This isn't a knee-jerk reaction to last night before anyone starts to hijack it!
I was speaking to a mate at the weekend about the Pienaar/Baines axis. The pair are receiving praise from all corners right now, and justifiably so. You'd be hard-pushed to find a more effective, dynamic left-sided partnership anywhere in the country right now, possibly even further afield.
They compliment each other perfectly, and know each other's game instinctively.
But having studied Baines' recent England performances, I believe he can operate effectively without Pienaar ahead of him and will continue to cememt his reputation as one of the best LBs in years.
But Pienaar without Baines? I think he suddenly only becomes a shadow of his erstwhile self, although still pretty decent.
My worry is that if/when Baines is sold, we effectively lost 2 players (or maybe 1 and a half, if you get my drift).
It's therefore essential we try to gel Oviedo with Pienaar, and I would have preferred the latter to have started last night to give their parternship a damned good work-out in a meaningful game. Oviedo looks competent enough, so I'm hopeful for him and I just have my fingers crossed him and Pienaar tune into each other.
Apologies if this bores the life out of everyone, but at least its an attempt to discuss something different from last night's debacle!
I was speaking to a mate at the weekend about the Pienaar/Baines axis. The pair are receiving praise from all corners right now, and justifiably so. You'd be hard-pushed to find a more effective, dynamic left-sided partnership anywhere in the country right now, possibly even further afield.
They compliment each other perfectly, and know each other's game instinctively.
But having studied Baines' recent England performances, I believe he can operate effectively without Pienaar ahead of him and will continue to cememt his reputation as one of the best LBs in years.
But Pienaar without Baines? I think he suddenly only becomes a shadow of his erstwhile self, although still pretty decent.
My worry is that if/when Baines is sold, we effectively lost 2 players (or maybe 1 and a half, if you get my drift).
It's therefore essential we try to gel Oviedo with Pienaar, and I would have preferred the latter to have started last night to give their parternship a damned good work-out in a meaningful game. Oviedo looks competent enough, so I'm hopeful for him and I just have my fingers crossed him and Pienaar tune into each other.
Apologies if this bores the life out of everyone, but at least its an attempt to discuss something different from last night's debacle!
