stevens down back

[pumped]

What about putting Nick Stevens to half back for a few weeks. After watching the replay on foxtel he just seems very flat. Even when he turned the ball over he didn't have any desire to follow up and make good. His chasing and checking is also less than passionate.

Playing down back he would have to man up and chase. It would also take the tagging pressure off him. Would also be interesting to see him hit long targets running off half back for a while.

 

[stokesy]

Yeh throw him down there for a while. Couldn't be any worse.

 

[AlecDuncan]

What about putting Nick Stevens to half back for a few weeks. After watching the replay on foxtel he just seems very flat. Even when he turned the ball over he didn't have any desire to follow up and make good. His chasing and checking is also less than passionate.

All of which makes me wonder if he isn't quite right. He's always been noted as a good preparer, but he's just not moving with any initiative at the moment. A dodgy knee perhaps? I hope Pagan's not repeating the mistake he made with Fevola last season.

 

[Lance]

Nice suggestion Pumped. At least they could try him there to see how he goes. Our backline is one of our bigger problems, his experience and ability to win the ball there could be of great advantage. He would have to more accountable though?

 

[blangerang]

he is carlton's only highly rated midfielder apart from young murphy. if stevens is not in the center square the overun midfield would be even worse, it would be like playing fev at full back again. The best play of their chosen position should play in that position not in another position just because the numbers are low down back

 

[Jeremias]

i like to see new ideas pop up all the ime, but this is not a good one (sorry pumped, no malice intended

Stevens is one of the most unaccountable footballers in the team. He can usually get away with this playing in the midfield, but there is NO WAY he can be unaccountable coming off the half back line. Also, Stevo is one of, if not the best midfielder at the club. It would be a severe case of 'robbing peter to pay paul', something that, given the current on-field state of the club, we simply cannot afford to do.

 

[Stanton]

Stevens played on Baker a few weeks ago who was tagging him. When Baker went forward early Stevens was nowhere to be seen and Baker kicked a couple of demoralising goals. Stevens not playing well at the moment, if we werent so **** hed be getting a run for the bullants.

 

[bluevegas]

Give him a week off send him down to the Storm to learn to tackle. Or even send him to lances QLD getaway. I really think that he is playing out his time at Carlton to get to the pies. Before anyone has a go back I really thought that he was worth the effort to get him at Carlton. Cant wait to see the back of him (cant miss it he is as fat as Rioli). Please trade him for more draft picks.

 

[pumped]

Appreciate the sentiment in the replies. However my main reason for suggesting a move down back is not to bolster the backline. I believe Stevens at present is a liability in the midfield. He may have the talent to be a great on baller but is not performing. He is very unaccountable which is why I believe he should be sent back to sink or swim.

Hopefully it will be the making of him. He is not handling the taggers and is no use to us unless he can. Let him go back for 3 weeks or so and really play accountable footy. If not lets see what he can fetch at seasons end in the trade.

I don't believe he is carrying an injury. He has a history of not doing the hard things both here and at Port. His attitude needs improving not his fitness or ability.

 

[kouta 4 president]

Stevens played on Baker a few weeks ago who was tagging him. When Baker went forward early Stevens was nowhere to be seen and Baker kicked a couple of demoralising goals. Stevens not playing well at the moment, if we werent so **** hed be getting a run for the bullants.

Yeah I gotta agree. Stevens isnt playin very well this year. Play him in the Bullants instead of some of the younger players that need the AFL experience

 

[blangerang]

Yeah I gotta agree. Stevens isnt playin very well this year. Play him in the Bullants instead of some of the younger players that need the AFL experience

Play the Blues #1 clearing midfielder in the bullants? That is so stupid, Stevens is Carltons #1 midfielder regardless on form, if he gets put in the VFL he will want to leave to Collingwood immediately. Besides Stevens is Carltons main influence and leader on field

 

[pumped]

Play the Blues #1 clearing midfielder in the bullants? That is so stupid, Stevens is Carltons #1 midfielder regardless on form, if he gets put in the VFL he will want to leave to Collingwood immediately. Besides Stevens is Carltons main influence and leader on field

Entitled to your opinion but could you please explain how Nick is our no1 leader. Personally if we could get a top 20 pick from Collingwood I would be rapt if he went their way next year.

Feel we would be better off at the moment experimenting with other guys in the middle. I would look at trying Betts there at least for the centre square stuff. At least he puts pressure on the ball carriers and attacks the ball with passion. Even Carazzo could be worth a try. Has pace and passion and can find the ball.

Nick gets the ball ok but his disposal is becoming less consistent and his general passion in chasing or tackling or pressuring is sub standard. The guy is so gifted in skill but has a very slack attitude imo.

 

[bibi01]

What about putting Nick Stevens to half back for a few weeks. After watching the replay on foxtel he just seems very flat. Even when he turned the ball over he didn't have any desire to follow up and make good. His chasing and checking is also less than passionate.

Playing down back he would have to man up and chase. It would also take the tagging pressure off him. Would also be interesting to see him hit long targets running off half back for a while.

has some merit to it, a bit like adelaide playing macleod across half back

IMO teams will be able to exploit stevens much more across half back than they currenty do in the midfield.

if we had a better preforming midfield, then stevens down back could be a good option.

i would be more inclined to start stevens on a HFF and then let him run into the midfield and play as an extra onballer. this may lessen the quality of tagger on him and give him the freedom and space he requires.

 

[HBF]

Definitely not. Whilst Stevens is good in the midfield, he's just not accountable enough to play on the Half Back line.

We need to do one of two things with him this year. Either rest him if he's injured or let him play himself back into form. Playing him in defence will not do anything IMHO.

 

[pumped]

Definitely not. Whilst Stevens is good in the midfield, he's just not accountable enough to play on the Half Back line.

We need to do one of two things with him this year. Either rest him if he's injured or let him play himself back into form. Playing him in defence will not do anything IMHO.

This is the whole point. He is not accountable and we will never get full value from him until he disciplines himself in this area. Going to the back line will highlight this area of his game even further and should stimulate him to change. Even if he stays in the midfield he should be used as a tagger for a few weeks. Surely the coach's role is to get the best out of the talent he has. Nick needs to improve and become a rounded footballer. Anything less is supporting his the negative aspects of his game.

Nick is a victim footballer imo. He may require space but will not always get it. This is what seperates the many talented players from the true champions...the ability to be tagged and still play with a freedom of thought. Once you allow yourself to be a victim your mind becomes tagged aswell as your body.

 

[blangerang]

Speaking on Stevens, is it just me or does he look just a bit overweight? I'm not having a stab at his fitness because he can run out games fairly easily but does he have a weight problem or is it just me?

 

[The Grover]

The rest of this season is a chance to experiment, why not give him a run on HBF. There are plenty of players who play loose & still add value to a backline.

I still think once we improve he should play in midfield, but having the oppostion guessing on where players will line up can only benefit our team.

 

[mushda]

Stevo has become soo frustrating to watch lately, sometimes it seems like he's just plain lazy. It's good that people are suggesting alternatives but I'm not sure putting him in the backline would be a great idea. Isn't the backline the place where desperation and effort are most needed? I reckon maybe put him on the wing or hff and give him some space to use his footskills.