Nixon - Rooney spies on Burnley star

[Pickles]

It's behind a pay wall. Anyone have access? I'm going for Kevin Long.

[taio]

Benson.

Unrealistic.

[bfccrazy]

It's behind a pay wall. Anyone have access? I'm going for Kevin Long.

…

[CoolClaret]

I’d give it a less than 1% chance Manuel Benson would sign for an MLS team at this stage of his career

[GodIsADeeJay81]

That would be a step backwards for him right now.

Interesting to see that we're getting a lot of PL clubs keeping an eye on some of our players.

[RVclaret]

That would be a step backwards for him right now.

Interesting to see that we're getting a lot of PL clubs keeping an eye on some of our players.

No surprise really given how well we are playing.

THB clearly has suitors in the PL due to his ball playing style, might be a tough ask to keep him if we do go up.

[Colburn_Claret]

THB doesn't want or need to go anywhere, where he is playing backup. Tarks and Coady will be first choice at Goodison for a while.
His destination is certainly the prem, but probably with another club.
I still see weaknesses in his game. He got caught flat footed for their goal yesterday, stepping forward for the long punt, when he should have been going backwards. It was a common problem for all the backline in our first 6 games and I thought we'd sorted it. He can play a lovely champagne pass cross field, but then plays silly 5 yard passes to a player with an opponent on his back, when other easy options are available.
He's still a talent, and for his age brilliant, but these games in the championship will do him and us, the world of good.

If I was a talent scout watching Burnley, Zaroury is the name I'd be taking home, most gifted Burnley player I've seen in decades.

[mybloodisclaret]

THB doesn't want or need to go anywhere, where he is playing backup. Tarks and Coady will be first choice at Goodison for a while.
His destination is certainly the prem, but probably with another club.
I still see weaknesses in his game. He got caught flat footed for their goal yesterday, stepping forward for the long punt, when he should have been going backwards. It was a common problem for all the backline in our first 6 games and I thought we'd sorted it. He can play a lovely champagne pass cross field, but then plays silly 5 yard passes to a player with an opponent on his back, when other easy options are available.
He's still a talent, and for his age brilliant, but these games in the championship will do him and us, the world of good.

If I was a talent scout watching Burnley, Zaroury is the name I'd be taking home, most gifted Burnley player I've seen in decades.

Can't argue with any of that.

[NewClaret]

Completely agree with Colburn_Claret’s post.

But Nixon is talking some rubbish here - like we’d sell so soon or he’d go to that retirement league when there’s a chance at the Prem here.

As for THB, he’s certainly a great talent and if we don’t get promoted maybe the next step is a shot at the Prem elsewhere but I very much doubt he’d go to Everton when they have the Coady/Tarks partnership. Completely fails to acknowledge the possibility we might go up & be his route to Prem football.

[Commy]

Isn't Coady on loan?

[taio]

Isn't Coady on loan?

Option to buy

[Newcastleclaret93]

Completely agree with Colburn_Claret’s post.

But Nixon is talking some rubbish here - like we’d sell so soon or he’d go to that retirement league when there’s a chance at the Prem here.

As for THB, he’s certainly a great talent and if we don’t get promoted maybe the next step is a shot at the Prem elsewhere but I very much doubt he’d go to Everton when they have the Coady/Tarks partnership. Completely fails to acknowledge the possibility we might go up & be his route to Prem football.

That’s a good point, you have got to imagine THB is going to be worth 15-20m in the summer if we go up though. That might be the sticking point

[taio]

That’s a good point, you have got to imagine THB is going to be worth 15-20m in the summer if we go up though. That might be the sticking point

If we go up there should be a good chance we would get him on loan again.

[IanMcL]

I’d give it a less than 1% chance Manuel Benson would sign for an MLS team at this stage of his career

Maybe he already has.

[Newcastleclaret93]

If we go up there should be a good chance we would get him on loan again.

Very good point

[CaptJohn]

Burnley always have been a "selling" club and will continue to be and thus inadvertently become victims of their own success. Top of the league, playing well with a talented squad of young players, no wonder Prem league scouts are watching. The January window will be the acid test and perhaps the first examination of Pace's relationship with VK. Money talks!

[bfcjg]

download.jpeg.jpg (10.17 KiB) Viewed 2790 times

Rooney got distracted though.

[bobinho]

I wouldn’t worry about losing THB…. He’s a slightly better than average championship defender.

He will struggle at PL level should he stay and we go up. He may do in the future, but he’s lacking now. Too many little mistakes that would be magnified hugely and punished brutally at PL level.

