Let’s talk about Benson!

[alwaysaclaret]

obviously Vincent isn't seeing it in training for him to be selected like a couple more who hadn't featured as much as last season and have gone out on loan who were not 100 percent focused on the job in hand..

There's 2 or 3 others that are on the pitch not 100% focused on the job in hand, so surely Benson deserves the same chance

[claretonthecoast1882]

Strange how we don't have daily threads about Cullen not playing if we are going off someone not playing who was good last season, he was about the best.

[alwaysaclaret]

Everything indicates a falling out in my opinion.

Got to agree

[NewClaret]

Strange how we don't have daily threads about Cullen not playing if we are going off someone not playing who was good last season, he was about the best.

Good point - and far more many minutes too.

Benson had a great season and was very impactful when he played, but Cullen was ever-present and our player of the year.

Thankful we still have both with us to be honest.

[Sleeping Cat]

Strange how we don't have daily threads about Cullen not playing if we are going off someone not playing who was good last season, he was about the best.

Cullen started the season in the team and has made a total of 11 starts + 1 Sub appearance from 24 games, totalling 936 mins on the pitch

Benson has 1 start & 3 sub appearances, totalling in 73 mins on the pitch

[CoolClaret]

Strange how we don't have daily threads about Cullen not playing if we are going off someone not playing who was good last season, he was about the best.

I actually think Cullen was hung out to dry a bit and for me would be playing in place instead of Amdouni but on that -

It's because Berge is actually playing really well and we're playing two in the middle, so it's not a huge point of contention.

If Berge/another was pants and Cullen hadn't had a kick then I think there'd be similar 'daily posts'

[StayingDown4Ever]

And another thing - I would assume Vincent gives the speech to all these young, hungry players he’s signing about getting themselves in the shop window and manufacturing a move to a bigger club if they prove themselves at Burnley - he can’t be using that one again in the summer can he?

Where have his signings gone who aren’t in the squad now? Bristol City and Hull?

[claretonthecoast1882]

And another thing - I would assume Vincent gives the speech to all these young, hungry players he’s signing about getting themselves in the shop window and manufacturing a move to a bigger club if they prove themselves at Burnley - he can’t be using that one again in the summer can he?

Where have his signings gone who aren’t in the squad now? Bristol City and Hull?

Do you think there could be a reason that in the main the teams wanting our players were in the Championship and wanted them on loan.

Then you take into account every single club saw Muric not playing and still didn't make an offer for his services, maybe it was the conduct with the Kosovan mafia that put potential buyers off.

[alwaysaclaret]

Wasn’t it said that Vincent had talks with Benson in January and said he was part of the plan then got him to stay?

Imagine how furious you’d be if you then saw Vitinho coming in before you.

Vincent is looking more of a mug as each week passes.

If I was Benson I’d be doing all I could to get out in the summer (assuming it’s still Vincent in charge) - I wouldn’t just want to be used to try and take the team out of the Championship only to be dumped again if we do go up.

Absolutely bang on this, but just hope vk plays him till end of the season and he proves him wrong to have kept him chained up.

[alwaysaclaret]

Do you think there could be a reason that in the main the teams wanting our players were in the Championship and wanted them on loan.

Then you take into account every single club saw Muric not playing and still didn't make an offer for his services, maybe it was the conduct with the Kosovan mafia that put potential buyers off.

Or vk didn't sanction any move.

[Shaggy]

Do you think there could be a reason that in the main the teams wanting our players were in the Championship and wanted them on loan.

Then you take into account every single club saw Muric not playing and still didn't make an offer for his services, maybe it was the conduct with the Kosovan mafia that put potential buyers off.

Of maybe you as per usual are talking out of a hole in you’re rear end.

Muric was the best keeper in the championship last season. Of course he would be a wanted man, perhaps he’s unavailable or doesn’t want to move currently?

[Foshiznik]

or he's not a present day Lev Yashin as some posters would have you believe.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Of maybe you as per usual are talking out of a hole in you’re rear end.

Muric was the best keeper in the championship last season. Of course he would be a wanted man, perhaps he’s unavailable or doesn’t want to move currently?

Ironic from someone who posts like he uses Buckfast for mouthwash.

[Jamesy]

Ironic from someone who posts like he uses Buckfast for mouthwash.

Hey Raaaab!!

[KRBFC]

Yes I was just trying to make a point that when we see players like him and Amdouni figure and offer little to the team, he picks them again the following match.

