Joe Bennett

[paul_e]

I firmly believe we let Lowton go too soon, I'd rather have him in the team than Hutton or Bacuna, I know he was defensively suspect but there isn't a single defender who played for Villa under Lambert for whom that isn't true.  That suggests that the coaching was the big problem not the players.  When you look at Lambert's other teams there is a definite pattern of a coach who can't organise a defence.

[Risso]

I firmly believe we let Lowton go too soon, I'd rather have him in the team than Hutton or Bacuna, I know he was defensively suspect but there isn't a single defender who played for Villa under Lambert for whom that isn't true.  That suggests that the coaching was the big problem not the players.  When you look at Lambert's other teams there is a definite pattern of a coach who can't organise a defence.

It is hard to see who was genuinely poor and who was just caught up in the general malaise of the last few years, but I agree with the person who said he was just too slow.  Also seemd to have a question mark or two over his attitude.

[Toronto Villa]

A small part of me doesn't blame the players due to the nonsense going on all around them. I wouldn't want to work in a fucked up work environment either. That said the stuff about Lowton and his missus was beyond daft.

[PeterWithesShin]

Bennett may well not be good enough, but most of us are basing our opinions on the Bennett of 2 or 3 years ago that was young, playing in a struggling side and 'coached' by crap. How many players, especially younger ones, seemed to improve at all under Lambert and the coaches, or anyone since Houllier? After Delph and Benteke it's probably a very small list. We didn't just seem to slow their improvement, it came to a grinding halt almost immediately. I don't believe that just about every player we brought in over the last 5 years or so was shit and incapable of improving.

[OCD]

Bennett may well not be good enough, but most of us are basing our opinions on the Bennett of 2 or 3 years ago that was young, playing in a struggling side and 'coached' by crap. How many players, especially younger ones, seemed to improve at all under Lambert and the coaches, or anyone since Houllier? After Delph and Benteke it's probably a very small list. We didn't just seem to slow their improvement, it came to a grinding halt almost immediately. I don't believe that just about every player we brought in over the last 5 years or so was shit and incapable of improving.

Look how crap we made Ryan Bertrand look and then how good he's looked since he left us.

[paul_e]

Bennett may well not be good enough, but most of us are basing our opinions on the Bennett of 2 or 3 years ago that was young, playing in a struggling side and 'coached' by crap. How many players, especially younger ones, seemed to improve at all under Lambert and the coaches, or anyone since Houllier? After Delph and Benteke it's probably a very small list. We didn't just seem to slow their improvement, it came to a grinding halt almost immediately. I don't believe that just about every player we brought in over the last 5 years or so was shit and incapable of improving.

Look how crap we made Ryan Bertrand look and then how good he's looked since he left us.

Yep, I think our 'curse' was particularly evident when it came to fullbacks who all came in, looked good for a few games and then started to get exposed, became a defensive liability and got replaced.  It happened with Lowton, Bennett, Bertrand, Luna, Bacuna, Hutton, Amavi (to an extent) and Cissokho that's a trend and it suggests that no one at the club had any idea how to either train a full back or train a team to defend the wings.

[Lastfootstamper]

Bennett may well not be good enough, but most of us are basing our opinions on the Bennett of 2 or 3 years ago that was young, playing in a struggling side and 'coached' by crap. How many players, especially younger ones, seemed to improve at all under Lambert and the coaches, or anyone since Houllier? After Delph and Benteke it's probably a very small list. We didn't just seem to slow their improvement, it came to a grinding halt almost immediately. I don't believe that just about every player we brought in over the last 5 years or so was shit and incapable of improving.

Look how crap we made Ryan Bertrand look and then how good he's looked since he left us.

Yep, I think our 'curse' was particularly evident when it came to fullbacks who all came in, looked good for a few games and then started to get exposed, became a defensive liability and got replaced.  It happened with Lowton, Bennett, Bertrand, Luna, Bacuna, Hutton, Amavi (to an extent) and Cissokho that's a trend and it suggests that no one at the club had any idea how to either train a full back or train a team to defend the wings.

