I didn't see this thread at the time. But pretty harsh comments about BAE, don't remember him ever putting a foot wrong when he played up against big players in the league like RW goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo at the time.
for all but about 2 matches a season he was great, really really good.
i remember seeing him on one of his going walkabout days, and he was awful. thankfully they were very rare. i said at the time that harry should just ask him an hour before the game to tell him who we were playing, and only pick him if he got it right. and I wasnt joking.
much better LB than Bale could ever be. probably quicker off the mark over 5 yards, smaller, low centre of gravity, very good tackler. bought him for buttons too, one of Commoli's very good value buys.
Exactly the sort of player that Poch cant handle. doesnt enjoy the game, it's just a job, no I wont work at my game to improve it. Que sera.
But I loved having him as our LB. Possibly as one footed as Lamela. H had to put at RB once, against Bolton in the cup I think. Allardici was targeting him but somehow they didnt catch him in possession all the times he cut back to clear.
In a way he kickstarted our rise in the last 8 years or so. That first game of the season in the top 4 year, we beat Liverpool at home 2-0 (?). It was Benny's free kick, back off the wall and volleyed back in. That was our first top 4 season, and the first time we'd finished above Liverpool in the league since about 1972 or so.
Cheers Benny.
