Ben Nelson

[LCFCJohn]

6 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Who's sucked in by Faes and Vestergaard, I imagine most if not all want Ben Nelson to be playing but it's one game, if Faes and Vestergaard are both starting every week and we're in December then fair enough.

 

Also I don't think we were dodgy defensively were we really last time, we had the best defence in the league.

I think many people are happy with them as the main options based on either previous performances in the Championship, lack of trust of home grown players or both. 
 

I get what you are saying about December but you should be building up a centre back partnership straight away, not sitting on it. The only explanation would be injury but then why is he firstly on the bench and then not selected to come on? I know the answer to the latter, not trusted given the game was tight which is why it doesn’t bode well going forwards.

 

As for last time in the Championship, we conceded 41 in 46 games. Comparatively, Leeds and Burnley conceded 30 and 16 respectively whilst getting promoted. There were games when we were beaten so easily, away at Millwall, Plymouth, Bristol City where the defence was just bypassed completely. As well as the games where we were let off by poor finishing from Championship strikers. It wasn’t just the personnel, it was that and the system but if you thought that was good that season, you are easily pleased I’ll give you that!

[Tommy Fresh]

4 hours ago, LCFCJohn said:

I think many people are happy with them as the main options based on either previous performances in the Championship, lack of trust of home grown players or both. 
 

I get what you are saying about December but you should be building up a centre back partnership straight away, not sitting on it. The only explanation would be injury but then why is he firstly on the bench and then not selected to come on? I know the answer to the latter, not trusted given the game was tight which is why it doesn’t bode well going forwards.

 

As for last time in the Championship, we conceded 41 in 46 games. Comparatively, Leeds and Burnley conceded 30 and 16 respectively whilst getting promoted. There were games when we were beaten so easily, away at Millwall, Plymouth, Bristol City where the defence was just bypassed completely. As well as the games where we were let off by poor finishing from Championship strikers. It wasn’t just the personnel, it was that and the system but if you thought that was good that season, you are easily pleased I’ll give you that!

I'd rather we were playing Nelson, and I'm slightly disappointed he didn't start yesterday but I'm also not going to overreact to him not playing in a new managers first game. 

 

Fair play for knowing exactly why Marti didn't bring him on as well.

 

Beaten easily at Millwall and Plymouth we were crap going forward and lost by one goal to each and the goal against Millwall was superb.

 

Think we just leave it as we both want Nelson to start

Edited 11 August 2025 by Tommy Fresh

[Tommy G]

7 hours ago, LCFCJohn said:

Doubt it. It will be Vestergaard and Faes. God help us if we do go up and it’s them pair again!

 

I just said on another thread, I can see Bournemouth before the end of the window as a good fit for Nelson. They already lost Huijsen and Zabarnyi is on the verge of PSG. They will be looking to replace them with young centre backs who will in turn make them a bit profit so this would be a great move for him. 

You do realise levels in the game? He is miles ahead of Nelson, looked top class in the PL - no injury worries either. To compare Huijsen and Nelson is bonkers. 

[Fox on the Rox]

14 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

You do realise levels in the game? He is miles ahead of Nelson, looked top class in the PL - no injury worries either. To compare Huijsen and Nelson is bonkers. 

You need to ask why that is.

 

He had a fairly serious injury at Oxford but started every (or nearly every) game after his return. You could argue he's demonstrated the professionalism and dedication required to get back to fitness.

 

This club doesn't provide young players with the opportunities they need to develop. He's been around the first team since 16, played u21s since 16, played for England at u20, will play for England u21 provided we give him game time. 

 

Didn't get significant game time last time we were in the Championship so had to go on loan last season. Let's not repeat the cycle or he'll be going on a free in 2027.

[Muzzy_no7]

Should’ve started yesterday. Another weird call. 

[moore_94]

I will definitely be starting to worry if he isn’t starting against Huddersfield 

[Gevans_97]

First game of the season, coming back from an injury in pre-season. It’s going to be a long season, he will get his chance. No need to panic yet. 

[Noahfence]

ill start to worry if Nelson isn’t starting in a few games time 

[ThorpeAstleyFox]

5 hours ago, LCFCJohn said:

I think many people are happy with them as the main options based on either previous performances in the Championship, lack of trust of home grown players or both. 
 

I get what you are saying about December but you should be building up a centre back partnership straight away, not sitting on it. The only explanation would be injury but then why is he firstly on the bench and then not selected to come on? I know the answer to the latter, not trusted given the game was tight which is why it doesn’t bode well going forwards.

 

As for last time in the Championship, we conceded 41 in 46 games. Comparatively, Leeds and Burnley conceded 30 and 16 respectively whilst getting promoted. There were games when we were beaten so easily, away at Millwall, Plymouth, Bristol City where the defence was just bypassed completely. As well as the games where we were let off by poor finishing from Championship strikers. It wasn’t just the personnel, it was that and the system but if you thought that was good that season, you are easily pleased I’ll give you that!

Easily pleased? We won the League - I was absolutely delighted!

[moore_94]

11 minutes ago, Gevans_97 said:

First game of the season, coming back from an injury in pre-season. It’s going to be a long season, he will get his chance. No need to panic yet. 

The injury in pre-season doesn’t really carry for very long when he played in the last pre-season game

[LCFCJohn]

1 hour ago, Tommy G said:

You do realise levels in the game? He is miles ahead of Nelson, looked top class in the PL - no injury worries either. To compare Huijsen and Nelson is bonkers. 

And why is he ahead? What had he done before Bournemouth plucked him out and gave him first team football? I never said he is as good. He’s a year older for a start. The point was, Bournemouth have lost two young centre backs with high ceilings who now need replacing.

