He ended up at Fleetwood then some team in Northern Ireland called Glenavon. Just goes to show that just because you're good at u16 doesn't mean you're going to make it at all.

True very true.

Many kids have fallen by the wayside, and many more will. He had a lot of promise pity it never came to fruition.

Ciaran Donelly, what did happen to him??

England captain I believe for most of his school boy life, we really missed a trick there.

Are people on here saying that all Benni should do is score goals??

Because if I remember correctly isn't that the reason Derb's was moved on because strikers have to offer more than goals.

better than 1 in 3 despite not starting over a third of the games, what more do you want from a striker??!

Most on here just want Benni to play as we all know he can, season one.

Benni's capable of more than he's shown over the last couple of years, much more. He should be going down as one of the greatest african players, he won't now.

Thanks Rover6.

RIP Bobby

A true gent and a great manager, thanks for the memories Bobby.

In fairness he's a Champions League winning striker. He's probably right to expect to be picked to play up front before Chris Samba.

I would have thought Sam would have explained the choice to him, but perhaps not.

Perhaps he did and Benni didn't like it?

Sam would have told Benni why.

Since I've just finished reading 10 pages of benni debate in another thread, I figure this thread should be bumped.

What happened to the other premiership team thread????

Anyway Russian paper says Zhirkov (Sp) will be joining Chelsea, he's a player and a half, can't wait to see him live.

Well that was a surprise game. United where awful once that first goal went in was it 2 on 5 and Barca stroll through, I was very surprised by the line-up but he must have had his reasons.

Ronaldo should have been up against Slyvinho, Rooney where he's happy and tevez against Puyol. I still can't believe how weak United flanks where right side was non-exsistent and they rarely targetted Slyvinho. Andersson, well I'd have put the little scrapper in there Scholes, at present I don't see andersson making the grade a his replacement. Just like us for most of this season United offered no protection to the back four who got dragged all over the place.

They gave Messi so much time and space and had no specific marker for him, he drifted in and out from the flank and they never really passed him over.

United lacked drive and where as mobile as a broken car, and there world class defence obviously stayed home to watch the game as they didn't turn up.

Hats off to PEP GUARDIOLA first season and the best season ever in La liga by any spainish team, high standards indeed.

Barca where good last night but they have been much better than that this season, personally I'd say united lost it themselves thats one of worst performances of their season. They are normally so much more fluid with great interchange but last night nothing. If I was a united player last night I would have delayed going back into the dressing room till the last minute, I wonder who got a cup kicked at them last night.

With reference to the chelsea and hiddink tactically being better remember how big and physhically strong chelsea are as a team compared to united.

Let's get rid of the entire team, then spend the first 15 games of the season losing every match whilst the players "gel" together.

Like Tottenham last year

They didn't have balance, you'll notice as soon as harry came in they gelled rather nicely.

I've said my piece but if you honestly think its on he doesn't keep himself in shape for the 30-45K people on here say he is on, thats up to you. Perhaps you should go into work wearing jeans and a t-shirt and see what happens.

The rest of the team are let down by his actions they seem to be able to keep in shape and eat properly, but no Benni's special he should be treated differently to the rest of the players who make the effort because he scores goals, ###### same rule for all.

We don't need to shift the whole team, but we do need changes and Benni would be one of mine, for the reasons I have stated.

Despite his 'weight problems' Benni had a pretty good season, especially considering his use. Call him fat if you like, I don't where you get your figures from, call him lazy if you like, I'd like to see his stats because I think they might surprise, but he scores goals. Quite a few goals in fact. Lots of stats can be twisted or be unrepresentative but his goals and games stats are strong evidence of his usefulness and the contribution he makes to the team.

PL games 18 ( plus 10 as sub ) 10 goals

This would be pretty good for most teams but coming at a team who struggled all season and finished in 15th I'd say they were very good.

Cup games 2 ( plus 3 as sub ) 3 goals

All together 20 starts 13 subs 13 goals

Those stats don't lie.

On the other hand he isn't getting any younger and if we got a good offer and Sam thinks he can get better with that money, great.

But for all the Benni bashers out there, have a think about what contribution he made this season alone before you get on his back.

If thats what he can do in that condition, then imagine what he's capable off???

His whole career has been blighted by inconsistency and a poor attitude. When he first came on the scene people thought he was going to be a world beater, trouble is he never did.

He has made a good contribution, but he could do so much more, this is my bone of contention. Benni does what Benni wants proven by his disgraceful behaviour towards S.Africa not so long ago. Add in his complete lack of respect for our club, through his weight issues, twice this season its been highlighted nationally under two different managers, that is not the attitude I expect from a player at my club, its not one I'd advocate anywhere.

