Seems a strange one to me. Reportedly talking to 4 clubs it appears nothing came of any of them, presumably because he couldnt agree terms (not altogether surprisng as I wager he is on a good wedge thanks to Parky) Personally I am quite happy he is still with us, as I do think he has a role to play and will certainly benefit from teaming up with Danny Green again. Not sure though how Powell views things. Could see him going out on loan somewhere
It is no surprise we are lumbered with him. He is absolute pants. No-one fancies him to lead their line because he is weak, crap in the air, his positioning is terrible and he has no skill on the ball. To add to the disappointment of retaining Benson, I am pretty gutted that we didn't sign Ryan Lowe.
Just noticed Sheff Utd signed John Fleck on loan. Keep him focused and he will be brilliant- a real coup for them.
Getting John Fleck on Loan @ Sheffield United isnt a bad bit of business at all by their standards - I honeslty thought he was quite highly rated North of the Border!!
His uncle was a tremendous player. Have a look at this cracker - 6.40 onwards. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULOOheC5sgQ
Not sure I agree with this Ponders. Benno will score goals, his all round ability isn't great, granted, but he knows where the back of the net is given a chance within 10 yards of the goal. Ryan Lowe is older than Benno and I think people are only jumping on the Ryan Lowe bandwagon (so to speak) because of his good start to the season, lets see how many he scores by the end of the season.
I could probably score quite a few from 10 yards out, Alex. As for Lowe: with Bury, between 15 to 20 goals. With Sheffield Wednesday, upwards of 20. There is only two years between Benno and Lowe. No contest with regards to who the better player is.
We shall see over the course of the season Ponders. At the end of the day, Lowe would have been nothing but a sub at our place anyway, much like Benno. At Sheff Wed he gets first team football. I'd much rather have BWP & Hayes than Lowe.
Granted, Alex. I am more than happy with BWP and Hayes. But I would rather have a player of Lowe's calibre to call upon than the likes of Benson. Having said that, I am confident that Euell and Waggy can, and will, chip in with a fair few goals when needed. Good times, methinks!
I don't agree with a single word of this Ponders. However, I admire your refusal to sway from your opinion of Paul 'Pele' Benson.
Van Nistelrooy scored 30 from 5 yards out a season but Henrik Larsson whilst in the premiership.......................................not so much. Right place right time, all part of being a good striker, something Benson certainly has. Lowe is not a calibre above Benson, he has had moderate success in L2 for many years at different clubs. Had good seasons in good teams, failed to impress with the likes of Crewe at this level really. His age is a big factor in paying the kind of money reputed. He will do a great job I have no doubt(for a little while) but not worth the trade in. I don't think you have to worry too much though Ponders, as much as I rate Benson and we all know you don't he won't get much playing time, but if he keeps hitting a goal every start as he has this season (1 in 1) then we'll all be happy eh, even if that ends up at 4 in 4
I don't think Ponders will have to worry about past the end of the season! Benno will stay until then as we need a backup goalscorer unless someone local comes in and pays 150k in January but I don't think there will be any takers. Personally I think he is a great option as a reserve at this level - with good service (which he didn't get last year) he could certainly chip in with a few goals if need to play a run of 3 or 4 games. He won't be able to do it in the championship though which is why he'll be on his way and why CP hasn't tried to secure him on a longer term contract. Ponders - I have to agree with Franco I don't agree with you but whenever a Benson thread is posted I enjoy your responses as they are always unwavering!
Thank you for the comments. I still cannot believe that anyone believes Benson to be a half decent player. Admittedly, he is better than Pawel Abbott - I am better than Pawel Abbott - but to consider him an important part of our squad is madness in my opinion. His goal against Reading was so spawny, I just knew that he would be described as a goalscorer with the poachers instinct. No, no, no - Lineker, Kevin Phillips, Gerd Muller and Super Clive are goalscorers, poachers of the highest calibre. Benson is pony. A bum duffer. Pick the bones out of that one! Ha!
Yes, the names you mentioned are certainly better strikers...but if you have not noticed we are currently residing in League 1. Benson is pretty much the league 1 equivalent... Honestly, what quality of striker do you expect from a league one substitute? Benson will not set the world on fire, but he knocks the ball in the back of the net most matches he plays in, and that's good enough for me for our sub.
To be honest I'm partially with Ponders on this. Benson is terrible in the air, too weak to be a target man (but at times he seems to try to play like one), isn't great at heading, can't run past defenders, is slow and is useless when not five yards in front of goal. BUT I don't doubt his goalscoring ability, his record at Daggers (and previously) as well as 10 goals last season (nothing special generally, but far more impressive given the appauling service he received). With all this being said, I think Benno isn't good enough to make the current squads bench, but wouldn't be too opposed to him stepping in if BWP was injured. Oh and Ryan Lowe is (currently) a far more dangerous player than Benno.
Benson terrible in the air isn't entirely accurate. I remember him scoring some top headers against Carlisle and Swindon away. He isn't the best thing since slice bread- but we are in League One. Going on last season a mid table league one team. He will score- doesn't contribute much else I agree, but he doesn't have to if he hits the net.
