You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Fri Dec 25, 2020 3:49 pm
Cardiff City boss Neil Harris has opened up on the Filip Benkovic situation, why he's not been seen on the pitch yet and the potential for a Leicester City recall during the January transfer window.
Friday 25th December 2020
The 23-year-old Croatia international, who joined Cardiff in October to bolster the defensive ranks, always faced a tough task of ousting one of captain Sean Morrison or Curtis Nelson of the centre-back berth.
That very same reason saw Aden Flint opt for a loan switch to Sheffield Wednesday for some game time, which prompted Cardiff to fill his void with Benkovic.
But, despite Morrison and Nelson's excellent partnership at the heart of the Bluebirds' defence, various wobbly moments have led to fans asking just when - or if - they will see Benkovic given a chance.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Boxing Day clash with Brentford, Neil Harris explained why Benkovic - Leicester City's £13million signing in 2018 who is now on his third loan stint while with the Foxes - has not been involved with the first team yet.
NEIL HSRRIS:
Asked when fans can expect to see him, Harris replied: "When I decide to pick him!
"He's not appeared in the shirt yet, but he’s been pivotal in pushing the centre-halves in front of him and providing much-needed cover once Aden Flint went to Sheffield Wednesday.
"He played 90 minutes for the U23s [on Tuesday] against QPR as did Gavin Whyte, Dillon Phillips, Josh Murphy, Kieron Evans, all got some good minutes, so really pleased.
"It’s always a tough one with centre-backs. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing within football.
"I talked about looking a bit leggy after the [Norwich] game, and it’s easy for people to jump on and say I should have made more changes.
"When you’re on five and six, you don’t want to make too many changes and you certainly don’t want to be changing back fours regularly, because that’s the worst thing you can do in football, and stats prove that."
Harris is striving to be calm and methodical, while having continuity in the side - especially in the back line.
"[I'm] trying to be patient with that, but then you get the balance of trying to second guess hindsight - do we make a change? Are we going to be a bit leggy, are we not? You’re only proved right or wrong after the event.
"I’ve been really pleased with Curtis and Sean. Benko has been very patient and is desperate to play, obviously.
"It’s just been getting that balance between two centre-halves that have been a mainstay of our team and been two outstanding personnel in our team for 12 months now, I think the triangle of Alex Smithies, Sean Morrison and Curtis Nelson, I think were three of the four players of the year last year in the polls and my eyes also.
"It’s hard to break that sometimes but I have to consider everything and if somebody, I feel, is fresher and ready to step in then they will do."
Harris, who is in contact with Leicester - as he is with parent clubs from all loan players - insists there is no issue with the club or player, describing the Croatian as a "great lad, good character" who's just being very patient.
It took a bold call from Harris to drop Aden Flint and Sol Bamba in January, and since then Morrison and Nelson have complimented each other well as the main pairing at centre-back, but any more lapses will only heighten calls to see what Benkovic has to offer.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers sent a pointed message to his player earlier this month, urging him to force his way into the starting line-up by earning Harris' trust.
He said: "He’s obviously not played as much as he would like but he’s got to get his head down and keep working and if he gets the opportunity to play over this busy period, hopefully he can win the trust of the manager and play more games."
But if the talented player with fresh legs and a desire to play does not succeed in doing so, it may well be that Leicester look to send Benkovic - who enjoyed success at both of his former loan clubs Celtic and Bristol City - elsewhere for vital game-time.
Asked about Rodgers' comments and whether Leicester could recall the centre-back, Harris said: "We speak to the parent clubs - same as Liverpool with Sheyi and Harry and Arsenal with Jordi. We stay in touch.
"Also, the understanding of football when individual players play well in positions, that person from the club has to be patient.
"Football’s great like that, but we loan players out as other teams do to hope that they get the game time that’s required for everybody’s suitability.
"Is there a chance they might want to recall him? There’s a chance that Benko - if he’s not in the team - probably wouldn’t want to be here anyway. As much as we get on great and I think he absolutely loves it here, he wants to play football.
"He fits into the category there of we’ll have to see what unfolds in January but we’ve got some vital games between now and the option for all parties to agree to a loan termination.
"Let’s see what unfolds in that period."
Friday 25th December 2020
The 23-year-old Croatia international, who joined Cardiff in October to bolster the defensive ranks, always faced a tough task of ousting one of captain Sean Morrison or Curtis Nelson of the centre-back berth.
That very same reason saw Aden Flint opt for a loan switch to Sheffield Wednesday for some game time, which prompted Cardiff to fill his void with Benkovic.
But, despite Morrison and Nelson's excellent partnership at the heart of the Bluebirds' defence, various wobbly moments have led to fans asking just when - or if - they will see Benkovic given a chance.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Boxing Day clash with Brentford, Neil Harris explained why Benkovic - Leicester City's £13million signing in 2018 who is now on his third loan stint while with the Foxes - has not been involved with the first team yet.
NEIL HSRRIS:
Asked when fans can expect to see him, Harris replied: "When I decide to pick him!
"He's not appeared in the shirt yet, but he’s been pivotal in pushing the centre-halves in front of him and providing much-needed cover once Aden Flint went to Sheffield Wednesday.
"He played 90 minutes for the U23s [on Tuesday] against QPR as did Gavin Whyte, Dillon Phillips, Josh Murphy, Kieron Evans, all got some good minutes, so really pleased.
