Bentley or Smith?

[lucus]

... Or who do you think Tilson will start? - We all know that away from home teams tend to need a little more physical presence (Bentley), though Smith who is one of the most talented players in our squad provide that extra quality we have been missing the last couple of games.. Views?

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

Smith, because Bentley was a total non-event last week,and this could be the time to give Smith his chance.

We have lost a lot of creativity from Gutts, and i think Smith is closer to Gutts, as a player, than Bentley

 

[lucus]

Quote[/b] (Shrimper2thecore @ Nov. 25 2005,15:44)]Smith, because Bentley was a total non-event last week,and this could be the time to give Smith his chance.

We have lost a lot of creativity from Gutts, and i think Smith is closer to Gutts, as a player, than Bentley

Yes. I was quite disappointed by Bentley the other week as his form this season has been above par whenever he has had the chance to feature. I feel Forest was just a case of "trying too hard to impress" as we all know how tough it is to hold down a place in the midfield. But I am with you on this one. Lets hope Jay Starts and adds something near the qualities Guttridge has offered to the side this season.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Smith, because Bentley is a non-event in MOST games and Smith looked really good when he came on at Forest. He looked comfortable in the middle and he was spreading the ball well. He'll make up for the loss of Guttridge if he can have another good game.

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Both. Drop Cole.

Matt

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Hmm, not a bad idea actually. I'd prefer Gower on the left and JCR on the right though.

 

[lucus]

Quote[/b] (shrimpboy @ Nov. 25 2005,16:08)]Hmm, not a bad idea actually. I'd prefer Gower on the left and JCR on the right though.

Not sure about Gower on the left really. If he has ever played well this season then it has been on the right. Too often on the left he has always been predictable, cut in and lacked the pace to beat his man. At least on the right he has offered the team width (which we have been lacking of late) and offered a half decent service.

 

[Southendsleeper]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Nov. 25 2005,16:06)]Both.  Drop Cole.

Matt

This makes sense

 

[Guest]

Smith. He offers more than Bentley I feel.

 

[wiggy]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Nov. 25 2005,16:06)]Both.  Drop Cole.

Matt

Spot on! Young greyhound legs is too fragile at the moment and invarabley goes lame during the match!

 

[gazzacat42]

For me it has to be a midfield of Cole Gower Smith and Maher.

 

[lucus]

Quote[/b] (gazzacat42 @ Nov. 25 2005,16:52)]For me it has to be a midfield of Cole Gower Smith and Maher.

Personally I wouldn't drop JCR. For me he has shown the most effort out of the whole team over the past 2 games, giving his all. Always tracks back and if he makes a mistake, tries to make up for it. Once he puts in a few more crosses I feel he will be one of our better additions to the squad.

 

[Streaky]

Benno.

Had a poor game last week, but in tough away games we need some bite in midfield, Bentley can break up oppo play better than anyone else in our squad.

 

[shrimperman]

id go JCR, kev jay and benno on the right. although benno is not as creative, away from home we need a fighter and what he lacks in creativity is made up by jay. regardless of whether benno had a bad game last week he will always guarantee you 100%. i totally disagree with you shrimpboy in that he is 'total non-event', without him last season we would not have got promoted.

 

[Guest]

Im off in 5

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

The question should be who should play alongside Bentley in midfield.

Bentley had a poor game by his high standards last weekend, but was no worse than half a dozen others. That he wasn't at his best came as no surprise to me. Bentley is the type of player who needs first team games under his belt, like the way he needs 20 minutes to get into a game. I think he will be better than against Forest and the following week he'll be even better. Dropping him will not be beneficially.

As for who to play alongside, Maher is still in prime position, despite three poor performances in a row. Smith has looked sharp as sub, but he's yet to impress starting. Also I'm not sure if Bentley and Smith would work (Tilly though should have a decent idea as I think these two have played a fair few reserve games together) whilst we know that Bentley and Maher does work as that was our combination that got us promoted.

Alternatively we could go Bentley wide right and Smith and Maher in the middle. If Smith can play 90 minutes this would be my preference. I'd play Cole wide left and use JCR as sub against a tiring defence.

Cole, despite his tendency to drift in and out of games adds an extra dimension to our team that I don't believe the more involved JCR does yet.

 

[* ORM *]

I'm in agreement with MTS. It won't do the young man any harm to rest a game or two. It's tough making the step up, as Benno found out for himself when he first joined.

I'm still not convinced Benno is the full ticket yet. Last Saturday he drifted in and out of the game but he has played some great football wide on the right and always seems to link up well with his right back when he plays there.

I'd like to see JCR on the left, Smith, GOD, and Benno on the right.

I'd also like to see Pettefer on the bench. The time has to be right to see what he can do for us this year. If Petts was match fit I'd have him filling Gutts role for away games.

Though the policy of two wingers is exciting I'm also not convinced this works for away games. Gray (when played there) and JCR are prepared to tackle back. Cole just makes a token effort at this, just like Gower (that's an observation not a criticism). We can probably afford that luxury at Roots Hall, we certainly couldn't afford it last Saturday.

 

[rabbloke]

Away from home I would go for;

Flavs/Bart

Jupp Edwards/Prior Barrett Wilson
Hunt
Bentley Maher Gower

Gray Eastwood.
I would like to see a forward moving sweeper bolstering the three in midfield. The ball needs to be produced quicker to the front two instead of the fancy-dan play from the middle where invariably the end product fails to materialise.

At home;

Flavs/Bart

Hunt Edwards/Prior Barrett Wilson

Jrc/Bentley Maher Gower/Cole

Smith

Goater Eastwood

At home I would like to see the creative influence of Smith behind the front two.

This is of course adaptable with the return of Gutts.