Ben Mee

This Forum is the main messageboard to discuss all things Claret and Blue and beyond
beddie
Posts: 5135
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:10 pm
Been Liked: 1383 times
Has Liked: 511 times

Ben Mee

Post by beddie » Sat Oct 05, 2019 6:54 pm

Outstanding for me today. Both in the air and especially his tackling on the deck. Tarky was also excellent but Ben shaded it for me.

andyh
Posts: 1385
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:27 am
Been Liked: 483 times
Has Liked: 102 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by andyh » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:00 pm

With the possible exception of Liverpool I don’t think there is a pairing as good in the Premier League. We are very luck to have them.
These 4 users liked this post: k90bfc Goobs Stalbansclaret Colburn_Claret

Longside4evr
Posts: 2502
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 10:34 am
Been Liked: 519 times
Has Liked: 266 times
Location: Malaga Spain

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Longside4evr » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:00 pm

All the defence was outstanding today never give Everton a sniff
Taylor did fantastic when he slotted in and was up to speed right away
These 3 users liked this post: FactualFrank k90bfc Rumpelstiltskin

Jakubclaret
Posts: 9434
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2016 10:47 pm
Been Liked: 1180 times
Has Liked: 778 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Jakubclaret » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:06 pm

Immense in ensuring opposition chances were minimal & the clean sheet as a result.

FactualFrank
Posts: 25445
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:46 am
Been Liked: 6930 times
Has Liked: 11660 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Ben Mee

Post by FactualFrank » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:09 pm

andyh wrote:With the possible exception of Liverpool I don’t think there is a pairing as good in the Premier League. We are very luck to have them.
Not lucky. We strategically brought them in and it's working well.

Tricky Trevor
Posts: 8322
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 10:06 pm
Been Liked: 2439 times
Has Liked: 1978 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Tricky Trevor » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:11 pm

Neither of them are of the very highest quality, that’s why they can’t even make an England squad, but our system and the part they play in it is exceptional.
Two very fine PL defenders and we are lucky to have them.

AlargeClaret
Posts: 4428
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2017 8:55 pm
Been Liked: 1148 times
Has Liked: 180 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by AlargeClaret » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:11 pm

He was indeed imperious was Ben Mee. One of the strongest aerial performances I’ve witnessed in a Burnley shirt

cricketfieldclarets
Posts: 21464
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
Been Liked: 8585 times
Has Liked: 11285 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:18 pm

Dominated Calvert lewin who as ever flattered to deceive

Blackrod
Posts: 5114
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2016 12:41 pm
Been Liked: 1348 times
Has Liked: 608 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Blackrod » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:20 pm

Very good again. Solid and reliable.

FactualFrank
Posts: 25445
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:46 am
Been Liked: 6930 times
Has Liked: 11660 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Ben Mee

Post by FactualFrank » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:25 pm

Tricky Trevor wrote:Neither of them are of the very highest quality, that’s why they can’t even make an England squad
I don't think it's down to that. Mee isn't a ball playing defender - never well be. He's someone who is best when the other team are against him time and time again. So I can totally understand why he's not in the England side.

ClaretAL
Posts: 2565
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 7:39 pm
Been Liked: 1044 times
Has Liked: 815 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by ClaretAL » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:31 pm

Even when I take my Claret tinted glasses off, surely Pope, Mee and Tarky as you spine has got to be given a chance, at least in friendlies?

beddie
Posts: 5135
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:10 pm
Been Liked: 1383 times
Has Liked: 511 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by beddie » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:33 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Dominated Calvert lewin who as ever flattered to deceive
What was the thing with his shorts, well one of the legs anyway?

cricketfieldclarets
Posts: 21464
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
Been Liked: 8585 times
Has Liked: 11285 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:37 pm

beddie wrote:What was the thing with his shorts, well one of the legs anyway?
It’s called attention seeking
This user liked this post: Silkyskills1

alboclaret
Posts: 740
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2017 8:39 pm
Been Liked: 142 times
Has Liked: 100 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by alboclaret » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:40 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Dominated Calvert lewin

He now goes by this name
These 2 users liked this post: IanMcL Bosscat

Bin Ont Turf
Posts: 10948
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:38 am
Been Liked: 5154 times
Has Liked: 795 times
Location: On top of a pink elephant riding to the Democratic Republic of Congo

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Bin Ont Turf » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:46 pm

That tackle he made when one of our lot put us in trouble where he had to really stretch every sinew to get the ball, was fantastic.

Ben Mee all over was that.
These 4 users liked this post: cricketfieldclarets IanMcL box_of_frogs Bosscat

GDK
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 10:50 pm
Been Liked: 18 times
Has Liked: 44 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by GDK » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:54 pm

I think Everton will be well aware by now that they bought the wrong one. We're lucky nobody else seems to realise how good he is.

Cirrus_Minor
Posts: 4395
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:20 pm
Been Liked: 1156 times
Has Liked: 1282 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Cirrus_Minor » Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:57 pm

Great at defending, just wish his passing was as good.
This user liked this post: randomclaret2

Jakubs Tash
Posts: 2587
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:18 pm
Been Liked: 672 times
Has Liked: 244 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Jakubs Tash » Sat Oct 05, 2019 8:03 pm

A born leader. Superb today.

cricketfieldclarets
Posts: 21464
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
Been Liked: 8585 times
Has Liked: 11285 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Sat Oct 05, 2019 10:31 pm

alboclaret wrote:He now goes by this name
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

IanMcL
Posts: 30123
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 5:27 pm
Been Liked: 6340 times
Has Liked: 8651 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by IanMcL » Sat Oct 05, 2019 10:37 pm

Superb defending today....again.

AfloatinClaret
Posts: 1827
Joined: Sat May 26, 2018 7:16 pm
Been Liked: 559 times
Has Liked: 1393 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by AfloatinClaret » Sat Oct 05, 2019 10:48 pm

FactualFrank wrote:Not lucky. We strategically brought them in and it's working well.
And much like the Man in Black, the harder that BFC's Management and Players work, the luckier they're going to get.

Colburn_Claret
Posts: 8069
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 4:30 pm
Been Liked: 3060 times
Has Liked: 5023 times
Location: Catterick N.Yorks

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Colburn_Claret » Sat Oct 05, 2019 11:07 pm

FactualFrank wrote:I don't think it's down to that. Mee isn't a ball playing defender - never well be. He's someone who is best when the other team are against him time and time again. So I can totally understand why he's not in the England side.
A ball playing defender like Norwich have. ;)
The last few weeks has seen more and more pundits slagging off the poor defending in today's Premier League. I've always been of the school that a defender is there to keep the ball out of the net, anything else is a bonus. I'm sure SD could sort the problems of most defences in the league, just by getting them to do the basics right.
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets

Bigvince
Posts: 2638
Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:39 pm
Been Liked: 930 times
Has Liked: 699 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Bigvince » Sat Oct 05, 2019 11:23 pm

You never run out of superlatives for Ben Mee, he is our rock, he does what he does and he does it well!
He gives 100% for the team, he is the embodiment of what this Burnley team is about, he is our leader
He is our captain, and one of the reasons why this Burnley team makes me proud to be a claret!!!!!!!
UTC

Wirvine
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:32 am
Been Liked: 28 times
Has Liked: 59 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Wirvine » Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:37 am

Got nothing on Gordon Mouncey and Peter Marshall.

Right_winger
Posts: 2105
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 9:28 pm
Been Liked: 492 times
Has Liked: 411 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Right_winger » Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:42 am

Not a big fan of Mee. A basic defender who needs to be playing very well just to keep up.

