While I seriously hope we keep both , could their seemingly endless absence/bench/few mins here and there be a precursor for loan deals ? Like most, I had high hopes for these 2 and while I get wingers are always a bit “ in and out”
They both appear well out of favour .

We’ve no shortage of wingers and Oderbert clearly has talent but the sheer pace , chances and goals in Anass and Manny have been a huge miss .

Youd think therell be a few sniffing around. I think Benson is still in VKs plans but a loan for Zaroury might be best for all parties.

Think Benson has always been in the plans just keeps aggregating his (groin?)

Wouldn’t begrudge loaning Anass out at all - maybe to a team competing in the top of the Championship?

An Ipswich perhaps?

Similar playstyle and they need numbers.

I just can’t get my head around the lack of minutes for Zaroury. He has so much potential. I would loan him to Ipswich.

aggravating**

Unless the plan is to sell off all the new wingers in summer and go back to these two in the Championship, we realistically are better off selling them sooner rather than later. Not getting near our team is not good for a player's value.

The Zaroury Conundrum has been the most puzzling thing for me in a season of puzzling things. His form dipped a little after the World Cup and he definitely has things to improve - especially off the ball. But he looked to have all the raw, street-football characteristics which go down a storm in the Premier League. He reminded me of Hazard at times last season. I hope there's a future for him at Burnley, maybe after a loan.

As for Benson - I'm less surprised he's featured sporadically, even when seemingly fit. The surprise for me will be if he plays much more because I don't think he we can afford a player like him in this team in a relegation battle - we already carry Amdouni. Even last season he didn't do full ninety minutes and became a super sub providing bursts and flashes of pure unfathomable magic. But overall, I don't think he has the overall all round game to feature much for us. And he's older than most maybe think too - he's twenty-six. An offer for him and I think he goes. Can see him in the Saudi Pro League.

Benson finished last season sensationally and I’d be massively disappointed if he goes without at least being used as an impact sub this season. His slight physique is probably the main issue in terms of the PL but I love to watch him.
As for Zaroury it’s just unfathomable to me why he has t featured more …VK must have his reasons.
Two players I loved watching last season and , given we are heading back to the Championship barring a miracle, I want us to keep them.

Benson won’t go anywhere. He’s a match winner for us off the bench if he stays fit.

Anass may benefit from some regular football in the Champ or Europe.

Either way, it’ll be on our terms - they’re in 5 year contracts. Great move by the club.

For me Anass lacks defensively and so far this season defensive ability has been really important. I just think VK is favouring the others as being better at tracking back. Simple as that.

Benson will certainly feature when fit and Zaroury will have his part to play, particularly in the absence of koleosho.

As said both on long term deals and both will get opportunities when the times right.

All our players have price tags and you’d imagine both these two are currently valued below what the club would think their ceiling values would be in the fullness of time.

Don’t think we can rely on keeping any player under this regime and after the wholesale and unnecessary changes in the last window.

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 1:27 pm

Either way, it’ll be on our terms - they’re in 5 year contracts. Great move by the club.

VK obviously saw the potential to offer an extra year to each at the beginning of this season although, according to the squad list, Benson will have three years left after this season and Zaroury four

Note to VK - We don't need anymore wingers this summer

I was gutted watching Zaroury's performance at Bournemouth, he'd already been there and destroyed them in the cup but sadly looked anything but half the player. If he's not going to get a look in then a loan until the end of the season to Ipswich or Southampton would be useful as long as he plays.

Injuries, suspensions and our god awful form has no doubt hampered their selections this season. When you add this to the number of wingers we’ve signed they just haven’t had a crack at it. Having never played in the premier league before they naturally needed a run in the team (like many of our players) to find their way and meet the demands of the prem but that just hasn’t happened and thus we are asking are they good enough.
I think both would be but without the luxury of points in the bank it’s going to be a real battle for both to get game time especially Anas who has never really been a player that’s impacted games off the bench.

Zarourys lack of bench time, without apparent injury, leads me to believe he is done with us. His performances post-World Cup warrant nothing less. Shame as I thought he was wonderful pre-WC.

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 3:42 pm

Zarourys lack of bench time, without apparent injury, leads me to believe he is done with us. His performances post-World Cup warrant nothing less. Shame as I thought he was wonderful pre-WC.

Had this whats app the other day ...

Not sure the point of posting gossip...

The individuals are irrelevant to an extent, the bigger picture is possibly more important...

