nigep
TFF member
Posts: 30
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Post by nigep on Nov 25, 2008 22:56:26 GMT
It is a good job that we persevered with Elliot Benyon and those that matter recognised his potential. Some were predicting his future lay at much lower regional level if I recall! Surely it is no surprise that his strength has improved when a combination of hard work and natural growth combine. Paul Buckle was not signing him for the short term, not when he had Sills and Phillips.
I don't think Tim Sills is lazy, he is more ponderous I would suggest. He does a lot of unsung work and each match is a physical battle for him. I think we have more ammo up front this season so the opportunity to sub him a bit earlier or even rest him occasionally may help him. I thought he was running on empty towards the end of last season but nonetheless still contributed with sheer effort.
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Dave
TFF member
Posts: 13,081
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Post by Dave on Nov 25, 2008 23:09:53 GMT
nigep fully agree and I really think its time to go back to having two strikers upfront again. Benyon has come on so well this season and really should be starting along side Sills.
He did need to get himself a bit stronger and you can now see all the work he has put in, is now paying off. He his the most natural goal scorer at the club and he should be used much more.
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Post by chrish on Nov 26, 2008 19:46:04 GMT
I think Benyon has improved although I seem to remember that Chief Scout Merson marked him down as a waste of space at the return Histon game this season.   I couldn't agree with your assessment of Benyon more Chris. He's obviously working very hard on his own physical development.................development that has allowed him to compete at this level, and the lack of which rendered him comparatively ineffective when taking on all but the weakest defenders last season. I thought his nadir came in the game at St Albans when it became apparent he was even struggling against the next level down opponent to assert himself. Interestingly we have had a physical fitness coach (Brett Larcombe?) working with the players this season and it appears at a distance that Benyon has been the primary beneficiary of his work. All credit to Benyon and it just goes to show that one can have all the skill and natural ability in the world but without the basic foundations of strength and fitness (and in Benyon's case it appeared to be strength) the BSP can be an unforgiving theatre in which to strut your stuff................especially in his role. I remember the St Albans game only too well. I thought at the time how poorly he played during that game, as of course did most of the others on display that day. Strangely enough of course the success of his spell at St Albans whilst (on loan from Bristol City) in the previous season probably brought him to the attention of Paul Buckle who duly signed him. I'm very pleased that it appears as though he has really looked at his game and sort to improve it. There was no doubting his committment, efffort or finishing ability but to last 90 minutes in this league you have to be a bit stronger. Kevin Phillips is a fine example of this in how a small in stature player can overcome his physical shortcomings by working hard to get stronger, fitter and more durable. Another example of this in the lower leagues is a player called Tony Naylor who some might remember being a "big" part of a pretty decent Port Vale side in the mid 1990s. He was more of a creative second striker than an out and out goalscorer but still managed to score 106 goals in 7 seasons. He was what you would call "pint sized" but he was a stocky little player who was very hard to knock off the ball, had two good feet (especially his left), had a decent bit of pace and worked his socks off. Hopefully Elliot can do just as well for us over the next few seasons. I'll agree with Mr Merson that he was poor at Histon. But he looked like a completely different player at Wrexham until he got injured. I think he still has a fair way to go before he can justify a first team slot alongside Tim Sills but he's certainly going in the right diretion! |
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