Benny Osborn

[Strawberry Avenger]

Forest 2 LBs that are better. Forest have 3 wingers that are better. And a converted winger to RB that could score more.

In central midfield, we have Watson, Sow and Yates. All better in those positions too.

I feel in the position ahead of Jack Robinson he'd have made Jack look better whilst providing the 'business' to make Car' look better (the latter player seeming to really miss Os' contributions.) It's all academic.

He's moved on and can't get in the Sheff Utd 18. The Sheff Utd team without him are currently higher and 'better' than Forest because they're top 6 in the Premier.
Forest have moved on and are in the top 6. Forest are currently better without Os' because they are higher and 'better' in the Championship.

He was a decent servant over 5 seasons. His contributions were under appreciated and under estimated by some. Busy, energetic, industrious, professional, used as a utility man and favoured by what seemed like 5 managers in a row playing every game for season after season. Much to like. We can only wonder if he'd perform better in a better Forest team. He played with some mediocre players and Forest teams in his time, with 3 successive relegation battles he stuck with Forest.

Weaknesses? Diminutive. Easily bullied and out of position at LB. And when in his favourited position not enough was shown of the player that could 'do that goal against Derby.' But that didn't stop him trying. When Aitor came in, you got the impression that the Forest squad needed to 'move on' to better players than Ben and that transition has continued with Forest being mostly in the top 6 this season.

We do miss some of his intricacy at times and at key moments. But in truth we need a much more proven and robust version of Ben Os' (did we ever get to his much of him in an ACM role?) or Car' at ACM. Luke Freeman perhaps?

We've moved on. I wish him well for the future. He got his pay rise (and reward) at Sheff U for being loyal on (presumably) low wages at Forest whilst seeing under performers probably on more.

We need to aim even higher than Ben' and even the current ACM encumbants if we want to get promoted this season. There is a very real chance we could catch Leeds and force them to choke.

But we're going to need real quality at ACM, Wing and Strikers. We're the lowest scoring top 6 side on Goal Difference?

SA.

[optimistic_red]

Well said SA

[Mad Mel]

I liked Ben Osborn and I think our squad was weakened when he left.

I for one would take him back if offered the chance.

[Alf]

I like Benny and think that, in an industrial Lamouchi side, he would have helped us haul more points than we have currently.

That said, I think SA makes some good points too. Letting Benny go? Fine. But we've not bought in anyone who gives the side what he gives either (graft + consistency + busyness + versatility + a bit of creativity too).

In fact I think he's a better creative option in this system than Carvalho tbh.

Not gutted we lost him, disappointed though that we haven't replaced him. Hopefully Jan will rectify that. No point us selling such players if those we are spending the money on are as fruitless as Soudani + Jenks for around the same price

[Strawberry Avenger]

I like Benny and think that, in an industrial Lamouchi side, he would have helped us haul more points than we have currently.

That said, I think SA makes some good points too. Letting Benny go? Fine. But we've not bought in anyone who gives the side what he gives either (graft + consistency + busyness + versatility + a bit of creativity too).

In fact I think he's a better creative option in this system than Carvalho tbh.

Not gutted we lost him, disappointed though that we haven't replaced him. Hopefully Jan will rectify that. No point us selling such players if those we are spending the money on are as fruitless as Soudani + Jenks for around the same price

I think in this side, we'd have hauled some more points with Ben O' in it.  We 'replaced' him with Silva who took a while to get going in this league.  The two wingers we have are better but defensively, perhaps not.

ie.  To be fair to Jack Robinson...  I think Os' would have protected Jack Robinson (who appeared better last season with Ben' ahead of him?) better.  He's seen a down turn since Ben left.

Maybe there are question marks over Ameobi and (when he played), Adomah tracking back.  Our left side has definitely been targeted.  I do feel, with Ben' ahead of the left fullback we were more robust in that particular regard last year.

Also, his busy link up play seemed to prise the best out of Car' last year too.  There were moments of brilliance in the interplay.  Again, Car' has seen a significant downturn since Ben' left.

Perhaps even Lolley fed off Ben O's busy industry.  Another player who hasn't been the same this year.

Ben was a bit of a water carrier in an attacking sense, a good all rounder.  For where we're going we need better.  I understand why we took the £3 mil' for him.  However, losing him has a detrimental effect on about 3 players and we haven't, adequately, replaced him.  Whilst having players like Muric, Mir who've been utterly non-starters and mediocre.  Whilst a good servant like Ben took a bit of 'the last' at times.  I think Ben would have done better than Car', Jack and Silva this season.  At the worst he'd have made them look better at the expense of himself. He was, in my eyes, an ACM that played on the left...he brought out the potential in others in the team. This can go under appreciated and uncredited.

He was under appreciated.  What he did wasn't sexy.  'Water carriers' rarely are. But we are missing that 'industry' he brought to the side.

But it's old rope now, of course.

SA.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Signing for the Sheep.

Wonder if they will forgive him for that goal.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Signing for the Sheep.

Wonder if they will forgive him for that goal.

I suppose it was inevitable at some stage.

[Tricky]

Signing for the Sheep.

Wonder if they will forgive him for that goal.

I suppose it was inevitable at some stage.

Just a shame he is a freebie!! It shows how much he has dropped off since leaving us

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Signing for the Sheep.

Wonder if they will forgive him for that goal.

I suppose it was inevitable at some stage.

Just a shame he is a freebie!! It shows how much he has dropped off since leaving us

How has he dropped off? He left Forest when he was literally the only bright light in a festering turd of a side, visibly the only player who gave a damn on the pitch. Since then he has gone on to play 3 seasons in the PL and now at the end of his contract, joining a decent club where he will be one of the key players.
Never quite top quality in terms of ability but absolute diamond attitude, GB seemed to bring them up like that in the academy which is one aspect that gets overlooked now.