Manuel Benson

[HunterST_BFC]

Manuel Benson the goal - a year ago.

Why does he not get a look in this season?

Probably asked before... but

[warksclaret]

For the same reason Muric was not involved until match 28, same reason Cullen was frozen out until a Brownhill sending off forced VK to pick him, same reason Roberts was sent to Leeds. VK seems to have a dislike of certain players and we will never know why

[Goliath]

For the same reason Muric was not involved until match 28, same reason Cullen was frozen out until a Brownhill sending off forced VK to pick him, same reason Roberts was sent to Leeds. VK seems to have a dislike of certain players and we will never know why

Vk has a dislike of Cullen now? The guy he brought from Anderlecht where'd he managed him previously?

[NewClaret]

For the same reason Muric was not involved until match 28, same reason Cullen was frozen out until a Brownhill sending off forced VK to pick him, same reason Roberts was sent to Leeds. VK seems to have a dislike of certain players and we will never know why

I don’t think that’s true at all.

Why would Kompany buy players he did not like? Why would he buy Cullen (twice), Muric and Benson if he didn’t like them? And why would he bring them back in to the team during the important run in? It makes no sense whatsoever.

While everyone is talking about Benson’s wonder goal, it’s worth remembering he wasn’t a regular starter in the Championship team. He came on in that game vs Rovers. Yes, I’d have expected to see more of him but really as a sub in thex championship I’d have expected to see less of him in the prem.

I’d you ask me why he doesn’t play more now I’d hazard a pretty good guess it’s height, physicality and defensive contributions (which are less important in the championship). I love him but not sure why there’s a big mystery about it. The Muric debate is very different.

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Possibly to maximise the profit of those higher priced options that were brought in in the summer by placing them in the PL shop window? Also let's not forget Benny wasn't a 90 minute man last season either and was used more as a game changing impact sub

[Steve1956]

Do you think Benson will be around in the Championship starring for us again next season somehow with the way he's been treated this season I doubt it,no Tella no Benson ....don't think we will be plssing the Championship next season somehow.

[Claret Till I Die]

benson-v-blackburn-2 (1).jpg (98.56 KiB) Viewed 3979 times

[jedi_master]

Really hope he's brought back into the frame somehow. I miss the lad.

[Clive 1960]

I fear the boat as sailed regarding Benson and maybe a few others..

[ClaretTony]

We seem to forget that he was hardly first choice last season - he started just 14 league games for us.

[bumba]

I understand why he doesn't start games but in certain games we've been crying out for some creativity, a goal or something different especially on the right wing and he's stayed sat on the bench with baffling subs used instead of him....this is what I don't understand.

[Jamesy]

We seem to forget that he was hardly first choice last season - he started just 14 league games for us.

Additionally, he was a bit like an untrained hosepipe at times. He could get you out of your seat but you never knew if he was going to whip a telling cross in, curl one just inside the post or hit the corner flag.

[mickleoverclaret]

Given he scored 11 goals last season from only 14 starts, it does beg the question why he hasn't been seen as a viable option from the bench by Kompany, even if him not starting games isn't anything new.

[ClaretTony]

Given he scored 11 goals last season from only 14 starts, it does beg the question why he hasn't been seen as a viable option from the bench by Kompany, even if him not starting games isn't anything new.

He had a lot of substitute appearances too - scored six in his 14 starts and 5 in his 19 sub appearances

[BurnleyFC]

I really rate him and still think he’ll be able to forge a career in the Premier League.

Regardless of if his future lies away from Burnley or not, he’ll still go down as one of my favourite ever Clarets for last season alone.

[RammyClaret61]

He had a lot of substitute appearances too - scored six in his 14 starts and 5 in his 19 sub appearances

And our top scorer so far has managed 5.
Baffling why he’s not got more game time.

