Matthew Pennington

[dave abrahams]

Thought he did very well, I thought he would have cleared the ball, for the first goal, if Jagielka hadn't interfered.

First senior start for Everton, seen him a few times, knew he wouldn't suffer with nerves, just gets on with it and always
gives a hundred. per cent , has a good chance of making it at Everton.

 

[blueloon]

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.

Competitively yes, but both Pennington and Browning started in as the two centre halfs against Leeds if you count friendlies. It's the accepted way, not just Roberto, to ease youngsters in as a full back for a few games first before switching to Cebtre half e.g. Stones

 

[Groucho]

i think he was mainly brought off as he wanted experienced players on, didnt realise this guy would be so good going forward tho

I think Martinez has said now that he was the best player in the first half, but had to make an attacking change.

 

[Eggs]

Pleased he is getting some exposure in the first team. I imagine his performance was somewhere between rubbish and being the best player on the pitch.

It seems quite clear he was taken off as an attacking change, as opposed to his performance. He can play right back or centre half, but is considered a more natural Centre back.

.....in the U21 he looked physically able at CB but better suited at RB in the first team. He had a decent game, threw in a couple of fine crosses - one via a sliding pull back from the bye line and the other an angled pass that just eluded both Naismith and Lukaku. Got tangled up with Jagielka for their first goal. I wonder if he's ahead of Kenny in the pecking order.

 

[marekb]

Hopefully Martinez will keep throwing the kid a chance here and there, he deserves his chance and did not let himself down last night. But, and this is a big BUT, would it be wise throwing him in with a defensive line up that is really struggling to do the basics? Character building i s'pose! They are good at playing the ball, but all of them repeatedly getting into the wrong positions from crosses, corners, getting caught ball watching, not taking responsibility to clear the lines when required.

 

[alpha1]

I was at the game and thought he did okay. Nothing too flash but didn't look out of his depth.
Oviedo on the other hand was woeful at LB. If he isn't 100% fit he shouldn't be out there so I wouldn't want to use that as his excuse.
I understand he has been out for ages though so maybe try him as LW in the next game t see if he does any better.
Before I get a load of stick I just want it noted that I like Oviedo and wish him well, I just thought he was poor last night.
Don't get me started on McGeady however..........

 

[nil satis]

I thought he was absolute bobbins last night.

He was that phenomenal that I hooked him at half time. Ok Bobby x

I thought he looked comfortable ,really impressed, Martinez was brave and had to make changes so that's why h was taken off.

 

[Bigmaclad]

I liked the look of him, seemed very composed.

 

[catcherintherye]

.....in the U21 he looked physically able at CB but better suited at RB in the first team. He had a decent game, threw in a couple of fine crosses - one via a sliding pull back from the bye line and the other an angled pass that just eluded both Naismith and Lukaku. Got tangled up with Jagielka for their first goal. I wonder if he's ahead of Kenny in the pecking order.

I was very impressed with him yesterday. He tackled well, gets forward well, composed on the ball. I Imagine he will have a similar trajectory to Galloway, slowly introduced at fullback before moving into a more central position.

His natural competitor is Browning. A similar age, similar position but very different route into the first team. It will be interesting to see how they both develop next to one another.

As for the Kenny question, I think he is further along than him. I think Martinez wants players to be introduced fully when they get to around age 2-21 so Kenny still has a couple of years yet. I also think he wants them to have ticked certain boxes. One of those being played say 25 competitive matches in league football. Another being shown they can adapt to his system in the under 21's.

Kenny is getting his experience and I imagine if he is playing we will look to keep him at Wigan for as long as possible. Hopefully he will fill out a bit more and be ready next summer to start to train regularly with the first team.

You do a lot of physical growing up between 16-21. Kenny is technically quite strong, and feisty but probably isn't as physically ready as Pennington is. Martinez doesn't want any passengers, and last night Pennington held his own and wasn't a passenger which was good to see.

 

[MikeH72]

Wasn't impressed at all, he bottled out of a couple of challenges which was worrying. Don't think we'll see much more of him in the first team to be honest

 

[Zaschrona]

Like a new signing, isn't he?

 

[Azzurri]

Wasn't impressed at all, he bottled out of a couple of challenges which was worrying. Don't think we'll see much more of him in the first team to be honest

No he didn't. The only challenge it looked like he may have bottled a bit was when McGeady killed him with a shocking pass, so you can't blame him at all for that as he was waiting to control it/put a cross in.

 

[MikeH72]

No he didn't. The only challenge it looked like he may have bottled a bit was when McGeady killed him with a shocking pass, so you can't blame him at all for that as he was waiting to control it/put a cross in.

Thought the first goal he should have dealt with

 

[Azzurri]

Thought the first goal he should have dealt with

Watch it again mate, he went in solid and Jagielka got in his way.

 

[Pabbers]

Looked good, impressed.