If I was to back VK I would say that Kolosheo and Odebert are much powerful runners with better engines and more potential in the PL than Benson and Zaroury. I also think Trafford has far more potential than Muric.

On the flip side, has VK improved any player since he has arrived, which is supposed to be central to ALKs strategy.

“He has it in his contract that if he’s fit he plays”

Is that utter nonsense really worth posting ?
Very probably means the rest of it is rubbish too.

I dont think its that much of a stetch to imagine Zaroury is not quite at Premier League level this season when you look at players like Cullen, Beyer, Al Dakhil and even Roberts and how much they have struggled compared to last season in the Championship.

ClaretPete001 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:07 pm

Not sure the point of posting gossip...

The individuals are irrelevant to an extent, the bigger picture is possibly more important...

If I was to back VK I would say that Kolosheo and Odebert are much powerful runners with better engines and more potential in the PL than Benson and Zaroury. I also think Trafford has far more potential than Muric.

On the flip side, has VK improved any player since he has arrived, which is supposed to be central to ALKs strategy.

Hate to say it but I think Trafford is improving dont know if it’s to do with Kompany though,can’t think of any one else obviously the likes of Odobert and Koleosho have done well but we don’t know if they’ve improved.

Big Vinny K wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:10 pm

“He has it in his contract that if he’s fit he plays”

Is that utter nonsense really worth posting ?
Very probably means the rest of it is rubbish too.

It's amazing that people believe such rubbish..... And then post it on here, where several others will believe it, and before you know it, it's a fact.

Big Vinny K wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:10 pm

“He has it in his contract that if he’s fit he plays”

Is that utter nonsense really worth posting ?
Very probably means the rest of it is rubbish too.

I switched off at Cork training ground bust up.

Complete professional is Jack, and I very much doubt that Zaroury is the type either. Don’t like that sort of gossip about players.

Also find it hard to believe we’d sell our captain for £7m at a point we’re getting better and finding some form that might keep us up.

Westleigh wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 5:30 pm

Hate to say it but I think Trafford is improving dont know if it’s to do with Kompany though,can’t think of any one else obviously the likes of Odobert and Koleosho have done well but we don’t know if they’ve improved.

Why not be pleased he's improving?

Management of Zaroury has been absolutely bizarre after how well he performed last season.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 6:51 pm

Management of Zaroury has been absolutely bizarre after how well he performed last season.

Phenomenal cross on him - two-footed, can go both ways, good shot

Very strange....

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 7:01 pm

Phenomenal cross on him - two-footed, can go both ways, good shot

Very strange....

Exactly an absolute mystery which some club is going to hugely benefit from.

The biggest surprise was coming back to a thread I’d started and finding it with balanced sensible debate !!! Though the noble exception being “He has it in his contract that if he’s fit he plays” not to mention the same rumour guy stating Cork /Anass out of favour … does he have any update on Elvis,sliced bread or moon landings ?

Benson can go for me, Zaroury is a real talent and we need to keep him.

I can only surmise that neither are showing enough in training to start ahead of those getting game time.

We do seem to have changed our style of play since last season. We were playing before with 3 central midfielder and supplementing this with Roberts, this season we have basically used 2 plus a number 10. Also last season we had a sparkling left back backing Zaroury. I think the change has stifled Zaroury in a much tougher league.

Nori1958 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 5:54 pm

It's amazing that people believe such rubbish..... And then post it on here, where several others will believe it, and before you know it, it's a fact.

It was on the tinterweb, so it must be true…. Surely!

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 6:51 pm

Management of Zaroury has been absolutely bizarre after how well he performed last season.

He doesn't work hard enough & refuses to tackle!

I thought he worked very hard last season to be honest.

Can’t be letting either of these go. Zaroury sloped off in the second half of the season last year but that was his first year in this country. He’s got bags of potential and talent . Given the right coaching he could become a real star

Westleigh wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 5:30 pm

Hate to say it but I think Trafford is improving dont know if it’s to do with Kompany though,can’t think of any one else obviously the likes of Odobert and Koleosho have done well but we don’t know if they’ve improved.

One of the strangest posts I’ve ever read on this board.

In any event, we have Kompany to thank for recruiting us three huge talents.

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 7:01 pm

Phenomenal cross on him - two-footed, can go both ways, good shot

Very strange....

I couldn't have put it any better.
Bizarre management of a real talent.

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 9:57 pm

One of the strangest posts I’ve ever read on this board.

In any event, we have Kompany to thank for recruiting us three huge talents.

So whose improved apart from Trafford?

