Bentaleb <loveblush>

It is funny to see the passes that go to Lamela

still question his attitude though i dont like to see him berating others noticeably lamela. he did it quite a bit for the under 21s too where he thought he was billy big balls.

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Rose did the same thing at the end of the game, bøllocking Bentaleb for something he did. Dunno what.

didnt see that rose was prob angry as he injured himself!

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I don't see it as a questionable attitude at all!

We all bemoan a lack of leaders in the team, no-one standing up when necessary and prepared to show the fight and passion. Bentaleb epitomises this, if it falls to one of the youngest on the field to deliver what the likes of Vertonghen should be doing then so be it!

I like Bentaleb, one of my favourite players of recent history, a lot of his work goes under the radar but he's maturing into one hell of a player. His performances aren't far away of that of Matic's and does the same sort of role for us.

Lloris captains and leads by example, but Bentaleb does it through passion. I like his grit and dirty side alond with the skill and keeping the game moving....something like a Vinny Jones and Modric lovechild <wink>

It's shocking the lack of pressing from Newcastle in pretty much all these clips. And they're supposed to be the home side. No wonder they're on a 6 game losing streak

I like Bentaleb but even Paulinho looked like a star against Newcastle

Not discrediting the player - i think he is very promising but i would be very worried if he is still playing week in week out next season. He is just a kid and it showed against Man Utd and other sides battling for survival.

adam,

I’m a big fan of Bentaleb – and was one of about 2 posters on here who stuck my neck out to defend his selection (mainly over Capoue) last season, with many branding him “Sherwood’s love child”. But there is a difference between having a good attitude and displaying leadership qualities compared to an attitude that puts players backs up. And I’m just not sure his attitude is reciprocated in the right way just yet.

But why is it, a player cannot be considered worthy unless they have shone against all of the big teams (as Luka seems to mention)? Why can’t we just give credit where its due, and where its apparent a player seems to be of good quality in the majority of games they play – just say well done? We always get this “he didn’t play well against United” or “he went missing against Chelsea”, when in reality even superstars often go missing against poor opposition – that’s football.

I agree Chicken, I hated it when posters wouldn't give Lamela the credit he was due in his Europa performances. Same with Lennon etc.

Thing with Bentaleb last season though, is he showed promise and I think everyone was happy with that. People just had an issue with him starting in a two man midfield vs Arsenal, which is good for his development, but I still would of rather he didn't play and we beat Arsenal OR put in a third midfielder.

But why is it, a player cannot be considered worthy unless they have shone against all of the big teams (as Luka seems to mention)?

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So you missed the bit where i mention "and other sides battling for survival" - IE not "big teams"?

Edin,

but I still would of rather he didn't play and we beat Arsenal

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But of course... I would rather any particular player didn’t play if it meant we would win games. I don’t think it was quite as clear cut as, a) we play Bentaleb and lose, or b) we don’t play Bentaleb and we will win.

To be honest, prior to Sunday he hadn’t performed well for some time and something had to give, which is why, I assume, Mason was dropped.