Ben Heneghan

Tangerine 🍊 🍊 🍊 said:
I have no issue with Heneghan, but there are much better free agents out there right now. We need to be aiming to get the best that we can in. Not just taking someone thats decent because they've played for us before.
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Any names to these free agents who would also come within our pay salary?
 
20togo said:
Any names to these free agents who would also come within our pay salary?
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20s. There's a list somewhere if you look hard enough (try google). Someone may have even put a link on the message board but I'll leave it to you to put the effort in. 😉
 
20togo said:
Any names to these free agents who would also come within our pay salary?
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I dont know what player's want paying right now, but it's obvious that they will have to lower their expectations as the season gets closer and they dont have a club. Some agents and players dont seem to have realised how the salary cap will affect wages yet. They will do once the season starts and they dont have a contract. I dont see the point in bring in someone where there are better out there not signed yet.
 
Tangerine 🍊 🍊 🍊 said:
I dont know what player's want paying right now, but it's obvious that they will have to lower their expectations as the season gets closer and they dont have a club. Some agents and players dont seem to have realised how the salary cap will affect wages yet. They will do once the season starts and they dont have a contract. I dont see the point in bring in someone where there are better out there not signed yet.
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Well I like Heneghan and from what I've seen so far I think he's better than what we've got. If some-one comes in who is better then fair enough. So we'll have to wait and see,
 
20togo said:
Well I like Heneghan and from what I've seen so far I think he's better than what we've got. If some-one comes in who is better then fair enough. So we'll have to wait and see,
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I agree that he is better than what we've got and i wouldn't mind seeing him back at the club at all. I just dont think we should rush into anything. There's still 2 months of the transfer window left yet.
 
Tangerine 🍊 🍊 🍊 said:
I agree that he is better than what we've got and i wouldn't mind seeing him back at the club at all. I just dont think we should rush into anything. There's still 2 months of the transfer window left yet.
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2 months of the transfer window but less than two weeks til the first league game. Anyway, it's no big deal yet. I've faith in Critchley and he's a damn sight better to assess who what and where than any of us.
 
BFC_53 said:
I think Heneghan is a good CH, but I don't think he'd do well back here if we are adopting a passing style
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Sadly that’s the element of his game that stood out last season - couldn’t pass a ball to save his life! Worst was when he brought the ball to the halfway line and gave it away cheaply!
 
This was from the free transfer website and it's all the Championship players available (Danny Hylton anyone!)

