Any news on Ben Mee ?

[IanMcL]

Maybe he still has issues with his leg.

[mybloodisclaret]

If we are seriously looking for another defender we could do a lot worse than offering Ben a contract for a couple of years.

I don't know what's gone on, offered a contract or not, refused to sign as: wanted a change/wanted more money/thought he could do better...... in any event, why pay money on a transfer when we could use it on his wages. Would be class at Championship level

[dandeclaret]

Disappointing to see some put Ben Mee on the “everything before” was rubbish. Honestly, some of you are going to be in for a shock in the coming few seasons.

[Big Vinny K]

Offering Ben Mee a 2 year deal on £50k a week would be the best £5m we could possibly spend on the team. Allow Ben to do his coaching badges and be involved in some way with the coaching team - even better.
The lack of any kind of link to what has been without a shadow of a doubt the most successful period for the club in more than half a century is a big concern.
Ready made captain too.
And by some distance he would be our best proven defender.

Anybody having a go at Mee or questioning his quality is not even worth debating with….

[Nori1958]

Offering Ben Mee a 2 year deal on £50k a week would be the best £5m we could possibly spend on the team. Allow Ben to do his coaching badges and be involved in some way with the coaching team - even better.
The lack of any kind of link to what has been without a shadow of a doubt the most successful period for the club in more than half a century is a big concern.
Ready made captain too.
And by some distance he would be our best proven defender.

Anybody having a go at Mee or questioning his quality is not even worth debating with….

A quick bit of research into how Kompany's teams play, a quick watch of our games so far, and a quick look at the type of defender brought into the club in the past month, should show you that, no matter how good Mee has been for burnley in the past, there is no way he would fit into a team, set up how Kompany wants to play.

[RVclaret]

A quick bit of research into how Kompany's teams play, a quick watch of our games so far, and a quick look at the type of defender brought into the club in the past month, should show you that, no matter how good Mee has been for burnley in the past, there is no way he would fit into a team, set up how Kompany wants to play.

Completely agree.

And offering 2 year deal on 50k a week to an almost 33 year old is quite frankly absurd and the last thing we need to be doing.

[Newcastleclaret93]

A quick bit of research into how Kompany's teams play, a quick watch of our games so far, and a quick look at the type of defender brought into the club in the past month, should show you that, no matter how good Mee has been for burnley in the past, there is no way he would fit into a team, set up how Kompany wants to play.

I would still have him. Genuine premier league quality Cb are worth there weight in gold.

Young cbs playing out from the back will lead to plenty of mistakes and goals conceded.

[Big Vinny K]

Aye - “the last thing we want to be doing” is signing one of the best defenders, best captains and best people the club has ever had on its books.
Ben Mee has often been quoted by our resident experts on here as a player who would never play for such and such manager or in a certain type of system.
You do not play as many games as Ben Mee has done in the Premier League without being a very good player who can do a lot more than some fans perception that he just throws his body in the way of everything.

To think that a 21 year old who has never played in the championship (let alone premier league) and the other young lads we have signed are better footballers than Ben Mee right now is delusional at best - irrespective of the system VK is going to play.

We are still playing football with that round leathery thing aren’t we ?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Aye - “the last thing we want to be doing” is signing one of the best defenders, best captains and best people the club has ever had on its books.
Ben Mee has often been quoted by our resident experts on here as a player who would never play for such and such manager or in a certain type of system.
You do not play as many games as Ben Mee has done in the Premier League without being a very good player who can do a lot more than some fans perception that he just throws his body in the way of everything.

To think that a 21 year old who has never played in the championship (let alone premier league) and the other young lads we have signed are better footballers than Ben Mee right now is delusional at best - irrespective of the system VK is going to play.

We are still playing football with that round leathery thing aren’t we ?

I agree, at the moment it looks like we are starting with a 19 year old lad that’s never played even championship football.

No one can tell me he’s a better option than Ben Mee

[clarethomer]

Completely agree.

And offering 2 year deal on 50k a week to an almost 33 year old is quite frankly absurd and the last thing we need to be doing.

Exactly right.

Fantastic servant/captain/person for the club.

However he seems to be getting put on a pedestal that we can’t be successful without him this season.

[Big Vinny K]

You have got to have some arrogance in your own football knowledge to describe as “absurd” resigning Ben Mee when we are sat here today with a central defence with the least proven quality and most inexperience that we had since Graham Branch and Arthur Gnohere played in fhe middle of defence when we lost 6-5 away at the mighty Grimsby !!!