[daveisaclaret]

Stats (league only) from fbref:
Last season
14 starts
19 sub appearances averaging 25 minutes per appearance

This season
1 start
6 sub appearances averaging 8.6 minutes

(stats are exclusive of injury time but still a clear contrast)

The answer to the question what happened to him is that VK decided before the season started that he wasn't good enough, signed loads of wingers and never gave him a chance. The real question in my eyes is why the song and dance at the end of the January window about not letting him go.

[ElectroClaret]

If he's still here next season and we're in the Championship, surely he'll play a big part.

The defences there couldn't handle him, even though some would describe him as a one trick pony.
(Cut inside, curl it to the far post).

[RighteousClaret]

Two years in and this is just one of the baffling decisions by our manager. Substitutions and overall team selections very rarely make any sense. He obviously has his favourites and Benson isn't one of them as even Vitinho is preferred as a winger, however, we've put all our eggs in the VK basket so let's see where we are 10 games into the championship season.

[FCBurnley]

His goal at Deadwood will never be forgotten. Thank you Mr Benson

[ecc]

That photo reminds us of the need to cherish the good nay great memories.

Success in football is incredibly ephemeral for a club of our nature these days. Take the good times.

[NewClaret]

I understand why he doesn't start games but in certain games we've been crying out for some creativity, a goal or something different especially on the right wing and he's stayed sat on the bench with baffling subs used instead of him....this is what I don't understand.

I agree with this.

I totally understand why he doesn’t start. I also understand why he doesn’t come on in tight games where we’re drawing or trying to defend a narrow lead. I cannot understand why in games we are losing narrowly he has not come on much sooner.

We definitely look more dangerous in an attacking sense when he’s on the pitch, both in terms of crossing quality and creating shooting opportunities.

[Clive 1960]

plus i would like to know the reason behind him and Zaroury signing new contracts if they are not going to play as there value would plummet..

[NewClaret]

Do you think Benson will be around in the Championship starring for us again next season somehow with the way he's been treated this season I doubt it,no Tella no Benson ....don't think we will be plssing the Championship next season somehow.

He signed a 5 year deal last summer so it will depend largely on what the club want. If they want to keep him, which I think they will given they kept him in January, his impact from the bench last year and that he’s a fan favourite.

I think the whole argument that a player who has not received any game time will want out is widely misplaced. Most are professionals and understand that across your career there will be times you are selected and times you are not. He’ll have been treated with respect by Kompany I’m sure, will know the reasons he’s not being selected and where he needs to develop.

I could understand the argument more if he were not a substitute for most of last season in a lower division.

I still hope he can have an impact on this season in the coming games as we have to be more attack minded and seek out the 3 points in games.

[NewClaret]

plus i would like to know the reason behind him and Zaroury signing new contracts if they are not going to play as there value would plummet..

I really don’t think the club are as obsessed in the value of players as the fans seem to be.

They’ll have signed them on extended deals as they saw them as being important players for the club at that point in time. Whether they turn out to be will depend largely on their own development and how they perform vs the other players they could also afford as a newly-promoted premier league team.

[daveisaclaret]

Seems really likely Benson and Zaroury's contracts changed automatically upon promotion given how quick they were and how little we wanted them

[Clive 1960]

I really don’t think the club are as obsessed in the value of players as the fans seem to be.

They’ll have signed them on extended deals as they saw them as being important players for the club at that point in time. Whether they turn out to be will depend largely on their own development and how they perform vs the other players they could also afford as a newly-promoted premier league team.

if they thought they were important players why was it first game against City all those players were sat on the bench looking at a bunch of kids who stepped in there shoes after what they did last season for our club, should have shown a little bit of loyalty not just Benson but the rest, yes i know Benson came on as sub a lot last season and was a impact but he hasn't been given a chance and he was begged to stop here in January as he was told he would start to get more game time..

[ClaretTony]

And our top scorer so far has managed 5.
Baffling why he’s not got more game time.

I'm equally baffled. Even recently, he came on as a sub against Wolves and almost scored the winner, only to be subsequently be ignored.