Barnsley
Alex Mowatt (option) Mamadou Thiam, Kenny Dougall, Dani Pinillos, Samuel Sahin-Radlinger, Jared Bird
Birmingham City
Kerim Mrabti, Jacques Maghoma, Cheick Keita, Wes Harding, Craig Gardner, Lee Camp, Jonathan Grounds
Blackburn Rovers
Amari'i Bell, Elliott Bennett, Stewart Downing, Danny Graham, Richard Smallwood, Jayson Leutwiler, Dominic Samuel
Brentford
Kamohelo Mokotjo, Nikolaos Karelis, Luka Radic
Bristol City
Korey Smith, Ashley Williams, Niki Maenpaa, Matty Taylor, Bailey Wright
Cardiff City
Danny Ward, Jazz Richards, Matthew Connolly
Charlton Athletic
Lyle Taylor, Tomer Hemed, Jonny Williams, Naby Sarr, Adam Matthews, Jake Forster-Caskey, Chris Solly, Albie Morgan, Ben Amos, Lewis Page
Derby County
Chris Martin, Tom Huddlestone, Ikechi Anya
Fulham
Dennis Odoi (option), Jordan Archer (option), Magnus Norman, Luca de la Torre, Neeskens Kebano, Matt O’Riley
Huddersfield Town
Elias Kachunga, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Danny Simpson, Collin Quaner, Joel Coleman, Ryan Schofield, Demeaco Duhaney, Rekeil Pyke
Hull City
Markus Henriksen, Kevin Stewart, Jackson Irvine, Stephen Kingsley, Eric Lichaj, Jon Toral, Daniel Batty, Angus MacDonald, Robbie McKenzie, Norbert Balogh and Will Mannion
Leeds United
Gaetano Berardi, Will Huffer
Luton Town
Harry Cornick, Kazenga Lua Lua, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie, Luke Berry, James Shea, Elliot Lee, Glen Rea, Marek Stech, Danny Hylton, Harry Isted, Josh Neufville, Frankie Musonda
Middlesbrough
Dani Ayala, George Friend, Ryan Shotton, Adam Clayton, Marvin Johnson, Jonny Howson, Rudy Gestede
Millwall
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Shaun Hutchinson, Murray Wallace, Ryan Leonard, Alex Pearce, Shaun Williams, James Brown
Nottingham Forest
Luke Steele, Michael Dawson, Ben Watson, Liam Bridcutt, Sammy Ameobi, Jordan Smith, Toby Edser
Preston North End
Tom Clarke, Paul Gallagher, Mathew Hudson, Jack Baxter, Michael Crowe
QPR
Grant Hall, Marc Pugh, Geoff Cameron, Angel Rangel, Olamide Shodipo
Reading
Chris Gunter, Garath McCleary, Danny Loader, Jordan Obita, Charlie Adam, Tyler Blackett, Vito Mannone, Adrian Popa.
Sheffield Wednesday
Morgan Fox, Sam Hutchinson, Kieran Le, Joey Pelupess, Sam Winnall, Fernando Forestieri, Steven Fletcher, Atdhe Nuhi, Matt Penney
Stoke City
Mame Diouf, Stephen Ward, Adam Federici
Swansea City
Mike van der Hoorn, Kyle Naughton, Nathan Dyer, Erwin Mulder, Wayne Routledge
West Bromwich Albion
Dara O’Shea, Lee Peltier, Chris Brunt, Gareth Barry, Jonathan Bond, Ali Al-Habsi, Jack Fitzwater
Wigan Athletic
Chey Dunkley, Michael Jacobs, Anthony Pilkington, Joe Garner, Lewis MacLeod, Jenson Weir, Daniel Gyollai, Gary Roberts, Emeka Obi
 
Way out of date.
Just for starters Dunkley has joined Sheff W, Clarke has joined Salford [some time ago] and Taylor has joined Forest. Also players whose contracts have expired doesn't necessarily mean they've been released. A good few of those I suspect will be in negotiations with their clubs re a new contract.
 
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Just seen Ben in the gym in Warrington. Can't bench much 😁 but think he can out run me on the treadmill
 
SeasideKurt said:
You're telling me you think Nottingham is better than Heneghan?
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In Critchley's system mobility and an ability to play the ball is probably far more important than traditional defensive attributes. Without a doubt Hennegan is a solid commanding CB and in many formations he would get the nod over Nottingham in that role, however under Critchley I don't think he has the right attributes and is likely to be exposed too much and his lesser passing ability and comparative lack of pace would make him a weak link. It's a bit of a shame we let Tilt go before Critch came in as Tilt would have absolutely flourished under this new regime in my opinion. The lad may be playing Championship football next season but may come to regret his decision - I can 100% understand his decision to leave though whilst under Grayson.
 
BH is a steady CB but probably doesn’t have the pace and passing ability required for NCs vision. The 2 games against Tranmere that spring to mind was where BH got seriously exposed for pace and being put under a lot of pressure.
 
The fickleness of fans. Twelve months ago Nottingham was hopeless to most if not all who wouldn't have got anywhere near our starting eleven no matter how good he was on the ball and Heneghan was a player who most of us wanted permanently and did he not get some POTY awards?
 
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Wizaard said:
I think he fits the profile better and can be coached to be better. You can't coach pace, and Ben doesn't have any.
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Ben is 26.

Nottingham is 31. I know who fits the profile more and it isn't Nottingham.

One is far more prone to mistakes than the other and pace isn't everything in League One at all. BH is far superior to Nottingham as a CB.

