Elliot Benyon

[3spirit]

Best wishes to Elliot at his next club.

Have Slough signed another striker to replace him? The timing of his leaving is bizarre otherwise.

Elliot in his time at Slough Town FC was a mixed bag to me in terms of performances for our team. I would have liked to have seen the younger version of Elliot Benyon playing for Slough. Bakes and Unders signed him in my opinion because he was experienced at National South level and they didn't have the money to buy better. I don't believe he was a bad signing for Slough and proved his mettle over the previous managers stint and Scott's time in charge. I would have thought it would have been better to keep him till at least Xmas/early New Year 2024, unless of course, we have proven stunning striker up our sleeve to bring to our team.

Edited August 2, 2023 by 3spirit

[GlenSTFC]

20 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

Best wishes to Elliot at his next club.

Have Slough signed another striker to replace him? The timing of his leaving is bizarre otherwise.

Elliot in his time at Slough Town FC was a mixed bag to me in terms of performances for our team. I would have liked to have seen the younger version of Elliot Benyon playing for Slough. Bakes and Unders signed him in my opinion because he was experienced at National South level and they didn't have the money to buy better. I don't believe he was a bad signing for Slough and proved his mettle over the previous managers stint and Scott's time in charge. I would have thought it would have been better to keep him till at least Xmas/early New Year 2024, unless of course, we have proven stunning striker up our sleeve to bring to our team.

You want another striker! We currently have Minhas, McElroy, Ogbonna and Harry. Plus Platt and Abisogun out injured. 

Just now, GlenSTFC said:

You want another striker! We currently have Minhas, McElroy, Ogbonna and Harry. Plus Platt and Abisogun out injured. 

I’m guessing he left as he saw there were 6 other strikers and his playing time would be severely limited. At his age he needs to be playing and he’s now found that at Hanwell where he’ll be the main man and I hope he does well there.

[Curtis]

Wasn’t McElroy at Hanwell for the second half of last season?

Sounds like a straight swap.

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, 3spirit said:

Best wishes to Elliot at his next club.

Have Slough signed another striker to replace him? The timing of his leaving is bizarre otherwise.

Elliot in his time at Slough Town FC was a mixed bag to me in terms of performances for our team. I would have liked to have seen the younger version of Elliot Benyon playing for Slough. Bakes and Unders signed him in my opinion because he was experienced at National South level and they didn't have the money to buy better. I don't believe he was a bad signing for Slough and proved his mettle over the previous managers stint and Scott's time in charge. I would have thought it would have been better to keep him till at least Xmas/early New Year 2024, unless of course, we have proven stunning striker up our sleeve to bring to our team.

Sounds like Elliott has done whats best financially for him and his family.

I would say the Mcelroy signing is Elliott Benyons replacement.

Mickel Platt doing light training so on his way back.

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, GlenSTFC said:

You want another striker! We currently have Minhas, McElroy, Ogbonna and Harry. Plus Platt and Abisogun out injured. 

I’m guessing he left as he saw there were 6 other strikers and his playing time would be severely limited. At his age he needs to be playing and he’s now found that at Hanwell where he’ll be the main man and I hope he does well there.

Whilst Harry, Ogbonna and Abisogun are down as forwards they are more like wingers/wide players as opposed to what I would call a Striker/center forward. 

[3spirit]

2 hours ago, GlenSTFC said:

You want another striker! We currently have Minhas, McElroy, Ogbonna and Harry. Plus Platt and Abisogun out injured. 

I’m guessing he left as he saw there were 6 other strikers and his playing time would be severely limited. At his age he needs to be playing and he’s now found that at Hanwell where he’ll be the main man and I hope he does well there.

Currently we have two strikers fit - Minhas and McElroy.

Mikkel Platt is injured and has not played yet. Given he wasn't even the first two frontmen picked at Bracknell, I find it completely nuts to get rid of Elliot Benyon, when our selection as forwards are weak at best.  Hopefully, Nathan Minhas and Tom McElroy do well this season for Slough but it is not a formality.

The other players you mention are midfield players to me.

[3spirit]

Having just watched Scott's interview about the Charlton game, I noted his comments about Elliot Benyon.

Who doesn't like Scott's enthusiasm and optimism for this Slough team? I know I do but while I can appreciate the need to save on costs and that Elliot wasn't likely to get loads of starts for the first eleven, I still find the timing of this decision bewildering.

