Totally understand the threads about Hart and Taylor, but Ben Mee has been probably the worst of the lot (for me) this season.

I say that because he has gone from being an absolute stalwart that you could hang your hat on being solid, efficient and reliable game in and game out, showing passion and putting his body on the line, to (frankly) looking like he doesn’t give a **** anymore.

His head sinks the second we go a goal down, he shrugs his shoulders at mistakes, he doesn’t seem to talk to the back four like a captain should (and no, I’m not on about the stupid ‘rift’ with Tarky rumour!).

Why have his performances nosedived to such a momentous amount? He is genuinely like a different player in both ability and attitude. It’s really sad to see.

Along with Cork he’s gone from being consistently good to consistently poor.

It's because Dyche didn't pick him for the Europa League games. This one got sorted out in September.

SD's loyalty will I am afraid cost him his job

For all the talk about many of our players not being good enough for the Prem I bet no-one would have said Ben Mee would currently fall into that category.

Spijed wrote:For all the talk about many of our players not being good enough for the Prem I bet no-one would have said Ben Mee would currently fall into that category.

Ability wise he has never been good enough for the prem but hard work, bravery,effort and commitment made him good enough. Take all that away and you have this seasons Ben Mee. Been pretty awful all season now

I really don't know what's going on there.
This is just an observation; for me BM is too often about equidistant between the point of action (possibly a shot) and the goalkeeper. This has led to a couple of OGs and some near misses.
Is this a coaching issue? Are we defending too deep?

Spijed wrote:For all the talk about many of our players not being good enough for the Prem I bet no-one would have said Ben Mee would currently fall into that category.

The majority of our team are good enough but are being restricted by the dinosaur. For one reason or another they aren't putting things together for Dyche any more, they've clearly stopped listening to him

boatshed bill wrote:I really don't know what's going on there.
This is just an observation; for me BM is too often about equidistant between the point of action (possibly a shot) and the goalkeeper. This has led to a couple of OGs and some near misses.
Is this a coaching issue? Are we defending too deep?

Without turning this into a Hart bashing thread (we already have a couple of those), I see what you mean and do wonder if this is due to the inability of Hart to come for a cross and is Mee’s attempt to zonally mark the area that was previously covered by Pope.

Mee has never been good technically or physically. He is too slow to play as a full back and too small to play as a centre back. His strength has always been on the mental side of the game. Right place right time, and commited to the tackle/putting his head in where it hurts. It appears he is lacking drive this season, without drive and commitment Mee is not even a championship standard centre half.

Right_winger wrote:Mee has never been good technically or physically. He is too slow to play as a full back and too small to play as a centre back. His strength has always been on the mental side of the game. Right place right time, and commited to the tackle/putting his head in where it hurts. It appears he is lacking drive this season, without drive and commitment Mee is not even a championship standard centre half.

As usual, utter b0llocks from you.

Mee has been bobbins this year. Complete, and utter garbage.

fidelcastro wrote:As usual, utter b0llocks from you.

Let’s hear your counter argument...

fidelcastro wrote:As usual, utter b0llocks from you.

Not utter ********, has some basis in truth. Ben Mee is a very committed but very limited footballer at this level. His technical ability has always been questioned. It seems now his positional play and communication are also below par. He did once head a ball on the ground though, so he’s obviously “full blooded”.

Right_winger wrote:Let’s hear your counter argument...

To suggest he isn't even Championship standard, committed or not, when he's been promoted from it TWICE, would suggest you're talking b0llocks!

He had a baby in the summer didn’t he (well presumably his mrs did )...
Maybe she’s making him do the night feeds and the poor lad is just knackered.

fidelcastro wrote:To suggest he isn't even Championship standard, committed or not, when he's been promoted from it TWICE, would suggest you're talking b0llocks!

I assume we're talking CURRENT form, not his past achievements

nil_desperandum wrote:I assume we're talking CURRENT form, not his past achievements

Do you really think he'd be found wanting in the Championship? Really?

Bordeauxclaret wrote:Along with Cork he’s gone from being consistently good to consistently poor.

Cork needs a break but SD insists on playing him every game, too loyal to a lot of the players,.

Aclaret wrote:Cork needs a break but SD insists on playing him every game, too loyal to a lot of the players,.

Who replaces him?

1fatclaret wrote:Who replaces him?

Yaya, when we bring him in, apparently!

fidelcastro wrote:Do you really think he'd be found wanting in the Championship? Really?

Yes as a centre half because he doesn’t have the physical or technical attributes. He’s always been error prone. He’s always been fortunate with us that he’s had a far superior partner.

Perhaps you could give us your opinion of what you think his attributes are? What is he good at etc.

Aclaret wrote:Cork needs a break but SD insists on playing him every game, too loyal to a lot of the players,.

SD doesn't seem to have too many options at present given the state of injuries. You could make a case for most of the team to be rested (including the OT) but we just don't have the strength in depth to accommodate this luxury.

Right_winger wrote:Yes as a centre half because he doesn’t have the physical or technical attributes. He’s always been error prone. He’s always been fortunate with us that he’s had a far superior partner.

Perhaps you could give us your opinion of what you think his attributes are? What is he good at etc.

You really need to ask that?

I'm guessing you've not seen much of us over the past few years then.

Much easier to whinge and whine on here, I guess.

Right_winger wrote:Yes as a centre half because he doesn’t have the physical or technical attributes. He’s always been error prone. He’s always been fortunate with us that he’s had a far superior partner.

Perhaps you could give us your opinion of what you think his attributes are? What is he good at etc.

I think you are the poster who had it in for David Jones.....Ben 's turn now is it? why don't you just take your negative opinions somewhere else.

Team for next game then

Pope
Bardsley Tarks long Gibson Taylor
JBG Westwood Defour
Barnes doesitreallymatter

fidelcastro wrote:As usual, utter b0llocks from you.

Looks like your in the minority here you communist pr!ck.

fidelcastro wrote:You really need to ask that?

I'm guessing you've not seen much of us over the past few years then.

Much easier to whinge and whine on here, I guess.

Well when you instantly dismiss someone’s opinion I would like to know what reasons you have for doing so. You have as of yet to provide anything.

Easier to play the man than ball though I suppose.

Stayingup wrote:Looks like your in the minority here you communist pr!ck.

It's "you're" you illiterate pr!ck!

Claretnick wrote:I think you are the poster who had it in for David Jones.....Ben 's turn now is it? why don't you just take your negative opinions somewhere else.

That’s correct, I don’t have time for limited players who happen to be managers pets.

Right_winger wrote:That’s correct, I don’t have time for limited players who happen to be managers pets.

I imagine Ben would be the first to admit he has limitations and does not need to be reminded by non players like you or me....Managers pet! ffs, would love to see you say that to his face .... he has been a vital part of the spine of this team since we came up as champions, that same team that David Jones was part of,yes something is not right with Ben and it needs resolving between him and the manager.

When will you ever make any positive contribution to supporting our team?

Poor today as was the whole team. Thought he had picked up his game recently though and has played well. To single him out alone from the lot of them today is pretty single minded. He isn't as reliable as he has been but not the worst performer this season.

Ben Mees’ number 1 problem is playing alongside Tarks. I have no idea if there is/was a rift between them but Tarks is playing like an amateur. Caught falling over the ball twice today trying to take a player on as the last man. Regularly doesn’t get himself into space to take a sideways ball from his partner, just hides away behind the opposition.
Defence was Dyches strength, attack has never been, if he can’t see this and drag him over the coals for it he’ll never learn.