to put the pass that far in front of Marriott? I'm not sure he did but it worked out perfectly as it made Marriott's mind up for him, as he was forced to dink it first time instead of taking a another touch. It would be lovely to see Keogh exorcise his demons by lifting the playoff trophy at Wembley. He's received plenty of stick over the years but he's been a key man for every Derby manager in his time there, and there's been a few.

[Charlie Darwin]

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.
Bad timing to say this considering Keogh went and set up the winner in the play-offs a couple of days after.

[CraftyToePoke]

Set up two of the goals, or was involved high up the pitch in the earlier one definitely, played on half way all night when they were in possession & was on the ball a lot, handled Mr Bamford well too, had his measure throughout on and off the ball.

[MancIrishWolf]

Getting high praise from the Fans. Player of the (short) season so far and most easily adapted to this level being muted. Could be the Doherty of this season. Great to see the left side being shored up with Manning coming through also...

https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/enda.74788/

[tricky_colour]

He is in the top 50 of whoscored at #44.

[mark12345]

Bad timing to say this considering Keogh went and set up the winner in the play-offs a couple of days after.

Big test for Richard and Shane tomorrow night. Let's hope they can stick their heads on a free kick or two and put the ball in the Swiss net.
And here's hoping also they won't resort to hoofing the ball all night long to nobody in particular?

[Fixer82]

Thought he had a poor game overall. Made a few mistakes that could've been punished. Great heart though and never stopped going.

[irishfan86]

Thought he had a rough start but grew into the game. His yellow was a tough one because the ref got it right but Enda did have to go for that one. He tries to keep possession but got himself into trouble a few times.

I’d stick with him. Who does Mick play there for Georgia away with Enda suspended? Doherty?

[elatedscum]

Options conceivable options are:

1) Doherty
2) Brady

Those would be my two preferences. A way to get Doherty into the side is a good thing. As for Brady, it might be his best position. He did well there both at club level before going to Burnley and for Ireland prior to the Germany game and the long term injury. It allows you get his left foot into the game, which admittedly is less important with Hourihane on the pitch but still is an advantage.

3) McClean
4) Christie

Mick’s mentioned that McClean would have been his go-to guy to cover Stevens if he needed. He’s playing there sometimes in a back 5 for Stoke but I’m not really sure the defensive instincts are there to play left back.

Christie has done well there for Ireland on the few occasions he played there. Perhaps the game against Cyprus? hard to remember now but he can certainly play the position and against Georgia he wouldn’t let you down.

5) Clarke
6) Long

Clark started his Ireland career at left back. Yep remember him being superb against Wales where Gary Speed was managing Wales. He was quick and composed. Played another few games in the home nations cup in that position and was very good and then got moved to centre half. Been a long time since that point.

Kevin Long played 2-3 games under MON there. Good defensively and useful both defending and attacking set pieces but hardly Roberto Carlos.

7) Hayes
8) Cunningham
9) D Williams
10) Manning

Serious long shots...

Hayes won man of the match against Valencia playing that position under Rodgers. Celtic don’t really have a good left back with Tierney gone, so if he were to break into the side in that position, maybe...

Cunningham was supposed to be great for Preston for years but it didn’t work for him at Cardiff. But he’s probably the only natural left back on the list, so there’s an argument for that.

Williams, his only irish cap came at left back. Big versatile lad and useful championship player.

Manning - just started playing there for QPR. Centre midfielder by trade but another month of good performances in that position could draw the attention of the staff

[tetsujin1979]

Lee O'Connor? Another serious long shot, granted, but if he gets games at Celtic in the next few weeks....

[irishfan86]

I suppose we can throw Luca Connell in there in the long shot category as well.

[SkStu]

Options conceivable options are:

1) Doherty
2) Brady

Those would be my two preferences. A way to get Doherty into the side is a good thing. As for Brady, it might be his best position. He did well there both at club level before going to Burnley and for Ireland prior to the Germany game and the long term injury. It allows you get his left foot into the game, which admittedly is less important with Hourihane on the pitch but still is an advantage.