I did not call Benni fat I said he was obese for an elite athelete and he is.

We need players who give 100%, Benni's never done that regularly and never will.

He always has a great first season then followed by mediocraty by his standards, till he leaves. The only manager who got him firing was Mourinho, who is a master at motivating players.

A elite level pro should be coming in about 6-11%, personally I'd want him nearer 8%.

Elite athletes body fat percentage. Its not the be all and end all, but Benni had weight issues under Paul and then again under Sam.

I'm sure he looks like a lean mean fighting machine next to some of us, but we're not pro athletes, he is & the same scale is not used, it can't be their too active. 20% is the absolute maximum and I'm sorry but if your on £30K a week and you can't make the effort to maintain your end of the deal, you go in my books. As I said its a pity but he doesn't have the right attitude his last example was with the SA national team where he feigned injury to get out of his commitments, even our club came out and said we know nothing about it.

I admire Benni he's very talented, just not the complete package.

He can go. He maybe our top scorer but I would have sold him last summer and I haven't changed my mind. Any pro who can't keep himself in shape does not deserve his contract, anything over what we paid and I'd take it. He's got all the talent in the world, its a pity the rest doesn't match up.

If sam says derb's only brings goals and nothing else I think this applies to Benni as well.

I still can't get over his body fat percentage this summer coming in at 20% + makes him obesse for a sedentry life style let alone a professional athelete, he must be able to eat 3 whoppers in one sitting.

I saw Thursdays episode with the puddings. Did he win?

1. Nice drive up and back and a lovely location but the Highwayman is their quietest eaterie.

2. Unforseen at the time but I understand that the Clog and Billy has swiped business from the Three Fishes.

3. Sounds like you might still have one to go. Spoke to NH a fortnight ago and he said that RVI's have just opened the Bull at Broughton Tris. No Lanky food of course everything is sourced in Yorkshire for that one. I'm in a bit of a quandary whether to go or not.

His hot-pot will be the main course.

I'm watching the finals at the moment and it looks like the starter will be a pea ravioli, WTF has that got to do with a taste of home. The judges have no clue what they are talking about they make it up as they go along.

All the best Andre thanks for the memories and the goal!!!!!!!!

The 'Bio-metrics' of his body are what cause the problem - some add weight much easier than others. Dont worry it will get sorted.

Either he will get fit or get shipped out in summer - simple really. Dont forget he was scoring the key goals when Sam 1st came in and then got dropped. He is still also our top goalscorer.

Just seen this.

Quality LOL.

Bio-metrics in biology refer to body shape, so its a scientific way of saying, yes benni's fat.

Not a rule of the game, it's a rule for the competition. The rule should be different, but they can't change it mid-tournament. It's sad for him, but it's not exactly a tragedy.

How on earth can you say its not a tragedy?????

The only Scots man with a chance of playing in the champions league final and he can't, I hope the ref does the right thing.

I'm gutted for him.

Its not that long ago I advocated the signing of Joey, I honestly felt he should get a final chance. His recent antics are not acceptable, Newcastle have stood by him and he repays them in the only way Joey knows how.

I wonder what his team-mates think of him?? I know what I think about him.

Under no circumstances do I want my club paying Joey the 20K plus he would want to be a supposed team member. Trouble is the boy can play and if you could get his head right he'd do well (what was his record under Sam????? playing wise), someone will give him a contract but it should not be us. He's had so many chances its clear he cannot be helped and we should not even try.

It is a bit stupid that teams spend all season trying their best to get in the UEFA Cup, then when they get there hardly even try to win. All seems rather pointless!!

LOL. Take a bow Martin!

Im suprised by the Russians & Ukraine teams in Europe over the last few years. They seem to be getting much stronger in Eastern Europe.

Czech's will come to fore a bit more soon, there's a number of eastern european teams who rank very highly youth wise at present. At the end of the day the more countries/teams that can compete the better.

Well yet again english clubs are the top dogs.

As some have said they'll do something soon, hopefully.

I'm praying for a Barca V Gooners final with the Gooners taking it.

Curiously how do the semi's line-up??

Barca V Chelsea

Man Utd V Gooners

Is that right?

Benni,

If you put as much effort into football as you obviously do eating you would be one of the world greats.

All the exercise you do and you still put on weight.

You must take a van to the Macdonalds drive thru.

Well you have to now assume that the I want out statement from the stoke game is drivel of the highest order.

Benni just reads the game so well look at his goal against City great anticipation almost as if he knew roberts would get it wrong for himself but right for benni.

Benni has always said he loves playing with Roberts.

I'm well pleased to see Benni knocking them in again and playing with that cheeky smile.