[fatboy47]

Ben's gone.
Deal with it.

[RVclaret]

We’ve moved away from offering big money to injury prone 30+ year olds for the good of the club. We’re also moving away from the more pragmatic, defensive style of play that ultimately left many fans staying away from the Turf. That system suited him perfectly - why do you think another PL team hasn’t signed him up yet?

NewcastleClaret - you might be right, in fact you probably are, that younger cb’s and playing out will lead to conceding a few more goals from mistakes, but that’s where Kompany’s coaching and development comes in, there’s even suggestions he wants a bit of experience there with the links to Hendry. A more possession based system will play a high line and it will be a different type of defending to our accustomed low block, it’s not to say Mee wouldn’t be fine, but I think he’d struggle with certain aspects.

Big Vinny K, you think I’m delusional for having this opinion, I think you’re even more delusional wanting to offer 50k per week to a soon to be 33 year old. The idea is to move away from what’s led to our downfall in recent years. Ben has gone now, I loved him while he was here, he was unbelievable for us over the years, but it’s time to move on.

[Big Vinny K]

The £50k was simply a figure based on him being out of contract and that £5m total cost in wages for 2 years was probably not too dissimilar to what we will pay in wages and transfer fee from a lad who has never played in the championship.

Your description of “injury prone” for Ben Mee though does just about some up your football knowledge. I’ll leave it there I think….you crack on.

[Spijed]

Whether it was right or wrong to try and keep Ben Mee we do need experience in defence. This "experiment" with youngsters in the middle might well work but generally it usually ends badly.

[Murger]

The £50k was simply a figure based on him being out of contract and that £5m total cost in wages for 2 years was probably not too dissimilar to what we will pay in wages and transfer fee from a lad who has never played in the championship.

Your description of “injury prone” for Ben Mee though does just about some up your football knowledge. I’ll leave it there I think….you crack on.

You have a tendency to act like a bit of a knob when somebody disagrees with you.

[Nori1958]

I would still have him. Genuine premier league quality Cb are worth there weight in gold.

Young cbs playing out from the back will lead to plenty of mistakes and goals conceded.

It may well do, but that's the way the manager wants to play

[dandeclaret]

Age may well catch up with a en, but can we park the myth he was only effective in a low block system. In the championship, under Dyche, the team were close to being too scorers, and won the league, playing attacking football. Ben Mee was more than capable of playing in a more open system. Some seem to undervalue the skill required to play at the top level, and overvalue performance on lower divisions.

[Newcastleclaret93]

It may well do, but that's the way the manager wants to play

I understand that. I just find it incredibly risky. Kompany has got to produce results and I’m just not sure playing a CB pairing under the age of 21 is a wise idea.

But like you said it’s the way he wants to do it.

[claretonthecoast1882]

I understand that. I just find it incredibly risky. Kompany has got to produce results and I’m just not sure playing a CB pairing under the age of 21 is a wise idea.

But like you said it’s the way he wants to do it.

All managers have to produce results it is their job, it is well documented he wants to bring in some experience to the side.

We have had to listen to peoples fixation with anything over 30 and having concerns about having an old squad, now we have concerns about a young squad

[Shaggy]

Ben Mee is a player who can play in a low block system he doesn’t have the attributes to play like a modem centre back. He’s too slow ( that’s why he got roasted at left back and had to be moved to centre back in the first place ) and he isn’t good enough on the ball to play out from
The back. Plus he’s knocking on in age footballing wise aswell.

Yes Ben Mee is brave and puts in a challenge and has good positional awareness that’s fine but if we play more expansive then he isn’t suitable.

If he was as good as people made out then why hasn’t any other clubs been interested in him? Keane, Tarks etc all had their suitors because they are far superior players to Mee unfortunately that’s how it is no matter how much you him.

[Dinks]

I understand that. I just find it incredibly risky. Kompany has got to produce results and I’m just not sure playing a CB pairing under the age of 21 is a wise idea.

But like you said it’s the way he wants to do it.

Leave managing to the guys that know what they are doing, in Kompany we trust,I find some of your comments on here quite laughable do you get your ideas from some computer game?

[RVclaret]

Mike McGrath suggesting Brentford are a likely destination

[dandeclaret]

Brentford emerging as a potential destination.

