Disco Benny = Legend

[McFlash]

Well said Ionman34.

For some reason, my phone won't let me rep you for now?! I'll try later.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Had this debate occured 2 seasons ago, I don't think anyone could refute your assessment of PL Left backs BC. Cashley was definitely top of the tree, Evra up there in second and Clichy proving to be a more than able replacement for Cole. At that time, Disco was error prone at times and complacent too. However, he'd only recently come back from an 18 month lay off that occured whilst he was 'developing' into the role at WHL.

Now is a different kettle of fish. Whilst he still has the odd lapse, they stand out because of their rarity. The fact that he inspires so much confidence in Spurs fans, and let's face it, as defenders go only King could ever claim that ability previously, speaks absolute volumes for his ability and development. We Spurs fans have always been a nervous lot when it comes to our defenders.

Now, when we look at his peers, there are none, IMHO, who anyone could state, with any degree of certainty, are significantly better that Disco. He has closed the gap over the last 2 years to the point where 'the best LB in the PL' is a fiercely debated point.
IMO, he is top 2 and has supplanted Evra. Cole maybe edges it but, as much as I detest the stain, I rate him as the best in the World in his position. He is the only LB out there though that I see as better than Disco, and even then not by much. This then puts Disco, in my eyes, as a truly World Class fullback. His errors are cited as reasons for him to be 'derated' (if there is such a word) but then you rarely see a true comparison with his peers, citing their errors as a true comparison. They all make them only his are FAR more apparent to us, and recalled so much more easily, due to the emotional impact they have on us as individuals. I've seen Cole drop some monumental rickets but can't cite the games as, in all honesty, I didn't give a shit ............ It wasn't for THFC.

Clichy I have seen make far more fundamental mistakes over the past 2 seasons. Constantly caught out of position, weak in the tackle and weak when challenging on the run. One of his greatest strengths was going forward and, in this, he fast became a nonentity under Wenger. Whether this will remain the case remains to be seen. I don't believe it will as I think Mancini will improve his defensive capabilities. Will he be better than Benny? I don't believe so but only time will tell there.

Evra? Has stagnated IMO and is showing signs of being a weak link at Utd. I don't have the stats to back this, but it seems to me that the Utd left flank has been targetted as a position to exploit quite successfully.

In a nutshell, I'm with the general consensus on here, that Disco Benny is one of the top players in the PL and massively underrated. He is a WC player with a WC attitude and long may he remain our first choice LB.

It will be a sad day when he no longer pulls on the Lillywhite.

As far as impressing Spurs fans goes, you are talking about a forum where Dawson is still getting "favourite player" votes and a year ago was probably the most popular player on here and being touted as the future of this club for years to come by the consensus. Forgive me my distrust of the consensus some times.

I like Ekotto, as I have said on numerous occasions, including this thread, he has some very good qualities and I accept that upgrading him would not be easy.

I think in the middle third of the pitch he's as good as any, but at either end he is inferior to Cole, Evra or Clichy. Not by loads, especially where Clichy is concerned.

 

[bern]

I love his sexy fro. And his big face.

He has a deer face.

 

[StartingPrice]

As far as impressing Spurs fans goes, you are talking about a forum where Dawson is still getting "favourite player" votes and a year ago was probably the most popular player on here and being touted as the future of this club for years to come by the consensus. Forgive me my distrust of the consensus some times.

I like Ekotto, as I have said on numerous occasions, including this thread, he has some very good qualities and I accept that upgrading him would not be easy.

I think in the middle third of the pitch he's as good as any, but at either end he is inferior to Cole, Evra or Clichy. Not by loads, especially where Clichy is concerned.

No.
I think what the concensus says is that, when all of our options are fit, he is a reasonable third choice to have - you seem to expect him to be as good as Vidic and never make a mistake. And a lot of our support appreciates the fact that he plays with a smile on his face - but don't see that as being in lieu of being a half-decent player, you just magnify that into other Spurs fans thinking he is the defensive Pele, and conflate their assessment of his playing ability with their appreciation of his playing with a smile on his face.
In fact, let's face it, strictly speaking, if all our options were fit last season Dawson wouldn't even have been third choice, he would have been fourht, behind Ledley, Gallas and Woodgate.
So, most Spurs fans appreciate that he isn't really anything other than cover and about as best as we can expect considering we aren't even regular CL yet, and a likeable lad - though I am sure if he was utter tripe they would want him out pronto. I think that is the concensus.

He has a deer face.

He runs like samelar hound :grin:

 

[Ionman34]

1) As far as impressing Spurs fans goes, you are talking about a forum where Dawson is still getting "favourite player" votes and a year ago was probably the most popular player on here and being touted as the future of this club for years to come by the consensus. Forgive me my distrust of the consensus some times.

2) I like Ekotto, as I have said on numerous occasions, including this thread, he has some very good qualities and I accept that upgrading him would not be easy.