How do I know that? Because I have (like you all) spent the last few years watching defenders play for us who DID have the required skills and qualities to play at the highest level. I’d swap a number of those players who are no longer with us for THB. He’s really no better than Kevin Long for me. Younger, a bit more mobile, a little quicker but his distribution mistakes nullify the benefits of youth. Yeah, I know… crazy right? But that’s what I see.

As Colburn rightly says, Zaroury is the cherry on the icing. He’d slip into 2/3 of PL sides right now and look like he belonged.

[taio]

I wouldn’t worry about losing THB…. He’s a slightly better than average championship defender.

He will struggle at PL level should he stay and we go up. He may do in the future, but he’s lacking now. Too many little mistakes that would be magnified hugely and punished brutally at PL level.

How do I know that? Because I have (like you all) spent the last few years watching defenders play for us who DID have the required skills and qualities to play at the highest level. I’d swap a number of those players who are no longer with us for THB. He’s really no better than Kevin Long for me. Younger, a bit more mobile, a little quicker but his distribution mistakes nullify the benefits of youth. Yeah, I know… crazy right? But that’s what I see.

As Colburn rightly says, Zaroury is the cherry on the icing. He’d slip into 2/3 of PL sides right now and look like he belonged.

The opportunity for him to continue to improve rapidly is significant. Saying he’s slightly better than the average championship defender is harsh to say the least.

[Top Claret]

download.jpeg.jpgRooney got distracted though.

Looks like they have landed of a cruise ship

[NewClaret]

The opportunity for him to continue to improve rapidly is significant. Saying he’s slightly better than the average championship defender is harsh to say the least.

Agree this is harsh but also very clear that he has some way to develop to mix it up with the best PL defenders, which Mee and Tarks are, but who better to do that under than one of the best PL CB’s of all time?

[bobinho]

Aye maybe it was.

Sometimes, he surges forward with the ball when he sees a space develop created by the movement of others, and he’s quick enough to exploit it and open them up. He sees a pass and makes it and that part of his game is great.
It’s the other bits that worry me. The misplaced easy passes which put us under pressure on the edge of our box. Getting caught between going tight with his man or being drawn by the runner and ending up doing neither. The lack of aerial dominance and prowess in our box is worrying too.
Maybe we’ve been spoilt these last few years with the lads we’ve been watching, so maybe I am being overly critical. I hope I am, because I do want another Keane/Mee/Tarks in the back four.

Someone suggested in another thread he was almost Beckenbauer-esque. Now that really is stretching the boundaries. The lad has potential, but I don’t think anyone could currently argue that he’s one of the best CH’s in the division.

[roperclaret]

I wouldn’t worry about losing THB…. He’s a slightly better than average championship defender.

He will struggle at PL level should he stay and we go up. He may do in the future, but he’s lacking now. Too many little mistakes that would be magnified hugely and punished brutally at PL level.

How do I know that? Because I have (like you all) spent the last few years watching defenders play for us who DID have the required skills and qualities to play at the highest level. I’d swap a number of those players who are no longer with us for THB. He’s really no better than Kevin Long for me. Younger, a bit more mobile, a little quicker but his distribution mistakes nullify the benefits of youth. Yeah, I know… crazy right? But that’s what I see.

As Colburn rightly says, Zaroury is the cherry on the icing. He’d slip into 2/3 of PL sides right now and look like he belonged.

Sorry Bob, how many average championship defenders have captained their Country at youth levels? Folk on here lauded Collins, who made plenty of silly mistakes. None of those defenders you watched over the last few years were anywhere near as good as THB when they were his age.

[thehistorylecturer66]

Sorry Bob, how many average championship defenders have captained their Country at youth levels? Folk on here lauded Collins, who made plenty of silly mistakes. None of those defenders you watched over the last few years were anywhere near as good as THB when they were his age.

History tells us that a significant number of Youth internationals never play more than a handful of games in the top divisions , and that has always been the case if you look back at various home nations’ Youth XIs over the years .

THB might make it at the top level but so far he’s playing exactly as Stoke fans for example said he would play . Agree on Collins though .

[taio]

Aye maybe it was.

Sometimes, he surges forward with the ball when he sees a space develop created by the movement of others, and he’s quick enough to exploit it and open them up. He sees a pass and makes it and that part of his game is great.
It’s the other bits that worry me. The misplaced easy passes which put us under pressure on the edge of our box. Getting caught between going tight with his man or being drawn by the runner and ending up doing neither. The lack of aerial dominance and prowess in our box is worrying too.
Maybe we’ve been spoilt these last few years with the lads we’ve been watching, so maybe I am being overly critical. I hope I am, because I do want another Keane/Mee/Tarks in the back four.

