Besic pining for return to action

Hope he comes back stronger.

Martinez doesn't have much of a legacy but he kept going on about "footballing arrogance". That was displayed in abundance that night amidst a centre mid including Silva, Yaya & De Bruyne.

He's got something. Come back stronger, Mo, but we're looking at you being a Gueye back-up currently. You should have more than Jimmy Mac but need to prove it.

I've never understood the TW pining for this player when he's out, which is always. Yes, he has a biting tackle. He also can't pass a lick (see Gueye for a comparison), can't shoot, can't mark a light post and collects yellows like kids used to collect stamps.

Here's betting that he never sees the field for us again, not with Barry, Gueye, Macca and Davies all deservedly in front of him.

Both players for me aren't good enough but Besic offers a bit of steel to the midfield. McCarthy should still be at Wigan, there is more talent in Henderson's chin than this wage thief and that says it all.

Alas, through injury or failing to 'turn up', those days are far and few!

Certainly not writing him off but he has a very long way to go before he can be held in the high regard that some people do.

My guess is there's a decent player there but I don't really know – just haven't seen enough.

i can imagine it's all very frustrating for him.

I wish him well.

The lad is a raw diamond, massive heart who's fearless in the tackle and has bags of energy as well as a fair bit of ability to boot! I feel sorry for him with the bad luck he has had with injuries!

In Martinez's second year when Barry was struggling with the amount of games, Mo came in and was a shining light in the middle of the park. He ran the midfield, won everything... the only thing he lacked was that bit of class and composure when attacking!

I think a 4-1-2-3 with Barry sitting and him and Gueye patrolling and pressing would be a force!

Now his contract is to 2021. So he's with us for another five years so, unless we want to be lumbered with yet another denizen of the physio's room he needs to get fit, stay fit, and start showing what he has to offer.

It's a pity as the pressing game means more running around, more twisting and turning, more diving in... if he does return in February and gets selected to play, you've got to wonder how many more appearances he'll get in before he's injured yet again.

Uh-oh... negative thinking alert!

I'd play him before McCarthy anytime when fit.

It's certainly possible that, given the opportunity, he could prove himself to be a worthy successor to Barry. But I doubt it, and personally I'd rather see Davies get that opportunity than Besic. In my view, he has far more potential to be a truly top player.

Something's very wrong when players with continuous injury problems are kept on the payroll, do we never learn?

I wish him a speedy and full recovery but think his playing time with us may be limited.

The point is: the real Mo Besic has yet to stand up and injuries may ever prevent him from realising his potential.

I probably agree with you that he is behind in the pecking order now but I'll neither write him off nor hold my breath.

The man has scored exactly ONE goal in his entire freaking life. Six years, 150 club appearances, 26 for his country. One goal.

He's appeared 35 times for us. Has he ever even assisted on a goal? You can remember exactly one game in which he "ran the midfield." I can recall maybe twice where he impressed me with a really great pass. Contrast that with Gueye, who has already established himself as one of the top ten passers in the league.

I'd say that the real Besic has stood up and showed himself. He's a one-dimensional player, a world-class tackler and ballwinner with no real offensive element to his game. And I stand by my prediction that he's already played his last for us.

I certainly agree that he is not anywhere near the level of Gueye, who has impressed us all I think. The point is, well, we don't know if he can be. Like you, I'd probably also like to see young Davies be the backup for Gueye so we'll have to wait and see if Besic has a future at the club or not. I understand the scepticism but, for me, just too early to write him off without giving Koeman time to work on the lad.