NC said he would sign players who improve the squad. BH does, massively so on numerous fronts.
 
20togo said:
The fickleness of fans. Twelve months ago Nottingham was hopeless to most if not all who wouldn't have got anywhere near our starting eleven no matter how good he was on the ball and Heneghan was a player who most of us wanted permanently and did he not get some POTY awards?
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Horses for courses. High line, pace essential. I think that's the idea anyway.
 
BH is a top Centre Back and would walk into most squads in League 1, unfortunately for him and his fans we're going in a different direction and a direction that probably won't suit him. If he comes back to Bloomfield Road and finds himself exposed and drops down the pecking order he'll be damaging his career. He'd be better off going to a club who need a more traditional Centre Back.
 
voyeur said:
Horses for courses. High line, pace essential. I think that's the idea anyway.
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If Heneghan had been shunted out to play as full back as Nottingham was I think he would have struggled. Agree Notts is now one of our elder statesmen, but maybe the fact that he has fought hard to get a league career is a positive in showing both youth and squad players the effort required to achieve what for many is still a dream job
 
voyeur said:
Horses for courses. High line, pace essential. I think that's the idea anyway.
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I agree that seems to be the way Critchley wants to play but it's still the case that he'll expect his defenders to be able to defend properly. He'll still want clean sheets. And it's not just about a high line. Set pieces like corners and free kicks into our box still need defending properly and they occur often enough in games to warrant attention. From the friendlies I've seen we've been pretty slack in that department and it's something Critchley will want to work on with his players. Ultimately Critchley might not think Heneghan suits our style of play but imo sooner or later Nottinghams shortcomings will also be exposed.
 
20togo said:
The fickleness of fans. Twelve months ago Nottingham was hopeless to most if not all who wouldn't have got anywhere near our starting eleven no matter how good he was on the ball and Heneghan was a player who most of us wanted permanently and did he not get some POTY awards?
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I never bought into the Nottingham is hopeless argument. I thought he had a far stronger case for inclusion over the likes of MacDonald for one, who everyone thought should be in the squad. It would appear Critch agrees with me.
 
20togo said:
I agree that seems to be the way Critchley wants to play but it's still the case that he'll expect his defenders to be able to defend properly. He'll still want clean sheets. And it's not just about a high line. Set pieces like corners and free kicks into our box still need defending properly and they occur often enough in games to warrant attention. From the friendlies I've seen we've been pretty slack in that department and it's something Critchley will want to work on with his players. Ultimately Critchley might not think Heneghan suits our style of play but imo sooner or later Nottinghams shortcomings will also be exposed.
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Completely agree that we still need to improve defensively and I do agree that Nottingham is not as strong defensively as Hennegan (which normally you would think would be key for a Centre Back!) but I do think Nottingham will suit Critchley's style of play much more than Henneghan (and he's also able to play in a number of positions too) and I do also fully expect the club to bring in AT LEAST 2 more defenders (a Centre Back and another Full Back) on permanent deals. The squad is then likely to be topped up with the best 20 year olds from the Premier League on loan deals which won;t count against the wage caps.
 
A few points to cover the thread.

1) It's not a good argument to say Heneghan's no good on the ball and then mention Nottingham in the same sentence. Both are weak there, BH is probably the better of the 2.
2) MN is a good defender and his pace and athleticism are certainly strengths.
3) Tilt might have been overrated, but he was clearly our best all-round defender in the last 2 seasons. Taylor Moore doesn't really come into it as he was always a short-term option.
4) I've yet to be convinced with Thornily, although admittedly we didn't see much of him last year - what we did see though, was pretty poor.
5) Husband is a better left-side of 3 centre back than a straight left back. I don't see him bombing into the final third providing Andy Robertson style delivery.
6) Same for Turton on the right.
7) Conclusion: NC can't play a Liverpool style defence/midfield with his current personnel.
 