Surely Elliot would have been handy as replacement substitute for a lacklustre performing striker or for a change of formation if things aren't going to plan for the early coming months, and it's not like Slough have an abundance of experience up front in our squad. Yes, we do have Johnny Goddard who could fill in upfront if necessary but Elliot is a better hold up front man of the two, so I can't see it being because of this.

Tom McElroy has scored three goals in two small time friendlies. That doesn't mean he's the next George Alexander.

It appears on the surface that Scott and Yella have jumped the gun with this decision but perhaps they have something up their sleeve, if Slough don't make the progress needed, in terms of goalscoring further down the line. I will have to wait and see.

Edited August 2, 2023 by 3spirit

[Reading Rebel]

39 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

Having just watched Scott's interview about the Charlton game, I noted his comments about Elliot Benyon.

Who doesn't like Scott's enthusiasm and optimism for this Slough team? I know I do but while I can appreciate the need to save on costs and that Elliot wasn't likely to get loads of starts for the first eleven, I still find the timing of this decision bewildering.

Surely Elliot would have been handy as replacement substitute for a lacklustre performing striker or for a change of formation if things aren't going to plan for the early coming months, and it's not like Slough have an abundance of experience up front in our squad. Yes, we do have Johnny Goddard who could fill in upfront if necessary but Elliot is a better hold up front man of the two, so I can't see it being because of this.

Tom McElroy has scored three goals in two small time friendlies. That doesn't mean he's the next George Alexander.

It appears on the surface that Scott and Yella have jumped the gun with this decision but perhaps they have something up their sleeve, if Slough don't make the progress needed, in terms of goalscoring further down the line. I will have to wait and see.

I think it was a joint decision.

Elliott wanted to play more, which couldn't be guaranteed, he also has a young family so financially he's better off at Hanwell where he will most probably play and get paid.

At this stage of his career it's no good for him or his family if he's stuck on the bench or even worse not in the squad.

Edited August 2, 2023 by Reading Rebel

[Curtis]

I don’t recall you saying we needed to sign an additional forward a week ago when we had Minhas, Platt & Benyon in the squad.

There appear to be some budget restraints & replacing Benyon with McElroy looks like a positive change to me. In addition, if Benyon wants regular playing time I didn’t see him getting that with us this season.

[SloughFlyer]

100% disagree 3spirit, if anything, Scott jumped the gun re-signing him. I struggle to see what others seem to in a striker that scored 4 goals all season last year and missed plenty of sitters in the later end of the season that could have proved very costly for us. To put it into perspective, from 10th December to the end of last season, he got as many red cards as goals (1 of each).

Scott made the comments about Benyon being brilliant in the changing room and for the younger players, which I'm sure is true, but in terms of output he was terrible. Ran around a lot and got involved physically with a few, but to me, especially in the last few games he became a poor man's Ben Harris, kept falling over, looking for fouls and at least Ben could score a goal.

Excellent decision to get rid now and go in the right direction. 3 strikers is, IMO, 1 short, BUT, that does depend on various things, specifically formations and it would suggest to me with the wider and attacking midfielder options we will play 1 out and out striker to start with. Having said that, 2 from Minhas, McEllroy and Platt I think will be more than enough, especially with the "wider" attacking options.

Edited August 2, 2023 by SloughFlyer

[3spirit]

36 minutes ago, SloughFlyer said:

100% disagree 3spirit, if anything, Scott jumped the gun re-signing him. I struggle to see what others seem to in a striker that scored 5 goals all season last year and missed plenty of sitters in the later end of the season that could have proved very costly for us.

Scott made the comments about Benyon being brilliant in the changing room and for the younger players, which I'm sure is true, but in terms of output he was terrible. Ran around a lot and got involved physically with a few, but to me, especially in the last few games he became a poor man's Ben Harris, kept falling over, looking for fouls and at least Ben could score a goal.

Excellent decision to get rid now and go in the right direction. 3 strikers is, IMO, 1 short, BUT, that does depend on various things, specifically formations and it would suggest to me with the wider and attacking midfielder options we will play 1 out and out striker to start with. Having said that, 2 from Minhas, McEllroy and Platt I think will be more than enough, especially with the "wider" attacking options.

You're getting the wrong end of the stick, SloughFlyer, in my views on Elliot Benyon.  I only think the timing of his leaving to be the issue. I would have let him leave at the end of last season, and then brought in 3 new strikers and kept Ogo Obi.

I just feel we should have kept Elliot for the time being[2 to 4 months] given he's played and trained with Slough all pre-season, to be back up for our inexperienced strikers.

