Saint Charlie

Saints eye swoop for latics ace Stephens DALE Stephens has emerged as a transfer target for Southampton. The Athletic midfielder only signed a three-year contract at the start of this season, but he could leave on loan today to join the npower League One promotion-chasers on the South Coast, with a transfer fee to follow at the end of the season. If highly-rated Stephens (21) — the club’s vice-captain and top scorer this season with 10 goals — were to depart, it would leave a huge hole in the side which manager Paul Dickov would want to fill immediately at this crucial point of the season. The window for loan signings shuts today at 5pm. “If somebody left then we would need to bring someone in,” were the guarded words of Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy this morning. Southampton manager Nigel Adkins is known to be in the market for a midfielder prior to the deadline. Morgan Schneiderlin, a player of a similar ilk to Stephens, is expected to miss most of the rest of the season because of a knee injury. With Oscar Gobern about to sit out the last of a three-match ban picked up for a red card against Bournemouth, Saints are currently left with only two available central players in Richard Chaplow and Dean Hammond. A move for Reading’s Brian Howard stalled recently. Adkins knows exactly what Stephens is about, having witnessed him in action against teams he has managed three times this season; once with S****horpe United in the Carling Cup and twice in the league with Southampton. With play-off ambitions having been replaced by a battle to beat the drop, cash-strapped Athletic would be grateful for a transfer fee for Stephens. But Dickov would certainly be loathe to lose a player he described recently as forming the best central midfield partnership in the division, alongside Dean Furman. With only eight matches left in which to pick up points to stave off fears of the drop to League Two, the Athletic boss will be desperate to bring in top-quality cover should Stephens go. http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/54383/wanted-man

Chill out. Hammond has really stepped up the last few games and is leading us well. Stephens has been playing well in our league and will join the squad which can only help us.

Seems like you are the one slating Stephens before he maybe plays for us. It sounds like he is a good player, lets just wait and see.

Sounds like a good player, with Everton, Wigan and Leeds interested in the last few months he must have some potential and has performed well in the League we are in this season.

Solent twitter says sources in machester tell them that Dale Stephens is agreeing a move to Saints this afternoon.

Sounds like we will get Dale Stephens.

Pretty sure you can get a Prem loan, just that they can't loan people between themselves.

No - if I meant Dale Jennings I would have said Dale Jennings.

Stephens was linked with Everton and Leeds in January. 9 goals from midfield is pretty decent!

Anyone know if Stephens is a central or wide player?

Sadly, as it is outside the transfer window and he is from a foreign club we will have to wait for the summer. Shame, I've checked out some You Tube videos and he looks class.

Bournemouth left back Wiggins has handed in a transfer request after bids from Watford were rejected. Suprised anyone above L1 wants him, didn't have a great time in all three games against us this season.

He was on loan at MK Dons earlier in the season.

Chaplow has no composure, he just flicks the ball on rather than taking it down and looking to play a proper pass. We miss Morgan!

Cheers! Sometimes I have to click to view his posts, especially if he starts a thread.

Hahhahaha this thread is exactly the reason why I have Alpine on ignore.

He looked ok when he came on, made some good runs but didn't really get picked out.

He hasn't set L1 alight.....

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_6793708,00.html Says Everton, Bolton & Wigan...

He was linked with some Prem teams in January.

Just on train back. Can only say fair result. Hopefully Lallana and Chambo ok. Lallana's looked pretty tame but Chambo limped off. Great support from over 3000 Saints fans. Chaplow again went missing but most others were decent enough, although N'Guessan's first touch was dire!

Agree, especially when you consider that: Pboro lost last night Hudds dropped points in a home banker We have won 4 in a row We have won our last two away against good sides Charlton haven't won in 8

He was rubbish for them, and actually harmed their team, hence only scrpaing over the line.

We can cover within the squad but you wonder what has changed since Sat night when he said we needed someone?