We need pace, mobility calmness on the ball and passing ability to play this system...we will get there and Im sure NC already has an idea of who is coming in....under the Oyston scum we were a day to day club with no planning or direction...that is no longer the case and I trust Critch...I still think we will sign Mitchell for left back a loanee for right back a quality centre half with the above attributes and a marque centre midfielder on loan...4 loans one permanent and Im delighted with our business
 
straightatthewall said:
7) Conclusion: NC can't play a Liverpool style defence/midfield with his current personnel.
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With how much recruitment there has been to revamp the forward line, I would be amazed if at least one attacking fullback isn't brought in.
The ex United left back being on trial and being linked with the Forest right back suggests Critch is looking to strengthen those 2 positions.
Having full backs who can get forward instead of the ones we currently have will add a new dimension to our attack.
 
20togo said:
I agree that seems to be the way Critchley wants to play but it's still the case that he'll expect his defenders to be able to defend properly. He'll still want clean sheets. And it's not just about a high line. Set pieces like corners and free kicks into our box still need defending properly and they occur often enough in games to warrant attention. From the friendlies I've seen we've been pretty slack in that department and it's something Critchley will want to work on with his players. Ultimately Critchley might not think Heneghan suits our style of play but imo sooner or later Nottinghams shortcomings will also be exposed.
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I wonder why Critchley hasn't realised this? Why didn't he offload him to Crewe?
 
voyeur said:
I wonder why Critchley hasn't realised this? Why didn't he offload him to Crewe?
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Just my opinion Voy that's all. We all have our own opinions on players but it's Critchleys that counts. Said it the other day that he's way better than us to judge and I hope he's proven to be right. We'll see.
 
20togo said:
Just my opinion Voy that's all. We all have our own opinions on players but it's Critchleys that counts. Said it the other day that he's way better than us to judge and I hope he's proven to be right. We'll see.
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It's looking like the club has decided to spend the bulk of the £2.5m cap on the attacking end of the team. Perhaps NC believes that with the right coaching the defenders we have can do a good enough job. I think there is some catching up to do in terms of defending corners and free kicks, for sure, it could be an achilles heel, initially at least. MN and Ekpi are both tall and pretty quick, so I suspects he sees enough to believe he can get enough from them, with the right coaching and organisation. Crewe are a tidy side that plays the right way and they were pretty keen to get MN back. Ekp is finding his feet. I understand what you are saying and you may be proved right but, two things, firstly, NC signed Eki and retained MN when he didn't need to, and must have felt both had the potential he was looking for. Secondly, I think we will sign at least 2 more defenders, but it looks like benhen probably isn't on his wish list.
 
voyeur said:
It's looking like the club has decided to spend the bulk of the £2.5m cap on the attacking end of the team. Perhaps NC believes that with the right coaching the defenders we have can do a good enough job. I think there is some catching up to do in terms of defending corners and free kicks, for sure, it could be an achilles heel, initially at least. MN and Ekpi are both tall and pretty quick, so I suspects he sees enough to believe he can get enough from them, with the right coaching and organisation. Crewe are a tidy side that plays the right way and they were pretty keen to get MN back. Ekp is finding his feet. I understand what you are saying and you may be proved right but, two things, firstly, NC signed Eki and retained MN when he didn't need to, and must have felt both had the potential he was looking for. Secondly, I think we will sign at least 2 more defenders, but it looks like benhen probably isn't on his wish list.
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Yep, agree with that but then I look at the other end of the pitch and wonder why he let Hardie go back to Plymouth on loan for the season. I think it would be unreasonable to say he didn't have potential. Potential that was already ours. Fact is though, we only see things from the outside. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes, on the training ground, the discussions he's clearly having with players. Anyway, it seems a lot of it is coming together. Not sure I could have said that two or three months ago.
 
I rate BH but Centre Backs with his attributes are easy enough to come by. They're a bit like GK's in that everybody wants a good one, but you only really need 3/4 in your squad as they tend not to be the most versatile players and once you have a pairing you tend to stick with them. Because of that it's easy to get hold of them and they're all as much of a muchness. If Critch wanted Heneghan we'd already have signed him or someone of his style long ago. Critchley is looking for the much rarer ball playing Centre Half with bags of pace - they're difficult to find (even the elite clubs struggle to do so (Man City, Man United, Arsenal all struggle to get that position filled) and much more expensive to sign. I think we're beyond signing someone for the sake of signing someone and much like at Liverpool we will only make the signing as and when the right man becomes available in key positions. If that man doesn't come along we'll use what we have (MN) and look to the loan market in the interim.
 
