Player Watch: Nabil Bentaleb

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Sure, you can think that. But really, what games has he really been shown to have been poorly utilised? I've only really seen convincing evidence of him being a bit of a passenger in two games, against the 1st and 2nd placed teams in the league. And even then, was no worse than Sandro/Paulinho against the likes of City, West Ham and Liveprool.

He has not fulfilled the requirements of his role in pretty much every game bar the Swansea performance. He is great on the ball but instinctively I think he struggles to pick up runners and take up correct defensive positions off it. This has contributed to us looking so open in midfield. These are facets of the game that can be coached to a certain degree so he may have a future as a deep lying playmaker. Although personally I think his talent is on the ball so he would work better with a player with good defensive qualities next to him.

 

[Kendall]

Pretty much every game bar the Swansea performance. He is great on the ball but instinctively I think he struggles to pick up runners and take up correct defensive positions off it. This has contributed to us looking so open in midfield. These are facets of the game that can be coached to a certain degree so he may have a future as a deep lying playmaker. Although personally I think his talent is on the ball so he would work better with a player with good defensive qualities next to him.

Do you think we have really looked more open?

I really don't, I think we were always open without the ball. That's why so many people said Lloris was our best player earlier in the season, it's why the West Ham defeat was coming.

I think Bentaleb has become an easy target for a problem that already existed prior to him coming in.

 

[dk-yid]

Bizarre self serving agendas. We should be over the moon a player that good at that age has turned up out of nowhere... For free!!!

Not exactly free since it comes at the cost of having that idiot Tim manage us ... Bentaleb and Sherwood will drag this club right into the gutter and leave us for dead. Mark my words, they are pure evil the both of them.

Just wish more people had the same clarity as me...

 

[Kendall]

So even if he hasn't necessarily played badly, you're saying he couldn't be used better? This is kind of my problem with the whole situation. We seem happy to crowbar players into positions where they will perform adequately, as opposed to playing to their strengths.

I don't really know. I don't see him as a box to box midfielder or an out and out attacking midfielder. I think he will be more of a Fletcher/Carrick. I've only seen him play about 5 games, in which he's been very good IMO. As I say I'm not going to guess as to whether he can be used better, like most.

 

[Kendall]

Not exactly free since it comes at the cost of having that idiot Tim manage us ... Bentaleb and Sherwood will drag this club right into the gutter and leave us for dead. Mark my words, they are pure evil the both of them.

Just wish more people had the same clarity as me...

I rated this as 'doh' and then realised you must be kidding.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Do you think we have really looked more open?

I really don't, I think we were always open without the ball. That's why so many people said Lloris was our best player earlier in the season, it's why the West Ham defeat was coming.

I think Bentaleb has become an easy target for a problem that already existed prior to him coming in.

Well, this is where we fundamentally disagree.

 

[topper]

Interesting to compare Bentaleb with Ross Barkley should both play on Sunday

 

[JaySpur]

He's not ready yet. It was very unfair to start him against Man City, in particular, but he needs competitive games to improve.

So we either accept he's young and inexperienced and that he's going to have a mixed bag of performances for at least 30 or 40 games... or... we punt him out on loan to get that experience.

Seems like Tim is gambling on still being in charge of the team next season and has opted for the former. Big gamble. But the lad WILL improve... IF we give him time.

But can we afford to right now in our position?

Questions, questions, questions!

 

[Buckoxx]

Probably going to get disliked but he seemed out of his depth in the bigger games, but I'm hoping Tim keeps giving him chances.

 

[tototoner]

Superb tonight

 

[tototoner]

I'm surprised there hasn't already been a thread on the kid. He looked calm and composed when he came on and did very well. Very impressive. Credit to Sherwood for giving him some game time.

I missed this post of yours giving Sherwood credit, were you feeling OK?

 

[tiger666]

Class player.

 

[SlickMongoose]

He looks better with an anchor behind him, rather than as the anchor himself.

 

[Syn_13]

He looks better with an anchor behind him, rather than as the anchor himself.

He filled that role superbly tonight, really did well. Capoue's contribution was very good and allowed him the freedom to link up further afield with the other attacking players.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

I missed this post of yours giving Sherwood credit, were you feeling OK?

Unlike you and the rest of the BSoTS I was not born from the seed of Sherwood.

 

[wiggo24]

Work best in a free attacking role, and so does Paulinho. Both are much better with a Sandro/Capoue type player behind him...

 

[only1waddle]

Work best in a free attacking role, and so does Paulinho. Both are much better with a Sandro/Capoue type player behind him...

I think a lot of us came to this conclusion, having him and Dembele or Paulinho sharing the holding role didn't make sense, this kid is good on the ball and will only get better, has the makings of a consistent player.

 

[mpickard2087]

Absolutely oozed composure and class. Very good performance.

 

[Nocando]

Not bad for Sherwood's love child.

 

[nedley]

If this kid gets a chance to express himself we are going to have one hell of a player on our hands.