He’s not everyone’s cup of tea and, I suspect even by his own admission, his Premier League experience was his season horribilis.
Born to score goals he may be, but not so much when the Premier League is home. He wasn’t alone of course but I have often pondered what may have happened last season if one of those half-chances he spurned at Anfield on opening day had gone in.
I speak of course of the one and only Marco Stiepermann. Stiepi. The Stierpdude. Take your pick.
The news that he netted a brace for the Under-23s in their 3-1 win at Reading on Friday and is now firmly in the thoughts of Daniel Farke has to be a good thing.
At least for some of us.
For some, he’s awkward, slow, cumbersome and ungainly – adjectives of which are the very antithesis of those normally associated with Farkeball. Yet, for me. he epitomises it.
Many a heated discussion has been had in the River End as those around me berate him for being all of the above and more, even when he hit that goal-scoring purple patch that played a pivotal part in the 2018-19 run-in.
Few have polarised opinion like our, Stiepi.
But that he’s on his way back as City look to squeeze the accelerator and pull clear(er) from the chasing pack can only be a good thing.
If there is a position in this team that is still up for grabs it’s at number 10 and a fit-and-firing Stiepi would, for me, be the final piece of the jigsaw while the ‘EFL Championship’ badge still adorns the sleeve.
If (when?) it’s replaced by ‘Premier League badge, then maybe there’s a different discussion to be had, but at this level, even with Kieran Dowell in the house, there’s a strong argument for him being that person to share some of the creative burden with Emi Buendia.
Mario Vrancic has done a fine job at 10 with his clever movement and passing but, for me, is not a natural in that position as he prefers time to get his head up and pick a pass. At 10 that time is limited.
The Bosnian always looks happier when he rotates with Ollie Skipp or Kenny McLean and drops into the hole to start the ball rolling rather than being expected to receive on the half-turn and release Teemu Pukki.
Dowell, the heir apparent to the 10 role, arrived with a fanfare deserving of one who’s ripped it up before in the Championship but not helped by a run of injuries – the first of which required surgery – it’s been a tough old season for him.
There’s a quality player in there. That much we do know. But it’s yet to click.
Stiepi’s early season demeanour was also far removed from the swashbuckler we loved so much in 2018-19 but much of his hesitancy and lack of precision we saw should attributed to the Epstein-Barr virus of which he was later diagnosed, with the balance being one of the things affected.
In addition, he was the first player in the squad to test positive for coronavirus, so it’s not been a good year for the Stieperdude but finally, the signs are good.
Those two goals at Reading’s training ground yesterday will have done him the world of good and his presence alone back in the first-team squad is a further boost at a time when things are ticking along very nicely.
As an unashamed member of the very unofficial Stiepi fan club, I’d love to think there’s plenty of Norwich City life left in the old dog yet.
And still time for promotion to be sealed courtesy of a Stiepermann special.
Here’s hoping.
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Gary
Another example of ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ perhaps. Think back to the games he played in over the past 12 months when he ambled around, hiding behind opponents to make himself unavailable for a pass. Looked disinterested. Note been the same since the last promotion.
Partly true and, yes, many a reputation has been enhanced by the player being ill or injured. Probably no more than wishful thinking on my part but he’s a player I like, when he’s fit and in form. Just that really. Was a Saturday morning filler.
Agreed!💛💚💛💚
Thank you, John!
Hi Gary
Many years ago when Roeder first got Hoolihan from Blackpool he split opinions on being a waste of money to being a bargain buy.
Living in Blackpool the noise when he was sold was horrendous and the Oystens had to take cover fir the next 10 years as they ran the club into the sands if the Irish Sea.
Stiep cane in at a bad time and was played in any position that needed filling never moaned just got on with the job, then proved his worth in the promotion season.
No-one stood out in reality last season as injuries drained the heart out of a team trying to stay in the PL yes people will say Pukki 11 goals, Emi with all those assists were our star players but Farke wants flare within a team effort and the Dude and to many others just didn’t settle into a rhythm due to all the injuries and covid-19.
Restart just didn’t happen fir them players came back from long injuries and never got up to speed and confidence had left the club drained of the energy that Farke’s team needed.
Stiep started well but as the team lost confidence like others he went into his shell and didn’t want the ball maybe it was just nerves or scared of losing it to the opposition we will never know.
Will we see him back to his best only time will tell and will he turn up in the PL next season if given a chance???
I like Stiepi, he has perhaps not the look of a footballer, but think many thought that and found out to their costs, looks can deceive. The prem season actually caught many out, also we did not have a sound enough defense. We got to a point where it looked like everyone gave up and wanted it all to end.
Stiepi was caught out, so too Trybull, Leitner, DrMic, and the loanee Doda, even Rupp, not alone in any respects. He was rambling around as said, but not to forget he had a rather nasty ear infection from a virus, plus a positive covid test, for me has had his fair share to deal with.
Sure he, like others learned from that season at top table, like any footballer has some unfinished business.
I like Stiepi but we need to look to the future so should give Dowell a run when the time is right. I feel next year in the Prem (hopefully) it will be Dowell and one other to be the number 10.
I like Stiepermann, very under rated in my view. He is a very specific cog in the Norwich machine. He may not be as big a cog as Emi or Pukki but very important to the balance of the team. If it was me I’d play him and leave Dowell for next season. If we do manage to get promoted early then maybe give Dowell a run out then.
I too like Stiepi. I think he is underrated by many fans. In 2018/19 he was pivotal in many goals. His passing weight was often spot on for Pukki to run through a defence. He looks ungainly but his close control is good. He often looks in an impossible position but a turn and he is away from a couple of defenders.
If he is fully fit he must come into Farke’s thoughts for the number 10 role for the rest of the season. However, I doubt he is good enough for the Premier League. He was easily knocked off the ball by PL defenders.