Whether it be going forward or defending, I can't be the only one that's thought our fullbacks have been isolated and exposed for the majority of the last five years. I think it was beginning to take its toll on Amavi, that he was pretty much responsible for the entire length of the pitch on one side, hence the obligatory drop-off in form.

[Tony Erdington]

Bennett may well not be good enough, but most of us are basing our opinions on the Bennett of 2 or 3 years ago that was young, playing in a struggling side and 'coached' by crap. How many players, especially younger ones, seemed to improve at all under Lambert and the coaches, or anyone since Houllier? After Delph and Benteke it's probably a very small list. We didn't just seem to slow their improvement, it came to a grinding halt almost immediately. I don't believe that just about every player we brought in over the last 5 years or so was shit and incapable of improving.

Look how crap we made Ryan Bertrand look and then how good he's looked since he left us.

Yep, I think our 'curse' was particularly evident when it came to fullbacks who all came in, looked good for a few games and then started to get exposed, became a defensive liability and got replaced.  It happened with Lowton, Bennett, Bertrand, Luna, Bacuna, Hutton, Amavi (to an extent) and Cissokho that's a trend and it suggests that no one at the club had any idea how to either train a full back or train a team to defend the wings.

Whether it be going forward or defending, I can't be the only one that's thought our fullbacks have been isolated and exposed for the majority of the last five years. I think it was beginning to take its toll on Amavi, that he was pretty much responsible for the entire length of the pitch on one side, hence the obligatory drop-off in form.

that point was no where as loud and clear than the fa cup final, from minute 1, our full backs where exposed, grealish and the zog, never ever gave any cover and that in a big way , said fill your boots arsenal.

[nigel]

Bennett may well not be good enough, but most of us are basing our opinions on the Bennett of 2 or 3 years ago that was young, playing in a struggling side and 'coached' by crap. How many players, especially younger ones, seemed to improve at all under Lambert and the coaches, or anyone since Houllier? After Delph and Benteke it's probably a very small list. We didn't just seem to slow their improvement, it came to a grinding halt almost immediately. I don't believe that just about every player we brought in over the last 5 years or so was shit and incapable of improving.

Look how crap we made Ryan Bertrand look and then how good he's looked since he left us.

Yep, I think our 'curse' was particularly evident when it came to fullbacks who all came in, looked good for a few games and then started to get exposed, became a defensive liability and got replaced.  It happened with Lowton, Bennett, Bertrand, Luna, Bacuna, Hutton, Amavi (to an extent) and Cissokho that's a trend and it suggests that no one at the club had any idea how to either train a full back or train a team to defend the wings.

Whether it be going forward or defending, I can't be the only one that's thought our fullbacks have been isolated and exposed for the majority of the last five years. I think it was beginning to take its toll on Amavi, that he was pretty much responsible for the entire length of the pitch on one side, hence the obligatory drop-off in form.

Said as much earlier in thread.
Like paul e I felt we let Lowton go too soon.

[paul_e]

Bennett may well not be good enough, but most of us are basing our opinions on the Bennett of 2 or 3 years ago that was young, playing in a struggling side and 'coached' by crap. How many players, especially younger ones, seemed to improve at all under Lambert and the coaches, or anyone since Houllier? After Delph and Benteke it's probably a very small list. We didn't just seem to slow their improvement, it came to a grinding halt almost immediately. I don't believe that just about every player we brought in over the last 5 years or so was shit and incapable of improving.

Look how crap we made Ryan Bertrand look and then how good he's looked since he left us.

Yep, I think our 'curse' was particularly evident when it came to fullbacks who all came in, looked good for a few games and then started to get exposed, became a defensive liability and got replaced.  It happened with Lowton, Bennett, Bertrand, Luna, Bacuna, Hutton, Amavi (to an extent) and Cissokho that's a trend and it suggests that no one at the club had any idea how to either train a full back or train a team to defend the wings.

Whether it be going forward or defending, I can't be the only one that's thought our fullbacks have been isolated and exposed for the majority of the last five years. I think it was beginning to take its toll on Amavi, that he was pretty much responsible for the entire length of the pitch on one side, hence the obligatory drop-off in form.