Untinted Glasses
Posts: 557
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2018 3:50 pm
Been Liked: 132 times
Has Liked: 152 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Untinted Glasses » Sun Oct 06, 2019 7:28 am

....
Last edited by Untinted Glasses on Sun Oct 06, 2019 1:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

beddie
Posts: 5135
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:10 pm
Been Liked: 1383 times
Has Liked: 511 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by beddie » Sun Oct 06, 2019 9:03 am

Wirvine wrote:Got nothing on Gordon Mouncey and Peter Marshall.
Clouseau here. Is that you Mr Armitage. Can't work out who Untinted Glasses is. I've noted Mouncey and Marshall are in opposite dug outs today.

Wirvine
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:32 am
Been Liked: 28 times
Has Liked: 59 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Wirvine » Sun Oct 06, 2019 12:34 pm

They call me Dan. ....Fancy Dan

beddie
Posts: 5135
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:10 pm
Been Liked: 1383 times
Has Liked: 511 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by beddie » Sun Oct 06, 2019 12:40 pm

Wirvine. Got ya. Hope your okay fella and keeping well. J

Wirvine
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:32 am
Been Liked: 28 times
Has Liked: 59 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Wirvine » Sun Oct 06, 2019 12:54 pm

All good thsnks. Hope you and yours are all well.

I hope to see you in April

Silkyskills1
Posts: 5841
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:39 pm
Been Liked: 1678 times
Has Liked: 2513 times
Location: Rawtenstall

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Silkyskills1 » Sun Oct 06, 2019 4:13 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Dominated Calvert lewin who as ever flattered to deceive
and fouled from the first minute of the game
This user liked this post: Colburn_Claret

bobinho
Posts: 9248
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 7:48 pm
Been Liked: 4070 times
Has Liked: 6537 times
Location: Burnley

Re: Ben Mee

Post by bobinho » Sun Oct 06, 2019 4:24 pm

Me mate said yesterday, he’s the Steve Bruce of this era. Does everything very well, defends like his life depends on it, but continually overlooked for England.
Three stood out for me yesterday, Ben, Tarka and Jeff were all excellent.

Lord Beamish
Posts: 5001
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 4:00 pm
Been Liked: 3435 times
Has Liked: 2881 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Lord Beamish » Sun Oct 06, 2019 4:30 pm

Ben is truly immense for us, but taking off the Claret and Blue Specs, if he played for, let’s say Southampton, I’d not think he was good enough for an England Cap.

Colburn_Claret
Posts: 8069
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 4:30 pm
Been Liked: 3060 times
Has Liked: 5023 times
Location: Catterick N.Yorks

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Colburn_Claret » Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:31 pm

Lord Beamish wrote:Ben is truly immense for us, but taking off the Claret and Blue Specs, if he played for, let’s say Southampton, I’d not think he was good enough for an England Cap.
That might be true, but it's only because he isnt a show pony. Does any team really want a show pony at the centre of their defence. One step away from disaster, and God knows Ben has had a few, but usually up on the half way line. Back in the area hes almost immaculate.

superdimitri
Posts: 4936
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:04 pm
Been Liked: 1005 times
Has Liked: 725 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by superdimitri » Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:42 pm

As good as you'll get from a last ditch defender but we need to improve to do better and we somehow need to find someone who is as good as Ben in defence but can also play out from the back without making so many mistakes.

It's usually every game he makes a mistake and it has cost us in the past.

Will we ever attract that player though? Probably not. Especially not a left footed one. You'd have to hope Ben Gibson can match his defending.

It's generally the biggest problem we have right now, trying to improve on what we have is tough because we struggle to attract better whilst there's not really any standout players who need upgrading over the next.

Dark Cloud
Posts: 6586
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:03 am
Been Liked: 1981 times
Has Liked: 3299 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Dark Cloud » Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:44 pm

It's possible he might not have the pace to play at international level, but why he NEVER even gets suggested or touted is an absolute joke imo. Surely he's worth trying, even if it was in a friendly or two, just to see if he can make the step up. When you see some of the others who do get a do in all sorts of positions, it does seem unfair on the lad!

