Benji Back At Hibs.

[bingo70]

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Yeah in Benjis 1 good season with us he managed 14 goals, over a season Nish should get around that; people are too critical of him at times imo.

I really dont understand why people are so desperate for Benji to be back; he clearly tried as hard as he could not to come back yet we are all for giving him a second chance ? Hes not even that good a player, 16 goals in 69 games and hes likely to be out for a while at the start of the season due to Ramadan...

why will that effect him? it doesn't effect any other muslim player.

IMO Nish benefited a lot from Fletchers ability last season, i know his stats say he's effective, however if we're playing with one up front through the centre with Deeks and Zemmama coming in from wide positions, then that person needs to be able to hold the ball up, have the ability to bring other players into the game and preferrably have a bit of pace to get in behind defences. Realistically on our budget we're not going to get a forward that does all of those things, however none of those attributes could you associate with Nish.

That said, if he's playing with a good player up front, he does know where the back of the net is so he's definately worth keeping as part of the squad, i just don't want us to be relying on him as our main striker.

[too_many_djs]

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why will that effect him? it doesn't effect any other muslim player.

I dont know, it affected him last he was here though. He was out for a while and it took him ages to get back to fitness.

[bingo70]

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I dont know, it affected him last he was here though. He was out for a while and it took him ages to get back to fitness.

That was down to JC, Benji and Zemmama both said at the time that they could train and play throughout ramadan.

[jiggerman]

I think the slagging of Nish is ignorant im afraid.

Like it has already been alluded to - Nish got into double figures last season and will do so much more for the team than Benji ever would.

How would benji contribute more? I would be interested to so if anyone doesnt say 'he will score more goals' - I honestly dont htink he would score that many more. Too inconsistent, disinterested and lazy. I know who I want up front away to Hamilton mid-winter.

J

[iwasthere1972]

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That was down to JC, Benji and Zemmama both said at the time that they could train and play throughout ramadan.

IIRC Zemmama trained and played through Ramadan but Benji didn't. Doesn't sound right to be honest. Why one and not the other? I know they're not joined at the hip but strange nonetheless.

[down-the-slope]

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Really cant agree. The guy is an ********, clearly thinks we are there as a last resort, and has tried nearly everything he can to get out of the club so hope I never see him in a Hibs shirt again.

And tbh, he may have the ability but he doesnt have the drive or the respect for the club to reach his potential; too many huffs etc, really not good enough. The last few years have been a joke concerning him.

Would much rather have players like Nish than someone like Benji.

Could be a quote for Riorden

[bingo70]

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I think the slagging of Nish is ignorant im afraid.

Like it has already been alluded to - Nish got into double figures last season and will do so much more for the team than Benji ever would.

How would benji contribute more? I would be interested to so if anyone doesnt say 'he will score more goals' - I honestly dont htink he would score that many more. Too inconsistent, disinterested and lazy. I know who I want up front away to Hamilton mid-winter.

J

Surely it's just a difference of an opinion rather than ignorance?

Maybe people just feel that an on-form Benji is a better player than Nish, whether Benji would ever actually be on form is a different matter but i'd say that if Hughes works with him in training and felt he could get the best out of him then there might be a chance.

I don't want to be relying on either of them though, we need someone else brought in IMO.

[bingo70]

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IIRC Zemmama trained and played through Ramadan but Benji didn't. Doesn't sound right to be honest. Why one and not the other? I know they're not joined at the hip but strange nonetheless.

Remember speaking to a morrocan guy at the time of that, i asked why that was and he said........"Ah but Benji has always been a fat lazy *******"

IIRC Zemmama started off ramadan the same as Benji but after a couple of weeks Zemmama forced his way into the team, could be wrong with that though.

[sauzee_4]

Is it not just common sense that it's difficult to play during Ramadan, atleast to your potential?

You don't eat all day, how you supposed to perform as a professional athlete?

[hibsdaft]

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I think Yogi will scare the proverbials out of Benji. He has been used to uncle Tony, the aloof Mixu and "I can speak french,you can be my only pals", Collins.

lol

i'll trust Yogi on this, he respects and nurtures talent but he doesn't suffer fools gladly. as you've suggested previous managers haven't been able to do both. being around the players 6 days a week he'll make the right call imo and i'll support him however he chooses to play this.

[jgl07]

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cup final peach with the right foot then peach with the left {when was the last time a hibs player [or any player]done that in a cup final

Stephen Fletcher?

Only joking!

[iwasthere1972]

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Is it not just common sense that it's difficult to play during Ramadan, atleast to your potential?

You don't eat all day, how you supposed to perform as a professional athlete?

I don't think that's strictly true. I believe that there are times when they are allowed food but I am no Ramadan expert. I expect one will be along soon.

[heretoday]

Just get on the pitch and knock in a couple of goals Benji! They'll love you forever!

[sevenil]

He clearly wants to be somewhere else, why waste any more money or time on him - it's not as if he's Denis Law or something.
Ship him out, find someone who's not high maintenance and interested in actually playing.

[passionatehibby]

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Just saw Benji and Zemmama at the top of leith walk so he's definately back in the country, dunno if he was training or not but happy to take the OP's word for it.

I'm a bit bored by the whole affair to be honest, if he comes back, he won't be right back into the first team as apart from anything else he's way behind in his pre-season so if he's going to get anywhere near the first team he'll have to prove himself in the reserves first, if he does this then that indicates his attitude may have improved.

There's been a few mentioned ramadan though, there's thousands of muslim footballers throughout the world that are completely unaffected by this and i'm sure it'll be no different for him and Zemmama, the only time it was a problem was when JC made it one. (ive always been a defender of JC but this one made no sense to me)

Also find it quite funny that so many are willing to get benji tae **** because he's got a bad attitude yet a lot of the same people are happy to tolerate Riordans equally huffy attitude on the park and unprofessional behaviour off it.

