Ryan Bennett in action for Grimsby against a Bury team featuring fellow Canary Elliott Bennett, far right.
Adrian Forbes lists new Norwich City signing Ryan Bennett as a real bargain
Mark Armstrong
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
10:19 AM
Former Norwich City winger Adrian Forbes believes the Canaries have bagged themselves a bargain in the form of transfer deadline day signing Ryan Bennett.
Forbes played with City’s most recent acquisition at Grimsby Town, who Bennett was named club captain as an 18-year-old by then manager Mike Newell.
Forbes admitted he was sceptical upon his arrival to see a player so young handed the armband but soon realised what the defender had to offer.
“I quickly saw that he was captain material even at that young age,” said Forbes, who moved on from the Mariners in 2010 to sign for Lowestoft Town. “To ask someone that young to be captain of a club like Grimsby, who are a big club, is tough but he was up for that challenge.
“He has got a lot to offer in terms of leadership. He is not necessarily a ranter and a raver but the attributes he offers as a player marks him out as a leader.”
After being released as a youngster by Ipswich Town, Bennett certainly fits the Lambert mould in rising up through the leagues despite an early setback.
After catching the eye of several scouts at Grimsby, he moved on to Peterborough for a club record fee where he flourished under Darren Ferguson culminating in a move to the top-flight.
“It’s been a battle for him but I think Lambert likes to see that in his signings,” added Forbes. “They can appreciate making it to the top that much more.
“He has got a great work ethic and that has resulted in a move to Norwich. Even at Grimsby you could tell that he always wanted to progress. He had a vision that he wanted to get to and that’s at the very top.
“He is very good in one on one situations and obviously when he was in League Two he had to cope with a lot of physical strikers and he was always up to that challenge.
“When he had time on the ball he was able to pick a pass and bring it out of defence – he has got a bit of everything.”
Forbes believes Bennett will be able to cope with the step up to Premier League level and can see the youngster improving by training with the likes of Zak Whitbread and Daniel Ayala.
“There’s always room for improvement – I think all that he is lacking at the moment is experience and that will come in time at Norwich,” he said.
“Training with better, more experienced players will also help and it may take a bit of time to adapt to Premier League level. But he has certainly got the quality to adjust.”
Norwich are reported to have parted with around £3m and Forbes believes that could represent excellent value for money in the years to come especially if he builds on the England U21 cap he won against Norway in October.
Forbes said: “He has already played for England U21s and if he settles quickly at Norwich then the next natural step for him would be to be in the full England squad. If he manages to do that then people will see the £3m talked about as a bargain.”
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14 comments
bcc88, you`re `avin` a Giraffe....aren`t you? (Apparantly it`s "cool" to do mockney rhyming slang these days). I think Colin will end up in Ipswich a few days after Evans reiterates his full backing of Jewell. Spurs are not that daft!
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Mad Brewer
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Posted this on the wrong article just now buuut,I reckon Redknapp for England, Warnock for Spurs...
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bristolcanary88
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Steroo v Lambert for England Manager`s job. It`s a no-brainer. Steroo must win. Ideally qualified. Seriously, the greater risk may be if `Arry gets the England job now he`s been cleared of Tax Evasion and Spurs come looking for Lambo. I first heard that theory from a fan yesterday. Since it`s not my idea, it may get past the Kontrolleren? Or,as Swiss suggests, give the job to Colin. That`s Entertainment! (Comedy).
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Mad Brewer
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Steroo for Ips*** manager!!
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YorkCanary
Thursday, February 9, 2012
I hope we don't get caught in a Redknapp replacement raid for Lambo. Looks like Steroo for manager has more merit than it appears at first.
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Swiss Canary
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Steroo for England manager !!!
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Timbo
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
STOP PRESS - Capello has just resigned - How long before Colin starts saying "I could do that job!"
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Swiss Canary
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Are you sure that wasn`t Ged, Swiss? Rushing....phew..etc.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Despite the fact that we need him now, it may be as well for him to have a bit of time to get his head around the change up. A week ago he was ¨rushing to Swansea for a last minute transfer.
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Swiss Canary
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
What ever is going thro his mind on a daily basis? wakes up every morning going to train for Peterboro' under the knowledge he will be training and playing for a premiership team, Wow what a feeling, i would love to have his head right now !
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Colby Army!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Agree with you Sogstar. But why do Archant keep wheeling out names from the past to regale us with platitudes? I suppose it saves them from the unthinkable-thinking. OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Here's hoping. Lambert must really rate him because he went all out to get him. Peterboro said Norwich gave them everything they asked for. If he could turn into a quality CB then England would have to take a look as we don't seem that blessed with them at the mo. Obviously we are talking about the future here, but it would be fantastic to have a current Norwich player getting picked for England. Eadie should have played for England, but was crippled by injury. OTBC. I can't wait to see both new signings in action.
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Preston Canary
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Could be the best of many great signings. Pity he is not on board already.
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Soglio Star
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wow!
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 8, 2012