Football Forum | Ticket Forum | Off-Topic Forum | All

Irish Hammer 1:16 Tue Feb 22
Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player – but Bowen gives him hope

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: West Ham United's Said Benrahma in discussion with David Moyes after being substituted during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on February 19, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.

It is no surprise Said Benrahma seemed visibly frustrated by his withdrawal as the act of being hooked early is becoming all too familiar.

When Graham Scott, the fourth official, held up the electronic board in the 73rd minute, it was the West Ham United winger who made way for Nikola Vlasic in the 1-1 draw against Newcastle United.

It is not uncommon for Benrahma to slowly walk towards the bench, but he was urged to run off the field by David Moyes. They exchanged words on the technical area and the Algerian was embraced by first-team coach Kevin Nolan shortly after.

“I just asked him to run faster and get off the pitch so we could get the sub on fast and use the time at our home stadium to our best advantage,” said Moyes. “I want Said to be a team player, which he is, I want him to make and create goals and score goals and understand when to pass and dribble and keep it. So they are the key things for Said.”

Benrahma has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 32 league and cup appearances this season. On paper he is having a good campaign, having only amassed three goals and seven assists in 2020-21. But there is a developing theme the 26-year-old will be keen to address — he has been brought off 17 times in the league, more than any other player. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia is next on the list with 14.

PL 2021-22

This isn’t the first time Benrahma has been frustrated. In the 2-1 loss to Manchester City in November, the winger was brought off before the hour mark with Manuel Lanzini his replacement. TV cameras showed Benrahma asking Moyes why he had been taken off. The Newcastle fixture wasn’t an isolated incident.

Michail Antonio, Tomas Soucek and Pablo Fornals had subdued performances on Saturday. By their standards, they have been below par in recent weeks and their combined total of 14 times being substituted off is less than Benrahma’s. If Moyes wanted to alter things, Jarrod Bowen could have been deployed as a lone striker, with Andriy Yarmolenko the likely replacement for Antonio.

Mark Noble could have replaced Soucek and Vlasic for Fornals would have a like-for-like change, so you can see why Benrahma would have felt annoyed. Mario Balotelli’s infamous “Why always me?” comes to mind.

The frequency with which he has been taken off will come as a concern. The winger has only completed 90 minutes against Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Brentford. The last time he completed a full match was in October.

Said Benrahma's league appearances

But some will highlight the fact that the playmaker only managed 33 touches against Newcastle; of the attacking trio of Antonio, Fornals and Bowen, he was the least effective. Perhaps this is why the Algerian continues to polarise opinion among the fanbase. But for all the talk of Benrahma being too inconsistent, or not deserving of retaining his place in the team, it is worth remembering he has been an important player this season.

He converted the winning penalty against Manchester City in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. His stunning goal against Genk in the Europa League highlighted why he is an exciting talent. He scored in back-to-back league games against Southampton and Watford before his involvement with Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.

When Benrahma was struggling to break into the side, Alan Irvine, the technical advisor, played a big role in the winger’s shift in confidence. After every training session, Benrahma and Irvine would regularly study video clips. Irvine showed the playmaker every chance he had in games and where he was getting them, what was happening and where things were going wrong.

They would then recreate those chances on the training ground. The duo would go away with a bag of balls and some mannequins, and Benrahma would attempt shots in those areas at young goalkeeper Nathan Trott. The playmaker markedly improved.

If Benrahma is in need of advice, Bowen could be the team-mate to turn to. He has been in imperious form this season having registered 12 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions. The winger has been spoken of as a contender for next month’s England squad and has had a fine season. But last season Bowen was in a similar position to Benrahma.

The former Hull City forward was substituted 24 times in the league, the joint-highest alongside Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore. It reached a point where Bowen would have dreaded seeing the electronic board. But he turned it around and has completed 90 minutes in 13 of his last 15 league appearances.

PL 2020-21

If Bowen can do it, then so can Benrahma. This setback should fuel his determination to prove doubters wrong — and show he can consistently progress good performances. In the forthcoming months, Moyes will make a number of substitutions. One can only hope that when Benrahma next looks towards the technical area, it will be in relief that his number has not been called.

kylay 7:27 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Benny is a frustrating player mainly because he has so many good attributes but cannot seem to make it all work. Against Newcastle he lost possession almost every time and created a lot of extra work for his teammates. If we were full strength at the back it might be less of an issue

ted fenton 6:52 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Benny is turning into an Anderson chases and closes players down but holds back on the tackle he'll never go for a 50/50 ball Fornal's is also guilty of this ! shying out of tackles is asking for a leg break.

SUM A DING WONG 6:48 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

The problem our attacking players have (bar Bowen) is that they rely heavily on a focal point. Antonio being bang out of form, has affected their form.