[Stayingup]

Why isn't Benson getting a run out? Possibly the most asked question by Burnley fans this season. He looked good last seaon - when he played - and scored some wonderful goals. He showed the ability to beat an opponent on either side showing good skills. Why he's not been playing? Maybe not physically up to it in this league and as mentioned not defensively good enough. I would have liked to have seen him coming on in some games in the second half and there is no doubt whilst we have plenty of left wingers we are short on the right.

[expoultryboy]

Not a starter for me but a great impact player after 60/70 mins if we're chasing a game . NOT with 5 minutes or less to go VK .

[NewClaret]

if they thought they were important players why was it first game against City all those players were sat on the bench looking at a bunch of kids who stepped in there shoes after what they did last season for our club, should have shown a little bit of loyalty not just Benson but the rest, yes i know Benson came on as sub a lot last season and was a impact but he hasn't been given a chance and he was begged to stop here in January as he was told he would start to get more game time..

My point is that I think the club sign players who think they’ll be valuable over the life of their contracts - so over a 5 year period in this case.

The other way of looking at it is why would they sign others if they thought Zaroury & Benson were going to play every game? They’ll have a plan for them that is longer term than most fans ever consider.

As for loyalty, I agree certainly in regards Muric. Benson, as a sub for most of last year, I don’t think we can expect a massively different outcome than we got, even though I’d have liked to have seen more of him myself.

[warksclaret]

Vk has a dislike of Cullen now? The guy he brought from Anderlecht where'd he managed him previously?

I dont know-maybe "dislike" is the wrong word, so for what reason did VK not pick Cullen to start until 3 March, when he had played one of his best games when starting v Spurs in the Cup , early days of January. We might still not have seen Cullen start had VK not been forced into bringing him on for the sending off of Brownhill.

If VK knows him that well then why did he close the door to him for those two months, and no coincidence but Cullen has helped galvanise our performances and results since regularly featuring

[KRBFC]

For the same reason Muric was not involved until match 28, same reason Cullen was frozen out until a Brownhill sending off forced VK to pick him, same reason Roberts was sent to Leeds. VK seems to have a dislike of certain players and we will never know why

Oh yeah VK just doesn’t like them, nothing to do with Roberts being poor (even Dyche didn’t fancy Roberts) and then getting himself sent off.

Nothing to do with Cullens poor form, he took time adjusting to the league and needed taking out for his own good.

You can certainly say Muric wasn’t given his chance from the start but you absolutely cannot say that about Roberts and Cullen who were two of the first names on the team sheet from the very first game.

[KRBFC]

Pretty clear to me why Benson hasn’t been starting games but I too am surprised he hasn’t been used when we’ve needed an impact. He was brilliant off the bench last season.

Benson has spent 80% of the season injured including all of preseason (if I remember correctly).

My guess is Benson does not want to be here, so has been phased out and only making the bench due to lack of numbers. If that’s true, I agree with the decision, that’s just me making up a story though.

[KRBFC]

I dont know-maybe "dislike" is the wrong word, so for what reason did VK not pick Cullen to start until 3 March, when he had played one of his best games when starting v Spurs in the Cup , early days of January. We might still not have seen Cullen start had VK not been forced into bringing him on for the sending off of Brownhill.

Cullen started the first 10 league games of the season and wore the captains armband for the first 3.

[clarets1978]

Do you think Benson will be around in the Championship starring for us again next season somehow with the way he's been treated this season I doubt it,no Tella no Benson ....don't think we will be plssing the Championship next season somehow.

So its not possible that we might sign players that will help us win the Championship next season or is that only possible with Benson & Tella??

[Burnley Ace]

Whilst he’s contributed to some memorable moments, he was often subjected to a heavy tackle at the start of the match and then barely contributed

[Blyclaret]

The boat has sailed for these guys because they are not good enough for the premier league.

[warksclaret]

Oh yeah VK just doesn’t like them, nothing to do with Roberts being poor (even Dyche didn’t fancy Roberts) and then getting himself sent off.

Nothing to do with Cullens poor form, he took time adjusting to the league and needed taking out for his own good.

