Source: Northern_Echo
Venus impressed with Bennett’s progress at Boro
MIDDLESBROUGH can understand why Premier League clubs are constantly running the rule over Joe Bennett, but feel their promising left-back will not be distracted by all the increased attention.[LNB] Sunderland manager Steve Bruce's appearance at the Riverside Stadium for last Saturday's victory over Watford has led to fresh speculation about the young defender's future.[LNB] Bruce's chief scout Ricky Sbragia has been a regular on Teesside in recent weeks, while Newcastle United's reserve team coach Peter Beardsley has also been to the Riverside on numerous occasions in recent months.[LNB] There has also been representation from most other top-flight clubs, with Liverpool the biggest said to be keeping tabs on him, but Middlesbrough are in no mood to sell.[LNB] Bennett, away on international duty with England's Under-21s, recently signed a four-and-a-half-year contract after impressing since Tony Mowbray opted to bring him back in to the first team following the departure of Gordon Strachan.[LNB] And Mowbray and his assistant, Mark Venus, have been encouraged by the progress made by the 20- year-old in a short space of time and think he has the potential to reach the top.[LNB] He is playing well, he is doing many different things, he is attacking and defending,[LNB] said Venus. He has a little edge and he can play one on one, he can head it, he can create, shoot.[LNB] His all-round game and his talent is good. That's why bigger clubs are being talked about and courting him.[LNB] There isn't an overriding glut of left-backs in the country to challenge for that position.[LNB] He is one of the few players who actually looks like he could take a step higher.[LNB] When Mowbray and Venus were in charge at Hibernian, at times of tight financial constraints, they went about agreeing long term teals with their most promising prospects.[LNB] Steven Whittaker, Kevin Thomson and Scott Brown were among those to have been handed four-year deals, bearing similarities to the way Bennett, Jason Steele, Richie Smallwood, Cameron Park and Seb Hines have all been given new terms.[LNB] But the Boro No 2 accepts Middlesbrough would be forced to listen to serious offers for any of their players - even if they would prefer to keep hold of them.[LNB] What we try to do is give them a contract, a long contract that is justified which they feel they deserve as well, said Venus. We have done that with Joe.[LNB] Every footballer has a price, a market. Cristiano Ronaldo left for Real Madrid; players leave clubs, that's what happens. If bigger teams want to sign your players, the bottom line is that it is the laws of the jungle.[LNB] That's what players play football for as well. It's just disappointing when you lose a player that is out of contract or the money is not fair.[LNB] We try to avoid that.[LNB] Bennett hopes to earn his second cap for the Under-21s in Denmark tomorrow night, while he could also figure in Monday's friendly with Iceland.[LNB] It is a far cry from when Strachan was in charge, when his former boss would have been happy to let him go.[LNB] Swedish goalkeeper Jonas Sandqvist, meanwhile, has turned his back on a second week's trial at Middlesbrough after agreeing to join Norwegian side Aalesund.[LNB] I would like to thank everyone at Middlesbrough,[LNB] said the 29-year-old. It remains an ambition of mine to one day play in England but now I turn my attentions to Norway.[LNB]