20togo said:
Yep, agree with that but then I look at the other end of the pitch and wonder why he let Hardie go back to Plymouth on loan for the season. I think it would be unreasonable to say he didn't have potential. Potential that was already ours. Fact is though, we only see things from the outside. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes, on the training ground, the discussions he's clearly having with players. Anyway, it seems a lot of it is coming together. Not sure I could have said that two or three months ago.
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I think NC is very clear in his mind that he wants to see a number of qualities in a player. Hardie must have felt that Grayson cast him aside, and Lowe made a big effort to get get him on loan last season and made him really feel wanted, and gave him games in a side that made chances for him, so Hardie has been very keen to go back there. NC obviously wants players who are fully committed here. He's talked to him, he's seen him in training. He's brought in Yates, Keshi, Lubala, CJ. Sometimes it's just timing and psychology, and how events unfold - Hardie feels he is highly valued at Plymouth, will get games, will score goals in their side, and wants to be there, so he can generate interest and get a move up the leagues. NC doesn't want a player who is holding a grudge cos he can't have what he wants. And who might well be sat on the bench getting more and more pissed off.
 
voyeur said:
I think NC is very clear in his mind that he wants to see a number of qualities in a player. Hardie must have felt that Grayson cast him aside, and Lowe made a big effort to get get him on loan last season and made him really feel wanted, and gave him games in a side that made chances for him, so Hardie has been very keen to go back there. NC obviously wants players who are fully committed here. He's talked to him, he's seen him in training. He's brought in Yates, Keshi, Lubala, CJ. Sometimes it's just timing and psychology, and how events unfold - Hardie feels he is highly valued at Plymouth, will get games, will score goals in their side, and wants to be there, so he can generate interest and get a move up the leagues. NC doesn't want a player who is holding a grudge cos he can't have what he wants. And who might well be sat on the bench getting more and more pissed off.
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Completely agree. It's not Hardie I blame either, it's very much Grayson. Grayson gave that signing his approval and then never even attempted to play a style of football which suited him. Hardie was never going to get games / be a success under Grayson and moving to a club like Plymouth (who lets be honest are similarly sized to us and could / should really be in the Championship) was a great move. Having success there and being adored by their fans made moving back there a no brainer too as there's next to no risk and potentially great reward, whereas staying at Blackpool could well have resulted in more time on the bench and another year of his career wasted (had he not hit the ground running here).
I hope Hardie does well this year, I hope he scores a load of goals generates a lot of interest and then we take-up the extension and either a) sell on for a decent profit, b) keep him in the squad for a run at the Championship :D or c) use him as a proven League 1 goalscorer to fire us to the title in 2021/22 season (hopefully not necessary).
I genuinely hope we see him in a Tangerine shirt in future seasons as there is obviously a player in there and there's still a chance he could one day be a key player for us. He's young, lightning quick and more than capable of developing. I hope he's on good terms with Critchley and the new management team here and hasn't ruled out a return to play at Bloomfield Road in the future - i'd like to think that by letting him return to Plymouth on loan even though he could well have been useful to Critchley was a smart move which may help convince the lad he can come back to Blackpool in the future if that's how things work out.
 
BlackpoolsFinest said:
With how much recruitment there has been to revamp the forward line, I would be amazed if at least one attacking fullback isn't brought in.
The ex United left back being on trial and being linked with the Forest right back suggests Critch is looking to strengthen those 2 positions.
Having full backs who can get forward instead of the ones we currently have will add a new dimension to our attack.
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I would like to think it’s that simple but however good Gabriel and Mitchell are our CBs are not Van Dijk or Gomez.
 