Which is interesting

BeCaUsE hEs OnLy EfFeCtIVe In A lOw BlOcK sYsTeM aNd CoUlDnT pOsSiBlY pLaY iN wHaTeVeR rEvOlUtIoNaRy StYlE bUrNlEy WiLl PlAy

[joey13]

I could of done better in that Brentford defense against Leeds

[Devils_Advocate]

BeCaUsE hEs OnLy EfFeCtIVe In A lOw BlOcK sYsTeM aNd CoUlDnT pOsSiBlY pLaY iN wHaTeVeR rEvOlUtIoNaRy StYlE bUrNlEy WiLl PlAy

Childish

[tiger76]

Brentford is a strange one, and if Ben does go there I can only see him as an experienced back-up option for them.

Great servant for us no doubt, but time moves on he's now nearly 33, and VK is taking the club in a new direction recruitment wise.

[Newcastleclaret93]

All managers have to produce results it is their job, it is well documented he wants to bring in some experience to the side.

We have had to listen to peoples fixation with anything over 30 and having concerns about having an old squad, now we have concerns about a young squad

I think it’s about getting a good balance. Chances are we are going into the season with a CB pairing and Goalkeeper age average of about 20. In my opinion that is asking for trouble.

Do you not think Mee would be a good addition in that defence?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Leave managing to the guys that know what they are doing, in Kompany we trust,I find some of your comments on here quite laughable do you get your ideas from some computer game?

I don’t think I’m exactly saying anything radical by suggesting a proven a premier league CB would be beneficial in our defence

[claretonthecoast1882]

I think it’s about getting a good balance. Chances are we are going into the season with a CB pairing and Goalkeeper age average of about 20. In my opinion that is asking for trouble.

Do you not think Mee would be a good addition in that defence?

If we don't sign any other centre half then he would yes, but then we would be accused of kicking the can down the road which has become a trendy phrase to use. I full expect another centre half to arrive, I also expect experienced players like the full backs and Cullen to assist with the younger players.

I would have more concerns if we were still in the top flight and going up against some of the best strikers in the world rather than a weak Championship where only 5 strikers scored over 20 goals, 2 of those are no longer in the division and another was Weimann.

[Rileybobs]

Brentford is a strange one, and if Ben does go there I can only see him as an experienced back-up option for them.

Great servant for us no doubt, but time moves on he's now nearly 33, and VK is taking the club in a new direction recruitment wise.

Pontus Jansson played all but one game for Brentford last season. Is he any better than Mee?

The idea that Mee wouldn’t be able to do a job for us, however Kompany sets up, is totally ridiculous.

[Newcastleclaret93]

If we don't sign any other centre half then he would yes, but then we would be accused of kicking the can down the road which has become a trendy phrase to use. I full expect another centre half to arrive, I also expect experienced players like the full backs and Cullen to assist with the younger players.

I would have more concerns if we were still in the top flight and going up against some of the best strikers in the world rather than a weak Championship where only 5 strikers scored over 20 goals, 2 of those are no longer in the division and another was Weimann.

I agree things might change but that is just my opinion based on the current scenario.

I would have more confidence if someone like Mee was in the back line whilst the other lads developed.

[aggi]

Well, I guess Brentford were one of the main long ball teams last season ...

[Lancasterclaret]

Mee would have been absolute ideal to keep but I understand why he's gone unfortunately

It is what it is sadly

[Quickenthetempo]

It's almost as some posters rate Ben and some don't.

Ben would be very good in the championship as he shouldn't get caught out for pace as much, but is he worth the high wage?
For me he would need replacing if we got promoted, so not the worst idea to see if these young lads can grow into better players than we have had previously.

I don't think Ben Mee or Tripps got anywhere near the City first team did they? These lads in theory should be much better.

[KRBFC]

Brentford emerging as a potential destination.

Which is interesting

BeCaUsE hEs OnLy EfFeCtIVe In A lOw BlOcK sYsTeM aNd CoUlDnT pOsSiBlY pLaY iN wHaTeVeR rEvOlUtIoNaRy StYlE bUrNlEy WiLl PlAy

He wont play

[ClaretTony]

It's almost as some posters rate Ben and some don't.

Ben would be very good in the championship as he shouldn't get caught out for pace as much, but is he worth the high wage?
For me he would need replacing if we got promoted, so not the worst idea to see if these young lads can grow into better players than we have had previously.

