Joe Bennett

[nigel]

I seem to remember he had a decent cross on him and was decent going forward, but highly suspect defensively.

Which means, on recent evidence, Timbo will love him.

Agree.
I always liked him, you could see there was a player in there.
He and Lowton were both excellent crossers of the ball, both excellent going forward but both struggled defensively.
Joe proved in the later stages of last season that with a bit of help from a defensive midfielder he could cope.

Interestingly, Gary Gardner was playing DM at Forest, and doing it very well by all accounts.

Apparently, Tim has been impressed with both JB and GG since they returned to Villa Park

[tomd2103]

Is there any feedback on how he's done at Brighton?

He's got quality but he's so bad defensively he makes Richardson look solid

I still want a new left back and there are a few signs that we won't be signing too many players? Might be reading too much into things tho

Without wishing to be unkind, on the times I saw Brighton on TV, Bennett looked like he was at his level. 

[dekko]

I'm finding it hard to completely write off any player who underperformed under Lambert, given how little he got even out of our good players.

On that basis I'd like to see Bennett given a chance at least.  He's certainly got some of the qualities (decent enough on the ball, can cross) to be an attacking fullback, but it remains to be seen if some defensive ability can be coached into him.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Defensively, our full backs are our biggest problem. Bacuna and Richardson can't defend.

Very rarely do you get a fullback who can attack AND defend. They usually either do one or the other.

For as long as I can remember we've had ones that are better defensively, so it's been great to see us finally go for attacking full backs.

Would Joe Bennett be any worse than Richardson? If people keep off his back at the smallest of mistakes (which Richardson has made plenty of, and rightly doesn't get a slating for it during the match), then I don't think he'd be any worse.

[nigel]

Is there any feedback on how he's done at Brighton?

He's got quality but he's so bad defensively he makes Richardson look solid

I still want a new left back and there are a few signs that we won't be signing too many players? Might be reading too much into things tho

Without wishing to be unkind, on the times I saw Brighton on TV, Bennett looked like he was at his level.

Yes, I think that's a touch harsh 
You have to ask, did he struggle because of the way Lambert set things up?
You could say the same about 90% of the team under Lambert, but Tim's got them playing at another level.
He deserves the opportunity to prove himself again.

[tom jennings III]

I never rated him after seeing a few of the roastings he got live at Villa Park, however, as these were under some of the darkest hours of Lambert's reign I am more than happy for him to be given another go.

[PeterWithesShin]

I didn't mind Bennett as much as some did, I often wondered if he was worth a punt in midfield.

[nigel]

I didn't mind Bennett as much as some did, I often wondered if he was worth a punt in midfield.

I thought about a back 3/5, with Bennett as left wing back and Lowton or Baccuna as right wing back.

Along the lines of:

                                Guzan
              Okore          Clark         Baker
               Sanchez/Westwood/Gardner
Lowton/Baccuna                                      Bennett
                     Cleverley              Delph
                                   Greilish
                                   Benteke

[Matt Collins]

Can't see sherwood playing a back three

[nigel]

I reckon that team would win the league, Matt 

Seriously, though, to be honest, neither can I, this team was just a thought.

[aj2k77]

Why would we change the teams shape to accommodate Joe Bennett?

[passitsideways]

It wouldn't be to accommodate Joe Bennett, it would be so that there'd be less angst about starting two non-defending FBs.

[Mister E]

I never rated him after seeing a few of the roastings he got live at Villa Park, however, as these were under some of the darkest hours of Lambert's reign I am more than happy for him to be given another go.

The other thing about Bennett's time in our first team is that the CB weren't particularly good in supporting the FB. With the inprovement in Clark, Bennett might well look like a decent LB.

Re 3-5-2, I actually think we've got the players to be very good in that set-up. Remember, Vlaar looked at his best in a 3-at-the-back formation for The Netherlands. With Clark nad Okore either side and Bennett and Bacuna wide, it might well be very effective.

[Toronto Villa]

If Joe Bennett is in the squad next season I hope we have a very solid LB that he is back up to. Because right now he's at very best a back up.

[tomd2103]

I never rated him after seeing a few of the roastings he got live at Villa Park, however, as these were under some of the darkest hours of Lambert's reign I am more than happy for him to be given another go.

The other thing about Bennett's time in our first team is that the CB weren't particularly good in supporting the FB. With the inprovement in Clark, Bennett might well look like a decent LB.

Maybe the improvement in Clark and Baker had had something to do with not having to play next to the likes of Bennett, Luna and Stevens.