' JOE BENNETT '

Joe Bennett again shows why he is one of the most underrated Cardiff City signings in recent years


By Jamie Kemble

Monday 2nd October 2017

Full-back Joe Bennett is quickly becoming a stalwart at table-topping Cardiff City following a stunning start to the season.


Bennett delivered another impressive performance on the weekend as Cardiff City defended their Championship top spot against Derby County.

Warnock’s men failed to find a way past the ultra-organised Rams on a difficult afternoon at the Cardiff City Stadium, but they remained solid at the back to maintain their unbeaten record at home in the league.

And that defensive solidity, even when the front three aren’t firing, will prove crucial for the Bluebirds if they have promotion ambitions this season.

Joe Bennett has been an important cog in that impressive defensive machine, that has become the joint second best in the Championship.

The full-back joined Cardiff on a free transfer last season from Aston Villa, with the Bluebirds taking advantage of Bennett’s former loan club Sheffield Wednesday and their poor negotiation efforts – the Owls apparently wanting Villa to still pay part of his wages after the move.

Cardiff took advantage of that to sign the former England under-19 international and he has proved to be one of the most underrated signings of the last 18 months.

Despite struggling at first, along with the rest of his team-mates, Bennett has grown into a very reliable player.

And his enthusiasm to play for Cardiff – rejecting an offer to move to Fulham for a bigger wage – placed him directly into the hearts of the Bluebirds faithful this season.

Cardiff may have a passionate manager in Neil Warnock at the helm, but that wouldn’t mean much without passionate players doing their bit for the shirt.

Joe Bennett is one of those players and he has all the signs of a top Championship full-back with his forward-thinking approach.

You often see attacking defenders looking week defensively, or defensive full-backs looking blunt when going forward.

However, Bennett appears to have a really good balance of both, committing to big challenges – like his unfriendly tackle on Chris Martin that promoted a handshake refusal on the weekend – and he’s more than capable going forward.

He’s a dream for Neil Warnock who tends to rotate between a back four and the more modern 3-5-2 where players like Bennett become wing-backs.

In either system, Bennett has barely put a foot wrong for the Bluebirds this season, and while that may be partly down to the positive performances of players all around the pitch this season, there’s no doubt he possesses a wealth of talent.

Hence why last season’s play-off finalists Fulham made him their first port of call to replace Scott Malone during the summer.

His commitment in games is something you don’t always see in players at this level and Neil Warnock is thrilled to have him, as he revealed when he piled special praise upon the 27-year-old following the home draw with Derby.

“Joe Bennett’s wife gave birth yesterday, and I thought he had a fabulous game in the circumstances,” said the Bluebirds’ boss.

“I said, he should stay up more often because I don’t think he had a flaw today in his defensive duties.”

Bennett is clearly impressing his manager and it’s not surprise that the supporters hold the same opinion.

There’s no doubt that he will be a key part of the rest of this season for Cardiff and he remains one of the more underrated signings in recent years.

A player of real quality defensively and offensively, and any full-back looking to displace him from the back four, certainly has their work cut out this season.

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Solid for us and gets forward at every opportunity.

Don't agree - sorry. He is yet another full back who gets the ball, races forward and then stops before playing a square ball. it us endemic of most full backs. In addition, if Hoilliet in front of him comes short to receive the ball and thereby creating a few yards on the defender to be able to turn and get past him, why does tBennett delay the pass.
A nice lad and a good defender. But his constant square ball, particularly to Ralls is annoying and sows the play down.

Don't agree - sorry. He is yet another full back who gets the ball, races forward and then stops before playing a square ball. it us endemic of most full backs. In addition, if Hoilliet in front of him comes short to receive the ball and thereby creating a few yards on the defender to be able to turn and get past him, why does tBennett delay the pass.
A nice lad and a good defender. But his constant square ball, particularly to Ralls is annoying and sows the play down.

I'm sorry but if he can pass and cross great as well, he then becomes one of the best full backs in the world. The modern full back is probably the hardest position to play as you're a centre half and a winger at the same time. You're expected to add to the attack and be in position for defence and be able to break down play.

