Benson axing was tactical (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON TOWN: Benson axing was tactical

6:00am Saturday 27th October 2012 in Sport By Sam Morshead

PAUL Benson was dropped for the clash with Crewe in midweek but could return to the first-team squad for the trip to Stevenage this afternoon, manager Paolo Di Canio has confirmed.

Conflicting reports emerged at Gresty Road when Benson was not named in Town’s matchday 18 to face Alex, with some suggesting the striker had picked up a dead leg and others hinting that he had fallen out of favour with his manager.

Di Canio told the Advertiser on Thursday that it was a “technical decision” not to play the former Charlton man in the 2-1 defeat, but he intimated that he could be involved once again this weekend.

“It was a technical decision. I expect much more, I need a different player in this game and it was obvious in the last two games he didn’t make me happy,” he said.

“I wanted fire, commitment. He’s a good guy, a good professional but now we need something more. I was very disappointed with him in terms of dedication, even if he did his job normal and properly, but we don’t need normal now we need a sense of responsibility.

“I hope, I expect from him that he tries to give something more. In terms of professionally I can’t say nothing, he is not a bad guy but in the two performances – obviously last time was only 20 minutes – even his technical touch is something which made me disappointed.

“He’s not a top player when you’re talking technical but he can keep the ball better with more desire for his teammates. He didn’t in the first half against Scunthorpe and I was very disappointed.

“At the beginning I wanted to keep him in the game because he is more of a main target when you play 4-4-1 but when I saw him lose every ball without any pressure I thought it was better to play with a smaller guy with enthusiasm.

“James Collins did a very good job. This was the decision but obviously now he is part of the team.

“In this game I preferred other strikers. Even on the bench I didn’t need him because I needed players to counteract Crewe.

“I brought onto the bench Miles (Storey) and John (Bostock) maybe to play as a second striker if needed.

“It was a technical decision.”