3) McClean
4) Christie

Mick’s mentioned that McClean would have been his go-to guy to cover Stevens if he needed. He’s playing there sometimes in a back 5 for Stoke but I’m not really sure the defensive instincts are there to play left back.

Christie has done well there for Ireland on the few occasions he played there. Perhaps the game against Cyprus? hard to remember now but he can certainly play the position and against Georgia he wouldn’t let you down.

5) Clarke
6) Long

Clark started his Ireland career at left back. Yep remember him being superb against Wales where Gary Speed was managing Wales. He was quick and composed. Played another few games in the home nations cup in that position and was very good and then got moved to centre half. Been a long time since that point.

Kevin Long played 2-3 games under MON there. Good defensively and useful both defending and attacking set pieces but hardly Roberto Carlos.

7) Hayes
8) Cunningham
9) D Williams
10) Manning

Serious long shots...

Hayes won man of the match against Valencia playing that position under Rodgers. Celtic don’t really have a good left back with Tierney gone, so if he were to break into the side in that position, maybe...

Cunningham was supposed to be great for Preston for years but it didn’t work for him at Cardiff. But he’s probably the only natural left back on the list, so there’s an argument for that.

Williams, his only irish cap came at left back. Big versatile lad and useful championship player.

Manning - just started playing there for QPR. Centre midfielder by trade but another month of good performances in that position could draw the attention of the staff

Great post as ever but I’m surprised Coleman doesn’t make your list es! In the game thread I just mentioned him at left back (with Doherty coming in at right back) being a decent contingency. Coleman done well there for Everton a couple of games back.

[SkStu]

Thought he had a rough start but grew into the game. His yellow was a tough one because the ref got it right but Enda did have to go for that one. He tries to keep possession but got himself into trouble a few times.

Yeah, this was my take on Stevens too. First 20-25 mins he was very shaky. He’s coming along nicely at this level though.

[Olé Olé]

Agree with this again. He was shaky at the start but it was one of his first appearances against a good international side and he has been more familiar with the wing back role. He did far better in the second half and was fine in the first half for the brief time he was left of a back three.

[seanfhear]

Needs a run of games . He is improving .

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, this was my take on Stevens too. First 20-25 mins he was very shaky. He’s coming along nicely at this level though.

Shaky Stevens.

Oh oh, Tets won't like this :)

[Stuttgart88]

I agree - Stevens had a horrible start to the game but grew into it. I think he tried to do the right thing by being composed ion the ball when chipping it up the line would have been easier, but his optionbs and support were limited so he got caught. Coleman ahda great first half but suffered from the same problem in the second half. Some of Stevens' crosses were superb.

[dynamo kerry]

Nothing on the Stevens thread for a while. Must be Irish player of the season in the premier league so far...

[pineapple stu]

Certainly doing well for my fantasy football team! Another bonus point performance away against Arsenal yesterday. My policy of always picking ex UCD players standing me well :)

[Eirambler]

He has been absolutely superb. I suppose there is not that much else to say. Wouldn't look remotely out of place playing for one of the big boys.

[Yard of Pace]

He has been absolutely superb. I suppose there is not that much else to say. Wouldn't look remotely out of place playing for one of the big boys.

I try and watch every Sheffield United game, mostly to swoon over Didsy (a magical, beautiful player) but also because about 10-20 times a game I'll shout to my viewing partner "Look at Stevens!" because he'll have done something great, either defensive or attacking. He has been absolutely amazing. His lofted ball in that landed on one of the striker's heads and went straight in the net but was ruled out by VAR over Xmas was a thing of beauty. His progression in the last 12 months is astonishing, to me anyway.

[Stuttgart88]

That's what I think but I have some "Bohs-minded" pals who though I was just looking at him through hooped glasses earlier in the season. I think we all agree now. He's taken to the EPL like a duck to water.