I don't think there's much wrong with how he plays at all, of course he squares it to Ralls and Hoilett but I'd rather Ralls and Hoilett be the players making the killer pass or cross into the box as these are players who play further up the pitch and have better passing capabilities. You're asking the guy to become as good as Marcelo...

Don't agree - sorry. He is yet another full back who gets the ball, races forward and then stops before playing a square ball. it us endemic of most full backs. In addition, if Hoilliet in front of him comes short to receive the ball and thereby creating a few yards on the defender to be able to turn and get past him, why does tBennett delay the pass.
A nice lad and a good defender. But his constant square ball, particularly to Ralls is annoying and sows the play down.

you clearly can't recognise a quality player when you see one

Don't agree - sorry. He is yet another full back who gets the ball, races forward and then stops before playing a square ball. it us endemic of most full backs. In addition, if Hoilliet in front of him comes short to receive the ball and thereby creating a few yards on the defender to be able to turn and get past him, why does tBennett delay the pass.
A nice lad and a good defender. But his constant square ball, particularly to Ralls is annoying and sows the play down.

you clearly can't recognise a quality player when you see one

Some people watch too much Sky Sports watching World Class players and think every footballer should play like that even a Championship free agent

Joe Bennett is the best left back I've seen in a city shirt ( Didn't rate Fabio).

Who else have we had over the years who comes anywhere near?????

Joe Bennett is the best left back I've seen in a city shirt ( Didn't rate Fabio).

Who else have we had over the years who comes anywhere near?????

I think you're right, forget his undoubted passion - he wasn't actually that good a full back. Bennett better at tackling, marking and intercepting. Not much difference in attack either !

Only other regular full backs that come to mind are Andrew Taylor, Kev McNaughton, Malone, Capaldi, etc. and Bennett is leagues above them

Joe Bennett is the best left back I've seen in a city shirt ( Didn't rate Fabio).

Who else have we had over the years who comes anywhere near?????

I think you're right, forget his undoubted passion - he wasn't actually that good a full back. Bennett better at tackling, marking and intercepting. Not much difference in attack either !

Only other regular full backs that come to mind are Andrew Taylor, Kev McNaughton, Malone, Capaldi, etc. and Bennett is leagues above them

Agree - Super Kev more of a right back
Capaldi was good at the time but not at this level now.
Malone - don't get me started on this guy

Joe Bennett is the best left back I've seen in a city shirt ( Didn't rate Fabio).

Who else have we had over the years who comes anywhere near?????

I think you're right, forget his undoubted passion - he wasn't actually that good a full back. Bennett better at tackling, marking and intercepting. Not much difference in attack either !

Only other regular full backs that come to mind are Andrew Taylor, Kev McNaughton, Malone, Capaldi, etc. and Bennett is leagues above them

Agree - Super Kev more of a right back
Capaldi was good at the time but not at this level now.
Malone - don't get me started on this guy

Yeah if we're talking just left backs...McNaughton played right side of course!

I agree about Malone, he was shocking. Played with his hair more than he did with the ball

How can u say that about Malone??? he got the blame for everything with you lot and I totally disagreed at the time and still do and clearly I am not alone like Fulham and of course Wagner a manager who took a bottom team with no money into the premiership thinks a lot of Malone I rest my case.

Bennett is doing a great job for us and yet again some is criticising him how when he is part of good back 4 we have at the moment who are part of a team that have earned top place in the league every single player has played a part of that so far

How can u say that about Malone??? he got the blame for everything with you lot and I totally disagreed at the time and still do and clearly I am not alone like Fulham and of course Wagner a manager who took a bottom team with no money into the premiership thinks a lot of Malone I rest my case.

Bennett is doing a great job for us and yet again some is criticising him how when he is part of good back 4 we have at the moment who are part of a team that have earned top place in the league every single player has played a part of that so far

Malone hasn't started a game for Huddersfield. Made 2 appearances, both on as a sub.

Agree with Bennett though, great full back.