Steven Pienaar

benditlikebainesy · March 8, 2014

dannyboy said:
I'm adamant that if this team is going to kick on then he can't be starting in that role on a regular basis next season.

Just said this in the match thread. He is a decent player in a team that wants to finish 6th, not good enough for a team that wants to finish 4th.

dannyboy · March 8, 2014

benditlikebainesy said:
Just said this in the match thread. He is a decent player in a team that wants to finish 6th, not good enough for a team that wants to finish 4th.

It's definitely the difference. I've said it countless times before that we need to spend big money on real quality in these forward positions. You can't expect to pick up bargains who can propel you to the Champions League in that area of the pitch.

I think one of him, Mirallas or McGeady is going to need to be moved on to make an opening in the squad. Obviously won't be the latter because he's just got here.

Eric Djemba-Djemba · March 8, 2014

I'd rather see McGeady given a go. Pienaar is useless.

toffee matt · March 8, 2014

dannyboy said:
It's definitely the difference. I've said it countless times before that we need to spend big money on real quality in these forward positions. You can't expect to pick up bargains who can propel you to the Champions League in that area of the pitch.

I think one of him, Mirallas or McGeady is going to need to be moved on to make an opening in the squad. Obviously won't be the latter because he's just got here.

Pienaar is the obvious choice out of the 3 to move on. I'm guessing mcgeady was signed as some sort of replacement

dannyboy · March 8, 2014

toffee matt said:
Pienaar is the obvious choice out of the 3 to move on. I'm guessing mcgeady was signed as some sort of replacement

That would worry me tbh. I guess he's more dynamic than Pienaar, but still short of the quality we need.

Fearthainn · March 8, 2014

I can't understand why people keep having a go at McGeady, has he had a proper chance to prove his worth yet? Keeps getting subbed in with 15 mins left when we need to chase the game. Pienaar has been poor, at times extremely poor, for at least one year and won't be getting any better. No brainer.

dannyboy · March 8, 2014

Fearthainn said:
I can't understand why people keep having a go at McGeady, has he had a proper chance to prove his worth yet? Keeps getting subbed in with 15 mins left when we need to chase the game. Pienaar has been poor, at times extremely poor, for at least one year and won't be getting any better. No brainer.

I'm not having a go, I've just not been impressed enough from what I've seen to suggest he's going to be a player that will take us into the Champions League.

Early days though, and I'm sure he'll get plenty of opportunities to prove his worth.

SchoolOfScience · March 8, 2014

Always been a big fan of Pienaar but I think it's definitely time for him to be dropped, He's starting to do my head in.

Slow's everything right down, would like to see Mcgeady given a few starts or even move Mirallas over to the left and drop Deulofeu in on the right.

We have the options there to change our wide men but Martinez seems unlikely to sanction any of them

Christiffa25 · March 8, 2014

I think it's time for a little run on the bench for Stevie. As said he slows the counter attack down so much.....his final ball is poor and weak and he doesn't score.

He does work his ass off and in some games he runs the show, making everyone else tick.

Roberto's job now with him IMO is to know when to start him and when not to.

Hopefully the FA cup draw is kind and keeps city and arsenal away from each other leaving 7th open for EL. That way it takes all pressure off us, and bobby can experiment a little more with the wide options.

I want to see Mirallass on the left, McGeady on right with Barkley center. Maybe even more of a 4-3-3 with geads and kev pushed right up and a triangle shape 3 in CM.

mawders · March 8, 2014

dannyboy said:
Today was just classic Pienaar. No momentum in the attack, constantly checking back. Then, on the odd occasion he did try a through ball it came to nothing.

I'm adamant that if this team is going to kick on then he can't be starting in that role on a regular basis next season.

I agree totally. There was one point when it was still 1-1 that he had space to drive into the box. He was in a really good position and we had players forward. But he checked back and we lost the ball. Then soon after he twice did his usual falling over to get a free kick (which he didn't). I'm fed up with him now. One his day, he is really good, but he doesn't seem to be able to have a bad game and not be a liability. Next season either Kev or McGeady need to be first choice on the left

N.S.N.O. · March 8, 2014

pienaar was poor today, didn't look match fit...

Jxg · March 8, 2014

N.S.N.O. said:
pienaar was poor today, didn't look match fit...

He never looks match fit anymore...

deipnosophist · March 9, 2014

Eric Djemba-Djemba said:
I'd rather see McGeady given a go. Pienaar is useless.

McGeady just doesn't look that flash either. Jury is still out but I hope he is not another bad transfer. RM's record in transfers to date (loans aside), have not been 'all that'.

Blades · March 9, 2014

Eric Djemba-Djemba said:
I'd rather see McGeady given a go. Pienaar is useless.

can't be serious surely... mcgeady is absolutely horrific at least pienaar has good movement and gets into good goalscoring positions even if he can't finish to save his life.