Wilburrabbit said:
I would like to think it’s that simple but however good Gabriel and Mitchell are our CBs are not Van Dijk or Gomez.
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They won't need to be because they'll be playing against League One forwards.
The fact that we're looking at Gabriel & Mitchell shows the type of full back Critch wants for this system. If we wanted the defence to stay in a line as a flat back four we'd be fine with Husband & Turton.
 
Two things for me::
1. Ben Heneghan is a decent L1 centre back and if he came back I would be ok with that. However, if NC does bring in someone else (and I think he will) i don't think it will be BH.
2. Nottingham is ok as a CH and as a squad member. However, I think he will be gone at the end of the season as NC will look for someone better.
 
Good debate on this thread.
I WAS always a Heneghan fan but he didn't improve in his time with, in fact the opposite.
I never thought Notts was a full back and always thought he be a more accomplished CB but he was another who's face didn't fit with Grayson.
Before the season started I was dead against Thorniley particularly after watching him that freezing, late night in the cold at Wycombe when he was dreadful.
A few pre-season games later I think Thorniley is the best CB currently on the books. Time will tell on that one.
I had Notts down as his partner but I thought his passing was poor against Stoke.
Ekpiteta has started slowly but seemsed to be improving but I did notice on at least one occasion against Stoke when he looked he was running in treacle.
As a pair, Notts and Ekpiteta, don't look to me to be "savvy" enough for my liking.
In a nutshell I think Heneghan is equal, if not better, than both of them but maybe we can still do better.
For me another CB, who is experienced and captain material, could be the key to a successful season.
IMO if we have 2 ball playing FBs ball playing CBs might have to be sacrificed. Let's be realistic we aren't Liverpool and we are playing in League I.
In addition to a CB if we can get skillful RB then I'd stick with what we have until early October, see how we are doing and top up the squad with a loan or two if necessary.
To balance this I'd let Devitt, Howe ( if we get another RB in) and Feeney go.
 
Devitt Howe and Feeney will go ...I have no doubts about that...the problem with Big Marv is he looks very uncomfortable with the ball at his feet...the problem with Turton is he goes forward, stops does the Turton turn and passes back...he isnt the worst but we need better with this system.
 
Maybe NC came with an open mind and Nottingham hasn't done his chances any harm with pre season performances. He may not be the answer but it's up to him to maintain the level. Shaw probably fits the same bill, not rated by the previous manager.
 
I'd give Shaw some games to make his case. He's good, he's young but I want a player of own to get behind. His delivery is absolutely excellent and his work rate is very good. Also, he's not small, retains the ball well and uses both feet when he has too.

I hope he at very least gets a chance in the FL Trophy games.
 
rememberlesshannon said:
Maybe NC came with an open mind and Nottingham hasn't done his chances any harm with pre season performances. He may not be the answer but it's up to him to maintain the level. Shaw probably fits the same bill, not rated by the previous manager.
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Agree with what you say but from what I've seen Shaw didn't do any harm to his chances early pre-season but seems now to have been quickly overlooked. Is he considered to be too young to be trusted?
 
I think in Shaw's favour, he can play in a number of positions, Grayson certainly didn't see him as an alternative left back and MacDonald, a fans favourite has goneout on loan.
Lots of competion everywhere, but we do need another CB, personally i liked Heneghan, but i'm sure NC has a few alternatives.
 
Shaw has been played in nearly every position, left, right and centre.
Grayson did try him as a left back for the reserves and prior to that in the youth team he was constantly tried in different positions.
Having watched him for 4+ years I always thought he was most effective playing out wide. From there he could cross the ball primarily with his left foot but also more the adequately with his right.
He has decent dribbling skills so was also able to take a man on, move inside and test the goalie. After Roache moved on Nathan was also the dead ball specialist.
Despite that it's difficult to know just how to fit him in the first eleven.
The Liverpool system is attacking full backs and as Nathan has matured and strengthened maybe that's where he will fit in but that puts him ahead of a very defensively sound James Husband.
It's a really tough call this one.
 
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