Benayoun

[Leo No.8]

Benayoun's first touch running onto the ball to slip past two defenders, ability to keep his cool, look up and pick out Gerrard for the second goal last night were absolutely superb last night, fit to grace any game.

 

We've huffed and puffed, desperately lacking creativity in the final third over the last month or so during which time this guy has been fit and sitting on the bench or not even in the squad. He's been criminally underused this season so far.

 

If everyone was fit and firing Benayoun would be a great impact sub, but if we're still not using him with our recent injuries to the more intelligent footballers in the squad then I don't know why we bothered buying him.

 

I like the way Yossi plays football, he's clever, skilful and has a great attitude; we really need to see more of him than 30 minute cameos in the Carling Cup. Most times he has played he's looked excellent.

[Hassony]

i didn't realise that he was very quick until i saw his run against besiktas the other day, i just hope he can be more direct sometimes

[Woodsyla]

Benayoun's first touch running onto the ball to slip past two defenders, ability to keep his cool, look up and pick out Gerrard for the second goal last night were absolutely superb last night, fit to grace any game.

 

We've huffed and puffed, desperately lacking creativity in the final third over the last month or so during which time this guy has been fit and sitting on the bench or not even in the squad. He's been criminally underused this season so far.

 

If everyone was fit and firing Benayoun would be a great impact sub, but if we're still not using him with our recent injuries to the more intelligent footballers in the squad then I don't know why we bothered buying him.

 

I like the way Yossi plays football, he's clever, skilful and has a great attitude; we really need to see more of him than 30 minute cameos in the Carling Cup. Most times he has played he's looked excellent.

 

I'm assuming he was on the bench last night because he is starting on Saturday. If he isn't starting Saturday then I really don't know why Rafa isn't playing him.

[Guest Portly]

I agree Leo, we want players in the team who make things happen. Benayoun is such a player, as is Crouch, who has also been grossly under-used.

[D.Boon]

Wasn't convinced when we bought him but has always impressed of late. Id definately have him ahead of Pennant for the starting 11.

[Roscoe]

i didn't realise that he was very quick until i saw his run against besiktas the other day, i just hope he can be more direct sometimes

 

aye, his pace has surprised me. I don't see any reason for him not starting games at the moment.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I was advocating the use of Benayoun in Stevie's position for games when Stevie was injured. Given that early season Momo was the man playing the advanced midfield role I thought Yossi would be much more suited.

 

Personally, given the absence of Torres, I think we would pack a bigger punch with Yossi, Stevie and Babel playing in a 4-2-3-1 system behind someone like Kuyt/Crouch rather than persisting with the disaster that is Kuyt and Voronin.

 

Personally I think Benayoun is a class player. When you look at our team and try to find players that are quick, able to beat a man, confident on the ball and can spot a pass then we are struggling. At least if you have Alonso and Pennant in the team you get those skills but at the moment with both out, I think we need Benayoun as he will actively seek the ball and whats more, he is very comfortable on it and doesnt seem to waste possession as much others.

[fred milne]

I'd definately have him ahead of Pennant for the starting 11.

Its not even close.

[D.Boon]

When you look at our team and try to find players that are quick, able to beat a man, confident on the ball and can spot a pass then we are struggling. At least if you have Alonso and Pennant in the team you get those skills but at the moment

 

Remind me where Pennant fits into to any of those attributes

[Leo No.8]

I'm assuming he was on the bench last night because he is starting on Saturday. If he isn't starting Saturday then I really don't know why Rafa isn't playing him.

 

He's hardly gone beyond a 30 minute cameo in any competition this season so I'm not holding my breath. Both Voronin and Kuyt were rested completely so I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one of them plodding along the touchline.

 

Benayoun started against Toulouse at home and was excellent. In fact he's looked like one of our better players pretty much every time he's been on the pitch but it hasn't been enough to see him start regularly.

Edited November 1, 2007 by Leo No.8

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Remind me where Pennant fits into to any of those attributes

 

I thought Pennant started the season really well. He looks for the ball, has a turn of pace and can beat a man and his crossing is decent - given his position, he is generally always available as an outlet given he rarely strays from the touchline.

 

Personally, up until the Derby game he was one of my 'definites' when it comes to the team i.e. who do you not rotate and Pennant was one of those for me. Granted, performances after the internationals were not great but then that was the general malaise hitting the whole team.

[Rimbeux]

Remind me where Pennant fits into to any of those attributes

 

 

Has some pace, can beat players, is very good technically and keeps the ball well. Sure he's not the matchwinner that most demand in his position but he has his uses in a team playing well.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

He's hardly gone beyond a 30 minute cameo in any competition this season so I'm not holding my breath. Both Voronin and Kuyt were rested completely so I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one of them plodding along the touchline.

 

Benayoun started against Toulouse at home and was excellent. In fact he's looked like one of our better players pretty much every time he's been on the pitch but it hasn't been enough to see him start regularly.

 

I think the reason he looks so good is because it is rare in our team that someone can demand the ball so far up the pitch and look so composed. If the killer ball isnt on, then it gets spread wide - he almost reminds me of how Didi treats the football in that he is comfortable on the ball and if no forward pass is on then we keep possession and it goes back or wide and we start again - sometimes we have too much huff & puff about us.