Yep that's exactly my point, it's like someone at the club read a newspaper article about fullbacks providing the width and they just went with it without working out what it really meant or how to implement it.

[Lastfootstamper]

Bennett may well not be good enough, but most of us are basing our opinions on the Bennett of 2 or 3 years ago that was young, playing in a struggling side and 'coached' by crap. How many players, especially younger ones, seemed to improve at all under Lambert and the coaches, or anyone since Houllier? After Delph and Benteke it's probably a very small list. We didn't just seem to slow their improvement, it came to a grinding halt almost immediately. I don't believe that just about every player we brought in over the last 5 years or so was shit and incapable of improving.

Look how crap we made Ryan Bertrand look and then how good he's looked since he left us.

Yep, I think our 'curse' was particularly evident when it came to fullbacks who all came in, looked good for a few games and then started to get exposed, became a defensive liability and got replaced.  It happened with Lowton, Bennett, Bertrand, Luna, Bacuna, Hutton, Amavi (to an extent) and Cissokho that's a trend and it suggests that no one at the club had any idea how to either train a full back or train a team to defend the wings.

Whether it be going forward or defending, I can't be the only one that's thought our fullbacks have been isolated and exposed for the majority of the last five years. I think it was beginning to take its toll on Amavi, that he was pretty much responsible for the entire length of the pitch on one side, hence the obligatory drop-off in form.

Yep that's exactly my point, it's like someone at the club read a newspaper article about fullbacks providing the width and they just went with it without working out what it really meant or how to implement it.

Sorry, yeah, seeing how you'd said it moments before and all I did was effectively agree with you, I shouldn't really have said "I can't be the only one" when I evidently wasn't!

The hope of seeing the end to such, and watching eleven shirts collectively playing as one all over the pitch, is something that's heightening my eagerness to see what RDM can deliver. Just a shame it's in a lower division.

[RussellC]

If Steve Clarke can coach him the defensive side of his position, he could be a very good modern day left back.

I was thinking about this the other day- is Clarke the first member of our coaching staff since Mcleish who was actually a defender in their playing days...??

For what it's worth, I'm in the group who have always seen a player in Bennett. I'd like to see him playing wide-left with Amavi behind (and over-lapping) him. If it's true that RDM was interested in Robbie Brady then I wouldn't be surprised if he'll see something worth keeping Bennett around for.

[SirSteveUK]

I believe Joe Bennett has got it, I always have, AND with the correct guidance, I believe he can be a top player.

weird thing is , my Boro mates said we had a great signing and he was one of their best players.

POTY for them in his last season

[LeeB]

If Steve Clarke can coach him the defensive side of his position, he could be a very good modern day left back.

I was thinking about this the other day- is Clarke the first member of our coaching staff since Mcleish who was actually a defender in their playing days...??

For what it's worth, I'm in the group who have always seen a player in Bennett. I'd like to see him playing wide-left with Amavi behind (and over-lapping) him. If it's true that RDM was interested in Robbie Brady then I wouldn't be surprised if he'll see something worth keeping Bennett around for.

Culverhouse was a centre half for Norwich.

[SoccerHQ]

Bennett may well not be good enough, but most of us are basing our opinions on the Bennett of 2 or 3 years ago that was young, playing in a struggling side and 'coached' by crap. How many players, especially younger ones, seemed to improve at all under Lambert and the coaches, or anyone since Houllier? After Delph and Benteke it's probably a very small list. We didn't just seem to slow their improvement, it came to a grinding halt almost immediately. I don't believe that just about every player we brought in over the last 5 years or so was shit and incapable of improving.

The problem there is he's done next to nothing in his loan spells.

I just think he's one of the numerous young British footballers who played a few games in the championship and showed a bit of promise, got a massive money premier league deal (and also extension last summer) which has made him for life and is the motivation now there to improve?

Let's be clear aswell, this isn't some young player with flaws anymore, the guy is 26. I still had him down as 22/23.