Player Watch: Nabil Bentaleb

[chinaman]

Bentaleb is now consistenly in our top 2 or 3 performers very game. you know what you are going to get from him

I voted him MOM today.

 

[Japhet]

Well thats just OTT. Capoue was actually very good at the start of the season and was playing well. And Mason and Bentalebs worst really is horse shit, which there is nothing wrong with, but to say its still better than Capoue and Paulinhos best performances this season is false.

Spot on. Some fans have really short memories and have an inate ability to see what they want to see. Capoue in particular has put in some epic performances for us but doesn't suit Poch's methodology. I can live with that but I can also see plenty wrong with Mason and Bentaleb. I've asked in the past what Bentaleb actually does that gets him such rave reviews and have never got an answer. To me, he is a good recycler of the ball and keeps things neat and tidy but has some alarming defensive frailties which many seem completely blind to. Not good for a player earmarked by many as the heir apparent to the DM role.

 

[Larryjanta]

Spot on. Some fans have really short memories and have an inate ability to see what they want to see. Capoue in particular has put in some epic performances for us but doesn't suit Poch's methodology. I can live with that but I can also see plenty wrong with Mason and Bentaleb. I've asked in the past what Bentaleb actually does that gets him such rave reviews and have never got an answer. To me, he is a good recycler of the ball and keeps things neat and tidy but has some alarming defensive frailties which many seem completely blind to. Not good for a player earmarked by many as the heir apparent to the DM role.

I think you're watching the wrong sport boss

 

[IGSpur]

After reading the ratings thread it reminded me that I wanted to come in here to praise Bentaleb. The guy is absolute class and is easily our best CM. He is a top 6 CM and consistently puts in good performances, and as some people have mentioned he no longer looks like an academy product playing with the first team, along with his ability he physically looks like he is part of the team. He has become our metronome, won't surprise me when big clubs start calling.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

Spot on. Some fans have really short memories and have an inate ability to see what they want to see. Capoue in particular has put in some epic performances for us but doesn't suit Poch's methodology. I can live with that but I can also see plenty wrong with Mason and Bentaleb. I've asked in the past what Bentaleb actually does that gets him such rave reviews and have never got an answer. To me, he is a good recycler of the ball and keeps things neat and tidy but has some alarming defensive frailties which many seem completely blind to. Not good for a player earmarked by many as the heir apparent to the DM role.

He is not a dm, he is a dlp (deep lying playmaker).

 

[yiddo23]

You down with OPP?

 

[spurs9]

Spot on. Some fans have really short memories and have an inate ability to see what they want to see. Capoue in particular has put in some epic performances for us but doesn't suit Poch's methodology. I can live with that but I can also see plenty wrong with Mason and Bentaleb. I've asked in the past what Bentaleb actually does that gets him such rave reviews and have never got an answer. To me, he is a good recycler of the ball and keeps things neat and tidy but has some alarming defensive frailties which many seem completely blind to. Not good for a player earmarked by many as the heir apparent to the DM role.

I can't recall 1 epic performance from Capoue, what matches are you referring to?

 

[spursram]

Spot on. Some fans have really short memories and have an inate ability to see what they want to see. Capoue in particular has put in some epic performances for us but doesn't suit Poch's methodology. I can live with that but I can also see plenty wrong with Mason and Bentaleb. I've asked in the past what Bentaleb actually does that gets him such rave reviews and have never got an answer. To me, he is a good recycler of the ball and keeps things neat and tidy but has some alarming defensive frailties which many seem completely blind to. Not good for a player earmarked by many as the heir apparent to the DM role.

Bit harsh Japhet. Lets deal with the stats. He is an excellent passer and interceptor. Strong in the tackle, but disciplined (I think 3 YCs this season). Got a good shot on him.
Now his personality. Disciplined, motivated, shows leadership, doesn't give up. A team player constantly cajoiing and encouraging team mates in a positive way. Listens to instructions and follows the tactics prescribed. Rarely loses his head or composure. Has played several more experienced and internationally rated players off the park. Mature beyond his years, as demonstrated by his difficult decision regarding which country to play for.
In short, has massive potential. Possible captain if we can keep him. Reminds me very much of Graham Souness but with a bit more control of temper.
Hope that helps next time you watch him play.

 

[Japhet]

Bit harsh Japhet. Lets deal with the stats. He is an excellent passer and interceptor. Strong in the tackle, but disciplined (I think 3 YCs this season). Got a good shot on him.
Now his personality. Disciplined, motivated, shows leadership, doesn't give up. A team player constantly cajoiing and encouraging team mates in a positive way. Listens to instructions and follows the tactics prescribed. Rarely loses his head or composure. Has played several more experienced and internationally rated players off the park. Mature beyond his years, as demonstrated by his difficult decision regarding which country to play for.
In short, has massive potential. Possible captain if we can keep him. Reminds me very much of Graham Souness but with a bit more control of temper.
Hope that helps next time you watch him play.