Westleigh wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 10:51 pm

So whose improved apart from Trafford?

ClaretPete’s post asked VK had improved over his tenure

Last year: Muric, Benson, Zaroury, Barnes (who credits it to VK), Beyer. The results improved over the season as the players got better.

This year: Trafford, Berge, Vitinho, O’Shea is getting better, Tresor is showing signs, Foster has improved immeasurably. It’s to be proven but results and performances are also getting better and I’d hazard a guess that will continue.

Some of the others (Koleosho, Odobert) were just stand-out performers from the moment he bought them. He did an outstanding job identifying and buying them. Long may it continue.

Shouldn’t really indulge the trolls but made me think about who has improved under Kompany:

Muric, Trafford, Vitinho, Beyer, Al Dakhil, O’Shea, Harwood Bellis, Taylor, Berge, Brownhill, Zaroury, Foster, Benson, Gudmundsson, Rodriguez, Tella. I’m bound to have missed some out. All are better players than before they joined us.

Many of that list have said in interviews how Kompany has made them better players, Jay certainly has.

There really is such silly stuff posted on here at times.

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 11:37 pm

Shouldn’t really indulge the trolls but made me think about who has improved under Kompany:

Muric, Trafford, Vitinho, Beyer, Al Dakhil, O’Shea, Harwood Bellis, Taylor, Berge, Brownhill, Zaroury, Foster, Benson, Gudmundsson, Rodriguez, Tella. I’m bound to have missed some out. All are better players than before they joined us.

Many of that list have said in interviews how Kompany has made them better players, Jay certainly has.

There really is such silly stuff posted on here at times.

Really silly stuff. Embarrassing. Like you say, I shouldn’t bite.

I missed Brownhill off. I also think he’s improved technically under Kompany and as you point out, many players have credited Kompany with improving them.

While I’m on the subject, there was some nonsense on here after the Everton game complain that our bench were looking at data/laptops on the bench. In Traffords interviews after Fulham & Liverpool he praised Kompany and the back room team for identifying ways we could improve our attacking play and cause the opposition more problems, and sharing that info at HT. I don’t think it’s in question that our second half performances were much improved in both games so maybe some praise for Kompany, his team’s and their methods is due there too.

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 3:45 pm

Had this whats app the other day ...
Screenshot_20231229_154423_WhatsApp.jpg

I can absolutely guarantee you that groundstaff wouldn't have a clue about Muric and Brownhill. No idea why you'd choose to post this total nonsense.

.. same sort of local gossip as the bloke who told a friend of mine that the senior club physio 'Paul' a 'life-long friend' of his from their school days at Habergham had revealed x, y and z to the bloke about goings on at Gawthorpe .. the senior physio in question being my son who by the way is not called Paul !?

thehistorylecturer58 wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:04 am

.. same sort of local gossip as the bloke who told a friend of mine that the senior club physio 'Paul' a 'life-long friend' of his from their school days at Habergham had revealed x, y and z to the bloke about goings on at Gawthorpe .. the senior physio in question being my son who by the way is not called Paul !?

In that case, I might know who your son is, and if I’m right he helped my son out massively recently. He also wants to get in to physiotherapy so reached out to him particularly around best educational paths and he was super helpful, so thank him for that

Big Vinny K wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:10 pm

“He has it in his contract that if he’s fit he plays”

Is that utter nonsense really worth posting ?
Very probably means the rest of it is rubbish too.

Yeah, the 'if he's fit, he plays' over-egged it somewhat.

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:16 am

In that case, I might know who your son is, and if I’m right he helped my son out massively recently. He also wants to get in to physiotherapy so reached out to him particularly around best educational paths and he was super helpful, so thank him for that

I'll pass that on .. good luck to your son . I now have two sons on that career path , the other one takes after me for his sins.

Westleigh wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 29, 2023 5:30 pm

Hate to say it but I think Trafford is improving dont know if it’s to do with Kompany though,can’t think of any one else obviously the likes of Odobert and Koleosho have done well but we don’t know if they’ve improved.

If ever a post summed up a poster think this one pretty much ticks all the boxes.

Hopefully Zaroury will get an opportunity vs Spurs in the cup next week. Shame about Benson and his injuries

VK does appear to dump players once they are out of favor for whatever reason Cork Cullen Muric Zaroury Roberts Twine Bastien AD etc

FCBurnley wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:18 pm

VK does appear to dump players once they are out of favor for whatever reason Cork Cullen Muric Zaroury Roberts Twine Bastien AD etc

No different to any other manager.