I genuinely don’t know what some of you lot watch, Amdouni was brilliant first half at Anfield. We struggled to get the same amount of ball second half but he still slid the ball through for Fofana’s 1v1.

It’s just become cool on here to blame everything on Trafford, Ramsey and Amdouni, slag them off regardless of how well they played.

[Clive 1960]

There's 2 or 3 others that are on the pitch not 100% focused on the job in hand, so surely Benson deserves the same chance

Exactly..

[Jamesy]

I genuinely don’t know what some of you lot watch, Amdouni was brilliant first half at Anfield. We struggled to get the same amount of ball second half but he still slid the ball through for Fofana’s 1v1.

It’s just become cool on here to blame everything on Trafford, Ramsey and Amdouni, slag them off regardless of how well they played.

I’m not sure people are slagging them off? Over reaction from you I think.
It’s a football forum remember? You know, a platform for people to debate the achievements and shortcomings of our football club and players.
Anyone would think we were top of the league and people having a go needlessly from your post.

[bumba]

I genuinely don’t know what some of you lot watch, Amdouni was brilliant first half at Anfield. We struggled to get the same amount of ball second half but he still slid the ball through for Fofana’s 1v1.

It’s just become cool on here to blame everything on Trafford, Ramsey and Amdouni, slag them off regardless of how well they played.

We aren't in a position for players to have just a good half, he showed glimpses the first half but for everything good thing he did he probably gave the ball away twice more and we can't carry players like that at the moment.
I like Amdouni but I think he needs a rest. Ramsey has offered nothing since he came, Trafford has improved and made a couple of decent saves but again his errors outweigh his good saves

[Nori1958]

I’m not sure people are slagging them off? Over reaction from you I think.
It’s a football forum remember? You know, a platform for people to debate the achievements and shortcomings of our football club and players.
Anyone would think we were top of the league and people having a go needlessly from your post.

Do you not read this board? Slagging them off is a mild description of what happens on a daily basis

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

I’m not sure people are slagging them off? Over reaction from you I think.
It’s a football forum remember? You know, a platform for people to debate the achievements and shortcomings of our football club and players.
Anyone would think we were top of the league and people having a go needlessly from your post.

Just imagine what an incoming manager would have at his disposal without paying any silly beggars.

I’d play


…………………………..Muric


Assignon …….Esteve…..O’Shea….Taylor


Benson……. Cork……Cullen…….Odobert


…………………Fofana………Foster

If your not going to give Zaroury a chance at this level why get him to sign a five year deal!

Obvious that team is loads better than the current one. Yeah I know Cork is old but old is sometimes gold.

We really need two new centre mids though and must get them in next season.

[Jamesy]

Do you not read this board? Slagging them off is a mild description of what happens on a daily basis

Yes I do read this board, obviously.
I just think people like yourself overreact and use drama queen descriptions like “slagging off” players and management.
I would say over critical would be a better description. But even then, that is depending on people’s levels of objectivity.

[CrosspoolClarets]

What the knockers fail to grasp is that he is up against a Premier league defence and goalkeeper in training every week (unlike last year). Maybe, just maybe, he isn’t capable of scoring past them?

There is such a lack of faith some posters have in our manager and his choices, without knowledge or evidence. It’s a real shame.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Yes I do read this board, obviously.
I just think people like yourself overreact and use drama queen descriptions like “slagging off” players and management.
I would say over critical would be a better description. But even then, that is depending on people’s levels of objectivity.

He’s just got so used to the free carvery he doesn’t want to give it up

[JohnMcGreal]

What the knockers fail to grasp is that he is up against a Premier league defence and goalkeeper in training every week (unlike last year). Maybe, just maybe, he isn’t capable of scoring past them?

Eh?

[Westleigh]

Just imagine what an incoming manager would have at his disposal without paying any silly
…………………………..Muric


Assignon …….Esteve…..O’Shea….Taylor


Benson……. Cork……Cullen…….Odobert


…………………Fofana………Foster

If your not going to give Zaroury a chance at this level why get him to sign a five year deal!

Obvious that team is loads better than the current one. Yeah I know Cork is old but old is sometimes gold.

We really need two new centre mids though and must get them in next season.

Got to make room for Berge

[bumba]

What the knockers fail to grasp is that he is up against a Premier league defence and goalkeeper in training every week (unlike last year). Maybe, just maybe, he isn’t capable of scoring past them?