Colburn_Claret
Posts: 8069
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 4:30 pm
Been Liked: 3060 times
Has Liked: 5023 times
Location: Catterick N.Yorks

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Colburn_Claret » Sun Oct 06, 2019 6:07 pm

superdimitri wrote:As good as you'll get from a last ditch defender but we need to improve to do better and we somehow need to find someone who is as good as Ben in defence but can also play out from the back without making so many mistakes.

It's usually every game he makes a mistake and it has cost us in the past.

Will we ever attract that player though? Probably not. Especially not a left footed one. You'd have to hope Ben Gibson can match his defending.

It's generally the biggest problem we have right now, trying to improve on what we have is tough because we struggle to attract better whilst there's not really any standout players who need upgrading over the next.
You've just asked us to replace Mr. Reliable with a show pony, do you not read this thread. Is it nice to have a footballing centre half, yes, do we need one, no.
Too many of these ball playing centre halves cant do the basics. If you cant see it, the test of us, and the pundits can.
Just look at the goal Newcastle just scored, Utds back line was m.i.a.
This user liked this post: Dark Cloud

Silkyskills1
Posts: 5841
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:39 pm
Been Liked: 1678 times
Has Liked: 2513 times
Location: Rawtenstall

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Silkyskills1 » Sun Oct 06, 2019 6:34 pm

'It's usually every game he makes a nistake'

Really?

superdimitri
Posts: 4936
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:04 pm
Been Liked: 1005 times
Has Liked: 725 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by superdimitri » Sun Oct 06, 2019 7:01 pm

Ah this place never fails to disappoint!

All I said is we need to improve on Ben Mee with someone as good in defence and with his feet. If you can't understand that I don't know what you'll understand! No mention of someone who isn't as good in defence at all :(

And yes, he makes a mistake most games that puts us in trouble. It usually involves a pass or miss timed tackle high up the pitch.

Rileybobs
Posts: 16687
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:37 pm
Been Liked: 6899 times
Has Liked: 1471 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Rileybobs » Sun Oct 06, 2019 7:42 pm

superdimitri wrote:Ah this place never fails to disappoint!

All I said is we need to improve on Ben Mee with someone as good in defence and with his feet. If you can't understand that I don't know what you'll understand! No mention of someone who isn't as good in defence at all :(

And yes, he makes a mistake most games that puts us in trouble. It usually involves a pass or miss timed tackle high up the pitch.
To be fair we really don’t need to improve on Ben Mee. He’s one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
These 2 users liked this post: Mayoclaret Dark Cloud

Dark Cloud
Posts: 6586
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:03 am
Been Liked: 1981 times
Has Liked: 3299 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Dark Cloud » Sun Oct 06, 2019 7:49 pm

Rileybobs wrote:To be fair we really don’t need to improve on Ben Mee. He’s one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
But still Gareth Southgate's never heard of him. Weird that! :roll:

superdimitri
Posts: 4936
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:04 pm
Been Liked: 1005 times
Has Liked: 725 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by superdimitri » Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:06 pm

Where's the lol button when you need one?

Rileybobs
Posts: 16687
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:37 pm
Been Liked: 6899 times
Has Liked: 1471 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Rileybobs » Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:13 pm

superdimitri wrote:Where's the lol button when you need one?
Not sure, I was looking for it when you claimed we needed to improve on our captain.

Right_winger
Posts: 2105
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 9:28 pm
Been Liked: 492 times
Has Liked: 411 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Right_winger » Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:19 pm

Rileybobs wrote:To be fair we really don’t need to improve on Ben Mee. He’s one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
But he’s not though is he.

Rileybobs
Posts: 16687
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:37 pm
Been Liked: 6899 times
Has Liked: 1471 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Rileybobs » Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:25 pm

Right_winger wrote:But he’s not though is he.
He’s captaining the 7th placed team in the country and is a vital component in the 7th meanest defence in the league (a defence that has conceded the same number of goals as Manchester City).

