Bennett

[Yankee_Jack]

Not assigned a number. Contracted until next June, so we have to be paying him for nothing. A squad leaking goals, lacking maturity and experience. And yet he’s been cast adrift?

not my all time favorite but he has to be better with Cabango than what we’re putting on the field.

with darling, a Martin pet, being demoted to the bench, surely Bennett still has something to offer.

 

[ivoralljack]

If we are seeking some experience to mentor our young defenders why not offer a short contract to free agent Gary Cahill who has vast experience at the very top level? He could still do a job in the Championship.

Fabian Delph is also available. His experience, ability and bite in midfield would make him a valuable squad asset.

And up front Andy Carroll would offer a host of options paricularly with Liam out of contention and Obafemi out of sorts. He would also give us added strength in set pieces both up front and in defence.

All three are available and would cost no transfer fee. I'm sure they'd all be happy to accept a short term contract at a sensible salary with a view to playing for future places either with us or elsewhere. Their experience, good habits, ability and attitude would surely be of benefit to the squad. And they would ALL offer what Russell Martin and his coaches lack - a lot of time spent at the TOP level of football. Our youngsters could not help but learn from them - as I suspect would Russell Martin.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Update to my initial comment on this thread ... Wood has since put in some substantial performances. Definitely the more solid of the two (Darling/Wood). Bennet's disappearance is intriguing. Cahill would definitely had some balance and depth to the squad. Carroll would also make the ideal sub for the last 5 to 10 minutes of a match we're winning to dominate defensively in the box alongside Benda.

Clearly Martin has taken stock of August, had an "oh shit" moment, and is focusing on those that can now deliver ... hence Benda starting, Darling being benched, Ntcham and Obafemi sitting in the stands and so on. And, lo' n behold, a reversion to 4-2-3-1 which is a system we all know and fits our players much better. Flex looks like he could play the LW quite well and Sorinola had one of his best games so far on the RW.