Has everyone forgotten about Bennett?

[A Big Red Tree]

People keep talking about needing defenders and a new left back... but our player of the season from the season before last will soon be back.. Surely he'll be 1st choice left back.. Have I missed something? It seems like no one here has confidence in Jules. Hard tackeling defender, swashbuckling runs, goal threat at the other end of the pitch..... isn't he the kind of player we need?

 

[DanR]

Who?

 

[Baronvon]

You'll always get 100% from him but he has his limitations, notably at this level.

 

[A Big Red Tree]

You'll always get 100% from him but he has his limitations, notably at this level.

I bet he didn't get more than a handful of games last year.. and even then he was playing in a team with low confidence.... If fully fit, surely he's a good solid left back... and commitment and willingness to fight for the ball is understated these days.. With Jules I always get the idea that he really wants to win every tackle..

 

[DanR]

He's got a lot to prove - coming back from a bad injury, playing at a level he's inexperienced at, and having lost his place to a younger player.

Good cover/competition for Lynch though, if he can prove his fitness.

 

[weasel]

I agree. I think if he can find full fitness after two horrendous injuries then he'll be good enough to cement his place at left back. He was superb in League One so if others can make the step up he certainly can. He's more of a natural left back as well, comfortable on the ball and getting forward unlike Lynch who still strikes me as a centre half.

It's a big if though, those two injuries in quick succession could stop him ever returning to his best.

 

[EssexRed]

Well look at the change in Joel Lynch from how he started season under Calderwood, to how he finished it under BD. Under a better performing and more confident team, and with a better manager, maybe when Jules comes back, he will step up his game and become a very decent left back at this level

 

[Rich]

Months away from fitness, according to Billy last week, though.

 

[The Maniacal Megatron]

How can you forget about him?

He's Mr August on the Forest calendar.

 

[mr happy]

The truth is Jules is a bit of an unknown commodity for us this year. He was an excelent left back in league 1 earning player of the season with his tough tackling and committed approach to the game. He hasn't really had a fair crack at the championship for us to judge his abbilities at this level, although no doubt he was a big loss for us last season.
That said the lad has been out with a serious injury for a long time and there is no guarantee that he will come back playing to the same ability he showed in our promotion season certainly not straight away at least. Nor is it known whether even when playing to his full potential he has the requisite quality for the Championship.
I like jules, the guy is forest through and through and always puts in maximum effort and I really want to see him succeed for us. Technically he has his limitations but he more than makes up for this in endeavour. I think when fit he is capable of forcing his way into the team and proving some of his critics wrong.
Even so it would be wise for Davies to bring in another LB as he is still out for a good while yet and it would be foolish to bank on him returning the same player he was before injury.

 

[Azza]

He wasn't exactly great in League 1, I think his lack of ability was there for all to see. I think the only reason he got Player Of The Season was because of his undoubted passion for the club, which shrouded some fan's views of his ability.

I can't see how he'll be able to do well for us in the Championship. He struggled at League 1 when he came up against a half-decent right winger and he'll be returning from a very serious injury.

 

[matt1982]

Bennett MAY have what it takes at this level, we dont really know and he is still out for some months i believe, having not played for such a long time, which presents a big problem. What he ISN'T as well is the experience Billy's looking for, he's still only 24 -thats the reason we're looking for someone else.

 

[WatnallRed]

Months away from fitness, according to Billy last week, though.

November i think i heard.

 

[zigga-zagga]

Obviously BD is thinking about another left back - why else would the no. 3 shirt not be taken yet?

If Bennett was to be our first choice surely he would have had the shirt and even if he had not wanted it Lynch would have taken it, if offered, after wearing it last season

 

[Rich]

Obviously BD is thinking about another left back - why else would the no. 3 shirt not be taken yet?

If Bennett was to be our first choice surely he would have had the shirt and even if he had not wanted it Lynch would have taken it, if offered, after wearing it last season

Bennett wears 29 for 'personal reasons', apparently.

Even as first choice left back he woudln't have number 3.

Lynch ahs been wearing 33 for the past few games, which makes you think that he does want the three shirt, but it's not his. Maybe he's gonna give it to Mills, so that he has a 'defenders number', sort of thing.

 

[The Maniacal Megatron]

On the OS squad list it has Lynch listed as no 33 so looks as though he'll keep it.

 

[Bridgfordred79]

Bennett is first team.

No doubt.

Maybe we woud benifit from buying an experienced LB for a season or two to hep nurture Jules and Lynch, and play at LB until Jules comes back aswell.

Experienced LB? Hmmmm..... :think:

 

[Gary]

Like others said, he's got a lot of catching up to do.

 

[adam09]

Nowadays everybody wanna talk like they got somethin to say, but nothin comes out when they move their lips, just a bunch of gibberish, and m------uckers act like they forgot about Jules.

 

[DapperDan]

He wasn't exactly great in League 1, I think his lack of ability was there for all to see. I think the only reason he got Player Of The Season was because of his undoubted passion for the club, which shrouded some fan's views of his ability.

I can't see how he'll be able to do well for us in the Championship. He struggled at League 1 when he came up against a half-decent right winger and he'll be returning from a very serious injury.

What he said.

 

[Ravi]

Bennett will need to have improved his first touch and one-footedness considerably to be even considered a back up IMO. No one could fault his passion and committment but he has never looked like having the quality of a Championship player. Admittedly we dont know for sure, but as I say his technical limitations make it highly unlikely that he would be good enough.

 

[Randy Bumgardener]

Jules first season was hit and miss don't forget ! The next he came back with an immense attitude and proved everyone wrong. His determination and hunger scare me ! I hope he does become our first choice left back as I love his attitude (and still haven't seen him vs KC)

I think Billy is the sort of manager Jules will thrive under and keep getting better. i just pray his injury won't hold him back !

 

[king_congo_red]

Obviously BD is thinking about another left back - why else would the no. 3 shirt not be taken yet?

As I've said before, it is going to be 'retired' in honour of Psycho...

 

[Erik]

He wasn't exactly great in League 1, I think his lack of ability was there for all to see. I think the only reason he got Player Of The Season was because of his undoubted passion for the club, which shrouded some fan's views of his ability.

I can't see how he'll be able to do well for us in the Championship. He struggled at League 1 when he came up against a half-decent right winger and he'll be returning from a very serious injury.

I'd go along with that.

He just about stepped up to the level of League 1 - It's a massive ask for him to step up to Championship level after such a serious injury. Maybe good for back up but if we seriously plan on him being first choice left back for an average - good Championship team then there must be some pretty awful teams out there.

 

[winnits]

100% of not good enough is still not good enough.

It would be a big risk to assume he will cut the mustard when he's fit (not saying he won't though, he's barely had a chance at Championship level).