Like it. I'm warming to Bentaleb and think he has plenty of potential too. My post was really about the slagging of Capoue. At the start of the season he was voted MOM several times and yet whoever it was said that Bentaleb/Mason's worst performances are better than Capoue's best. I objected to that.

My only real criticism of Bentaleb is that he is not creative enough or defensive enough. He doesn't get forward with the ball or take players on and defensively he has a tendency to ball watch (see Fiorentia goal at WHL). I'm quite happy when he's paired with Stambouli (or Capoue (!) which won't happen), but with Mason the CM looks a bit powder puff. I also like Mason a lot but think he needs pairing with a stronger defender in the middle. I think many attitudes on the forum come from people who have played the game and these are coloured by where they played their football. I played nearly all my football at CB and from that perspective would not be too confident playing behind the Mason/Bentaleb pairing. One of my biggest issues with Sherwood was his refusal to play a DM in any circumstances which was quite simply idiotic.

 

[Japhet]

He is not a dm, he is a dlp (deep lying playmaker).

I agree completely. He needs to be paired (in some matches) with a DM though and I personally prefer Mason going forward. If he could beef up his defensive game he would be awesome. He falls right in the middle between attack and defence and doesn't really light the place up in either aspect for me.

 

[muppetman]

I didn't think the partnership with Benji worked particularly well last night. We didn't seem to have enough protection for our back four and the link with the front players was slow and laborious. We also had Eriksen coming very deep to get on the ball.

I think I'd like to see Benji, Ryan and Nabil as a 3 and see if they can truly dominate and control a midfield. All 3 could be fairly interchangeable and cover for each other when one went forward. I also think Capoue would look much better in a 3.

Thoughts?

 

[Romulus]

I didn't think the partnership with Benji worked particularly well last night. We didn't seem to have enough protection for our back four and the link with the front players was slow and laborious. We also had Eriksen coming very deep to get on the ball.

I think I'd like to see Benji, Ryan and Nabil as a 3 and see if they can truly dominate and control a midfield. All 3 could be fairly interchangeable and cover for each other when one went forward. I also think Capoue would look much better in a 3.

Thoughts?

eh?

they were doing just fine we dominated them first half and should of been winning, then in the second half the CB makes a mistake and not too long after Bentaleb gets subbed for sunday

 

[muppetman]

eh?

they were doing just fine we dominated them first half and should of been winning, then in the second half the CB makes a mistake and not too long after Bentaleb gets subbed for sunday

Dominating? I thought they let us have the ball and aimed to hit us on the break. Whenever we came under pressure we looked like conceding last night.

 

[Borks]

Sandro of 3/4 years ago would've been perfect to play alongside Bentaleb IMO.

 

[tooey]

Dominating? I thought they let us have the ball and aimed to hit us on the break. Whenever we came under pressure we looked like conceding last night.

I have to disagree, Stambo-Bentaleb worked just fine. Both put in a shift and both looked after the ball relatively well. Our problem came from individual errors at the back.

 

[Romulus]

didnt realise how well he played in the first leg

 

[Japhet]

didnt realise how well he played in the first leg

Impressive stuff. The bit that's missed out is the Fiorentina goal. Bentaleb stays rooted to the spot whilst his man makes his way to the near post and scores. That was the key moment in the tie. It will seem like I'm down on Bentaleb but I'm not. As I've said repeatedly, he has defensive frailties which he can hopefully sort out and he will then be a superb player instead of a good one IMO.

 

[double0]

I hope Pochettinho sorts our CB....Vertonghen Kaboul it now looks like Fazio all have glaring mistake in them.

We need better consistent CB. Id definitely replace fan favourite Vertonghen what an overrated player.

 

[spursram]

I didn't think the partnership with Benji worked particularly well last night. We didn't seem to have enough protection for our back four and the link with the front players was slow and laborious. We also had Eriksen coming very deep to get on the ball.

I think I'd like to see Benji, Ryan and Nabil as a 3 and see if they can truly dominate and control a midfield. All 3 could be fairly interchangeable and cover for each other when one went forward. I also think Capoue would look much better in a 3.

Thoughts?

Immediate thought in a 3 was Tom Carroll....but what do I know?

 

[IGSpur]

Impressive stuff. The bit that's missed out is the Fiorentina goal. Bentaleb stays rooted to the spot whilst his man makes his way to the near post and scores. That was the key moment in the tie. It will seem like I'm down on Bentaleb but I'm not. As I've said repeatedly, he has defensive frailties which he can hopefully sort out and he will then be a superb player instead of a good one IMO.

I think there were so many more key moments. In that game alone Chadli hit the crossbar when he had an open goal