Hi, I'm a Nottingham Forest fan, and was wondering how Ben was going on now days. He was a class act at Forest and most of us wanted him to sign a permanent deal. But then he got that bad injury and he didn't play for us again. He always seemed to put 110% into every game and was really passionate. I can remmeber a few years back when he wasn't going to get a new deal, that he wanted to come back, but i understand he's come back now? Can anyone tell me how he's doing please? Thanks.
Bennie still hasn't been able to hide from the injury bug. Late last year he a ligament strain that kept him out for the rest of the season. Before that he had been absolutely brilliant. He was invited to the United States training camp for the Netherlands match and strained a different ligament there. He should be OK for opening day, but we'll see if he can last an entire season.
I recall an IV with Olsen after he signed his most recent contract renewal. In it, he admitted that while originally he'd had his sites set on Europe, after the injury he needed to prove over a sustained time he'd regained form and would stay healthy. In effect, he seemed to be saying "I don't see Europe in my plans for the next couple of years if then." But Olsen was playing superb ball last year until he got hurt. It was at that point that the team took a complete nosedive, backed into the playoffs and died with a whimper against Chicago.
When fully fit he's still one of the top ten field players in the USA national team pool, in my opinion.
Benny Back to you, Forest Fan. I've assumed for a couple of years that bottom-tier pay in England First Division is generally better than top-tier pay in the U.S. MLS. I was told recently--in a discussion about why Eddie Lewis would want to keep playing at Preston--that First Division pays shite. My bottom line question, I guess, is: assuming Ben is making about 200,000 dollars here, would he expect to make more if he signed on at Forest/1st Division? Good luck in the relegation battle, by the way. Like a lot of DC United fans, I started rooting for Forest after Ben went over.
Re: Benny I dug up this old chestnut to put something out there... Has Ben Olsen recovered enough from his injuries to be in the eyes of Nottingham Forest again? They are coming here in a couple of weeks, and is there any indication that someone from DC may be on trial? Even Wynalda said Olsen deserves to get a look from Bruce... Thx, Jay!
Re: Benny Well, I think it's safe to say that an above-average MLS player (which Olsen is) is good enough to play in Div 1, but I don't think Olsen is valuable enough at this point to pay much of a transfer for him, and I don't think MLS would be keen on selling him cheap. I don't know Forest's team well enough to know who, if anyone, on our roster they may want to scout in this match.
That may be, and I don't question Olsen's heart, but he has been slowed by the injuries. Three years older and slower will probably not get him to the EPL. To our benefit I might add.
Bennie has the heart of a lion, but has slowed a little since his Forrest days. But hay, Convey might be worth a look. We could use the transfer cash. His heart still seems to be across the pond and not here in DC.
He's just not as fast and quick as he was before the injuries. He's playing central midfield now instead of the wing.
Olsen has added a few pounds since his stint at Forest. But it suits his new central role. It's a shame that his legs have given up on him as his talent and intelligence would make him amazing for DCU, even better than he is now.