Benoit Assou-Ekotto

[Geyzer Soze]

His loan move to QPR had me totally baffled at the time, and even more so now when we are being shown up to have such weakness in a position he dominated for so long.

Does anyone have any insights into why he was edged out like he was, leaving us with Rose (who has done good until injured, but at the end of the day had 1 good season at a relegation end team) and a right footed Naughton who is unsuited to the role really to play at LB?

I guess there is also Fryers and Verts can be drafted in ... but it is such a weak position for us! And fullbacks are so important at the moment for our style of play.

And also, anyone have any info on the terms of his loan to QPR? Can he be recalled (although even if yes I am sure he wouldn't be).

LOL!!!

 

[TaoistMonkey]

Judging him, on a personal level, I don't think he had drive AVB wanted. Benny has stated that playing football is just a Job to him. Maybe he didn't want to put the effort in required.

I trust AVB's judgement.

 

[felmani26]

Think it was attitude pre-season that probably put the final nail in the coffin but he wouldn't be a great fit in our system either.

Yes, an upgrade on Naughton but he wouldn't have solved our problems and nor would he make our left hand side that much more threatening.

Coentrao would obviously have made a big difference but losing Rose these last few games has really stunted us.

 

[C-oops]

I went to QPR on Saturday. He looked as though he couldn't give a shit. Kevin Bond was on at him giving him instruction at pretty much every break in play during the 2nd half. He made a lot of silly mistakes and gave the ball away in dangerous areas. Luckily Barnsley are absolute shite. If Harry can't motivate him then you can see why AVB has reportedly got a problem with his attitude.

As a side note Niko needs to lose about 2 stone I'd say. He was dire.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Judging him, on a personal level, I don't think he had drive AVB wanted. Benny has stated that playing football is just a Job to him. Maybe he didn't want to put the effort in required.

I trust AVB's judgement.

That was years and years ago, and I am pretty sure it was taken out of context. Sure, he seems a relaxed guy but surely Management 1.0 tells you that someone who can get the job done can get the job done, and methods are secondary really?

 

[EastLondonYid]

We employ AVB to weed out the players he feels are of no use to him for one reason or another, do we back his judgement or not?? Lets not start looking for the likes of Benny and Ade after every defeat...

 

[Geyzer Soze]

We employ AVB to weed out the players he feels are of no use to him for one reason or another, do we back his judgement or not?? Lets not start looking for the likes of Benny and Ade after every defeat...

This question is not a reaction to yesterday, it's general.

 

[pablo73]

I don't have a problem with getting rid of BAE, I think it was the right decision. Not replacing him on the other hand....

 

[hodsgod]

Judging him, on a personal level, I don't think he had drive AVB wanted. Benny has stated that playing football is just a Job to him. Maybe he didn't want to put the effort in required.

I trust AVB's judgement.

The same AVB that wanted to sell Dawson last season, and now gave him a new three year contract? Which judgement should we trust, last season or this season?

 

[EastLondonYid]

This question is not a reaction to yesterday, it's general.

Well my answer can apply to that too dont you think?.....AVB works with these guys not us, i'm sure he has got rid for a reason.

And just to add, if you are not reacting to yesterday whats the problem, we have been ok up untill then haven't we?

 

[sebcole]

I went to QPR on Saturday. He looked as though he couldn't give a shit. Kevin Bond was on at him giving him instruction at pretty much every break in play during the 2nd half. He made a lot of silly mistakes and gave the ball away in dangerous areas. Luckily Barnsley are absolute shite. If Harry can't motivate him then you can see why AVB has reportedly got a problem with his attitude.

As a side note Niko needs to lose about 2 stone I'd say. He was dire.

Weed and football are not a gregarious mix.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Well my answer can apply to that too dont you think?.....AVB works with these guys not us, i'm sure he has got rid for a reason.

And just to add, if you are not reacting to yesterday whats the problem, we have been ok up untill then haven't we?

Yeah, okay, i am not saying there is no reason, I am curious as to what that reason really is!

And yeah, we are sitting okay ... 3 points of top and all that. But fact remains, it is a weak position for us, and we loaned out a hugely experienced LB which doesn't make sense much sense to me. Could have used him against Chelsea too as well as yesterday, and as the season pans out it's not beyond the realms of imagination that we could use him again at some point

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I don't have a problem with getting rid of BAE, I think it was the right decision. Not replacing him on the other hand....

This is the problem, and AVB must have known about BAE's laid back ways as he'd been managing him for best part of a year. Considering that AVB doesn't even trust Fryers against 3rd rate opponents in the EL it's quite crazy that any of the management thought it would be ok just to go into the season with Rose and Naughton.

 

[CowInAComa]

I don't have a problem with getting rid of BAE, I think it was the right decision. Not replacing him on the other hand....

winner.

 

[EastLondonYid]

Yeah, okay, i am not saying there is no reason, I am curious as to what that reason really is!

And yeah, we are sitting okay ... 3 points of top and all that. But fact remains, it is a weak position for us, and we loaned out a hugely experienced LB which doesn't make sense much sense to me. Could have used him against Chelsea too as well as yesterday, and as the season pans out it's not beyond the realms of imagination that we could use him again at some point

We need a LB , but i am with AVB on letting benny go, sometimes players maybe disruptive with their attitude even when their not playing, just by their persona, Ade not playing may come under that umbrella too.

 

[benski]

The same AVB that wanted to sell Dawson last season, and now gave him a new three year contract? Which judgement should we trust, last season or this season?

Dawson has shown fighting spirit to get back into avbs plans, benny obviously did not. Its that simple i think. Both players are not good enough imo

 

[hodsgod]

Dawson has shown fighting spirit to get back into avbs plans, benny obviously did not. Its that simple i think. Both players are not good enough imo

You think his judgement is wrong then, as AVB gave Dawson a new contract last week?

 

[benski]

You think his judgement is wrong then, as AVB gave Dawson a new contract last week?

No, more likely they are protecting an asset from walking away for nothing. Whilst daws plays a part in team spirit and plays games due to lack of other options at the mo i doubt avb has changed his mind about his lack of intelligence, pace, and agility. if kaboul were fit he would be ahead and chiriches will no doubt be soon. I trust avb to see ability beyond putting a shift in thankfully

 

[easley91]

I think had Rose been fit for yesterday, we'd seen more on the left than we did. The only weakness I see is a natural cover or replacement for Rose (we buy a LB to fit the system of inverted wingers and Rose is put on the bench). I've been thinking Baines would be worth a shout if we could persuade Everton to part with him and persuade him to come.

I love Benny, but his attitude isn't up to what we aspire to be and are aiming for. AVB wants hard workers who are determined to work their asses off during games and in training.

 

[only1waddle]

We could of even played Chiriches/Sandro as a 3rd CB yesterday with Townsend at wing back, Chadli ahead of him, change the system because of injury.
Playing a right footer at LB when chasing a CL spot is lunacy, for the 2nd season running when so much thought was put into our attacking players is lunacy x 100.