There is such a lack of faith some posters have in our manager and his choices, without knowledge or evidence. It’s a real shame.

Peoples faith comes from 13 points in 24 matches, it's the only knowledge we need

[JohnMcGreal]

What the knockers fail to grasp is that he is up against a Premier league defence and goalkeeper in training every week (unlike last year). Maybe, just maybe, he isn’t capable of scoring past them?

In training he's up against the same goalkeeper as last season and another keeper who is of similar ability.

He's also up against a left back who wasn't deemed good enough to play there last season and a centre half who is playing out of position.

It's not like he's training against peak Buffon and Maldini is it?

[JR1882]

File under VK being stubborn and not changing things that don’t work.

Which he can do as seemingly it’s his project and he doesn’t seem to be accountable to anyone.

[Casper2]

What the knockers fail to grasp is that he is up against a Premier league defence and goalkeeper in training every week (unlike last year). Maybe, just maybe, he isn’t capable of scoring past them?

There is such a lack of faith some posters have in our manager and his choices, without knowledge or evidence. It’s a real shame.

That’s the funniest post I’ve ever read on here , we’ve got 13pts FFS

[Nori1958]

Yes I do read this board, obviously.
I just think people like yourself overreact and use drama queen descriptions like “slagging off” players and management.
I would say over critical would be a better description. But even then, that is depending on people’s levels of objectivity.

I haven't looked so I might be wrong, but if you were to look at the match thread after any goal against, you'd find plenty of drama queen's, over reactions and slagging off, far more than I've ever done

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Got to make room for Berge

lol forgot about him play him next to Cork or Cullen depending on who’s playing better

Or go 4-5-1 and put him behind either foster or Fofana on their own, that would work

[AfloatinClaret]

2 replies to manage to get Trafford into the thread about Benson.

Never boring is it

To be fair, the usual suspects also gave Josh Brownhill an honourable mention in the post-Liverpool 'We need a scapegoat' thread.

[Ampth7]

Like many others, I still don’t understand why Benny never gets a game to be honest. The only thing we aren’t privy to is what’s going on in training and behind the scenes, although if this were a major problem then why even have him on the bench, which he has been on occasion in recent weeks.

As many have said already, we’re marooned on 13 points and it’s not as though anyone else is tearing it up on that wing is it!

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Like many others, I still don’t understand why Benny never gets a game to be honest. The only thing we aren’t privy to is what’s going on in training and behind the scenes, although if this were a major problem then why even have him on the bench, which he has been on occasion in recent weeks.

As many have said already, we’re marooned on 13 points and it’s not as though anyone else is tearing it up on that wing is it!

Lots of perplexing decisions made this season most of which will never know the reason for most likely.

[bumba]

To be fair, the usual suspects also gave Josh Brownhill an honourable mention in the post-Liverpool 'We need a scapegoat' thread.

If people are picking several players out about a poor performance it isn't making 'a scapegoat' is it.
The usual suspects at the opposite end would have people believe every player is playing superb every week and we're just unlucky but we'll go down and come back reach Europe in 2 years!

[StayingDown4Ever]

What the knockers fail to grasp is that he is up against a Premier league defence and goalkeeper in training every week (unlike last year). Maybe, just maybe, he isn’t capable of scoring past them?

There is such a lack of faith some posters have in our manager and his choices, without knowledge or evidence. It’s a real shame.

If he’s not good enough then why did we extend his contract? Should have cashed in during the summer when his price would have been Sky high after the season he had. If Vincent knew he wasn’t going to be good enough he’s an idiot for not getting shut before the season started.

[Ampth7]

Lots of perplexing decisions made this season most of which will never know the reason for most likely.

Which is fair enough I guess because I don’t believe that I have the right to know any reasons for decisions made and my thoughts are merely observations. However, it seems reasonable to me that Benson should be at least given a fair crack at it considering our lack of goals scored and subsequent lack of points.

[Holtyclaret]

Like many (I assume), I cannot get my head around what is going on with the lad. Many times early in the season we were crying out for his ability to set fire to a game but it was said he had some niggles and that’s why he wasn’t being played. Then he showed up on the bench for a bit disappeared again then there was all the transfer/ loan discussions.

Get that out of the way and he is on the bench against Liverpool and you would think at 3-1 down that a genuine game changer of his ilk would have got time on the pitch. But not a sniff, even when other players with a less obvious spark were being given minutes?

