Alright chaps, I have it on good authority that we have accepted no less than four offers for Paul Benson (one of which was the one from Notts County that fell flat on it's face, due to his reluctance to up sticks and head so far from his native Essex). All he's got to do is agree personal terms with one of them and he is as good as gone. In fact, he never mad the bench on Saturday because he has been told to go away and speak with the clubs who are Interested in securing his services. I sincerely hope my source is wrong (but i very much doubt it) cos i think it's a big mistake to let him go. However, if the gaffer is prepared to sanction his departure i can only assume he has someone else waiting in the wings. Well at least i hope he has. For me rolling with just three forwards in BWP, Hayes and Euell leaves us both short on numbers and more importantly goals. Watch this space...
Would be sorry to see him go as I don't think he has had a fair chance here to show what he can do. He didn't do too badly even in a badly demoralised team last season. Once we signed Green I assumed he would get that chance. Thought it was strange that he didn't even make the bench on Saturday. I thought it was a snub to encourage him to leave but maybe things are so far advanced his departure is more or less a fait accompli (in which case no point in him being on the bench). CP needs to come up with someone better to make this right as we cannot go through the season with three strikers (plus Waggy).
Eddie, He weren't on the bench on Saturday because he has been told to go away and speak with the clubs who are Interested in securing his services. Apologies for not adding this on my original thread i will do so now.
perhaps Benson was a victim of the reduction in number of subs so Euell's versatility got him the nod over Benson be a shame if he does go cos for me, Euell signing and Benson staying I was able to have my cake and eat it, not that I need cake the size of me lol
Benno stay. He is lethal at this level! I would rather have him than Euell right now if we are being serious about promotion!!
Perhaps this is similar to the Notts County scenario where we have accepted the bids because his contract is up at the end of the year and at the moment CP doesn't see a way to offer him longer terms at the moment. He seem's determined to stay if CP says he can fight for his place in the team and I for one hope he does as our squad has a nice balance to it at the moment
I may be wrong but I fear a move away from the club is something Benson actually wants. Heâs 31 and in the last year of his contract. I see it this wayâ¦: 1) If as hoped we are to gain promotion this season, I believe itâs highly unlikely heâll be offered a new contract to play in the Championship. Whyâ¦? Whilst thereâs little doubt that heâs a good marksman at League One level I have my doubts heâll be anywhere near as effective in the Championship. 2) If as expected he plays 3rd fiddle behind BWP and Hayes for much of this season and therefore doesnât play enough games or score enough goals it may be difficult for him to secure a favourable move/contract elsewhere, on expiry of his current deal. 3) Its a bit similar to the Neil Harris situation. He didnât really want to leave Millwall, but the lure of a 3 year contract elsewhere and the security that length of contract brings was too good an offer to refuse. Just the way I see it ladsâ¦
At the moment Benson is 3rd or 4th choice striker. However, If BWP gets injured and is out for several months, then he is a much better 'goal hanging' striker than Euell. Benson was signed as a L1 goalscorer, not as a skillful link man. I trust CP has someone else lined up, if Benson goes. A young loanee striker for the season might make sense.
Pretty much agree with you on that post franco in all points, what I would say is that from the noise that came out of CP I don't think he wants to let go of benno and I don't think he's desperate to leave. What I believe is that bids have been accepted for a 31 year old at a good price who the management are doubtful of his ability to perform where we're aiming to be next season. Personally I like this situation if it is as I see it as we will either get a decent fee for a player that wont be able to do it/getting on in the league we're in next season if we achieve our goals. Or we have a good striker at this level for a season and then see what happens!
I get all the contract stuff, but i think he will be pivotal this season. He is 1st choice backup and more dangerous than Euelly I'm afraid. The hunger at his lesser chances will push him to perform when he gets the chance and his reputation won't take a hit. He'd find a club next season should he need to. He has been consistently successful all career and particularly been involved in successful teams. You don't throw away goalscorers and somehow we've managed to find 2 with BWP. Unless CP wants a McDonald of Le Fondre(ie youth, not marking individuals necessarily) and he's been told he will need to let one go first, I don't see this helps the promotion push
i think powell wants the rotherham striker,le fondre hes number one target all summer does not want mcdonald aparantly not on our radar as interview on kent recently so i think hes been told to sell before he can buy my hunch so i expect benson to join notts county before deadline day next week and le fondre comming to us aparantly someone did spot him lurking near the charlton main gates not so long ago so could be something in it
Often managers distance themselves from a player when they are in fact interested... Could be a double bluff Mr Aâ¦!!
i think this is sort of a forced sale if he goes. its his last year at cafc, he wont get a new contract as he'll be either too old or not good enough anymore. robbie elliott is in the same sorta situation - we cant let him leave for free. been meaning to start another post about it, but it looks as though the club has their brain working at long last. previously we had players signing up for a year at a time. this was never good as we made no money from it and then if we wanted them to stay we'd have to offer more the next year. signing up players on 3 or 4 years deals means that we can now look at player sales as an income. we sold one player this year and it funded buying 15, the rest of ours left for free. i think its good business sense if we take money for players that cant offer much - like benson in this case. he's good, i like him, but i'd rather buy someone who'll be around for a lot longer.
I have in-sight info which has no doing with CAFC. The guy who owns ted baker is in talks with exeter's chairman to get involved. You heard it here first!
But most of the players we had over the last 2 seasons weren't worth anything any way. I don't remember the club turning down any offers for anyone!
yep, they were all cack, but at least we're now looking at players as a means of income, instead of jacking up ticket prices, shirt prices etc. if we were to sell the 15 we just bought, we'd get more than we paid for now. under the old chairman we were always loosing out. players like ambrose, bothroyd etc all left for free, could well easily got money for them.
Randolph, was talk of him being worth £1m this summer (then again he's still at Motherwell isn't he)
Big "E I O" chant at the end. Relieved- quite easy in tbe end if we are honest. Big test and every man came through- even players like wagstaff who I have been critical of. As I said, unofficial attendance of cafc was about 1200. Great turn out. CP was rxtatic at the end. All players come over and were so excited. Real feel good gactor
