21 Jan 2016 06:39:07
Good morning!

Have a feeling I could divide opinion here but is any else getting a little frustrated watching Ibe?
I am a fan of what he does but time after time he takes on players down the right and either runs into them, tries one too many tricks and loses it or has a heavy touch and the ball runs out of play.
He looked much better when he switched to the left last night and was able to cut inside. He reminds of the lad that left for city last season (his name escapes me now) when he was breaking into the first team. Too cocky and thought prem defenders were easy to beat.
He's going to be a a top player but I'm struggling with him at the moment. Needs a better cross too.

YNWA.

1.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 07:00:31
He's learning, to learn you must make mistakes.

2.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 07:25:06
I agree it's frustrating watching him run at defenders and lose possession, and feel his movement off the ball could improve a bit, so no, you're not the only one. He's clearly part of the issue too in terms of lack of regular goalscorers from midfield, however that's also to be expected at his age.

There's no question in my mind of his talent and eventual ability to be a major threat, he just needs our patience and game time. Love him, but I don't think he should be a nailed on starter either.

3.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 07:26:45
I appreciate that but I can see why Benteke would get frustrated. Every time we got the ball out wide last night we tried to bring it in 5 yards to get a better angle when sometimes a first time cross would be better. In my opinion!
If I was Ibe I'd be trying to impress by doing the simple things well and getting some good early crosses in. Please don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Ibe and excited about the type of player he will become.

YNWA.

{Ed001's Note - but where was Benteke when we did get the ball out wide? He was never anywhere near the 6 yard box, so why cross it first time?}

4.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 07:41:50
Ibe can be frustrating at times, i agree. He is still trying to bring it all together still. He is strong, quick a really good shot, sometimes he makes the wrong decision and still maybe a bit apprehensive. He is worth waiting for and working with. Maybe he needs to be taken out of the limelight now and again. I think he will be a hell of a player in years to come.

5.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 07:47:40
Very true Ed but we know Benteke isn't really a lone striker and a more players in the box wouldn't have highlighted his lack of presence quite so prominently as it did last night.
Also as a striker it's very frustrating to constantly make the same movement into the box and not get the supply so maybe he was just mixing up his runs.
Bottom line is we need a 20+ goal striker and I don't think Benteke is the answer especially if we aren't going to get early balls in the box. PC RF AL aren't wide men by trade and they want to thread neat balls to runners in and around central positions.

{Ed001's Note - he has spent most of his career playing as a lone striker, if he can't play that way now then there is no hope for him.}

6.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 07:49:20
Well said Ed001. I was tearing my hair out watching Benteke constantly move back out the box to the edge of the area as we attacked down the flanks. He just has no clue. His movement is dreadful. Unless something drastic happens I think he may be up for offers in the summer. So much potential but doesn't know how to apply it.
Also I was a Joe Allen hater under Todgers but he seems to have found some form under Klopp so credit where credit is due. He's been good. Is he worth keeping hold of? Who knows. Would have to be more consistent for me.

7.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 07:55:03
Well he certainly doesn't fit the ideal of a lone striker for the current team but if what Klopp says is true, he is a fan and maybe in the long term wants to build a side that includes him! Who knows?
YNWA.

8.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 08:07:31
He didn't constantly move out to the edge of the box. He had a few chances with headers that he won in the six yard box (still missed tho) . His movement is weird tho, a player not knowing what is expected of him, a touch that has desserted him and not really playing with any rhythm.

{Ed001's Note - you are right, usually he never bothered to move into the area in the first place to have to move back out.}

9.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 08:51:45
I think for his own development at 19 years of age he needs to go out on loan. Maybe to a lower level premier league team. That way he can develop and not get so scrutinised. Massive talent no doubt but so so raw.

10.) 21 Jan 2016
21 Jan 2016 10:49:08
I must have been watching a different game, he had a couple good shots on goal, had 3 quarters of the ball in the net. He skinned his markers time again, played good pass and move with randall and branagan down the right. Put a great cross on the head of benteke if i remember rightly who fluffed. Just because benny baller has been giving him grief everyone all of a sudden is on the kids back. He played no worse than anyone on that pitch last night. In fact the worse attacker was benteke who looked awkward all night.

Yes he still needs to develop but there arenfar worse performers in the team than ibe.