Depth...

I find it interesting that you both mention Benny's positioning because Taggart and Elliott rave about his positioning and says it's excellent. So whose right? You two or the ex centre halves? The stream I was watching was stop start so I can't tell.

Me. I'm right.

Fair point. Let's all stop observing and commenting because nobody on here can possibly know...

comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 8 minutes ago
Fair point. Let's all stop observing and commenting because nobody on here can possibly know...
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That defeats the purpose of the forum, it's observations and opinions that make debating possible.

I've been having streaming problems for the West Ham and Stoke games because it's storm season here and a cyclone hit up north so it's affected reception. I don't know whether Benny's positioning has been good or not and I can only go on what Elliot and Taggart say but you and Mersey see it differently.

I was listening to commentary on LCFC world and Taggart was raving about him, he said he had everything, strong in the tackle, good in the air, very composed on the ball but also knew when to get rid, he intercepted loads and his positioning was excellent. This is pretty much word for word what he said.

I don't know but either way I'm happy with him and I'd be happy for him to be one of two next season.

Seeing as this is an article about our squad depth and it's going to have to be utilised in the coming weeks, how about some possible line ups for Everton because I'm struggling to pick one that's going to be competitive with a lot of players needing to be rested. This is almost going to be a reserve side because we simply need to be at 100% for Atletico but beat Sunderland and we can afford to drop points.

Schmeichel
Simpson (no other choice)
Benny
Wasi
Chilwell
Kaputska
Amartey
King/Mendy if fit
Gray
Slimani
Musa

They've got loads of injuries too so perhaps the best time to play them but I think this highlights we do have a depth issue.

^ actually Morgan can play, he could do with a game to get back into it before Athletico.

CoE. He'd definitely strong in the tackle but needs to learn when he's never gonna get the ball.

He's decent in the air.

He's excellent on the ball.

With regards to positioning, he may just need to build a partnership up with Huth, but I often found him getting dragged out when he should have held his position, and went for the same ball as Huth.

Definitely improved from where he was though, which was a red card and mistake waiting to happen.

comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
CoE. He'd definitely strong in the tackle but needs to learn when he's never gonna get the ball.

He's decent in the air.

He's excellent on the ball.

With regards to positioning, he may just need to build a partnership up with Huth, but I often found him getting dragged out when he should have held his position, and went for the same ball as Huth.

Definitely improved from where he was though, which was a red card and mistake waiting to happen.
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Fair enough mate. I'm sure he'll get better with games as well though and he's got to be quicker than Huth and Morgan i'd think.

When Benalouane first appeared, his positioning was highly suspect in several was and, as Mersey intimates, he was a foul machine. These things have definitely improved since his early days. However, they're not quite at the level of Huth and Morgan yet. He's not great at playing offsides (I remember at home against Derby he had a good match overall but ended up about 10 yards behind the rest of the defence at times), sometimes he's too close to Huth, sometimes too far away. There were also a few rather suspect karate-type challenges on Peter Crouch and I was surprised he didn't get pinged for a high boot on 2 or 3 occasions. I suspect it all adds up to a problem with composure as much as anything - he's clearly very passionate from his reaction to winning, and as I say his flying in for challenges and losing position have been symptoms of that. I also fear for his composure a bit in the closing moments of matches, when the defence needs calm and I'm not sure that he brings that.

I still gave him an 8 in my ratings though because, while not perfect, there are observable improvements on those fronts. He's been good, he looks like he's learning and of course he adds a confidence on the ball that Huth and Morgan lack. At his best, he looks a fine player. But it's all about keeping his composure and maintaining the high standards he sets when he's focused.

comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 19 minutes ago
When Benalouane first appeared, his positioning was highly suspect in several was and, as Mersey intimates, he was a foul machine. These things have definitely improved since his early days. However, they're not quite at the level of Huth and Morgan yet. He's not great at playing offsides (I remember at home against Derby he had a good match overall but ended up about 10 yards behind the rest of the defence at times), sometimes he's too close to Huth, sometimes too far away. There were also a few rather suspect karate-type challenges on Peter Crouch and I was surprised he didn't get pinged for a high boot on 2 or 3 occasions. I suspect it all adds up to a problem with composure as much as anything - he's clearly very passionate from his reaction to winning, and as I say his flying in for challenges and losing position have been symptoms of that. I also fear for his composure a bit in the closing moments of matches, when the defence needs calm and I'm not sure that he brings that.

I still gave him an 8 in my ratings though because, while not perfect, there are observable improvements on those fronts. He's been good, he looks like he's learning and of course he adds a confidence on the ball that Huth and Morgan lack. At his best, he looks a fine player. But it's all about keeping his composure and maintaining the high standards he sets when he's focused.
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By the sounds of it they're the type of things that will improve as partnerships develop and he plays more games. It's still hard to believe he's only played two first team games in about 18 months. Considering that I think he's doing brilliantly.