I think AVB looks for certain qualities in a player, which obviously differ depending on the position of the player. Benny is a very good left back IMO, but I don't think he's the type of left back AVB wants, or is used to working with. It's really strange how a largish % of our fans really don't like him. On twitter there's a group of fans (who are sensible fans to be fair to them) but they are really passionate about how poor he is. really?! I can understand why some fans like certain players that I don't, as we all have a difference of opinion. But the fact that some people think Benny is crap is one thing i really don't get.
This is not just at Benny, just a general, I wonder why a lot of people seem to think players will repeat everything they do year after year, and seem quite miffed when they don't. It doesn't always follow, most players have peaks and troughs through their careers, just because a peak may last a couple of seasons its not necessarily a yardstick.
Same here mate. Anyone that thinks he's crap needs their eyes tested in my opinion. It's been no secret that since returning in Jan he's been below par but he's certainly not been crap and prior to this season, has been one of our most consistent performers over the past 4 or so years since he fully established himself as number 1 LB. I'm sure if AVB puts a bit more faith in him he'll understand what a good full back he is.
So true notso. So I guess that it works visa-versa with the troughs too then? But this means.... surely not... no way.... We might see a new Demspey?!! Na, didn't think so.
Many fans are too quick to use the wrong terminology, that's another problem. - People call players "****" and "crap" with out any justification. They are also too quick to forget any effort made by a player over previous seasons, and seem to only be able to cast their mind back to just a few months at most. That's where we're very lucky on this board. - To have such an intelligent bunch who always back up everything they say, regardless of opinion. Benny is a good left back. Unfortunately, I don't see him suiting AVB's project as we move forward. It'll be a shame if we lose Benny. It's only when you lose players like him that you realise just how much of an impact they made. He's a very likeable character, who's always honest and tries his best. - You can't ask for much more than that. I remember in the summer when VDV left, there was a lot of comments saying that he only lasted 60 mins, so it wasn't the end of the world. (I may have even been one of those people) - but with Rafa you got 60 mins of class, intelligence, determination and a winning mentality. It's now that he's gone, we can see the hole he's left. I think some should be careful what they wish for with Benny. It was only a couple of months back that we were saying how we couldn't wait for him to come back from injury and that we missed him badly. Really hope the club doesn't sell him, but sadly, I think that's going to be the case.
I honestly think Benny might be the best left back we've had at Spurs while i've been a supporter (91ish). It was a problem position for us for a long while. I hope he stays, and plays
I was so gutted we decided to let Rafa go. He never seemed desperate to leave like rat face, just merely admitted HSV was in his heart and he'd love to go back one day. Personally if I were Levy I'd have kept him for one more season, Rafa was pure class, technically brilliant and was a match winner on so many occasions for us, his fitness wasn't so much of a concern to me as like you say, he gave us pure brilliance in the minutes he was on the field which more often than not resulted in positive performances. Back to Benny, I really too hope he doesn't go, I think AVB's making a mistake IF indeed he doesn't rate him (which it seems to me). If he's just rotating him to give others a chance to play fair enough but personally, the defence more so than anything needs to remain as in tact as possible, a solid consistent back 4 always seems to perform better. Utd don't rotate Evra/ Ferdinand/ Rafael on a consistent basis, City don't rotate Kompany or Nastasic, Barca don't rotate Alves/ Pique/ Alba and so on... A settled back 4 is far stronger than a rotated one and the top teams tend to prove that. I understand AVB's willingness to give others a chance but unless a player is woefully underperforming or the back 4 itself is conceding too many goals, then it must remain the same unless injuries occur in my opinion. #BennyForNumberOneLeftBack
It's hard to judge players when they haven't played regularly, especially due to injury, like BAE. Defenders develop an understanding with their fellow defenders from playing together regularly, which is why continuity of selection, where possible, usually results in an improvement in standards of performance for the defensive unit as a whole. Most of the best defenders over the years would be known as part of a unit which has played together on a regular basis. It's even more important when a team wants to play a high line and discipline and understanding is key to playing offside successfully. The best left backs are naturally left footed so able to provide balance and width, mobile, quick, comfortable in possession and in distributing the ball and able to run up and down the line all day. BAE fits those criteria in the main, but on occasions in the past, he has been caught out of position, his marking has gone astray and he seems to switch off. Nonetheless a back four of BAE-Vertonghen- Kaboul- Walker, if all fit and able to play on on a settled basis would surely be Spurs best option.
Benny was the left back in our meanest defence in years. He is quality 98% of the time which puts him ahead of all but Vertonghen in my opinion. He links well with Bale and gets forward too. He needs regular football and he will do a job. If he goes he will be brilliant for somebody else.
