Who ?
I didn't notice that Dembele was playing last night...What's Dembele's function ?
The (un)performance was like sooooooo last season. I guess the phantom of last season has still not been eradicated.
Stambouli broke up several attacks with good tackles, winning the ball both deep and high up, which as far as I'm aware is his role. Bebtaleb is a different player, he's one who much play goes through and therefore he is one who I expect to use that possession in an effective way. At present he is a crab.You mean like when he played Adebayor in against Liverpool, that kind of shirking ?
He isn't a show pony, he doesn't often do the spectacular but teams need players like him at times, players who help you maintain control of the ball and the game. And for a 19yo kid I think it's amazing you are expecting him to be taking responsibility for doing more than he tried to do. You said you liked Stambouli, I think he had a decent game, but what did he do that was more credit worthy than Bentaleb ?
Fair enough didn't realise, tight gits.I don't think ITV let people from outside the UK access it.
Modric, barring a few glimpses, did very little in his initial stages as he was shuffled around positions in an under performing team. Then, after about 28 months, something clicked and he became superb. I'm not saying Bentaleb will never do the same, I'm saying that right now he doesn't. As for Carrick, he started attack after attack with great balls into the channels, making our wingers, especially a very young Lennon, look very good.How many people said that about Carrick, and then Modric? He's young, still developing and showing a lot of composure and genuine ability. He's a disciplined player. I think he's a far more interesting prospect than any other central midfielder at the club.
Based on their performance last night, I still stand by my statement...wouldnt call the trio of townsend, paulinho & lennon phantoms
Spot on ! You can see you have either played the game or have a decent knowledge of what a team requires.Stambouli broke up several attacks with good tackles, winning the ball both deep and high up, which as far as I'm aware is his role. Bebtaleb is a different player, he's one who much play goes through and therefore he is one who I expect to use that possession in an effective way. At present he is a crab.
I think the criticism of Bentaleb is harsh. He does lose concentration at times and there are clearly areas that he needs to improve on but as is always said, he's 19. Even if he does have a dip in performance, such as in the second half last night, the kid never ever hides and always wants the ball.
As for his passing, yes he keeps the ball patiently... But this season already I have seen clear evidence of him showing a different range of passing in his armoury. On a few occasions this season he's played the surprise accurate clipped ball in behind the defence, and if it wasn't for poor finishing (Ade vs. 'Pool), a poor touch (Eriksen vs. QPR) or an inch or to more precision (last night's pass for Lennon) then he could have 3-4 assists already. Problem is with such a lack of movement still and players not really running in behind a lot there are only so many occasions you can play these type of passes.
It was said of Hoddle that his main genius was his ability to play a pass which forced the forwards to make the rights runs. Same has been said of Xavi.
I do take Bentaleb's age into account. If he was 26 I'd be saying we should get rid. I appreciate, and hope, that he develops into a player who uses the amount of the ball he has both dynamically and effectively. Right now he doesn't. That is my argument, that the player who sees that much more of the ball than every other player on the pitch has a responsibility to make things happen, to dictate tempo, to drive us forward. At present Bentaleb does not do this. Neither do Dembele or Capoue for what it's worth.
I was going to say that Davies looked alot more comfortabe when Townsend went off and Lennon was in front of him.Lenton covered naughtons ass on several occasions
To say he done nothing is just stupid
This is coming from someone who doesn't like him, as he doesn't offer anything in the final third.
But he did put a shift in
Agree. However dembele has all the attributes to be one of the best. Just listen to players that have played with him the likes of Danny Murphy says he is one of the best midfielders he has played with, my mates who are all Chelsea still maintain when he played against them for Fulham he was the best player they had seen in an opposition shirt! Poch will get more out of him I'm sure. Moussa has the ability to affect a football match and win a game for us. Bentaleb does not neither does capoue, don't get me wrong you need all types of players in a side to compliment the other but moussa is far too good when fit not to be in our side. Poch has seen that and he will start SundayIt was said of Hoddle that his main genius was his ability to play a pass which forced the forwards to make the rights runs. Same has been said of Xavi.
I do take Bentaleb's age into account. If he was 26 I'd be saying we should get rid. I appreciate, and hope, that he develops into a player who uses the amount of the ball he has both dynamically and effectively. Right now he doesn't. That is my argument, that the player who sees that much more of the ball than every other player on the pitch has a responsibility to make things happen, to dictate tempo, to drive us forward. At present Bentaleb does not do this. Neither do Dembele or Capoue for what it's worth.
Lennon was in front of him most of the game. But both came into the game more in the later stages-can't put my finger on why-maybe the Parmesan subs?I was going to say that Davies looked alot more comfortabe when Townsend went off and Lennon was in front of him.
It was said of Hoddle that his main genius was his ability to play a pass which forced the forwards to make the rights runs. Same has been said of Xavi.
I do take Bentaleb's age into account. If he was 26 I'd be saying we should get rid. I appreciate, and hope, that he develops into a player who uses the amount of the ball he has both dynamically and effectively. Right now he doesn't. That is my argument, that the player who sees that much more of the ball than every other player on the pitch has a responsibility to make things happen, to dictate tempo, to drive us forward. At present Bentaleb does not do this. Neither do Dembele or Capoue for what it's worth.
Spot on ! You can see you have either played the game or have a decent knowledge of what a team requires.
Stambouli got in the ball and broke up the play, was very good in the tackle and tracked his runners, on a crap pitch where passing is tough you have to graft and make tackles as a midfielder to add something to the team. Bentaleb might look easy on the eye but is 5 yards sideways and backwards, he tried to play a couple of diags yesterday and they were woeful, I saw him play the ball into Kane's feet 3 times and each time they were the right side of the centre half, poor. To go with this he made 1 tackle which was a good one on our 6yard box, he never won a header and wasn't in contact with there midfielders enough to make a tackle or put them under pressure. This is a factual assessment of the game not a dig, he isn't ready for out first team, dembele, capoue and benji are all in front of him. Poch has seen that now believe me, u won't see him start a prem game unless we are short on the injury front with the 3 I've mentioned above.