"It’s always a tough one with centre-backs. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing within football.
"I talked about looking a bit leggy after the [Norwich] game, and it’s easy for people to jump on and say I should have made more changes.
"When you’re on five and six, you don’t want to make too many changes and you certainly don’t want to be changing back fours regularly, because that’s the worst thing you can do in football, and stats prove that."
Harris is striving to be calm and methodical, while having continuity in the side - especially in the back line.
"[I'm] trying to be patient with that, but then you get the balance of trying to second guess hindsight - do we make a change? Are we going to be a bit leggy, are we not? You’re only proved right or wrong after the event.
"I’ve been really pleased with Curtis and Sean. Benko has been very patient and is desperate to play, obviously.
"It’s just been getting that balance between two centre-halves that have been a mainstay of our team and been two outstanding personnel in our team for 12 months now, I think the triangle of Alex Smithies, Sean Morrison and Curtis Nelson, I think were three of the four players of the year last year in the polls and my eyes also.
"It’s hard to break that sometimes but I have to consider everything and if somebody, I feel, is fresher and ready to step in then they will do."
Harris, who is in contact with Leicester - as he is with parent clubs from all loan players - insists there is no issue with the club or player, describing the Croatian as a "great lad, good character" who's just being very patient.
It took a bold call from Harris to drop Aden Flint and Sol Bamba in January, and since then Morrison and Nelson have complimented each other well as the main pairing at centre-back, but any more lapses will only heighten calls to see what Benkovic has to offer.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers sent a pointed message to his player earlier this month, urging him to force his way into the starting line-up by earning Harris' trust.
He said: "He’s obviously not played as much as he would like but he’s got to get his head down and keep working and if he gets the opportunity to play over this busy period, hopefully he can win the trust of the manager and play more games."
But if the talented player with fresh legs and a desire to play does not succeed in doing so, it may well be that Leicester look to send Benkovic - who enjoyed success at both of his former loan clubs Celtic and Bristol City - elsewhere for vital game-time.
Asked about Rodgers' comments and whether Leicester could recall the centre-back, Harris said: "We speak to the parent clubs - same as Liverpool with Sheyi and Harry and Arsenal with Jordi. We stay in touch.
"Also, the understanding of football when individual players play well in positions, that person from the club has to be patient.
"Football’s great like that, but we loan players out as other teams do to hope that they get the game time that’s required for everybody’s suitability.
"Is there a chance they might want to recall him? There’s a chance that Benko - if he’s not in the team - probably wouldn’t want to be here anyway. As much as we get on great and I think he absolutely loves it here, he wants to play football.
"He fits into the category there of we’ll have to see what unfolds in January but we’ve got some vital games between now and the option for all parties to agree to a loan termination.
"Let’s see what unfolds in that period."
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Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Fri Dec 25, 2020 4:31 pm
Current defence are backing off...backing off...conceding goals originating from 30 yards out.
Fresh legs, fresh faces, fresh impetus.
Fresh legs, fresh faces, fresh impetus.
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Fri Dec 25, 2020 6:45 pm
And fresh start on those 2 clear goal wins! Pmsl.
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:25 pm
bluesince62 wrote:And fresh start on those 2 clear goal wins! Pmsl.
Obviously
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:31 pm
Big Hill Blue wrote:Current defence are backing off...backing off...conceding goals originating from 30 yards out.
Fresh legs, fresh faces, fresh impetus.
im available.....im not good enough ..but i got fresh legs well for about 5 minutes.....
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Sat Dec 26, 2020 9:25 am
skidemin wrote:Big Hill Blue wrote:Current defence are backing off...backing off...conceding goals originating from 30 yards out.
Fresh legs, fresh faces, fresh impetus.
im available.....im not good enough ..but i got fresh legs well for about 5 minutes.....
5 minutes. Impact sub? Harris definitely utilise you at 90 minute mark
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Sat Dec 26, 2020 12:11 pm
I wouldn’t play him he’s obviously no good and best to keep our error prone defenders together at the back 
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Sat Dec 26, 2020 12:52 pm
Maybe I’m missing something but our defence has been found wanting quite a few times this season but seems to be the one part of the team he won’t change bar injuries
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Sat Dec 26, 2020 12:52 pm
The OP is stating exactly what I said in a previous thread.
The manager will pick him when he wants to and when he deems he’s ready.
The manager will pick him when he wants to and when he deems he’s ready.
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Sat Dec 26, 2020 2:24 pm
Blueman39 wrote:Maybe I’m missing something but our defence has been found wanting quite a few times this season but seems to be the one part of the team he won’t change bar injuries
he has to show the standard he hit while at Celtic said the manager who hasnt been able to find room for him in his squad for 2 seasons and who loaned him to us...who was also his manager at Celtic when he hit this standard..
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Sat Dec 26, 2020 5:11 pm
Here's a suggestion Neil,
Maybe after conceding nine goals in the last four games perhaps you should decide to pick him for the next game.
Maybe after conceding nine goals in the last four games perhaps you should decide to pick him for the next game.
Re: You will see Benkovic play when I decide to pick him
Sat Dec 26, 2020 7:30 pm
I find it strange in the last couple of season we go out to get players and then don’t play them for one reason or another