Someone suggested in another thread he was almost Beckenbauer-esque. Now that really is stretching the boundaries. The lad has potential, but I don’t think anyone could currently argue that he’s one of the best CH’s in the division.

Can you name several centre halves who have been better in the championship so far?

[boatshed bill]

I suppose Nixon checked that these (not very subtle) spies were all looking at Burnley players.
I love a bit of bullshit, me

[dougcollins]

The opportunity for him to continue to improve rapidly is significant. Saying he’s slightly better than the average championship defender is harsh to say the least.

Harsh, and complete bobbins.

[Bowclaret]

I had to log on to add my comments to the THB debate.

We are very lucky to have this lad. He is clearly the BEST player in this league by a mile. He’s got the lot, pace, power, height. His passing is awesome and he strolls through games. AND he is 20 - TWO ZERO !!

Future England full international captain for sure

Bobinho - you need to open your eyes !

[Newcastleclaret93]

Can you name several centre halves who have been better in the championship so far?

I wouldn’t know if they have been better (haven’t seen enough of them to decide).

But the following have picked my notice when watching them this season.

Ahmedhodzic
Cabango
Wilmot
Cresswell

[Newcastleclaret93]

I had to log on to add my comments to the THB debate.

We are very lucky to have this lad. He is clearly the BEST player in this league by a mile. He’s got the lot, pace, power, height. His passing is awesome and he strolls through games. AND he is 20 - TWO ZERO !!

Future England full international captain for sure

Bobinho - you need to open your eyes !

I’m not even sure he’s the best CB at the club IMO. Beyer looks the real deal for me.

I would be surprised if he becomes a full international for England. There’s a good crop of young English CBs coming through at the moment.

[thehistorylecturer66]

I had to log on to add my comments to the THB debate.

We are very lucky to have this lad. He is clearly the BEST player in this league by a mile. He’s got the lot, pace, power, height. His passing is awesome and he strolls through games. AND he is 20 - TWO ZERO !!

Future England full international captain for sure

Bobinho - you need to open your eyes !

His passing Is very very good most of the time yesterday he gave it straight to an attacking Reading player at least three times in the first half hour in the Prem the ball would have been in the net before you could blink .. his heading prowess is debatable we look suspect in the air at every set piece ? Saying that he is 20 as you say and should continue to improve

[RVclaret]

I wouldn’t know if they have been better (haven’t seen enough of them to decide).

But the following have picked my notice when watching them this season.

Ahmedhodzic
Cabango
Wilmot
Cresswell

Hope you aren’t judging Cabango against us! He was shocking. Tella ripped him a new one.

[thehistorylecturer66]

Hope you aren’t judging Cabango against us! He was shocking. Tella ripped him a new one.

True that their entire defence was dreadful

[bobinho]

I’ll have a try off the top of my head

Sadly, Lewis travis down the road looks good.

Our own Charlie Taylor playing out of position is looking good, as is Jordan beyer. THB should be standing out alongside these two but he isn’t.

Egan at sheff Utd is a useful defender.

Max Arons at Norwich is a better player than he looked last week, but even so he’s still decent.

Kyle Bartley at West Brom is decent.

Kamara at Watford.

[RVclaret]

As for THB I saw a stat yesterday (before the game) that he has played 156 line breaking passes which is more than any other defender in the league. That alone is what will peak the interest of PL clubs.

[jedi_master]

Harwood-Bellis is exceptional, not sure there is better in this league. There will be more commanding, aerially dominant CB’s I’m certain - but none with his overall package of qualities.

His mobility, comfort on the ball and distribution is top tier, beyond anything I’ve seen from a Burnley defender (and that includes the likes of Mee, Keane, Tarky, Shackell etc). He has the most ‘desired’ qualities for the modern possession based game. If you want more of a blood and thunder defender, there will be better and at least three of the aforementioned ex-Burnley players are stronger in that area.

We should enjoy him whilst he is here because to be strolling through 90% of Championship games at 20 years old is absolutely absurd. I think he is the one player out of our loans that I think we’ll struggle to retain if we go up.

[bobinho]

I had to log on to add my comments to the THB debate.

We are very lucky to have this lad. He is clearly the BEST player in this league by a mile. He’s got the lot, pace, power, height. His passing is awesome and he strolls through games. AND he is 20 - TWO ZERO !!

Future England full international captain for sure

Bobinho - you need to open your eyes !

He’s not even the best player in our team let alone the league… join in by all means, but keep it real.

[RVclaret]

I’ll have a try off the top of my head

Sadly, Lewis travis down the road looks good.

Our own Charlie Taylor playing out of position is looking good, as is Jordan beyer. THB should be standing out alongside these two but he isn’t.