[Leo No.8]

I think the reason he looks so good is because it is rare in our team that someone can demand the ball so far up the pitch and look so composed. If the killer ball isnt on, then it gets spread wide - he almost reminds me of how Didi treats the football in that he is comfortable on the ball and if no forward pass is on then we keep possession and it goes back or wide and we start again - sometimes we have too much huff & puff about us.

 

When he cuts inside he looks to draw defenders to him then play that little threaded killer ball.

 

It's a match winner when it comes off.

[TheLa]

I thought Pennant started the season really well. He looks for the ball, has a turn of pace and can beat a man and his crossing is decent - given his position, he is generally always available as an outlet given he rarely strays from the touchline.

 

Personally, up until the Derby game he was one of my 'definites' when it comes to the team i.e. who do you not rotate and Pennant was one of those for me. Granted, performances after the internationals were not great but then that was the general malaise hitting the whole team.

 

I agree, Penannts done well for us, this season and much of last season. Some people won't let him forget his past though. At the Brum game some nobhead behind me was giving him s*** constantly. "That's s*** that Pennant" every time he touched the ball, even throwing in a bit of of racism for good measure "Take that c*** off", f***ing well done, fella. Nothing like supporting your team.

 

Reminded me of the West Ham game last season when some fella sat behind me wouldn't stop whinging about Garcia, just constant abuse and I mean constant. Then Luis played that lovely little ball through for Crouch; 2-1. The c*** behind me didn't even celebrate. f***ing w*****.

 

Anyway, that was completely off topic. I agree though, Benayoun's been a really good signing and deserves to play more regularly.

[Kahnee]

I agree Leo, we want players in the team who make things happen. Benayoun is such a player, as is Crouch, who has also been grossly under-used.

 

 

Or were you serious?

[Rory Fitzgerald]

 

Or were you serious?

 

I think Portly means that Crouch makes things happen in the box. We are grossly misrepresented in the box when we use Kuyt and Voronin - Crouch knows that he does not have the pace or guile to operate deep. The lad simply holds possession deep, lays it off and makes for the peno spot so that he has a chance with any ball into the box. The other 2 lads seem pre-occupied with making runs and dropping deep that we dont have a striker in dangerous positions some of the time.

[Tosh]

When he cuts inside he looks to draw defenders to him then play that little threaded killer ball.

 

It's a match winner when it comes off.

 

 

aka the "Riise trap"

[Guest Portly]

I think Portly means that Crouch makes things happen in the box. We are grossly misrepresented in the box when we use Kuyt and Voronin - Crouch knows that he does not have the pace or guile to operate deep. The lad simply holds possession deep, lays it off and makes for the peno spot so that he has a chance with any ball into the box. The other 2 lads seem pre-occupied with making runs and dropping deep that we dont have a striker in dangerous positions some of the time.

 

Thanks for that Rory. You have explained what I meant better than I would have done. Opposition defences definitely don't like Crouch, they are much happier dealing with the likes of Kuyt or Voronin, not that either of them are bad players.

[abc]

Crouch is a good technical player. We need to play all our good technical players on the pitch together so you can see some better football and possession play in tighter situations. Ideally, all our players are of such description.

[Guest Ant]

Benayoun was brilliant when he came on, we played some terrific football when Babel was switched to the wing and Benayoun was on the left, sublime

[D.Boon]

I thought Pennant started the season really well. He looks for the ball, has a turn of pace and can beat a man and his crossing is decent - given his position, he is generally always available as an outlet given he rarely strays from the touchline.

 

Personally, up until the Derby game he was one of my 'definites' when it comes to the team i.e. who do you not rotate and Pennant was one of those for me. Granted, performances after the internationals were not great but then that was the general malaise hitting the whole team.

 

Sorry, dont get it. He has very little pace and never goes past a man.

 

Anyway this is a Benny thread

[realtarragona]

Few comments what he said to the Israel media if anyone's interested:

 

I feel in training my place is getting safer.

 

I've been playing a lot lately, there are many players so you need patience.

 

I feel in good shape in the last few matches, and i hope after Saturday I'll get a run in the side, from what I feel in training it's getting closer.

 

I've already played 10 games in a row, 5-6 of them in the starting 11.

 

In the league we are still undefeated, our league results are okay. It's true we have been disappointing in the Champions League but i hope we can win the next three games and qualify.

 

I'm very pleased here, I'm enjoying it and when I'm called to play I'll be ready.

 

(Re Reina): I think he's one of the best in the world, great keeper with great abilities, very strong and very confident.

 

(Re Grant): 6-0 was a result Chelsea haven't got in years. The media are still waiting for him to slip up but I hope he won't.

[Earl Hafler]

Wasn't convinced when we bought him but has always impressed of late. Id definately have him ahead of Pennant for the starting 11.

 

An injured Pennant or a fit Pennant ? Rafa seems to think it doesn't matter

[D.Boon]

An injured Pennant or a fit Pennant ? Rafa seems to think it doesn't matter

 

Is there a difference

Edited November 2, 2007 by gackwilliams