V Brizzle

[ramAnag]

Bennett offers little other than effort? Half a dozen ***** tackles, as many runs into space where the ball didn't come. One of the 2 best moves we had when he blasted past the left back and put a good cross in. The other was a similar move down the same wing by Lowe.

Overall Bennett is a much better bet than FloJo. He can also put in crosses with either foot.

FloJo and Lawro get played on the "wrong" wing so almost invariably cut inside straight into the congested heart of the oppo's defence. I can only think that is what they are asked to do or Cocu would surely drop them.......

Bristol were a very well organised outfit. Why we continued to try to go down the middle rather than down the outside and put crosses in is a mystery. This "wrong sided winger" lark is a good tactic to use occasionally of you have the right players to play it. Wilson was a good example. FloJo and Lawro aren't. Start them on thw wrong side if you want but have them frequently swap wings to give the full backs a hard time.

Marriott is close to a start following his injury. The injury is the only reason he isn't ready to start yet. "Social media" is full of people moaning because he isn't starting who seem to have forgotten that he is still on his way back following injury. Holmes had 45 good minutes with the U23s on Monday and could be ready after the international break.

We differ on Bennett and Huddlestone, MA...but that’s about all.
In relation to Bennett...I never fault his effort and you’re right about the tackles he puts in but at this level I’m getting tired of waiting for him to provide a consistent threat up front...been about ten years now.
As far as Huddlestone is concerned...he’d be my first choice if selecting someone to take part in the ‘crossbar challenge’ and his distribution can be sublime but in the heat of competitive battle he gets found out. He’s always been slow and age hasn’t improved him. Two matches in four days, three matches in a week or six matches in a fortnight is just beyond him these days imo and I wouldn’t consider him for anything more than the last twenty minutes (depending on the game situation obviously) on Saturday.

Think Malone is just poor but completely agree with you about the other stuff.