Ben Pearson

I wasn't as impressed as others were with this kid last season, and I've seen nowt in him so far this season either that suggests he should be a regular starter. He's had 31 games for us now, and I'm guessing they're all starts too. One goal and one assist. You're lucky to see him tackle or win a header, he's got no passing range to speak of, in fact the only real qualities I can see are his engine (he runs about a lot) and sometimes he has nice feet, decent technique. I'm basing that on what I've seen of him.

I'd like other opinions on him.


He's seemingly undroppable, I'm not sure I understand why that is, I'm not sure I understand what it is that he does. So aye, I'd appreciate the thoughts of others.

Our own lads Digby and Abbott might well not be good enough, I'm unsure to be honest, but I'd have taken any number of free agent centre mids this summer, before loaning Pearson again. Preferably an older/experienced head.

 

No better than berry, digby, Abbott, bailey or any of the others.

Only difference is he's from man utd so people have invented this idea that he's a great player when he isn't, squad player at best for me.

 

I'm not impressed either was poor yesterday imo passing wasn't great and he seems to just chase the opposition without ever putting a foot in and winning the ball. May aswell give Digby a run instead.

 

One of those is wrong.

 

Agree with you.

I think it is the Man Utd thing.

If he was on loan from Blackburn he'd be getting none of the hype.

When I look at our starting 11 yesterday there's only Harris I'd class as not as good as Pearson. The rest are his equal or better

 

In his interview the other day, LJ was discussing the merits of Hourihane and said that if he continued to show the ugly side to his game, graft etc, maybe he could play in a midfield four, but he then said, and I quote "alongside Ben Pearson".

It should be Scowen first in central midfield, then others accordingly. Again, based on what I've seen.

 

Scowen is the first name on the team sheet, surely.

 

He's one of our most consistent players, along with Hourihane, Winnall and Nyatanga I would say. And, based on this season, you've to say that Watkins delivers more often than not. It's clear to me that we've got some good footballers here, and those I've just named are all ours too, not loanees. So, here's another question - would we miss any of the loanees if we sent em back tomorrow?

 

I think he's ok no better or worse than that. I think whatever talents he has are wasted unless you play him in a 4 man midfield with an attac minded player at the side of him but think Scowen can do that job better. Seems like a great kid though.

 

If he was our player I'd probably be excited about him. He's not and I don't think he's going to be. He wants to play for Man Utd. That's not going to happen, he's not good enough, but there are a hell of a lot of clubs between Man Utd and us for his second pick, assuming some of those clubs want him. I don't know how good he's going to be in the future, but right now he's just an OK league 1 player. That'd be fine if he was ours, making his mistakes and learning the game in our team so he can serve us well for years to come or make us some brass if we sell him. But all we're doing is teaching him the game for someone else and when he's flogged, none of it will come to us. None of that would particularly matter if he was brilliant and a key factor in our victories. But he's not and he isn't. I want a Barnsley player in that position who is either better than Pearson (there are dozens about who are older) or still learning the game but our player.

 

That's a good point and one I agree with. Were he 'Barnsley lad, from the academy' Ben Pearson, I'd probably see him in a better light. But he's not.

 

Scowen should definitely be the first name on the team sheet.

 

Waste of a loan for me, along with his mate from Man Utd. Offers nothing going forward only sees a sideways or pass back. Would have preferred a winger that hugs touchline and stretches opposition full backs.

 

I like him. He offers graft and guile and is a good passer. It's fair to say that Scowen is exactly the same but I think Pearson allows Scowen to get further forward. He's like a glue in the central midfield

But one thing I've noticed is he splits opinions a hell of a lot

Interestingly we may be able to sign him permanently because he said this in the chronicle:
Pearson said: "I don't want to go back and sit in the reserves in January. I will be looking to stay in first team football. Hopefully that is at Barnsley but it is not my decision. I don't know whether I will go out on loan again or move permanently, it depends on United."

So you never know

 

I like him and would hope we can make the loan deal a permanent one in January. He's still learning the game and I wouldn't mind seeing him continue his education at Oakwell, but as a Barnsley player. I don't know whether that's possible, Lee Johnson did say a few weeks ago he was looking to make the loan signings permanent, as happened a bit later with Townsend, with the exception of Crowley.
He rarely wastes possession, even if that does mean the pass is to the side or back to a defender. However, I'd like to think he could be encouraged to become more adventurous with the ball. The lad's had less than a year's experience of playing league football, though, is only twenty so is obviously years away from being the finished article. He can develop as a footballer.
It's my opinion that although some of his fans use the fact he's from Manchester United as an indicator of his abilities, his critics also use that as a stick with which to beat him.

 

Far too negative and sidewards in his choice of passing but is he being told to do this by the manager hindering his normal game?

Just a thought and one I may be wrong with

 

Different player to when he first played for us but that could be down to what the manager wants from him, tother day when we couldn`t pick a pass int first 15 mins he played two great forward passes one to put Williams in(he shot wide) and one straight to Hourihane who was entering area with a defender either side of him (ref gave an inexplicable hand ball against Hourihane). Yes he plays many a square ball and backwards ball but if the manager wants us to keep possession then thats what he and others will do.

Dont go along with the lack of tackling and winning headers either.

My negative of him is him being hotheaded and jumping into tackles which get him booked. I have seen him play poorly, but he aint been alone, and thats been rare in games I`ve seen mostly home games.

Think the lad gets undue criticism for his Manure connection as much as he gets over the top praise for it.

 

He's ok. Decent L1 player. I reckon he'll end up being ours in January.

 

Cheers for that. Good to get a different perspective.

I think the Man Utd thing is irrelevant, personally.


The consensus seems to be that he's a decent (not ****, not great) L1 level player. And that if he was ours, we'd be happier watching him develop. Yes?

 

I`m happy at the mo with what he is doing, could be happier if he weren`t being so restricted and would also be happy if LJ hadn`t brought him in and played one of our own. Digby the new RNL.