Benteke

[Mystic]

How good is this kid looking? He's been a breath of fresh air in the team after the farce of last season. Two solid games so far, arguably man of the match yesterday, and he's doing everything right. He's strong, really strong, his movement has been very good, making great runs through the channels and pulling defenders about helping Coutinho have a fucking field day with the space he creates. His ball retention has been something else, not only does he win most of the balls which come up to him, he also has enough skills about him to beat a player trying to close him down after winning it, and can then comfortably roll the ball on to a team mate, that was invaluable last night in the last 15 minutes.

His distribution is a lot better than I was expecting too, but his positioning / movement in the box it what has really impressed me, he's always in the right place, he's makes superb runs into space ready for the cross, or the rebound, peeling away from defenders, or charging into the space inbetween, he's just got that goalscorers instinct, and it's great to watch. The fledgling understanding he's forming with Coutinho is already incredibly exciting to watch, but as other players; players like Henderson, Milner and Ibe become attuned to the way he plays and moves, he's going to score bucket loads.

I was completely against his signing, what a clown I am.

 

[Mystic]

On a side, in his Villa days, FA Cup final aside, he always seemed to have a field day against Arsenal, and always terrorises their defence, I really hope that continues on Monday.

 

[Hansern]

Showed great work rate and movement yesterday. So much for the one dimensional and lazy comments.
Hopefully the goal will ease a bit of the pressure on him.

He's boss!!

 

[Frogfish]

Besides the attributes Mystic has listed we should also add the sheer physicality which means we are no longer getting bullied out of possession by defences, in fact as I said last year, we needed to add steel to the team, and have done so in depth with Benteke, Milner, Ings, Firmino (supposedly also tough tackler and strong in possession) & Clyne (tough little bugger). Opposition CBs are literally terrified of Benteke and this creates space and opportunity for his teammates.

 

[gkmacca]

Great when he nicked the ball from their defender. Promising stuff all round.

 

[Mors]

I thought he was excellent last night. He didn't offer much goal threat but he wasn't getting hardly any service, but still got a poachers goal. Be interesting to see how the boss plays him and Sturridge when they're both fit, whether he goes for a diamond again. I think Benteke could do some real damage if hew wasn't having to occupy the 2 cb's by himself every game.

 

[Dahuge]

I have to admit, I had grave reservations about this signing but if he puts in a shift like he did last night in most games I will be happy

 

[hmmmmm1]

Haters are always going to hate.

 

[Dahuge]

Haters are always going to hate.

How am I hating?

 

[Woland]

It seems the opposite is true. Converts are already coming out. Everyone's gonna love him coz he's boss.

 

[hmmmmm1]

How am I hating?

Not you, more of a general point about favorite players.

 

[leftpeg]

His shitting of goals has begun.

Coutinho is going to love playing behind this guy, collecting all the little knock downs and scraps before knocking it back to the big fella to have another dump in the opposition's goal.

Credit also for the defensive shift he put in last night.

 

[Squiggles]

http://streamable.com/kwfc - Goal 1.

Top performance last night. Surprised he missed the second chance, he would usually bury that, but he's clearly a talent. His positioning is superb, especially in the box. He worked harder than he did against Stoke and looked fitter all round. Promising start.

 

[mark1975]

http://streamable.com/kwfc - Goal 1.

Top performance last night. Surprised he missed the second chance, he would usually bury that, but he's clearly a talent. His positioning is superb, especially in the box. He worked harder than he did against Stoke and looked fitter all round. Promising start.

Yup, the amount of times he was central was pleasing too, aswell as his willingness to pull wide and press. It was great that he was in that position around the penalty spot so many times, anticipating the ball in, we had literally no one taking up those positions last season.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Showed good all-around game, I'm pleasantly surprised like a few others here. I just wish he had a little bit more pace, which is probably something that's hard for him to improve on now. However, his touch is something he definitely can continue to work on, especially when in critical situations where the difference between a good and a bad touch is a gimme' shot or a squandered pass.

It's nice to see our goal kicks and clearances from the back aren't almost automatic possession turnovers anymore. I don't know if anyone else feels the same, but when we get a free kick or corner now, I feel more upbeat that we've actually got someone who can pose a more consistent threat, even though (I think) he hasn't had a header from a setpiece yet in these 2 games. Having the threat of him in the box to keep opposing defenders a bit jittery is a good thing... and Arsenal is shit at this aerial defending stuff. Good.

