Matthew Pennington

Status
Not open for further replies.

He was ok for his first start. One area I thought we struggled in were with the long throws they'd chuck into the box. Oviedo is small so wouldn't be much use, but Stones, Jags and Pennington are all big lads, but together with the equally huge Robles made a pigs ear of anything chucked into the mixer.

It'd be harsh to judge the lad too much though for his first outing. Hopefully he'll get a few more opportunities, whether with us or out on loan.
 
I thought he looked fantastic; real dark horse to make it with us now.

Looked like Seamus when he broke through in my opinion.

If he can come in its great news, saves us some £££.
 
He wasn't perfect, but he didn't look out of place and was certainly one of our best players first half. Hopefully he'll get a few more runouts this season.

To put it into context though, although Barnsley played well, lets not forget they're playing in League One.
 

He wasn't perfect, but he didn't look out of place and was certainly one of our best players first half. Hopefully he'll get a few more runouts this season.

To put it into context though, although Barnsley played well, lets not forget they're playing in League One.
Also important to remember that Pennington was a starter in a League One team last season so he shouldn't really have been out of his depth. If he can look comfortable against better opposition then we could start thinking about giving him a few games Hibbert might have otherwise been used in.
 
Thanks wiki, obviously a decent defender albeit in a lower league

On 27 November 2014, Pennington joined Coventry City on loan until 4 January, [10] and this was subsequently extended to 7th February. [11] In January 2015, he was voted as the club's Player of the Month in a poll conducted by Coventry Telegraph. [12] On 7th February 2015 his loan was extended to the end of the season, with Pennington from then on being played more consistently at his more natural centre back position. [13]Pennington was named as Coventry City Young Player of the Year 2014-15, voted for unanimously by Coventry City manager Tony Mowbray and his coaching staff.[14][15]
 
He was ok for his first start. One area I thought we struggled in were with the long throws they'd chuck into the box. Oviedo is small so wouldn't be much use, but Stones, Jags and Pennington are all big lads, but together with the equally huge Robles made a pigs ear of anything chucked into the mixer.

It'd be harsh to judge the lad too much though for his first outing. Hopefully he'll get a few more opportunities, whether with us or out on loan.

I thought he did ok considering we had a potentially out of sorts Stones, a jittery Robles and a less than fit Oviedo in the same defence.......
 
He was ok for his first start. One area I thought we struggled in were with the long throws they'd chuck into the box. Oviedo is small so wouldn't be much use, but Stones, Jags and Pennington are all big lads, but together with the equally huge Robles made a pigs ear of anything chucked into the mixer.

It'd be harsh to judge the lad too much though for his first outing. Hopefully he'll get a few more opportunities, whether with us or out on loan.

Agreed, I know this may get me a good bashing, but after last night, it only confirmed what I thought already, john stones and jags are two great players individually, but as a partnership they always end up 20 yards apart - leaving gaps. If stones does go then I would like to see us get a no nonsense leader like ryan shawcross (tin hat at the ready), when stones started chasing the game at 2-2 and 4-3, that's when jags should of grabbed him by the scruff of the neck (bearing in mind we all know JS isn't the complete defender yet, naïve etc etc) I want to see the sexy football Martinez can* play, mixed with the rigid discipline moyes has instilled over 10 years.

After the crap I gave Martinez last year, its nice to see he made the changes at half time rather than 60-70 minutes, fair play.
 
Agreed, I know this may get me a good bashing, but after last night, it only confirmed what I thought already, john stones and jags are two great players individually, but as a partnership they always end up 20 yards apart - leaving gaps. If stones does go then I would like to see us get a no nonsense leader like ryan shawcross (tin hat at the ready), when stones started chasing the game at 2-2 and 4-3, that's when jags should of grabbed him by the scruff of the neck (bearing in mind we all know JS isn't the complete defender yet, naïve etc etc) I want to see the sexy football Martinez can* play, mixed with the rigid discipline moyes has instilled over 10 years.

After the crap I gave Martinez last year, its nice to see he made the changes at half time rather than 60-70 minutes, fair play.

I don't mind Stones being expansive in his approach. He was caught out a few times last year trying to play from the back, but I'm sure he'll develop with experience. I don't think that was the issue last night though as we generally played out from the back quite well (as you'd expect against a League 1 side). The difficulties we faced were with the more rudimentary aspects of centre back play. Whenever balls came into the box, either from throws, corners or crosses, we struggled.

It makes me wonder if defenders forget how to do that at times as so few PL sides play that way. It's one of the reasons I was a little disappointed with Pennington as you'd imagine he had to cope with that kind of tactic quite often whilst at Coventry, but it's probably unfair to expect him to carry the other three lads in that sense.
 

I don't mind Stones being expansive in his approach. He was caught out a few times last year trying to play from the back, but I'm sure he'll develop with experience. I don't think that was the issue last night though as we generally played out from the back quite well (as you'd expect against a League 1 side). The difficulties we faced were with the more rudimentary aspects of centre back play. Whenever balls came into the box, either from throws, corners or crosses, we struggled.

It makes me wonder if defenders forget how to do that at times as so few PL sides play that way. It's one of the reasons I was a little disappointed with Pennington as you'd imagine he had to cope with that kind of tactic quite often whilst at Coventry, but it's probably unfair to expect him to carry the other three lads in that sense.

I'm worried about the basics too, like I said, 20 yards apart a lot, again I understand he isn't complete yet but I would like him to try and be more disciplined in his approach. Once more someone like shawcross would deal with the throw ins and such, aswell as being a leader (bit of a dog if your not his biggest fan) either way he would be great for us IMO. Agreed that the play with the ball from the back was good. Besic done well in the middle too. More on topic with Pennington, I thought he was alright, bit of a mix up with jags for one goal though, he is young and will learn and develop I think.
 
I was impressed too.

Looked assured, solid and comfortable on the ball - all while playing behind McGeady, which is a miracle to be honest.
 
So if I've got this straight, Pennington, Browning and Galloway are all centre halfs who've only had first team starts as full backs.
 
I thought he did well, though it was hard for me to tell. I was so disappointed in the whole team in the first half. He showed for the ball and defended as well as you would have expected. Could have been stronger in the air but that goes for Stones, Jags and Robles.
I think he can be pleased with his game.
 

Status
Not open for further replies.

Welcome

Join Grand Old Team to get involved in the Everton discussion. Signing up is quick, easy, and completely free.

Shop

Back
Top