Egan at sheff Utd is a useful defender.

Max Arons at Norwich is a better player than he looked last week, but even so he’s still decent.

Kyle Bartley at West Brom is decent.

Kamara at Watford.

Bartley is absolutely awful, Brom fans blame him for their shocking defence. Most of the others are full backs. Travis is a central midfielder.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Hope you aren’t judging Cabango against us! He was shocking. Tella ripped him a new one.

No was based on a couple games I saw on sky.

[boatshed bill]

Harwood-Bellis is exceptional, not sure there is better in this league. There will be more commanding, aerially dominant CB’s I’m certain - but none with his overall package of qualities.

His mobility, comfort on the ball and distribution is top tier, beyond anything I’ve seen from a Burnley defender (and that includes the likes of Mee, Keane, Tarky, Shackell etc). He has the most ‘desired’ qualities for the modern possession based game. If you want more of a blood and thunder defender, there will be better and at least three of the aforementioned ex-Burnley players are stronger in that area.

We should enjoy him whilst he is here because to be strolling through 90% of Championship games at 20 years old is absolutely absurd. I think he is the one player out of our loans that I think we’ll struggle to retain if we go up.

Well said.

[taio]

I’ll have a try off the top of my head

Sadly, Lewis travis down the road looks good.

Our own Charlie Taylor playing out of position is looking good, as is Jordan beyer. THB should be standing out alongside these two but he isn’t.

Egan at sheff Utd is a useful defender.

Max Arons at Norwich is a better player than he looked last week, but even so he’s still decent.

Kyle Bartley at West Brom is decent.

Kamara at Watford.

I've seen all of them play more than once this season. None of them have performed better than THB from what I've seen. Bartley in particular has been well below par. I know that's down to opinion but to support my view the whoscored ratings has THB higher than any of those. Aarons and Kamara are full backs but in any case they too have performance ratings below THB.

[GrahamBranchsPerm]

I’m in the group who thinks THB will go all the way.

As pointed out, his line breaking passes are phenomenal and what sets him apart. Well suited to playing in dominant teams (Man City / England and dare I say it, at this level, Burnley).

Still learning, but a serious player IMHO.

But also agree the player in the squad with the highest glass ceiling is Zaroury. Surely he’ll be in the full Belgium squad after the WC. Unreal talent and his rate of development looks crazy.

I’d have THB in second place though.

UTC.

[taio]

He’s not even the best player in our team let alone the league… join in by all means, but keep it real.

That's a bit rich when you consider what you've posted on this thread.

[Quickenthetempo]

Just checked back on 'Who scored? Team of the weeks' for the championship, over the last 7 games or so.

No sign of our Centre halves but plenty of other teams players having single apps.

Trusty at Brum got in more than once and impressed against us.

[tarkys_ears]

Spies?

This ain't WW2

In fact, aren't scouts welcomed to games?

[ashtonlongsider]

There seems to be a variety of opinions on THB. Hard to believe as this lad is a class defender who will go to the very top. Just for Claret fans info, he's on 4 yellow cards. I'd hate him to pick up a further yellow before we play Sheff Utd or Rovers but the situations got a feeling of inevitability about it. If that were to be the case there'd be some who post on this thread who'd realise want we're missing. As for the main thread, it must be a slow news day as Benno is just at the start of a great career with every chance of realising a dream to play in the PL over the next few years and significantly on a 4 year contract. I for one would be surprised if he wanted to move across the pond anytime within the next decade.

[bumba]

There seems to be a variety of opinions on THB. Hard to believe as this lad is a class defender who will go to the very top. Just for Claret fans info, he's on 4 yellow cards. I'd hate him to pick up a further yellow before we play Sheff Utd or Rovers but the situations got a feeling of inevitability about it. If that were to be the case there'd be some who post on this thread who'd realise want we're missing. As for the main thread, it must be a slow news day as Benno is just at the start of a great career with every chance of realising a dream to play in the PL over the next few years and significantly on a 4 year contract. I for one would be surprised if he wanted to move across the pond anytime within the next decade.

He can't be suspended for Rovers unless he gets sent off in the next two games

[fatboy47]

Very good with the ball.

Decent without it.

Below par in the air...but with time to develop.

2 more years before he's top six Prem-ready.

[Pickles]

Concerning Harwood-Bellis...

You don't captain England through the levels if you haven't got a bit.

[Lancasterclaret]

I've no idea if he will go all the way, but he's essential to how we play, and the manager we have clearly is someone he can learn from

I suspect City are very pleased on how he's working out, and I'm going to enjoy him for the season he is here because I don't think he'll be here beyond this one