I think we can all be assured the Benrahma issue will raise its head again on Monday evening at Molineux!
Our understanding is that Pablo Fornals is fit and ready to reclaim his place in the starting line-up and ahead of his injuries there were great signs that he and Jesse Lingard were becoming a very decent partnership.
Alongside Mikey, and with Jesse making those surging runs behind them, we have a front line that can excite and has goals in them.
But it continues to ask a question of both David Moyes and Said Benrahma, with many believing the former Brentford star should get a run of games despite not managing a goal in 18 appearances, although some were so brief it seems unfair to include them.
To be entirely honest I have been neither overly or underly impressed by the guy but like everybody else really want him to show us what he’s got – at £25 million or so we need to know he’s the real deal.
I believe Moyes will go with Fornals – very much his type of player and when fit something of a fixture now – but let’s hope that we see more of the former Bee as the season counts down although it’;s a little difficult to know how whilst the Spaniard stays fit.
This one could run and run!
I think that Arsenal (the second half) highlighted the fact that our weakness is holding onto the ball and getting out of our own half. In my opinion we have done this better when playing 3 at the back (or 3-4-3) – I know that Masuaku is not yet fully match fit but he could perhaps manage half a game and then be replaced by Ben Johnson
In that case the challenge is that the front three will come from Antonio, Lingaard, Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma and Lanzini – so someone will be disappointed – even if we play 4-2-3-1 the “3” will be from 5 of the above – I guess it is a nice problem to have and does not mean that the players left out are playing poorly – and as I said before this is partly why Bowen is subbed off so often
Benrahma’s day will come I hope
COYI
Like you Hugh I think DM will play Forrnals. Every chance he will sub Bowen off for Said later but could also put Mano on later as well. More of a worry is Nobes on tbh. It seems that Said is getting eased in this year, but we must decide on him soon given the investment. Let’s hope DM has an eye to next season in his selections!!
I think Benrahma has struck up just as much of a rapport with Lingard as Fornals has and he has had a lot more time to do so.
Fornals has improved over the last couple of games, but he can be a busy fool running around after the bal,l but without much end product and his final pass decisions have been poor to say the least.
Benrahma’s biggest problem is that he is desperate to score a goal. He has magical ball control and is able to get to the box and has made some killer passes.
This is beginning to turn into another Felipe Anderson saga, bit of a coincidence that both are skilled and play on the left and DM wants them to tackle back to support Cresswell and is somehow draining the art out of the boys.
On the Lanzini situation, I think he is a busted flush and must rank behind Benrahama, Fornals and Bowen in pecking order. This is not really a perm any two from four scenario and should be Lingard (on current form ) plus one of the others
Top attacking players know they’re required to help out in defence and there’s absolutely no reason for them to lose their skill or flair because of this. Kane, Aubameyang, Grealish, Mount, Rashford are all excellent examples of this. The work ethic Moyes has instilled in this team is exceptional. If Benrahma doesn’t buy into it, I can’t see him ever being a regular starter.
I think Fornals too but Benrhama is a talent , just needs that goal . I fancy he will come on as sub with 20-25 minutes left and fancy him to score against Wolves. The goal will give him confidence, then we will see the real Benrhama and what £25 million bought us but I back him to succeed . COYI ⚒
No Issue here at all for me Hugh.
Simply put Fornals is a better player for the team than Benrahma is.
Regardless, the team selected by David Moyes will get my backing as he seems to know what he’s doing : )
Agreed Masch. We need players at the top of their form these last 9. Not sure about Said
Absolutely.
Benrahma remains a defensive liability. He has improved but not enough to warrant a start. He does contribute to the attack but Fornals is a two-way player.