He’s hugely experienced at this level and very rarely lets us down. I wouldn’t swap him for many defenders outside the established top six and I wouldn’t swap him for a number of the defenders within the the top six.

So in my opinion, yes, he is one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
This user liked this post: Dark Cloud

Bop
Posts: 833
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 3:48 pm
Been Liked: 243 times
Has Liked: 343 times
Location: Sandbach

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Bop » Sun Oct 06, 2019 9:38 pm

After watching the way Maguire and his defence attempted blocks against Newcastle I dug out the Ben Mee block vs Reading to show how it should be done. Unbelievable block.

superdimitri
Posts: 4936
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:04 pm
Been Liked: 1005 times
Has Liked: 725 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by superdimitri » Sun Oct 06, 2019 11:37 pm

It doesn't matter how good he is in defence, to improve you need players are good enough with their feet AND are as good as Ben in defence.

Its the same now with strikers, you can't carry a goalscoring poacher like you used to be able to, you need players who have much more to their overall game.

Like it or not its the way football is nowadays and that is why 1. Mee doesn't have an England call up and 2.Top teams look always for players who can play it out from the back.

As I said, all of our players need to be upgraded for us to be better, we are at the point where we have no strong weakness in the team, but we struggle to recruit better. Ben Mee is no exception there, he could be improved upon just the same as replacing any other player could be, but its unlikely we'll be able to attract a player who is an improvement as they will likely sign for a bigger side.

Maguire is a much better all-round player than Mee is, he brings so much more to a team but I agree, he is not as good in defence.

Its the same with Tarkowski or Keane before then, not as good in defence but still regarded as overall a lot better players, shown in their England call ups and raised transfer worth.

What does Mee have to offer? He is a great defender, great positioning, bravery and heading skills. But he has no pace and he has no vision, he's not good at passing and he has lapses in concentration where he will make mistakes. The last defender who was most like him the premier league was probably John Terry, but there are few John Terry's in teams now.

There are some people on here who I think are older fans and are locked into basic beliefs of football, they haven't updated to todays football world and realise that there is far more to the game now than there used to be. It doesn't matter if you prefer strikers who can score and not much else and it doesn't matter if you prefer defenders who can defend and not much else, the fact is they are never going to be as valuable in todays market compared to players who can bring more to the game overall.

Its just the way it is.

Bop
Posts: 833
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 3:48 pm
Been Liked: 243 times
Has Liked: 343 times
Location: Sandbach

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Bop » Sun Oct 06, 2019 11:44 pm

superdimitri wrote:It doesn't matter how good he is in defence, to improve you need players are good enough with their feet AND are as good as Ben in defence.

Its the same now with strikers, you can't carry a goalscoring poacher like you used to be able to, you need players who have much more to their overall game.

Like it or not its the way football is nowadays and that is why 1. Mee doesn't have an England call up and 2.Top teams look always for players who can play it out from the back.

As I said, all of our players need to be upgraded for us to be better, we are at the point where we have no strong weakness in the team, but we struggle to recruit better. Ben Mee is no exception there, he could be improved upon just the same as replacing any other player could be, but its unlikely we'll be able to attract a player who is an improvement as they will likely sign for a bigger side.

Maguire is a much better all-round player than Mee is, he brings so much more to a team but I agree, he is not as good in defence.

Its the same with Tarkowski or Keane before then, not as good in defence but still regarded as overall a lot better players, shown in their England call ups and raised transfer worth.

What does Mee have to offer? He is a great defender, great positioning, bravery and heading skills. But he has no pace and he has no vision, he's not good at passing and he has lapses in concentration where he will make mistakes. The last defender who was most like him the premier league was probably John Terry, but there are few John Terry's in teams now.

