Steven Pienaar

[AndyZ]

We need to attack more with pace and that's something, sadly, that Pienaar cannot do while out on the wing. Besides, he seems to want to move inside a lot -- he and Osman actually got in each other's way at least once vs. West Ham.

We already have pacey wingers in Mirallas, Deulofeu, and McGeady. Pienaar brings something totally different to those players and it's invaluable. Pienaar is the most technically gifted player on our team and is able to unlock a defence with a deft flick or creative pass. Even if his pass is not the final ball played, he is creating goal scoring opportunities.

 

[bicycleheader]

Totally understand what you're saying but lets be honest mate. He is past it now. He has two assists and one goal for a winger. Obviously he helps me keep possession but ffs, two assists. Need to replace him in the summer or it's going to be same old same old.
I think he would be decent behind the striker.

Yep thats why I said his role needs filling in the summer almost as urgently as the striker role. But for now he is an automatic starter.

I'm off Pienaar. Doesn't score anywhere near enough and slows the play down allowing teams to get behind the ball, making them harder to break down. It amazes me that Martinez refuses to play both Mirallas and Deulofeu. I don't think they have been on the pitch together once!

Over 30 games played this year and we are yet to see a front 4 of Lukaku, Mirallas, Deulofeu and Barkley.

With everyone getting back to full fitness, it's going to be interesting to see how this plays out.

That wont happen because they are all too head down and don't have a good enough, or in Ross case experienced enough, footballing brain to link midfield and attack. It would be a story of lost possession and little or no decent build up play to open up a defence. People mention them lot across the park and how fast they attack but lets face it their personnel are a level above and can combine well and link play better than the four you mention above.

Its a case of Pienaar is essential to the way we play, and there will always be him or a new signing like him in the front four.

You can't just pick what you feel are your most all out attack, pacy players and expect it all to click. Also if it was to have any chance of working we'd need a centre mid who can pass forward faster and more accurately.

 

[Neiler]

Mcgeady drifted over to the left to try and get in on the Pienaar and Baines act on Saturday - heard Pienaar telling him to do one and promptly trotted of back to the right.

 

[Brennan]

We already have pacey wingers in Mirallas, Deulofeu, and McGeady. Pienaar brings something totally different to those players and it's invaluable. Pienaar is the most technically gifted player on our team and is able to unlock a defence with a deft flick or creative pass. Even if his pass is not the final ball played, he is creating goal scoring opportunities.

If he was regularly creating goal scoring opportunities or unlocking defences he'd have more than two assists.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

If Pienaar had genuine pace he'd have been a top, top player. He worked as hard as anyone on Saturday and was unlucky not to notch. Some of the comments about him in here make me wonder what game I went to tbh.

 

[toffeejack]

Pienaar doesn't play as a winger, he would move across the front three a lot more also if he was more mobile. Ki is more mobile.

ki's more of a defensive mid or box to box. he doesn't play the same position as pienaar. he may not be a winger, but he's definitely a left mid.

 

[bluestevon]

Tadic is the answer, perfect upgrade we need.

Get defour in for the middle to bring something different too.

Both affordable and realistic targets unless bills bought new lawnmowers and stationary again

 

[AndyZ]

Mcgeady drifted over to the left to try and get in on the Pienaar and Baines act on Saturday - heard Pienaar telling him to do one and promptly trotted of back to the right.

except those three very players were involved in the link up play (on the left side) that resulted in our only goal.

If he was regularly creating goal scoring opportunities or unlocking defences he'd have more than two assists.

not really. He would have many assists of the assist if such a stat were kept. Point in case, the goal against West Ham. He laid the ball off to Baines who put in the cross. Try not to get so hung up on stats. If you watch him play, it's pretty clear he brings something unique to our team.

 

[bicycleheader]

ki's more of a defensive mid or box to box. he doesn't play the same position as pienaar. he may not be a winger, but he's definitely a left mid.

Ive watched him maybe....5 times or so this season and saw a couple more games before. He often seems to be in the area of pitch where Pienaar finds himself but roams a bit more and definitely has a better final ball.

I think he could fill that role for us, no?

 

[Brennan]

except those three very players were involved in the link up play (on the left side) that resulted in our only goal.




not really. He would have many assists of the assist if such a stat were kept. Point in case, the goal against West Ham. He laid the ball off to Baines who put in the cross. Try not to get so hung up on stats. If you watch him play, it's pretty clear he brings something unique to our team.

I've already said he's good on the ball, but so was Arteta in 2010, and he was useless on the attack and didn't contribute, hence him being called a crab.

At the end of the day all attacking players are judged on their goals and assists, i don't buy that Pienaar has just been really unlucky and he's got loads of 'assisting assists', i just don't think he's very productive.

He passes cutely up and down the line with Baines all day, but does it get us anywhere ? He had two golden chances to score against West Ham and failed both times.

 

[toffeejack]

Ive watched him maybe....5 times or so this season and saw a couple more games before. He often seems to be in the area of pitch where Pienaar finds himself but roams a bit more and definitely has a better final ball.

I think he could fill that role for us, no?

nah, he can't even get in the swansea team hence why he's on loan at sland. he is a good player who would suit our system, great passer of the ball tbh, but i believe he's only ever played central. if he can't get in at swansea, should we really be targeting him here?

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

except those three very players were involved in the link up play (on the left side) that resulted in our only goal.




not really. He would have many assists of the assist if such a stat were kept. Point in case, the goal against West Ham. He laid the ball off to Baines who put in the cross. Try not to get so hung up on stats. If you watch him play, it's pretty clear he brings something unique to our team.

Tons of players could pass the ball to Baines and be that guy.

 

[SteKelly]

So people are suggesting Ki? A team who wants to get in the top 4... and you want KI?

 

[AndyZ]

Didn't Sunderland make Ki's loan a permanent deal in January?

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Didn't Sunderland make Ki's loan a permanent deal in January?

No, but that's no reason to want him here, he's mince