Joe Bennett signs for the mighty Wigan

[dembethewarrior]

What title says.

[delmbox]

Good luck to him, always gave his all here

[life on mars]

I liked the lad shame we couldn't agree a deal , I'm guessing his wages were a factor , as were Murphy's .

I should Imagine Tomlin's also need's to off loaded as his playing value to us is zilch

[LeningradCowboy]

He was playing really well for us before his injury. I wasn't expecting him to drop down to League One.

[Malckent]

He was playing really well for us before his injury. I wasn't expecting him to drop down to League One.

Yes I agree. I thought he would have ended up at Boro. We miss his accurate crosses. How come we can't afford him but Wigan can.

[Rjk]

best left back in a long long time for us.

[Grangenders]

The injury clearly scuppered his chances with us. I’m sure we could have offered what Wigan are offering but I’m sure even that is much more than what the likes of Bagan and Sang are on

[life on mars]

I'm sure there is a wage benefit for us , hopefully we may see a benefit in the long term if we continue to see the development of our youngsters .

I see no reason having a development squad if its not allowed to develop ?

[Citizen's Nephew]

I'm sure there is a wage benefit for us , hopefully we may see a benefit in the long term if we continue to see the development of our youngsters .

I see no reason having a development squad if its not allowed to develop ?

Agreed. But development doesn’t equate to winning. We’ll need to accept losses. And what are we expecting from them? I don’t understand how Wigan can sign Bennett and we can’t. None of this is making any sense.

[Citizen's Nephew]

best left back in a long long time for us.

Agreed. Left backs are hard to come by too. A solid pro for us.

[StraightOuttaCanton]

Found his level obviously

[dembethewarrior]

Agreed. But development doesn’t equate to winning. We’ll need to accept losses. And what are we expecting from them? I don’t understand how Wigan can sign Bennett and we can’t. None of this is making any sense.

We seem to be cutting costs. I don't think it's much more comicated, he was offered a deal a while back as well and turned it down didn't he?

Like most at this level had good games and bad, don't really miss him personally. Sometimes it's the right time to move on

[life on mars]

Agreed. But development doesn’t equate to winning. We’ll need to accept losses. And what are we expecting from them? I don’t understand how Wigan can sign Bennett and we can’t. None of this is making any sense.

It is a strange considering the crap financial situation they were in .

I do think that Joel Bagan is a prospect in this position though, and we must commit at some point with his development , perhaps we have others coming through as well .

[Llandaff Blue]

You have to remember he signed a deal with us when we were in the PL, why would we want to keep a 31 year old around who's earning a PL wage? Especially coming off of a nasty injury. We weren't going to keep him around when the club wants younger players to develop, if Bennett re-signed then he'd either be blocking Bagan's development for 2 years or he'd be an expensive backup. Right decision to move him on.

[Citizen's Nephew]

We seem to be cutting costs. I don't think it's much more comicated, he was offered a deal a while back as well and turned it down didn't he?

Like most at this level had good games and bad, don't really miss him personally. Sometimes it's the right time to move on

Agreed. I understand the cost cutting. I must admit to being shocked at the move to Wigan though. You’re right, I’d forgotten about the offer. You’ve probably gathered though that I’m not impressed with our club right now so it’s not really about Bennett. But hey, I’m chilled at the moment and am listening to whale and panpipe music. 🤪🙃🥺

[City123]

Surely him going to Wigan rather than another Championship club suggests he's not good enough/too much of a risk after his injury? Not that bothered he's gone

[the other bob wilson]

Surely him going to Wigan rather than another Championship club suggests he's not good enough/too much of a risk after his injury? Not that bothered he's gone

I’d go for the second of your options. As has been mentioned above, he was playing well when he was injured and the wing back system seemed to suit him.

[Citizen's Nephew]

It is a strange considering the crap financial situation they were in .

I do think that Joel Bagan is a prospect in this position though, and we must commit at some point with his development , perhaps we have others coming through as well .

Oh for sure. I certainly hope that Bagan will become a great player for us. The team I support 100% and I want all of them to be successful. It’s behind the scenes that I’m suspicious off. Anyway, that whale and panpipe music is starting to kick in! 😉

[Rjk]

I’d go for the second of your options. As has been mentioned above, he was playing well when he was injured and the wing back system seemed to suit him.

also left back/lwb is a specialist position, it could just be that nobody in the championship is looking for a left back at the moment

[Citizen's Nephew]

That seems sensible. I guess we don’t really know how dodgy his injury is either. I’m glad he hasn’t gone to another Championship club too. Just realised I’m replying to two posters in the same post. I’m knackered today. Sorry TOBW & City123, I’m sure you can work it out!

[DubaiDai]

Agreed. But development doesn’t equate to winning. We’ll need to accept losses. And what are we expecting from them? I don’t understand how Wigan can sign Bennett and we can’t. None of this is making any sense.

Agreed about accepting losses. Normally a home defeat to Bristol City would leave me totally fuming for days, but I simply accepted it within 5 minutes of the final whistle.
Why - because I have accepted that this current City side will likely finish around 12th. We are certainly way off top 6.
We have had a fairly easy start to the season and are currently 9th, however, wait until a dozen games have been completed and you might get a reasonably accurate idea of where we are placed.
By the way, if we keep introducing young players this season (and finish 12th) I will be happy.
WE ARE NOT APLAY OFF TEAM

[Joe Gillis]

Found his level obviously

Agree

[Citizen's Nephew]

Agreed about accepting losses. Normally a home defeat to Bristol City would leave me totally fuming for days, but I simply accepted it within 5 minutes of the final whistle.
Why - because I have accepted that this current City side will likely finish around 12th. We are certainly way off top 6.
We have had a fairly easy start to the season and are currently 9th, however, wait until a dozen games have been completed and you might get a reasonably accurate idea of where we are placed.
By the way, if we keep introducing young players this season (and finish 12th) I will be happy.
WE ARE NOT APLAY OFF TEAM

Good post. 100% agree. Liking the realism. A lot will depend on the nature of the losses and fans patience.

[The Hooded Claw]

If wages were an issue, how can a League One club afford him?

[dembethewarrior]

Surely him going to Wigan rather than another Championship club suggests he's not good enough/too much of a risk after his injury? Not that bothered he's gone

Or the flip side is nobody needed an extra left back possibly?