Why we have released him so late in the day, I don't know?

[3spirit]

47 minutes ago, Curtis said:

I don’t recall you saying we needed to sign an additional forward a week ago when we had Minhas, Platt & Benyon in the squad.

There appear to be some budget restraints & replacing Benyon with McElroy looks like a positive change to me. In addition, if Benyon wants regular playing time I didn’t see him getting that with us this season.

If you're referring to me, Curtis, see my last post on this thread to SloughFlyer.

[3spirit]

1 hour ago, Reading Rebel said:

I think it was a joint decision.

Elliott wanted to play more, which couldn't be guaranteed, he also has a young family so financially he's better off at Hanwell where he will most probably play and get paid.

At this stage of his career it's no good for him or his family if he's stuck on the bench or even worse not in the squad.

Of course it's NOT a joint decision !

Scott's the manager he made the decision[after discussion with Yella]. He then phoned Elliot and told him.

Scott may have helped Elliot secure the move to Hanwell.

I'm guessing it's more to do with penny pinching/budget balance than much else.  

Edited August 2, 2023 by 3spirit

[SloughFlyer]

23 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

You're getting the wrong end of the stick, SloughFlyer, in my views on Elliot Benyon.  I only think the timing of his leaving to be the issue. I would have let him leave at the end of last season, and then brought in 3 new strikers and kept Ogo Obi.

I just feel we should have kept Elliot for the time being[2 to 4 months] given he's played and trained with Slough all pre-season, to be back up for our inexperienced strikers.

Why we have released him so late in the day, I don't know?

Got you. I suspect that, given Benyon was already having to fight for his place in the squad (see earlier in pre-season), the new players now (Minhas, McEllroy and Platt) Benyon drops down the pecking order. From Scott's point of view, having a #4 striker like Benyon probably didn't fit.

Also, Benyon has been around long enough to see the writing on the wall and for the deal with Hanwell to be in place so quickly, perhaps he saw what was coming and organised that as well after the signing of McEllroy.

Listening to Scott's interview, he did seem genuinely upset about releasing him, but IMO, its best for everyone involved and I wouldn't have seen the point in keeping him as probably an unused squad player for 2-4 months then release him as he would have struggled to find a club at that point and if he wasn't an unused squad player and got to the bench or worse the starting 11, we'd be in bigger trouble IMO.

BTW - 100% agree with your opinions on Ogo. Shame it clearly didn't work out for him as you know my opinion on him. I'm certain Scott has made the best decision for the dressing room as clearly something wasn't right there.

Edited August 2, 2023 by SloughFlyer

[Scott Davies]

It’s quite simple. I’ll explain…

We didn’t see Elliot playing regularly, and we can’t afford to have people sat around picking up a wage, especially if we don’t see where they fit into the team. Substitute appearances aren’t enough in my mind.

We could have kept Elliot for a month and been in the same situation at the end of august. By that time, the deal at Hanwell may have been taken away if they signed someone else.

He has a wife and 3 kids who have to come first and he decided, along with our advice as well to protect himself and his family first as we wouldn’t want him to miss out for their sake. 
 

We have to look further than just Elliot the footballer, we have to look at Elliot the dad of 3 etc. As a friend we felt it was right that he went and so did he.

Im happy with the attacking options we have. Some have summed it up really well. If we play one up top then it can be either Tom or Nathan, if it’s a two we play both. We can utilise Jefferson from time to time, late in games if we need to. There’s no doubt he gives us something different. Once Mickel is back then it’ll probably cause us a good headache! 
 

We can set up many different ways with the exciting wide players we have to, or with the attacking midfielders.

Hope this helps 👍🏼

[Reading Rebel]

5 hours ago, 3spirit said:

Of course it's NOT a joint decision !

Scott's the manager he made the decision[after discussion with Yella]. He then phoned Elliot and told him.

Scott may have helped Elliot secure the move to Hanwell.

I'm guessing it's more to do with penny pinching/budget balance than much else.  

What I meant was joint decision in as far as agreeing to leave and join Hanwell.

[Richierebel1]

Totally agree with Scott and Slough Flyer, although didn`t his red card get recinded?!  What with the potential to score goals from all the midfielders and wide players, plus Josh`s goals and Scott`s free kicks,(just not penalties please Scott!) that we have in our squad we don`t need to rely on the front men all the time.  Is there any news on Gary`s scan that he had?

[Scott Davies]

He had the scan yesterday. Results next week 🤞🏼