I don't think Ben Mee or Tripps got anywhere near the City first team did they? These lads in theory should be much better.

To answer the question about getting near City first team, Ben played one League Cup game and had become part of the first team squad before going on on loan to Leicester. Don’t think Tripps was involved at all but went out on loan at a younger age.

[RVclaret]

To answer the question about getting near City first team, Ben played one League Cup game and had become part of the first team squad before going on on loan to Leicester. Don’t think Tripps was involved at all but went out on loan at a younger age.

City's first team and academy was also nowhere near as good as it is now, the owners have put serious money into it (the academy) over the past decade. Pep's first team now would also destroy the City teams from back then.

[ClaretTony]

City's first team and academy was also nowhere near as good as it is now, the owners have put serious money into it (the academy) over the past decade. Pep's first team now would also destroy the City teams from back then.

Early days of the current owners when they came to Burnley in 2011. Man City is another world away now from where they were then.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

If he was as good as people made out then why hasn’t any other clubs been interested in him? Keane, Tarks etc all had their suitors because they are far superior players to Mee unfortunately that’s how it is no matter how much you him.

His age is being taken into consideration by everyone else in football, even if you aren't thinking about it.

[NRC]

This is a resource problem. Many of you want the proven, experienced head around the younger players for good reason. But we have that player on the books already - Kevin Long. And yes he’s no Ben Mee, but he’s here and Ben isn’t.

In order to have Ben you would need to move Long on. It gets placed on the too difficult pile.

[AwayClaret]

Not sure our young cb's want/need Long's experience or his knowledge of the game passing on to them

[gawthorpe_view]

33 years-old with a recent history of longer-term injuries.
Much as I rate Ben's abilities and love what he did for the club, you can beat Arsenal, you can beat Liverpool, you can beat ManU, but you can't beat the clock.

[Rileybobs]

33 years-old with a recent history of longer-term injuries.
Much as I rate Ben's abilities and love what he did for the club, you can beat Arsenal, you can beat Liverpool, you can beat ManU, but you can't beat the clock.

You can when you travel across an international time zone.

[gawthorpe_view]

You can when you travel across an international time zone.

Mid-game?

[lrac]

Brentford are interested in ben

[Stayingup]

A superb player for us. He Tarks and Pope have kept in so many games, when we've been overrun. But at coming up 33 there doesn't seem to be a queue of clubs wanting Ben. If; as has been mooted, he was offered a deal by us but turned it down, then he may have made a mistake.

[Rileybobs]

Mid-game?

I wonder if there’s a football pitch which straddles international time zones?

[spt_claret]

Pontus Jansson played all but one game for Brentford last season. Is he any better than Mee?

The idea that Mee wouldn’t be able to do a job for us, however Kompany sets up, is totally ridiculous.

Lots of people quite rightly praise Kompanys purported data driven approach to football (an approach Dyche had).
If you actually look at the data the idea that Ben Mee can't play football well is a total myth. I could post an in-depth analysis but I'll just limit to- going off FBRef data he's ahead of Tarkowski this season, and across every season since 17-18 (when the data goes back to) for passing accuracy, progressive distance gained, successful passing through the back and middle third, ball retention, progressive ball carries, adjusted per 90 minutes (bit of a disparity in match time, but been on absolutes he's ahead on some). He's behind on long passes both attempted and completed which puts him fractionally behind on assists and shot creation per 90 (to the tune of roughly 1 fewer assist every 100 games).
On defensive actions he's usually ahead too, behind this season on everything (except mistakes- Tarks has made more mistakes leading to shots) which is a rare exception, but even his supposed bad season of 18-19 he had an astonishingly high 68% success rate on 1v1 tackles with dribblers.
On Sofascore it's a similar picture they use slightly different metrics, but his heatmaps put him further forward and wider.
He's actually the better player than Tarkowski at slower, back third and midfield buildup play and shorter passing. He's marginally worse at long balls up top from the back but still advances possession better.
But I'm sure people will say you can just prove anything with stats, so going purely off the eye test I can think of a few occasions he's actually skinned a player- Chelsea and Leicester come to mind.
His limitations are grossly exaggerated.

[Stayingup]

I wonder if there’s a football pitch which straddles international time zones?

Probably. But if not someone should create one. A 90 minute game could perhaps then become a 30 minute game or a150 minute game.