 

[peterhague]

I find this level of praise bizarre. I thought he was generally starved of good service but handled what he got very well.

There wasn't really much to go on as to whether he'll transform our attack etc.

And this is from someone who rates him and had him as captain of his FF team!!

 

[mark1975]

I don't know if anyone else feels the same, but when we get a free kick or corner now, I feel more upbeat that we've actually got someone who can pose a more consistent threat, even though (I think) he hasn't had a header from a setpiece yet in these 2 games. Having the threat of him in the box to keep opposing defenders a bit jittery is a good thing... and Arsenal is shit at this aerial defending stuff. Good.

Absolutely. There was a point last night that I haven't seen anyone pick up on. When Bournemouth got a corner, one of our players (can't recall who) shouted him and pointed back towards goal, telling him to get in position. No doubt he might help on that note too.

 

[Mystic]

Great when he nicked the ball from their defender. Promising stuff all round.

Yep, I loved that moment, it's such a shame Coutinho couldn't finish it, it would have been a great goal, the kind of goal that we saw a lot during Suarez's time, and the kind of goal that scares opponents coming into games.

 

[mark1975]

Yep, I loved that moment, it's such a shame Coutinho couldn't finish it, it would have been a great goal, the kind of goal that we saw a lot during Suarez's time, and the kind of goal that scares opponents coming into games.

I don't think he'll do that all the time, but it was great that he did, Suarez had the quickness to nick the ball away and cause problems in every game, I'm not sure Benteke will have the same reward against better sides, but it was still great to see.

 

[Mystic]

I don't think he'll do that all the time, but it was great that he did, Suarez had the quickness to nick the ball away and cause problems in every game, I'm not sure Benteke will have the same reward against better sides, but it was still great to see.

Of course, Suarez is in a league of his own when it comes to this, but we rarely see it from Sturridge, and even if we only occasionally see it from Benteke, and it only leads to a couple of goals, it's a great thing to be adding to the side.

 

[Fabio]

I find this level of praise bizarre. I thought he was generally starved of good service but handled what he got very well.

There wasn't really much to go on as to whether he'll transform our attack etc.

And this is from someone who rates him and had him as captain of his FF team!!

I agree he was starved, but it wasn't what was in the box that impressed me. He showed different dimensions to his game last night. His pressing was intelligent, his control excellent.

There was never any doubt he's an excellent player... He just doesn't fit in to how we play

 

[Woland]

His little flicks are boss. He totally fits.

It's not like Manure buying Pedro, a player who's been surrounded by tippy tappy bellends his whole life and is now going to lead the line of a side that can best be described as a good hard shite. A concrete wardrobe that makes your arse bleed.

Bentekkers is used to playing in front of Hazard and de Bruyne. He's got the skillz.

 

[Fabio]

His little flicks are boss. He totally fits.

It's not like Manure buying Pedro, a player who's been surrounded by tippy tappy bellends his whole life and is now going to lead the line of a side that can best be described as a good hard shite. A concrete wardrobe that makes your arse bleed.

Bentekkers is used to playing in front of Hazard and de Bruyne. He's got the skillz.

He does

But hazard and De Bruyne attack and give options for benteke

The way we're playing leaves him isolated

 

[leftpeg]

He does

But hazard and De Bruyne attack and give options for benteke

The way we're playing leaves him isolated

Not sure about that...Coutinho got on the end of loads of his lay-offs last night (admittedly he went on to waste them!)

 

[doctor_mac]

When Studge and Firminio are feeding off his flicks and layoffs then we'll see his full impact.

 

[keniget]

A good performance last night particularly given that he didn't have that much in the way of service or support.

Fingers crossed Villa fans were right about him.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Of course, Suarez is in a league of his own when it comes to this, but we rarely see it from Sturridge, and even if we only occasionally see it from Benteke, and it only leads to a couple of goals, it's a great thing to be adding to the side.

It also means that the opposition defenders will be aware of it & will be nervous or at least aware enough to try to release it more quickly than usual, which is a good thing for us too.

 

[FerrisBueller]

whats the best way for all of us that were pro the signing to be recognised and the haters to be ridiculed?

 

[FoxForceFive]

whats the best way for all of us that were pro the signing to be recognised and the haters to be ridiculed?

Keep reminding them.

You know, like you are now.

 

[peterhague]

whats the best way for all of us that were pro the signing to be recognised and the haters to be ridiculed?

For Sturridge to stay injured.