Here,here

[jgl07]

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I don't think that's strictly true. I believe that there are times when they are allowed food but I am no Ramadan expert. I expect one will be along soon.

It is during the hours of daylight only.

They can eat and drink after dark.

[GreenStar]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

When he's in the mood he's one of the best in the league.

If he comes back and gets his head sorted and starts playing -

1. He will help the team progress up the league

2 We may get more money than we were before for him if we are going to sell him.

[Beefster]

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Is it not just common sense that it's difficult to play during Ramadan, atleast to your potential?

You don't eat all day, how you supposed to perform as a professional athlete?

Yaya Toure, Abidal, Benzema, Kanoute, Ribery and many more manage it without major problems, as far as I'm aware.

[PaulSmith]

Back to do a 'Bobo Balde'?

[Gogs43]

Maybe he's been asked back by Rod so he can play in the 'shop window' games against Blackburn and Bolton

[Pitlochry hibee]

When Benji went on loan, was he not also told he was free to find another club? In which case the his dealings with the Egyptian club were above board, although out of courtesy he should have kept Hibs informed.

I'd like to see him back playing (with the right attitude) but if he doesn't want to play release him 'by mutual consent'

[Steve-O]

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Ah! Just in time for Ramadan; 21st of August, 2009 to 19th of September, 2009

Did he actually participate in this during his first season? I don't actually recall it even being an issue until Collins came along

[hibsbollah]

Burn the witch

[Gogs43]

Benji back at Hibs - best news I've had since Zouma returned

" I don't give a hoot what he does off the park as long as he does the business on it"

[Jack]

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Did he actually participate in this during his first season? I don't actually recall it even being an issue until Collins came along

That’s my recollection too but it did have a big effect.

[mjhibby]

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Benji back at Hibs - best news I've had since Zouma returned

" I don't give a hoot what he does off the park as long as he does the business on it"

Im sure that as with a lot of stories in the press a lot of what has been written is either stretching the truth or not entirely true to put it mildly.The fact that zemmamma stated he had spoken to benji last week and said that benji was unsure about his future seems to me to be saying that mixu probably did ask him to find another club and that benji thought that was the way it still stood.Benji himself said that he was under the impression that hibs were wanting a fee for him and if they were able to get £400,000 for him i dont think mouser would be saying no,in fact he would have taken in in a flash.Remember under collins and mixu benji has had problems(of his own making)so he would seem to have accepted that moving on would be best for all concerned.
It still remains to be seen whether benji will pull on the green again but as he is probably well behind in fitness he will be a while anyway.I would hope that if he does he gets the backing of the fans because if he is booed regularly his performance will drop and he will be no use to anybody.Yes he has attitude problems.Yes he behaves like a wee kid but unlike deek we dont forgive him.Just remember the cup final and the goals against aberdeen in the cup.If he can get near that form we have a very exciting partnership of deek and benji with young byrne pushing them all the way as the season progresses.
I hope benji does return and i for one will feel a lot better about the season ahead if he is at hibs rather than away to another club.Rant over.

[Leith Green]

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Really cant agree. The guy is an ********, clearly thinks we are there as a last resort, and has tried nearly everything he can to get out of the club so hope I never see him in a Hibs shirt again.

And tbh, he may have the ability but he doesnt have the drive or the respect for the club to reach his potential; too many huffs etc, really not good enough. The last few years have been a joke concerning him.

Would much rather have players like Nish than someone like Benji.

I agree with your point, however after seeing the way Hughes sets up his team and after watching Hibs on Saturday then I would rather have Benji than Nish.

Nish just cannot hold the ball in and bring others into play, he has no strength whatsoever.. Benji is pretty strong and will link up well with Riordan and Zemamma ...

[Meeko]

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I agree with your point, however after seeing the way Hughes sets up his team and after watching Hibs on Saturday then I would rather have Benji than Nish.

Nish just cannot hold the ball in and bring others into play, he has no strength whatsoever.. Benji is pretty strong and will link up well with Riordan and Zemamma ...

I actually agree with this, but only a Benji that is determined to play well. Otherwise he can **** off.

[Leith Green]

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I actually agree with this, but only a Benji that is determined to play well. Otherwise he can **** off.

For sure mate, only if he is willing to commit to giving his all in training and matches should he be considered..

However if this does happen then he would breeze into the team ahead of Nish, as he is the only striker we have who I would consider as being capable of playing as a lone striker, by this I mean, holding up the ball, linking play with att midfielders, and also being able to score from close and long range..

For all of Nish's hard work and effort, I dont see him as being anywhere near a lone striker or ever being deployed successfully as one..

Think the best for Benji and Hibs would be for him to give his all this season,and then an ammicable parting of the ways next summer, and this gives Hughes almost a year to identify his own man to bring into what for me is the most important role in the team when playing this formation..

Could concentrate our efforts into bringing the commanding centre half that we all know is required this summer..

[hibs1875aye]

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Benji back at Hibs - best news I've had since Zouma returned

" I don't give a hoot what he does off the park as long as he does the business on it"

The trouble with him is, he didn't/doesn't always do the business on the pitch either. Taking huffs on the pitch isn't good form. It's embarassing when your own team mates tell you to get up and stop your diving pish.

I remember Big Jones on more than 1 occassion telling him to get to his feet and him taking the huff and stropping about it.

If he comes back and scores and stops his crap, he'll be welcomed. If he does anything else, he can piss off as far as I am concerned. We dont have the capacity to pay the wages of huffy big heads who treat us with little respect off the pitch and don't necessarily always perform to their best on it.