Thread: Set pieces?

Originally Posted by noddy

.....Since his move to Spurs he has not developed the confidence needed to drop a ball into the box because there has not been a consistent finisher. Neither Bent nor Pav are phsical enough for PL football. Give Bentley a forward with height and presence and you will see him shine.

I don't buy that. I can partly see the logic in that he doesn't want to swing a ball in only to lose possession because we don't have the necessary means in the middle, i.e. would rather opt to pass inside or back, rather than swing a ball in.

I still don't buy it. If he is refraining from swinging a ball in because he thinks nobody is going to get on the end of it, somebody needs to have serious words with him. Swing in the ball, I bet you somebody will get on the end of it. If not, a decent cross will cause all sorts of havoc in the opposition box and prove to be a far more effective weapon than a back or side pass.

Besides that, I have seen him - particularly early in the season - attempt to cross from open play and it was garbage. A lot of that will have been down to him playing in the wrong position and the complete lack of footballing expertise we were displaying, but for a player brought in to cross - not beat players with pace - he was very disappointing.

He will improve. I have no doubt. Although questions will have to be asked if Lennon reproduces the form he did last Sunday on a regular basis. Bentley clearly doesn't like it on the left.....

I see your point funster. If he wants to retain his place on the right AND make the England squad then he has to step up. He is not an attacking midfielder so all that he's got is his set piece and cross.

Below is a link to an interesting article in the Lancashire Telegraph. What would possess Nelson to utter these remarks before a critical game for Blackburn? Was this a psych job on Bentley? Whatever, "irreplaceable" is a strong sentiment from the captain of your old team.

Bentley is irreplaceable, says Blackburn skipper (From Lancashire Telegraph)

I also recall that Hughes would occasionally give Bentley Modric's job of roaming free in the centre and he performed very well in that role.