TM URGES PATIENCE WITH BENNETTE Tony Mowbray has explained the difficulties he is facing with Jewison Bennette, and has once again outlined the need to be patient with a teenager from Central America who doesn't understand or speak the language yet. THINGS TO DO "For his age he is so talented. He is having language lessons with us, twice a week. There are a lot of little things he needs to do." CONTROL HIS ROUTINE "He lives with his dad and his mum is coming over after the World Cup. I'd like us to control his routine a bit more - his diet, his sleep, I feel as if he is a young kid who is still floating around." STILL ACCLIMATISING "We see some brilliant moments in training but then at times, he can look a bit fatigued and you wonder if he has been sleeping or is he getting up at 5am to speak to people back home. Has he acclimatised totally? I don't know the answer because we cannot really communicate with him at this stage. I am quite relaxed about the fact he has not made a massive impact since scoring two goals for his country and then that goal at Watford. But I think he is a happy kid, I do not think he is sulking at not playing a bit more. He is on a journey with us really." LANGUAGE BARRIER "The club is doing its best to ensure everything is OK for him but I feel as if he hasn't really settled into a routine. I do need to give him more exposure, integrate him a bit more. He is a lovely kid although until he speaks the language I cannot really tell him what I want. That is the biggest hurdle right now. We need to communicate better for him to know all his jobs and duties on the pitch. That is a slight frustration because I know he will be so much better when language becomes less of an issue. He is so young, I do not see why we should accelerate him into the team." DEVELOPMENT "It is about balance and development. For me, we have to solidify ourselves in this league and when we do, that is the time to get him blooded in games. He has to learn on the job." WORLD CUP "Yes, it could (give him more exposure). Let's hope it does. In many ways it will be easier for him because he will be playing with and mixing with people who speak his language. And he will understand his role in that team much more." CAREER-DEFINING "I do not know whether he will start for Costa Rica, I have no knowledge of the competition. The World Cup could quite possibly be career defining or life changing. Let us hope when the next World Cup comes around, he has played 100 or more games for us and he is a big name on the international stage. He has the talent to do that. I just do not feel this is the right time to expose him too much."
Hadn't he played 6 times for his country which made it easier for him to sign for us? Think he'll do well, here's hoping he does well tonight... hhhaaawwwwaaaaayyyyyyy the lads
Yeah he's getting lessons but it doesn't seem like it's helping Tony much because he can't tell the lad what he needs to in person.
One of the few times I can relate to a footballer, having moved to a country and not been able to speak the language. I think a few others on here have done it too and will hopefully agree it’s a bloody hard thing to do. I would actually argue against a translator for a lot of the day to day stuff, it can make people lazy. He needs to learn and he will. I reckon it will be about a year before he is up and running with all the basics, and that will show on the pitch with his game.
If he’s good enough play him. By the sounds of that, I’ll be surprised to see him here next season. That would be gutting though as the lad clearly has talent.
So speaking to the driver taking us to the airport, he used to drive around for Bennette team, and know his dad quite well. Apparently a shy lad, until he got onto the pitch. Apparently no agent involved in the deal. His (previous) club's manager directly handled the deal between them and us. Anyway, driver is following us now , so he can follow Benette progress. He expects big things from him. So there's a bit if random information for the day
Learning the language is a bit of a blocker imo. It took Hume a season to settle in, each player has his own pace. Reckon Mobray knows what he's doing , and will bring him on when he's ready.
I don't agree mate overthinking things gets you no where. If that the case then we wont see Lihadji play till next season aswell so whats the point in signing them? Football is a universal language theres many top foreigners signed for clubs that dont speak the language of their team mates for the first year or 2.
I agree, mate. In the end it boils down to the individual, how they adapt and how long it takes. Look at Arca as an example, adapted quickly, settled in and ended up playing for the Willow Pond after he retired. Yet Toby Hysen couldn't settle here, got homesick and left fairly quickly, despite speaking English and living here for a while as a kid when his dad played for Liverpool. A lot of it will be making sure they settle, give them support, to learn English, but also to get them to adapt to the tactics and how we want to play, as well as how the game is played here. As it is, I'm relaxed about his development and I'll trust the club to make sure he has the right support so he has the right involvement at the right time with the first team. Far better that than sticking him in the first team too early and ruining him
True mate, im sick of hearing excuses of certain players needing time to adapt. If they are good enough get them on the pitch and let them.do their talking with their feet.
There's the problem with Jewi. He's not good enough, not yet anyway. He's a headless chicken, though one with some undeniably raw talent. He doesn't have the discipline to play a role in the team yet. He's a potential contributor from the bench at best right now.
Yeah i get your point mate, which is why he could be an asset towards the end of games running at pace against tired legs. Hes already shown he can score like he did against a Premiership defence when we played Fulham so why not involve him more??
I think that's entirely what his use is at the moment. That being said, I think we lose a bit of shape when he's in the team and I've not seen him offer any defensive side to his game. If anything I'd probably use him as the man to bring on for Gelhardt late in a game.