3) I think in the middle third of the pitch he's as good as any, but at either end he is inferior to Cole, Evra or Clichy. Not by loads, especially where Clichy is concerned.

1) Not sure where you got the 'impressing Spurs fans' from. My comment was that he inspires confidence in fans who, on the whole, get very nervous when one of our defenders has the ball in our third, particularly one of our fullbacks. That observation is not based on this forum, though the qty of 'confident' fans on here would be a good demographic, it is based on this, other forums and conversation with Family & friends (all Yids). Neither do I base my opinion on that consensus, I merely share it.

2) I know. I'm not here taking a shot BC as I think your assessment is an honest one. My point is that upgrading him is uneccessary as, IMO, there is only one player in the World who could be viewed as an upgrade, and only by margins.

3) And this is the crux of where our assessment of Disco differs. Defensively I think he's far smarter than Clichy and edges it, on smarts, over Evra. He is stronger in the tackle than both and his stats prove that (I recall reading that his tackles won %age was higher than any other fullback in the PL, not just LB's). His distribution is superior to both as well, his range of passing, for a fullback, is exceptional, I believe you made this point yourself.
The only area that Evra and Clichy outdo Benny is in the final third. Both hit the byeline far more than Disco, but as Bale is doing this on our left it is understandable.
I understand your viewpoint on Benny but I don't share it. I'm sure you'll forgive me for trying to convince you otherwise.

 

[mdharris]

The day he goes we will emerge a better team

huh? i suppose you're suggesting we put bale at left back

 

[Deathrod]

If anyone like me works at Canary Wharf, Disco Benny is wandering around. He was just downstairs outside Smolenskies 2 mins ago. Just grabbed a cheeky photo with him....

 

[VegasII]

Does Benny just wander around London chatting to randoms and bumping into Spurs fans?

The man's a fucking legend.

 

[StartingPrice]

Does Benny just wander around London chatting to randoms and bumping into Spurs fans?

The man's a fucking legend.

:hump:

:grin:

 

[tommo84]

Not for me, he's been pretty poor for a couple of years now.

I'd only put A. Cole as definitely better than BAE. Evra's regressed too much last couple of years for me.

I'd also put Enrique around the same level as BAE, I've been really impressed with him at Newcastle and now Liverpool. Baines is pretty good too, but that might just be me thinking that because he wins me so many fantasy points with assists and the odd goal.

No other left backs in the league even come close.

Agree with this almost completely (I personally think Baines better than just 'pretty good'), and when I watched the Liverpool v Manure game with a Newcastle fan last week he actually said Enrique is quality but makes a few odd decisions on the ball, which sounded very similar to Benny.

Cole is on a level of his own as left-backs in the Prem.

Baines, Benny are next on the ladder, with Evra possibly as well even though he is beginning to fade (emphasis on beginning to - he's still very good)

Enrique will join that list if he does it for more than the 1 season he has had in the Prem with Newcastle.

 

[michaelden]

BAE rools!!!!


And yes I'm a white middle aged man

 

[edson]

The only thing I hate about Benny is he is stopping Rose get a game who has also impressed at left back.

 

[ethanedwards]

The only thing I hate about Benny is he is stopping Rose get a game who has also impressed at left back.

Why, I would be surprised(but delighted) if Rose gets any where near Benny's level.

 

[sussexyid]

Don't you wish your left back was B A E!!!

 

[edson]

Why, I would be surprised(but delighted) if Rose gets any where near Benny's level.

I just like Rose as a different type of LB very aggressive and fast its a good combination for a LB, don't get me wrong Benny is a Class act and is our No 1 left back, for no reason I just like rose as a player and would hate to loose him because he is not getting game time.

 

[Spurger King]

I just like Rose as a different type of LB very aggressive and fast its a good combination for a LB, don't get me wrong Benny is a Class act and is our No 1 left back, for no reason I just like rose as a player and would hate to loose him because he is not getting game time.

That's fair enough. Rose looks like he could turn out to be a very good LB. With Benny and Bale he's got two fantastic players to learn from as well.

It's such a difficult balancing act trying to keep players like Rose happy when they are mainly going to be back-up. Loaning players out seems to be the order of the day. Walker going to Villa was a masterstroke as far as we're concerned, and had he not got injured, Caulker to Swansea could have worked out brilliantly too (still could I suppose).

 

[wallyjakeman]

From his Twitter... :rofl:

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

from his twitter... :rofl:

lad!

 

[yido_number1]

quality character, love some of the stuff he comes out with... probably the most composed left back on the ball Ive ever seen...

 

[orkneyspur]

An interesting debate about a very popular player. IMO, and this is based on watching both play often, Benny reminds me of Cyril Knowles. He was a well loved full back of ours who was also prone to the odd lapse in concentration, but over the years, showed just what a reliable and down to earth guy he was. They both have a very similar laconic style and attitude to the game, but you would want either one in your team 99 games out of a hundred. The song even fits...'Nice one Benny, nice one son, nice one Benny, lets have another one'.:clap: