The Mail Bag
The importance of Pienaar
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Since Steven Pienaar has returned, Everton's form and performances have remarkedly picked up. Ok, we could do with a few wins in the PL to move up the table, but the effort of the team and the whole performance has improved.
I have always said we need to wait until we get some injured players back rather than criticise the players that were fit. Some players have been playing regularly two games a week, some have been playing with injuries and not fully fit. We have too many good players to get involved in a relegation scrap and have a very good squad when everyone is fit. I have posted on here before that I am already looking forward to next season as long as we don't sell anyone in the summer.
Fellaini and Rodwell despite the odd moment are both looking very promising in centre-midfield where we still have Arteta and Neville to come back. We now have width and creativity on both flanks with Pienaar and Bily which gives us more options than just restricting our attacks to the left wing. Saha and Yakubu are two strikers with quality which we haven't had for 20 years. Heitinga looks like a centre-back and could make a formidable partnership with Jagielka and have Yobo and Distin in reserve.
However, as mentioned, the one player that really seems to make us tick is Pienaar. He gives us drive and enthusiasm as well as creativity. The only criticism I have of Moyes is that he hasn't signed enough creative players to cover for injuries. The injuries to Arteta and Pienaar are massively understated to results and performances. Get Pienaar signed up now for a longer contract.
Matthew Lovekin, Posted 13/12/2009 at 05:04:00
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Well done Matthew. Well spotted.
Pienaar having not played since — when was it? ... the Portsmouth game? And we have played like a team since half-time at the Hull game And Pienaar the missing factor.
Poirot or what?
Pienaar having not played since — when was it? ... the Portsmouth game? And we have played like a team since half-time at the Hull game And Pienaar the missing factor.
Poirot or what?
Pienaar is so important for this reason also: he retains the ball for long periods of time, far longer than any other EFC player, and seems content to keep it where others look to get rid. This simple idea changes games considerably. And it’s not easy for the opposition to get it from him either. A fine footballer, get him signed up please.
’I am already looking forward to next season’?
There are so many things wrong with that statement that I may still be listing them before Elf starts, and I want to warm my mince pies.
There are so many things wrong with that statement that I may still be listing them before Elf starts, and I want to warm my mince pies.
Agree with the sentiments about Pienaar, who dictates the tempo for some of our play and can put his foot on the ball. He seems to be building an understanding with Fellaini in particular which bodes well. I also agree wholeheartedly with the bit about Heitinga. I think he has shown flashes when he’s played at CB of Jags at his best — body on the line and the like.
His distribution is also far superior to any of the other defenders — it was the quality of his ball into the box that resulted in the Yak’s equaliser at 2-2. If played next to someone like Jag then I think we’ll start seeing far more clean sheets.
All things considered I am feeling much more positive than at any stage this season... will it be justified or will it be another typical false dawn? We shall see... COYB!!!
His distribution is also far superior to any of the other defenders — it was the quality of his ball into the box that resulted in the Yak’s equaliser at 2-2. If played next to someone like Jag then I think we’ll start seeing far more clean sheets.
All things considered I am feeling much more positive than at any stage this season... will it be justified or will it be another typical false dawn? We shall see... COYB!!!
Great minds think alike. Isn’t it wonderful to see a succession of threads without the usual cries for Moyes to be replaced and Kenwright to be deposed? With a decent team, we can give anyone a game — but so many angry Evertonians have been bombarding this forum with their short-sighted views over the past few weeks.
We all share a common dislike of losing, but one only has to consider the mitigating circumstances and look at Moyes’s record in just the last three seasons to be able to take a longer-term view.
Pienaar has undoubtedly made a massive difference. Fellaini looks like a new player alongside him. Cahill seems to have re-discovered some of his customary vigour and Billy & Rodwell clearly have the potential to complete a highly creative and combative midfield quintet.
With a better midfield in front of them, our mix-n-match defenders aren’t continually playing ping-pong all game and up front, even Yak has got off the mark. Great success!
I hope all those who were so critical of the patched-up team in recent weeks can appreciate this and see the difference?
That being said, there is now a LOT of lost ground to make-up. But with our two best players (Arteta and Jagielka), still to return, plus Neville, we will be finishing much higher than where we are now come the end of the season.
What a shame we couldn’t transform our superiority into a victory against Liverpool; we’d be just a point behind them now.
Think positive fellow Evertonians. Things can — and will — only get better.
We all share a common dislike of losing, but one only has to consider the mitigating circumstances and look at Moyes’s record in just the last three seasons to be able to take a longer-term view.
Pienaar has undoubtedly made a massive difference. Fellaini looks like a new player alongside him. Cahill seems to have re-discovered some of his customary vigour and Billy & Rodwell clearly have the potential to complete a highly creative and combative midfield quintet.
With a better midfield in front of them, our mix-n-match defenders aren’t continually playing ping-pong all game and up front, even Yak has got off the mark. Great success!
I hope all those who were so critical of the patched-up team in recent weeks can appreciate this and see the difference?
That being said, there is now a LOT of lost ground to make-up. But with our two best players (Arteta and Jagielka), still to return, plus Neville, we will be finishing much higher than where we are now come the end of the season.
What a shame we couldn’t transform our superiority into a victory against Liverpool; we’d be just a point behind them now.
Think positive fellow Evertonians. Things can — and will — only get better.
Shame he is leaving for the African Nations Cup soon, we will be shit again.
Brilliant - just checked the African Nations schedule and South Africa didn’t make it! Didn’t know that... major bonus, that has made my day. (Along with the shite losing and looking pathetic again!!!)
David Booth amazing absolutely amazing, you trying to attribute the return from injury of Pienaar to DM or Black Bill? He’s just back from injury nothing to do with either. Yes he is very important to have back in the team as we have so few in the squad and he is one of even fewer who will actually take on and attempt to go past an opposition player.
Rich Williams cheer yourself up big style, watch Glen Johnson’s own goal, a fucking cracker - how much did the FSW pay for him?
Not at all Gavin: you’re completely missing the point and forming an imaginary link yourself.
I was merely commenting on how refreshing it was to see something other than Moyes/Kenwright out every other comment - and that this change had been precipitated by the series of four consecutive better performances from our team since the return of Pienaar.
No implied connection other than a happy co-incidence (but there again, I’m sure you are intelligent enough to know that?).
I was merely commenting on how refreshing it was to see something other than Moyes/Kenwright out every other comment - and that this change had been precipitated by the series of four consecutive better performances from our team since the return of Pienaar.
No implied connection other than a happy co-incidence (but there again, I’m sure you are intelligent enough to know that?).
Haha...
You clearly missed ’the usual cries for Moyes to be replaced and Kenwright to be deposed’....so much David, that you thought you’d bring it up...
Priceless.
You clearly missed ’the usual cries for Moyes to be replaced and Kenwright to be deposed’....so much David, that you thought you’d bring it up...
Priceless.
Er, that’ll be a ’no’ again then — as you know very well!
Just good to see some collective positivity for a change and a reminder, once again, that many ought to know better?
With a proper team on the pitch, better performances and hopefully correspondingly results will follow.
Just good to see some collective positivity for a change and a reminder, once again, that many ought to know better?
With a proper team on the pitch, better performances and hopefully correspondingly results will follow.
So you didn’t bring it up..??
Ok, my mistake!
Ok, my mistake!
Only in so far as to point out that the usual witch hunt seems to have been postponed, as, like Gavin before you, I know you have the intelligence to appreciate.
Clearly however, the questionable thrill of playing devil’s advocate never diminishes?
Clearly however, the questionable thrill of playing devil’s advocate never diminishes?
So, David Booth, it seems your priority in terms of post-match analysis is to offer some backhanded putdown about a mythical witch hunt.
Reacting to what has transpired on the field after each game is the purview of fans who want to compare notes on what they have witnessed. Yet looking back on your posts, it seems the main reason you write in is to lambast anyone who dares to criticse David Moyes for his continuing failings as manager of Everton FC. Thankfully most of us are intelligent enough to know that he is far from perfect in this role.
As a riposte to your smug contentment, I’ll point out that yet again, a winnable game was not won when, interestingly, we seemed to be far better for not playing Cahill and playing a second striker instead. Cahill has been a big disappointment this season, yet a suspension or injury was going to be the only way Manager Moyes would not be writing down his name as the first on the teamsheet... while making him captain in Neville’s absence was an inspirational move by the manager that has completely backfired.
And Moyes’s inability to train the team on the fundamentals of how to break from defence into attack with the determination and conviction needed to score against potentially vulnerable opposition was yet again sadly conspicuous by it’s absence when such opportunities befell them on Saturday.
7¾ years... when is he ever going to figure out that part of the game?
Reacting to what has transpired on the field after each game is the purview of fans who want to compare notes on what they have witnessed. Yet looking back on your posts, it seems the main reason you write in is to lambast anyone who dares to criticse David Moyes for his continuing failings as manager of Everton FC. Thankfully most of us are intelligent enough to know that he is far from perfect in this role.
As a riposte to your smug contentment, I’ll point out that yet again, a winnable game was not won when, interestingly, we seemed to be far better for not playing Cahill and playing a second striker instead. Cahill has been a big disappointment this season, yet a suspension or injury was going to be the only way Manager Moyes would not be writing down his name as the first on the teamsheet... while making him captain in Neville’s absence was an inspirational move by the manager that has completely backfired.
And Moyes’s inability to train the team on the fundamentals of how to break from defence into attack with the determination and conviction needed to score against potentially vulnerable opposition was yet again sadly conspicuous by it’s absence when such opportunities befell them on Saturday.
7¾ years... when is he ever going to figure out that part of the game?
Michael: my main point - in keeping with the title of this thread - is what a difference Pienaar has made. Ian, Keith, Matteo, Nick, David and I were in relative agreement on this point I suggest.
The two direct consequences of his measurable influence have been better performances on the field and less moaning off it.
That is simply my personal view and it was not aimed at anyone personally, nor made sneeringly, or with any assumed superiority?