What am I missing? What’s the discussion I am not hearing?

Surely if we are not trusting his (yawn) tracking back then he should have gone somewhere in the window. If that’s not the case then he has to play a part.

I don’t live in the area so maybe I am missing some dialogue but from the outside I find it really strange that a player that lifted us so much last season is just not featuring.

Missing pre season, niggles and a ‘serious’ injury. Saw him at least a couple of times hobbling round on crutches on match days account for most of the season.

[Holtyclaret]

Said it more than once and I’ll say it again - Benson was our best player against Premier League Manchester United and Bournemouth in the cups last season.

Whilst it’s not definitive proof that he is Premier League quality, those writing him as not being good enough after less than a handful of opportunities is pure conjecture on their part.

Zaroury was the star at Bournemouth away last year and it certainly wasn’t Benson against Utd although he did well in both games (as did a few players).

Far from compulsive or definitive evidence of anything.

I’m sure he’ll have more opportunities before the end of the season, particularly now we have assignon at rb instead of vithinio. Ie. Stronger full back gives more opportunity to a less defensively minded winger.

[Kilson810]

Everything indicates a falling out in my opinion.

You're probably correct, otherwise why would he not have had the odd cameo at least. There must be a lot more going on behind the scenes.

[Quickenthetempo]

Zaroury was the star at Bournemouth away last year and it certainly wasn’t Benson against Utd although he did well in both games (as did a few players).

Far from compulsive or definitive evidence of anything.

I’m sure he’ll have more opportunities before the end of the season, particularly now we have assignon at rb instead of vithinio. Ie. Stronger full back gives more opportunity to a less defensively minded winger.

Benson was by far our best player at United away. He skinned their young full back time after time.

He terrored him more than Robbie Blake did to that Spurs full back who was on loan at Forest.

[Blatherwickstattoo]

Seems like he’s not been fit enough or a behind the scenes scenario has happened (or both)

Out of all the players who deserved a chance to have a go in the top league he is the main one. He has more in his locker than anyone we currently pick . I’ve not see a better left foot in my lifetime for our club. It’s absolutely bizarre that lesser players get the nod over him. Might not be training hard enough ,god knows .

[CrosspoolClarets]

In training he's up against the same goalkeeper as last season and another keeper who is of similar ability.

He's also up against a left back who wasn't deemed good enough to play there last season and a centre half who is playing out of position.

It's not like he's training against peak Buffon and Maldini is it?

Ok, so he is up against crap teammates, to use your insinuation, so what happens if he is still not delivering in training games? Should he be picked to play in a Premier League match against even better opposition?

Of course, I don’t know if he is delivering or not in training, but I’m not using it as a way to bash Kompany (or Benson) like some fans are. My point is simply that people don’t know.

[AfloatinClaret]

If people are picking several players out about a poor performance it isn't making 'a scapegoat' is it...

But Trafford gets slated every week, even after those games when he was our MOM

[Ampth7]

Strange how we don't have daily threads about Cullen not playing if we are going off someone not playing who was good last season, he was about the best.

Fair point! I guess fans want to see creative, flair players who clearly have the ability to do extraordinary things with the ball. Benny certainly demonstrated that last season whereas this season he is yet to be given a chance. Cullen on the other hand did start the season and has had a fair crack at it. Admittedly, the same outcome could well befall Benson, but it’s the fact he has only played about 70 minutes all season leaving many of us pondering. I do also understand that Benny has had injuries, but not so much in recent weeks by the looks of it.

[bumba]

But Trafford gets slated every week, even after those games when he was our MOM

He's had one very good game away at Brighton and that was only the second half. I wouldn't give him MOM in any other

[alboclaret]

Strange how we don't have daily threads about Cullen not playing if we are going off someone not playing who was good last season, he was about the best.

Had his chance.
Not upto it at this level

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

He's had one very good game away at Brighton and that was only the second half. I wouldn't give him MOM in any other

He’s been motm every week according to some

[dougcollins]

I think this ' lack of physicality' thing is being really overstated with Benson, considering the treatment he got last season.

He soon toughened up.

[jojomk1]

I think this ' lack of physicality' thing is being really overstated with Benson, considering the treatment he got last season.

This "lack of physicality" runs through the whole squad
Too many lightweights signed this summer
Hence our current league position