ARTICLE: Benson is the shining light at the Etihad

[FactualFrank]

Decent little cameo today.

Good to have another option but let's not get carried away yet.

A positive option to have on the bench though and give him minutes when appropriate.

[Rowls]

A positive option to have on the bench though and give him minutes when appropriate.

Certainly.

He's done well when he's been given the chance. Let's hope he continues to progress and do well.

[ClaretTony]

I do wonder if Stephens was thrown into the first team sooner than he or we would have liked due to our injuries. He was injured just before coming to us and injured 2 games later for me he wasn’t fully recovered from his injury at Brighton and he was laboured when playing because of it. When he comes back he will be better for us and will turn out to be a decent signing I think.

I think that's probably the case

[ClaretTony]

Decent little cameo today.

Good to have another option but let's not get carried away yet.

What was pleasing today was that Dyche brought on Benson when he could easily have brought on Pieters and played him on the right, which he's done previously. Looked OK too when he came on.

[FactualFrank]

What was pleasing today was that Dyche brought on Benson when he could easily have brought on Pieters and played him on the right, which he's done previously. Looked OK too when he came on.

Valid point. I was certainly surprised when he came on.

[ClaretTony]

Valid point. I was certainly surprised when he came on.

Me too, I'd have expected Pieters, certainly in a 1-1 situation so close to the end of the game.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Another promising cameo from Benson.

He definitely offers something different, would like to see him get more game time

[FactualFrank]

As things stand, a good option from the bench. I hope he gets more chances.

As somebody stated on the other thread, he came on when SD could have opted for someone such as Pieters. That tells us something.

[NewClaret]

Another promising cameo from Benson.

He definitely offers something different, would like to see him get more game time

Agreed. Would also like to see a 3 man midfield (with him in it) occasionally.

[Vino blanco]

When jbg and cork are fit, he won't be on the bench.

[FactualFrank]

Agreed. Would also like to see a 3 man midfield (with him in it) occasionally.

That would very much depend on the opposition and whether we're home or away.

But 442 got us 7th and 10th.

[boatshed bill]

That would very much depend on the opposition and whether we're home or away.

But 442 got us 7th and 10th.

4-4-1-1 got us a lot of points when we came 7th, Frank.

[superdimitri]

I think he's played wide right for the underdevelopment squad. He did okay. Not as good as at Manchester City.

Would prefer him getting a chance in a central role. With Cork soon back though I think the best thing for him would be getting a loan in a championship side in January so he can get some good game time and experience.

If he can have some good cameos in this league then that could mean a lot for his career.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Decent little cameo today.

Good to have another option but let's not get carried away yet.

Even if he doesnt make regular starts, both he and Dunne will have added a zero to their resale value this season already

[boatshed bill]

I think he's played wide right for the underdevelopment squad. He did okay. Not as good as at Manchester City.

Would prefer him getting a chance in a central role. With Cork soon back though I think the best thing for him would be getting a loan in a championship side in January so he can get some good game time and experience.

If he can have some good cameos in this league then that could mean a lot for his career.

I've watched two games where he has been centre-mid. Everything starts with him. I'm not saying he's PL ready, but there's a player in there.

[NewClaret]

That would very much depend on the opposition and whether we're home or away.

But 442 got us 7th and 10th.

Yep, and I like 442, I just think we need different tactics/formations against some clubs. Playing 442 at the Etihad is asking for trouble. We need to be able to play 352 or 451 with a midfield 3 in those games.

And even use it to close games out when we’ve played 442 and got our noses in front.

[FactualFrank]

4-4-1-1 got us a lot of points when we came 7th, Frank.

It wasn't really though. It became very much 4-4-2 when we were playing.

[ClaretTony]

It wasn't really though. It became very much 4-4-2 when we were playing.

It wasn’t, it was 4-4-1-1 with Hendrick behind the single striker. We got up to fourth in the table with that team and formation and people were still moaning about Hendrick.