There are some people on here who I think are older fans and are locked into basic beliefs of football, they haven't updated to todays football world and realise that there is far more to the game now than there used to be. It doesn't matter if you prefer strikers who can score and not much else and it doesn't matter if you prefer defenders who can defend and not much else, the fact is they are never going to be as valuable in todays market compared to players who can bring more to the game overall.

Its just the way it is.
Sadly, I think that’s a very perceptive post. Fair play to you.
This user liked this post: superdimitri

Rileybobs
Posts: 16687
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:37 pm
Been Liked: 6899 times
Has Liked: 1471 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Ben Mee

Post by Rileybobs » Sun Oct 06, 2019 11:45 pm

superdimitri wrote:It doesn't matter how good he is in defence, to improve you need players are good enough with their feet AND are as good as Ben in defence.

Its the same now with strikers, you can't carry a goalscoring poacher like you used to be able to, you need players who have much more to their overall game.

Like it or not its the way football is nowadays and that is why 1. Mee doesn't have an England call up and 2.Top teams look always for players who can play it out from the back.

As I said, all of our players need to be upgraded for us to be better, we are at the point where we have no strong weakness in the team, but we struggle to recruit better. Ben Mee is no exception there, he could be improved upon just the same as replacing any other player could be, but its unlikely we'll be able to attract a player who is an improvement as they will likely sign for a bigger side.

Maguire is a much better all-round player than Mee is, he brings so much more to a team but I agree, he is not as good in defence.

Its the same with Tarkowski or Keane before then, not as good in defence but still regarded as overall a lot better players, shown in their England call ups and raised transfer worth.

What does Mee have to offer? He is a great defender, great positioning, bravery and heading skills. But he has no pace and he has no vision, he's not good at passing and he has lapses in concentration where he will make mistakes. The last defender who was most like him the premier league was probably John Terry, but there are few John Terry's in teams now.

There are some people on here who I think are older fans and are locked into basic beliefs of football, they haven't updated to todays football world and realise that there is far more to the game now than there used to be. It doesn't matter if you prefer strikers who can score and not much else and it doesn't matter if you prefer defenders who can defend and not much else, the fact is they are never going to be as valuable in todays market compared to players who can bring more to the game overall.

Its just the way it is.
But why do we need to improve on Mee? Nobody is claiming that he’s the complete player but I’d say he’s one of the last players I’d be prioritising signing an improvement on.

superdimitri
Posts: 4936
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:04 pm
Been Liked: 1005 times
Has Liked: 725 times

Re: Ben Mee

Post by superdimitri » Mon Oct 07, 2019 1:29 am

Rileybobs wrote:But why do we need to improve on Mee? Nobody is claiming that he’s the complete player but I’d say he’s one of the last players I’d be prioritising signing an improvement on.
Partly because we are at the point now where we will have lots of games where we have to take the game too other teams and we are no longer always going to be the kind of team that sits back and soaks up pressure as the underdog. Our weakness in recent years has been putting teams we should beat to bed. We don't have any trouble upsetting other teams when we are expected to lose. To beat those teams on a regular basis we need to be able to play better football and create more chances from open play.

Mee will always be good in the underdog scenarios as he's a balls to the wall kind of player. Its when we have to take games to other teams where things like distribution from the back and keeping the ball become a lot more important. He isn't even great at scoring either, which means his value going forward with set plays is also quite low.

Everyone will have their own opinion but I don't think Mee should be the last person to be replaced at all, he is just the same as the rest of our players. We have a team overall where no one really shines over the next and Mee is no different. In my view the main problem with him is the frequency of mistakes he makes, but aside from poor distribution his pace really means we have to sit back further and invite teams forward in games where we should be on top.

So, to improve we really do need a player who is like he is in defence, but without his negatives and without the mistakes. If we could find a left footed, faster Tarkowski it would be a lot better...but we probably can't because they would be signed by a bigger team instead.

Post Reply