[tetsujin1979]

Nominated for Premier League Goal of the Month.
Vote here: https://www.premierleague.com/news/1634487

[liamoo11]

Playing today hopefully fit in few weeks

[tetsujin1979]

Signed a new contract today: https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2020/march/enda-stevens-contract

[osarusan]

Horrendous error today for the opening goal against Newcastle. Low ball across the box, he awkwardly swung a leg at it but it went through his legs and was finished by the striker behind him.

[Closed Account 2]

As the sky commentator said it looked impossible for him not to make contact with the ball, yet it somehow happened. One game shouldn't overshadow an otherwise great season. Particularly a game when the entire Sheff Utd team looked out of sorts. I don't think Wilder will go stir crazy with him over one game, he'd been on something of a silver streak until the lockdown.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Stevens is having a solid game, he almost scored a Messi kind of goal, and later he built the 1-0 with a perfect through pass to McGoldrick

[Bielsa´s irish]

I think he was the blades best player by a mile, played left center back, in a back 3, so composed on the ball led the few bright movements from tge bcak, his teammates are atrocious. Egan also solid but two from 11 its hard, if the blades go down I can see both staying in the premier league

[Bielsa´s irish]

Enda played very well , very composed on the ball going forward a menace, McGoldrick too, plaudits from espn broadcaster Walter Vargas

[pineapple stu]

Scored his first league goal in more than two years today, in a 4-0 hammering of a presumably drunk Fulham side.

Onto the playoffs next

[JR89]

Goes off injured after 54mins tonight.

[Demesne Lad]

Good to see that Stevens (32) is on the bench for the Blades' game at Huddersfield tonight, after more than 3 months out with injury..

[pineapple stu]

He's come on after 8 minutes, replacing Lowe, who presumably has picked up an injury himself

First game since the first week of January

[Demesne Lad]

Starts in the game away to Birmingham City; Kevin Long not in the squad for City.

[pineapple stu]

Looks like he's being released by Sheffield United (https://www.sheffieldunited.news/news/billy-sharp-john-fleck-and-enda-stevens-all-set-to-leave-sheffield-united/), though I don't think they've formally published their retained/released list yet.

[JR89]

Reading are trying to get Wilder as their next manager. If he does indeed takeover wouldn't be surprised to see him look to bring Stevens in.

[JR89]

Looks like he's being released by Sheffield United (https://www.sheffieldunited.news/news/billy-sharp-john-fleck-and-enda-stevens-all-set-to-leave-sheffield-united/), though I don't think they've formally published their retained/released list yet.

And it's official. Think they'll try get Ryan Manning in as his replacement.

[joey B]

Sheffield Wednesday might be a good option for him,still in the Championship and in the same city he’s been in for a while..

[seanfhear]

Enda Stevens ~ Decent player if he can stay fit.

[JR89]

Reports that he'll be a Stoke player soon.

[pineapple stu]

Yep, confirmed now (https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0705/1392844-stevens-joins-stoke-city-after-leaving-sheffield-united/). Better than I thought he'd get to be honest, given a recent history of injuries and he turning 33 at the weekend. Maybe still an option at international level, with the usual note that we need to find a longer-term solution there sooner rather than later (as O'Dowda showed in Greece - and in fairness to O'Dowda, that was his first notably bad game for us I think)

[JR89]

Stoke left a few players go in the summer so it's a decent squad signing for them. Provides cover for Tymon at LB/LWB and gives you cover at LCB too if needed.

I'd say his international career is over at this stage. Has been a sick note the last two seasons and turns 33 this week. Can we afford to have both him and Coleman in our squads this season. I'd say doing a NI and fast tracking a youngster into the squad next season would be better than recalling Stevens into the squad.

[Stuttgart88]

Yep, confirmed now (https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0705/1392844-stevens-joins-stoke-city-after-leaving-sheffield-united/). Better than I thought he'd get to be honest, given a recent history of injuries and he turning 33 at the weekend. Maybe still an option at international level, with the usual note that we need to find a longer-term solution there sooner rather than later (as O'Dowda showed in Greece - and in fairness to O'Dowda, that was his first notably bad game for us I think)First time playing LWB for us against a decent team? He just didn't look to have the awareness needed imho.