Bennet

[Jacket]

Any update as to when he's likely to be back? We seem to have missed him. He made a big impact when he joined and the lack of confidence at the back has been clear from the moment he left up at Huddersfield, when we went from 1-1 to absolute meltdown. Although I concede we had looked uncharacteristically ropey at the back while he was still on the pitch in that game.

There are clearly other factors in our poor recent form like the drought in terms of goals from open play. But our promotion push has been built from the back, and the slight uncertainty that's crept into our defence seems to be filtering through to all other departments.

 

[Pontyjack]

He’s been on the bench the last two games, so would expect him to start v Luton, especially as Guehi has now picked up an injury and will be a doubt. I guess we have to wait and see.

 

[Badlands]

How have we missed him?
Cabango didn’t play well last night by his standards but did everything that was asked.
Balls out from the back might have had a better chance of hitting their target if midfield had offered any sort of target.
Playing Ben no Bennett unbalances the back three - one or other IMO. I'd play Cabango because he gets through far more of the heavy lifting. With Bidwell and Roberts playing more like wide midfielders than wingbacks Naughton and Guehi offer a good well balanced centre / full back option.
Latti needs to be more disciplined too.
Our problem is midfield.

 

[Jacket]

How have we missed him?
Cabango didn’t play well last night by his standards but did everything that was asked.
Balls out from the back might have had a better chance of hitting their target if midfield had offered any sort of target.
Playing Ben no Bennett unbalances the back three - one or other IMO. I'd play Cabango because he gets through far more of the heavy lifting. With Bidwell and Roberts playing more like wide midfielders than wingbacks Naughton and Guehi offer a good well balanced centre / full back option.
Latti needs to be more disciplined too.
Our problem is midfield.

For me Bennet is the organizer, the communicator, much the same as Ashley Williams was. Communication is key at the back, more so with a back three I would imagine. The best signing we've made this season I'd say.

 

[mrploppy]

Bennet has to play on Saturday if he's fit. Cabango's been OK - but no better than that. He's developed a habit of hoofing the ball into the air - the first time he tried it last night he sliced it and it ended up being an attempt on goal. Our distribution from the back has generally been poor for a while. Bennet and Woodman have both been guilty of playing long balls directly into touch. The other thing I've noticed with Bennet is that when nothing's on he'll carry the ball into midfield and invariable loses it - he needs to cut that out, but he also needs people to show for him. I'd still bring him in though - he seems to be a calming influence. Naughton is looking the most composed of the back three on the ball at the moment.

 

[magicdaps10]

100% missed him.

Since he came off at half time against Huddersfield we have conceded more goals than we did prior to that.

Leader, organiser and a sense of calm both in himself and to those around him.

To answer the question, I expect him back Saturday after being named on the bench for the last few games.

 

[Badlands]

People keep saying Bennett is an organiser and communicator ... I’ve seen no evidence of that.

 

[magicdaps10]

People keep saying Bennett is an organiser and communicator ... I’ve seen no evidence of that.

Really!?
Some people see these things more clear than others. I would take it that you are a man of an older age? Get to an age where your eye gets drawn more to the ball rather than take in what goes on around the pitch.

 

[Fireboy]

People keep saying Bennett is an organiser and communicator ... I’ve seen no evidence of that.

Wow

 

[A4Jack]

People keep saying Bennett is an organiser and communicator ... I’ve seen no evidence of that.

Him, Smith, Ayew and Roberts are all very vocal and the real leaders in the team

 

[JackFish]

People keep saying Bennett is an organiser and communicator ... I’ve seen no evidence of that.

Well we haven't kept a clean sheet since he's been out injured for one.

 

[magicdaps10]

Badlands quite clearly has bad eyes

I think 99.9% of people can see that he is a leader, clear as day.