Nowadays, we've been brainwashed into thinking that you can just play without an out and out striker ( like Barcelona, Liverpool & Man City).

That's fine for them, because they have the best players money can buy, so they can just pass their way through most teams for fun (Barcelona not so much nowadays, but they used to).

Benrahma & Fornals best form & goals scored were during Antonio's good form too.

gph 6:36 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

He's frustrating as well as frustrated.

At the moment, loads of things he tries nearly come off.

chim chim cha boo 6:36 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Benny's "frustrated' at being hooked?

Probably not as frustrated as sixty thousand people watching him.

White Pony 6:22 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

While I think he needs more end product, I don’t believe the narrative about him not working hard. He regularly tracks back and on many occasions wins back possession in our own half.

It’s going forward where he’s not quite at it right now.

Lee Trundle 5:41 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

I have no faith in anyone who comes on (when it's probably too late in the game) instead of him.

Russ of the BML 5:26 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Benny's issue comes from the fact that he doesn't do donkey work. So, as we have pretty much played poorly since beginning of December and are having to be ugly and wrestle our way through games, he is the obvious choice to bring off.

Problem is, right now, he doesn't look like he can change a the ugly wrestling match into a skilful masterclass. So, until he starts doing the fucking business, then I'm afraid he will continue to be subbed.

And instead of moaning about it, get your head down, improve and start making yourself unsubbable.

RM10 4:47 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Bennie and vlasic have been disappointing, not much end product, yet.

Takashi Miike 4:44 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Bagpuss did the same with Berkovic, managers have favourites

Any Old Iron 4:21 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

"I want him to make and create goals and score goals and understand when to pass and dribble and keep it. So they are the key things for Said.”

That's a polite way of saying that he's currently a bit shit at all those important facets of being a forward and if he doesn't pull his finger out soon he'll be history.

SDKFZ 222 3:06 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Bowen was our most subbed player last season. However, instead of sulking about it, he trained throughout the summertime and improved upon his fitness and strength. He is now reaping the benefits of his hard work.

I was happy to give Benrahma the benefit of the doubt, but he is really a little primadonna. I guess, if he leaves us, we will at least get rid of his annoying fan club on the club’s Facebook page and other social media pages.

bell 2:57 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Awful footballer.

Sajmo1 2:00 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Players like Said will always lose possession as they are taking risks. Messi is often player with the most possession losses but that doesn't mean he's the worst player on the pitch. Imo Moyes will never like him as it wasn't his signing. He wanted Eze, Sullivan wanted Benrahma.

Jarza 1:54 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Moyes says 'I want him to make and create goals and score goals and understand when to pass and dribble and keep it'

For me, the final two words are key. Benrahma loses possession far too easily. He's also weak in the challenge.

He gets yanked because we can't afford to lose possession when we're chasing the game or when we're protecting a lead. Possession is key in the premier league.

I'm not sure how he can improve that, given that he's a lightweight

El Scorchio 1:50 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Really needs to be more consistent. He can be very good and pull strings, or he can be pretty bad. Started the season really well but has dropped off somewhat.

Lee Trundle 1:39 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Nagel 1:34 Tue Feb 22


https://www.hammers.news/analysis/is-eberechi-eze-really-that-much-better-than-said-benrahma-as-debate-rages-over-west-ham-playmaker/

chim chim cha boo 1:36 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Cheers as usual Irish and I hope that you are relatively well mate.

Benny had an absolute stinker against Newcastle but he was far from being the only one. Everybody around me groaned as he miss-hit, got dispossessed and all of his show pony moves came unstuck.

He's fucking frustrating to watch. You know that there's a player there and we desperately want him to come good, but he's had a season and a half to come to terms with the top league and to my eyes he's still well off the pace.

Nagel 1:34 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

I think that the reports were that he couldn't decide between Benrahma and Josh King. We all know he's a bit of a ditherer so that probably didn't mean he didn't want him in the first place. Moyes said after the signing that it was his goals and assists at Brentford that attracted him.

Vexed 1:30 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

Benrahma has been a bit unlucky, often looks like the only player capable of doing something different to get us a goal but is quite frustrating sometimes. Comes with the territory.

I still think Vlasic played more centrally will be a good move for us with Benny on the left and Bowen on the right.

Lee Trundle 1:25 Tue Feb 22
Re: Article : Said Benrahma can feel frustrated at being league’s most subbed player

I'm not entirely convinced Moyes wanted Benrahma in the first place. Wasn't there reports around when we bought him that was the case?

His agent is SALTHOUSE so it wouldn't be too surprising for him to be Sully Special.

Page 1 - Next