Match Thread: FLT G3 : Port Vale v Liverpool U21

[SFBT]

16 minutes ago, PV1973 said:

I think that determination, passion, drive and energy isn’t something that all players have. So that makes him valuable to the side as well as his ability. But no matter what, bad game or good game you still get the same desire from him. I think that’s what sets him apart in my eyes. 

Yep. The kind of energy and menace of an Andy Porter or a Griff. The ability to disrupt opposition players by getting in amongst them. Precious resource.

[jjvale_03]

19 hours ago, Lornelounger said:

...and whilst I understand and respect your opinion, I disagree with you.  This isn't me leaping on negativity as a "happy clapper" or a member of the rose tinted specs brigade, but I think the best is yet to come with Benning.   He was a sought after player, and has come to us with a good reputation, albeit, as you say, for a club who haven't exactly been pulling up trees in this league. I'm not sure he's fully fit yet, though I may be wrong.  I also think he is a step up from the players we got rid of in the summer - I'm not part of the brigade think last year's team could "still do a job at this level".  Many of them patently couldn't, which is why the season was such a struggle.

I watched the Crawley game a couple of weeks back and he put himself in some great positions on the overlap, but just wasn't being given the ball. I couldn't understand why - we often took a couple of passes to ship the ball out to him, by which time he was up against two players.  Maybe it's a confidence thing, or maybe the players getting used to that particular system?  Whilst we're all lauding the depth of the squad as being a great thing for maintaining a strong team for the whole game, the rotation of players means that Benning hasn't had much match time, and I don't think that has helped his confidence either. It might that injuries to players or suspensions later this season gives him an extended run in the side, and only then will we see his true quality. 

Whether I'm right or wrong, my instinct is to give him the benefit of the doubt and be supportive of him.  We may need him when the chips are down, and suggesting he is national League and just not good enough isn't particularly helpful in my view.  But like I said, I respect your view, and can see why you have come to the conclusion you have.

 

Thanks, LL.

I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

I don't like comparing him to previous players either, given the direct comparison is Fitzpatrick - who has made 5 appearances for Altrincham this season. He probably hasn't been helped by the performances of Dan Jones and James Gibbons, many a player would look inferior compared to those two at this level. Also agreed on the fitness issue, perhaps there's a persistent niggle that's preventing him from reaching 100%, certainly seems that he's not quite at full pelt yet. 25 yard screamer incoming tomorrow lunchtime...!