They will probably look abroad and pluck similar bargains. However, if they were to look at young centre backs here at home, he would fit the profile they could look for. High ceiling and potential and they could get him cheap and make a large profit down the line. 

[Gevans_97]

58 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

The injury in pre-season doesn’t really carry for very long when he played in the last pre-season game

Only 15 mins though. Maybe he wasn’t quite ready to start yesterday, and Faes was brought on for his ability to move the ball quickly. 
 

don’t get me wrong, if Nelson still isn’t getting involved in the next few weeks I’ll be very disappointed. Just trying to give Martí the benefit of the doubt when we’re still in the very early stages of his time here. 

[JimJams]

Just had a quick scan of transfermarkt and Nelson is now listed as injured. "Unknown Injury/Unknown return date" Which is new... 

[Stormfox]

Not sure that's right unless he picked something up today

[JimJams]

54 minutes ago, Stormfox said:

Not sure that's right unless he picked something up today

It's also got Winks as suspended, which he isn't.  So maybe updated with outdated info.  Which is odd.

[two8two]

18 hours ago, Gevans_97 said:

Only 15 mins though. Maybe he wasn’t quite ready to start yesterday, and Faes was brought on for his ability to move the ball quickly. 
 

don’t get me wrong, if Nelson still isn’t getting involved in the next few weeks I’ll be very disappointed. Just trying to give Martí the benefit of the doubt when we’re still in the very early stages of his time here. 

Agree with this, I also would like to see Ben playing but will support the team Mari selects whatever. Those under the delusion that they no better- give your heads a wobble.

[studentofthegame]

1 minute ago, two8two said:

Agree with this, I also would like to see Ben playing but will support the team Mari selects whatever. Those under the delusion that they no better- give your heads a wobble.

This is such a silly attitude to have

Just because the manager is more qualified to have the job it doesn't mean EVERY single decision is going to be perfect

Of course there will be occasions where they make mistakes and regular fans will actually know better

 

I could have told anyone that Hoijlund would be a terrible signing for Manchester United, it's not deluded to think there are occasions where you would know better than the professionals because there are countless examples of them making very obviously bad decisions 

 

Are you saying that if he starts playing a 6-3-1 with Faes up front then you will blindly back him just because he knows better? 

[Tommy G]

I guess he will start tomorrow 

[FoxesPork]

20 hours ago, Fox on the Rox said:

 

 

This club doesn't provide young players with the opportunities they need to develop. He's been around the first team since 16, played u21s since 16, played for England at u20, will play for England u21 provided we give him game time. 

 

Didn't get significant game time last time we were in the Championship so had to go on loan last season. Let's not repeat the cycle or he'll be going on a free in 2027.

Spot on. We’re absolutely woeful at developing young players past academy level. Nelson’s been in the same place at this club for years and it’s the same story (if not worse) for the likes of Alves and Braybrooke. 

If we don’t change things up and start giving these players the opportunity to develop we’re going lose a whole crop of potential home grown talent.

[DJ Barry Hammond]

2 minutes ago, FoxesPork said:

Spot on. We’re absolutely woeful at developing young players past academy level. Nelson’s been in the same place at this club for years and it’s the same story (if not worse) for the likes of Alves and Braybrooke. 

If we don’t change things up and start giving these players the opportunity to develop we’re going lose a whole crop of potential home grown talent.

Are we?

 

King, Chilwell, Barnes, KDH, Thomas, Hamza, Heskey(!), Piper, Jakub, Scottish Cup winner Conrad Logan!

[The boy Linacre]

8 minutes ago, FoxesPork said:

Spot on. We’re absolutely woeful at developing young players past academy level. Nelson’s been in the same place at this club for years and it’s the same story (if not worse) for the likes of Alves and Braybrooke. 

If we don’t change things up and start giving these players the opportunity to develop we’re going lose a whole crop of potential home grown talent.

The big issue on this is manager churn.  They come in "everybody has a clean slate", the manager is under pressure to get results relatively quickly, you don't risk or blood youngsters, they tend to go with experience.  Look at Cooper's choice's last season, and most of them not fit for purpose, PL experience.  Ayew's been ok and no more, rest pants, BDCR, Edouard, Skipp.

[FoxesPork]

14 minutes ago, DJ Barry Hammond said:

Are we?

 

King, Chilwell, Barnes, KDH, Thomas, Hamza, Heskey(!), Piper, Jakub, Scottish Cup winner Conrad Logan!

At the moment we are yes. Used to be our strong suit but not anymore. I take your point on Jakub but the rest of these all broke through and were at the point of getting first team football 5+ years ago.

Edited 12 August 2025 by FoxesPork

[FoxesPork]

5 minutes ago, The boy Linacre said:

The big issue on this is manager churn.  They come in "everybody has a clean slate", the manager is under pressure to get results relatively quickly, you don't risk or blood youngsters, they tend to go with experience.  Look at Cooper's choice's last season, and most of them not fit for purpose, PL experience.  Ayew's been ok and no more, rest pants, BDCR, Edouard, Skipp.

Absolutely. We desperately need some stability and long therm thinking at this club. It certainly won’t come from Rudkin.

[Fox on the Rox]

14 minutes ago, DJ Barry Hammond said:

Are we?

 

King, Chilwell, Barnes, KDH, Thomas, Hamza, Heskey(!), Piper, Jakub, Scottish Cup winner Conrad Logan!

Think about when those guys came through.

 

I'd argue Jakub doesn't really count, he was 20 when he joined us, hardly an academy product. 

[Ric Flair]

6 minutes ago, Fox on the Rox said:

Think about when those guys came through.

 

I'd argue Jakub doesn't really count, he was 20 when he joined us, hardly an academy product. 

Stolarczyk came to us when he was 15/16.