You can certainly say Muric wasn’t given his chance from the start but you absolutely cannot say that about Roberts and Cullen who were two of the first names on the team sheet from the very first game.

No issues with Cullen being taken out of the team at the start, but when he is brought back v a top 5 club away at Spurs, and plays really well as the holding midfielder and when we have been letting in a shed load of goals, he is then frozen out for another 2 months and despite playing only the last 60% of the game at Palace when Brownhill came off, was judged to be MOM by many on here. I still maintain that had Brownhill not been sent off that he would still be playing a "Jack Cork " role on the bench. I would say there was more need to be taking Ramsey out of the fire in midfield than the experienced Cullen.Ramsey's confidence at the end was shattered for all to see

[northeastclaret]

I looked over frequently for some reason when the subs were warming up in the second half , never saw Benson once but the others that came on were warming up quite frequently as if they already knew who was coming on quite early in the second half.

Must be a bit demoralising for him to be barely given a chance this season.

[boyyanno]

The reality is Kompany doesn't think he works hard enough in training based on the analytics. It's not that he's lazy- just doesn't hit the same numbers as everyone else.

I believe the same was true for Zaroury and I'm sure there are others (like Tresor). The sad thing is that is just the case with some players, but they make up for it in different ways (as Benson showed last year). I think they've been badly managed but like I say it's not about likes or dislikes- they just haven't been hitting the numbers.

[boyyanno]

Cullen started the first 10 league games of the season and wore the captains armband for the first 3.

Cullen was set up to fail though. When he was given an adequate partner and had Muric back in and could receive the ball to his feet he started to look like the Cullen of last year. Everyone seems to disregard this.

[pushpinpussy]

Kompany doesn't trust the defensive side of his game. he will be gone in the summer. gutted.

[Burnley1989]

Cullen was set up to fail though. When he was given an adequate partner and had Muric back in and could receive the ball to his feet he started to look like the Cullen of last year. Everyone seems to disregard this.

Agree with you 100%

[KRBFC]

Cullen was set up to fail though. When he was given an adequate partner and had Muric back in and could receive the ball to his feet he started to look like the Cullen of last year. Everyone seems to disregard this.

I agree, the first 10 games were a complete write off, nobody knew our best side or how it would fare. Very much an experimental period with a squad full of unknowns. I think Cullen was very much a victim of this, chopping and changing constantly trying to find a right system that could take us forward, maybe we’ve left it too late which is unfortunate.

[jojomk1]

The boat has sailed for these guys because they are not good enough for the premier league.

As haven't been most of the VK summer signings (costing circa £100m)

[bumba]

I agree with this.

I totally understand why he doesn’t start. I also understand why he doesn’t come on in tight games where we’re drawing or trying to defend a narrow lead. I cannot understand why in games we are losing narrowly he has not come on much sooner.

We definitely look more dangerous in an attacking sense when he’s on the pitch, both in terms of crossing quality and creating shooting opportunities.

100% agree he can produce a goal out of nothing, we've been chasing games and looked dead on our feet and he still doesn't get on, Brighton at home was a perfect example when Foster looked completely gone yet Benson still didn't get on

[Boss Hogg]

When we played Man Utd last season in the cup I thought Maatsen and Benson were the two players that really didn’t look out of place against PL opposition.

[NewClaret]

When we played Man Utd last season in the cup I thought Maatsen and Benson were the two players that really didn’t look out of place against PL opposition.

Agree with this, I thought they looked scared of him that day. I’d like to see him off the bench tomorrow on that basis.

Always think we look more likely to score and generally more threatening when he’s on the pitch, albeit appreciate he’s probably not very good defensively.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Bensons lack of game time is frankly unfair.
Blindingly obvious he was far too good for the championship last year, to not give him a chance is criminal. As said above - last year he scored twice against Bournemouth and was threatening every time he got the ball against Man Utd. Clearly can do it against premier league opposition.

Clearly he’s an absolute chocolate teapot defensively but we could at least have given him minutes off the bench or in the floating no10 position we seem to play.