As players get older their ability to recover 'in time' is hindered. It is very telling that a lot of sides target Pienaar first in out starting eleven for some brutality, its as if they know he is the pivot a lot of outr attack works around.
He's a gem of a player, great feet, but amazing brain, plays passes with his eyes closed (or seems too) because he just knows where he would be if he was the player waiting for the pass. That vision, that confidence.
He'll get game time over the fixture pile up, and get fitter for it. If he can impart some of his knowledge and awareness into the likes of Garbutt and Oviedo before he hangs his boots up then we will be very very lucky indeed. Ajax youth players that make the grade tend to stand out.
