Brereton and Samuel

[champs95]

No - you've got me wrong, Champs. Bennett would not be in my first XI - especially not with a full squad available - but he still features quite regularly because 100% players, even when they don't have the natural talent of some others, keep a team ticking over.
We have seen the same in the past with people like Keith Andrews and Mark Atkins.
In Bennett's case, I would say he's 5-10% below what he was at his best, and that is enough to suggest he will not be a regular starter any more, but I still don't agree he is useless.
In his defence, in the last year or so, how many times has he played in his natural position. on the right flank of midfield? That can't have helped!

Today just proves the point. Get Bennett out of this side, and get a young player in. Thats 2 goals Buckley has scored this season. Bennett hasn't got that in 3 seasons. We need more than some bloke past his best running about offering nothing. We need more. And all this will bode well for next season. We are on for finishing with 76 points, which probably gets us in the play offs. Thats we we average 2 points a game over the final 13.

[champs95]

And my point is, no even with 9 players out, still don't play Bennett. He offers nothing. Just bring the next lad through. If Bennett contributed like Downing, he'd be playing. Look at Johnson. Hes been a let down all season. But of late, suddenly hes having an impact. Quite a big one. He could be crucial in the final part of the season. If you cant contribute you don't play. Full team or not. We've carried too many players for too long.