At the same time, I have also acknowledged there is still a long way to go and all is far from perfect.
As regards Cahill, with the squad down to bare bones and four, five or sometimes six untried youngsters on the bench - when, and with whom would you have replaced Cahill with?
I too think he needs a rest, but let’s get a few more replacements back to full fitness first?
The two direct consequences of his measurable influence have been better performances on the field and less moaning off it.
That is simply my personal view and it was not aimed at anyone personally, nor made sneeringly, or with any assumed superiority?
At the same time, I have also acknowledged there is still a long way to go and all is far from perfect.
As regards Cahill, with the squad down to bare bones and four, five or sometimes six untried youngsters on the bench - when, and with whom would you have replaced Cahill with?
I too think he needs a rest, but let’s get a few more replacements back to full fitness first?
And come on: 3-3 against Chelsea after trailing twice, with Neill and Heitinga as centre backs against Droghba and Anelka... I’m quite happy with that, as clearly the vast majority of Evertonians are.
Aren’t you?
Aren’t you?
Of course we miss Pienaar greatly, the reason for that is obvious; he is one of so few proper ’footballers’ we actually have on the books. Until Moyes signs more players who can actually play a bit, who don't treat the ball like a hot spud, then we will continue to be massively over-reliant on the likes of Pienaar and Arteta.
We mis the "Pienaar" not just Pienaar himself. He is probably, along with Arteta, the only creative player we have and once you get creative players back in your team, you create things, hence why we have scored 6 in our last 3 games.
Easy on the euphoria there guys, I’m a big Pienaar fan, but he was crap and we were lucky on Saturday, he wasn’t much better against Spurs and in the other two we were shafted by the shite and mauled by the Tigers. Hardly Phoenix from the ashes.
This guy is a proper footballer, but let's wait until he’s actually playing well before we start attributing any improvement to his return, our recent improvment has far more to do with Fellaini’s form.
This guy is a proper footballer, but let's wait until he’s actually playing well before we start attributing any improvement to his return, our recent improvment has far more to do with Fellaini’s form.
Yes Dave we were lucky, yet so were Chelsea. Can you imagine Saha fluffing a clearance like he did for their second goal ever again?
I actually think they were lucky Neill was playing in defence for their first, Hibbert had Lampard, yet Neill decides to leave the free scoring Drogba to chase the ball towards Lampard which made Lampard’s mind up for him, simple tap back to a fella who had already scored 16 this season, 18 now.
A lot of posters are seemingly saying we didn’t deserve that and we were so lucky.......so were Chelsea and until 20 mins to go I thought we more than held our own against them.
I actually think they were lucky Neill was playing in defence for their first, Hibbert had Lampard, yet Neill decides to leave the free scoring Drogba to chase the ball towards Lampard which made Lampard’s mind up for him, simple tap back to a fella who had already scored 16 this season, 18 now.
A lot of posters are seemingly saying we didn’t deserve that and we were so lucky.......so were Chelsea and until 20 mins to go I thought we more than held our own against them.
I’d say the last few games has more to do with Fellaini playing with better players... especially considering Pienaar had an average game on Saturday.
Obviously those better players include Pienaar... but the game is a little more complex than simply being down to Pienaar’s Influence...as welcome as it is!
We are a certain Mr Arteta and a certain Mr Jagielka away from a side who will play football with flair and panache... as well as more defensive certainty.
Obviously those better players include Pienaar... but the game is a little more complex than simply being down to Pienaar’s Influence...as welcome as it is!
We are a certain Mr Arteta and a certain Mr Jagielka away from a side who will play football with flair and panache... as well as more defensive certainty.
Haha... Dave.
Posted that before reading your post... In case you think I stole your thunder.
Posted that before reading your post... In case you think I stole your thunder.
I agree Pienaar makes a massive difference to our play.
Also the defence looks so much better without Yobo and Distin and the midfield looks better without Cahill. All good players on their day but off-form at present.
Also the defence looks so much better without Yobo and Distin and the midfield looks better without Cahill. All good players on their day but off-form at present.
Don’t get me wrong Tony I am not moaning that we were lucky, fuck knows we were due a bit. But let's recognise it was finally getting a couple of breaks that got us a point, not Pienaar's form.
It wasn't all down to luck though, contrary to what many have said here; Everton did go for the win when it was 3-3. Young Jack and Bily were both guilty of taking the wrong option when we got numbers forward on a couple of very promising counter attacks.
I actually remember being slightly puzzled at the time Pienaar signed as to why he was given a rather shortish contract. It would have made better sense to give him a 5-year one. It was hardly any surprise he would do well. Now he will surely demand an improved contract on par with Arteta, Heitinga etc
I agree with an earlier post that Fellaini’s improved recent form is one of the main reasons for the last few positive results. He has added much needed steel and calmness on the ball in the last couple of games.
I agree with an earlier post that Fellaini’s improved recent form is one of the main reasons for the last few positive results. He has added much needed steel and calmness on the ball in the last couple of games.
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1 Posted 13/12/2009 at 15:40:25
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