ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Piennar?

For the first time this season I was unable to watch our game yesterday. I would be interested in thoughts on Piennar's performance and whether he is going to be a useful addition or a peripheral squad player for us?
Richard Williams, Danbury, USA Posted 02/09/2007 at 15:45:40

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Matt Kay
1 Posted 02/09/2007 at 22:14:32

Why did Pienaar swap shirts with Diouf at half-time? And when our first sub was announced he ran over to be told to get the fuck back on!!! Was he knackered or couldn?t be arsed?? Seemed too lightweight. I?ll reserve judgement major-style...

Steve Brown
2 Posted 02/09/2007 at 23:29:10

This lad looks quality. Don?t listen to the lightweight arguement. His movement is excellent. He is skillful, can pick off a range of passes(set Johnson away for the goal) and seems to be in the right place all the time. His confidence will take time to come after a bad year but he "could" be the craft in midfield that we were looking for. I think he is going to be a favourite soon enough.

Jay Cajo
3 Posted 02/09/2007 at 23:46:28

Better technically but -if this is possible- a lighter weight version of Ossie.

Helped make the first goal, Jags made a great tackle fed Pienaar, Pienaar played a great ball into AJ.

He looked good to me. faded as the game wore on.. good addition at the price is my first impression; very sharp.

Si Harwood
4 Posted 03/09/2007 at 08:12:06

For his first start I thought he looked good. He has a good touch and once a little fitter he will give a few options. Not Arteta but defo has a bit more technical quality than Osman. A good signing for a season to see his full potential

Rory Slingo
5 Posted 03/09/2007 at 09:13:23

From what I saw on telly he looked quite skillful on the ball and I was worried when Ossie came on for him. Pienaar may be lightweight but at least he can get back on the ball and beat his markers, something I’ve rarely, if ever, seen Ossie do. I did think that he looked a bit annoyed at times, whenever we lost possession after a nice build-up. Usually because of an aimless hoofball. I didn’t see him smiling after the game either. When everyone was all hugs and cheers at the bench, he seemed to be having a sulk. Technically I’m not worried. I think he will only get better and stronger over time as Arteta did. I do get the impression though that if we don’t start working some nice link-up play and keep our passes on the ground, he won’t be happy here for too long. Or maybe he’s just not a smiley chap and I’m completely wrong :)

Mark Pendleton
6 Posted 03/09/2007 at 09:36:00

A certain Mr Arteta looked quite lightweight when he joined us but he showed a willingness to work on that side of his game and he now gets stuck in with the best of them. I think it’ll take a few months at least for Pienaar to adjust so i’m willing to reserve judgement but hopefully if he has the right character then it’ll come off. He does look like he’s got ability.

bigbill
7 Posted 03/09/2007 at 09:35:49

this kid is a propper footballer, he looks for the ball to be played to feet, it will take him a while to get used to Evertons kick and run style, 2 or 3 passes were played 10 yard in front of him to space, instead of to his feet to control, give him a month for Everton to bring him down to there level, and wipe out any lingering memories of the Ajax acadamy.

Matt Brown
8 Posted 03/09/2007 at 09:38:20

God knows what game you guys watched... I was at the reebok and Piennar looked well out of his depth. He had a couple of half decent passes, and a good last 5 mins.

Connor Rohrer
9 Posted 03/09/2007 at 09:35:49

If your where to ask me Pienaar or Osman it would be Pienaar every time for me. Osman may have scored 2 goals but his performances bar Spurs where very average. He is nowhere near the player he was in his first and second season. Maybe the league has got better? I dont know but he definatly hasnt improved.

Pienaar has a lot more ability than Ossie. Coming from the Ajax academy he has better skill, technical ability and a better passing range. They are both lightweight but Pienaar actually can go past a man with his pace and movement whereas Osman always looks for the pass.

So its Pienaar for me. All the boy needs is to bed into the team and get a bit of confidence going. There was the odd occasion where he looked a bit nervous but overall he played well and could be an asset. If he makes it then we can get him for 2 million next season.

James Byrne
10 Posted 03/09/2007 at 09:50:36

I was also at the Reebok and enjoyed the game; Pienaar looked quite good on the ball and done a good job holding the ball for the best part of 60 minutes when he began to get tired; my first impression was his size (looked about 4’2" from where I was) and I was concerned he would be getting knocked around, but like I say he done well; more games, different opposition and improved fitness will tell.

Stan Sheppard
11 Posted 03/09/2007 at 10:18:14

I thought he looked good, although lacking a bit of sharpness. He was involved in the goal and showed a good touch.

His diminutive frame is a bit daunting, however other technical players such as Messi, Aimar and Shaun W-Phillips can still thrive against big and powerful opponents so lets give the guy a bit of time.
It wasn’t that long ago he was being talked about as a world beater so I for one am very happy he’s here.

Nick Xenos
12 Posted 03/09/2007 at 10:42:19

If I remember correctly, Piennar joined in the goal celebrations after Yak tucked the first one away. As others have mentioned, he does need some time to get his match fitness up to speed but there’s no doubting his technical ability. I loved the way he got around Speed on the stroke of half time..manouevering the ball ’indoor-soccer’ style by stepping on it with his right foot and then getting the cross in, brilliant stuff. I have a feeling that we ain’t seen nothing yet from this little wiz.

Brian Waring
13 Posted 03/09/2007 at 10:52:25

I think Osman is more of an attacking threat than Pienaar.When Osman came on,I thought we looked better going forward.I know Pienaar is all neat and tidy,but,thats not enough.As I said,Osman looks more of a threat.Thinking about it,it is pobalby still to early to pass judgement on Pienaar yet.Hopefully he can show there is more in his locker,than just neat and tidy.

Nick Coyne
14 Posted 03/09/2007 at 10:38:25

I have to agree with Stan and the others. Although I didn’t go to the game I did watch it on "ooky" Sky and thought the boy looked good. So far I believe he has had an impressive cameo against Wigan first up, looked extremely out of his depth for the 15-20 mins he got against Reading (although he was by no means on his own), but again looked encouraging on Saturday.

If anything I would like him to take a man on a touch more, although I hope this will come with confidence. He clearly has good technical ability and his eye for a pass indicates that he has learnt his trade with Ajax.

I for one am pleased with his progress.

Allan Hobbs
15 Posted 03/09/2007 at 11:12:20

Pienaar is class, he was great at Ajax and will hopefully be for us; he had a bad time in Germany but thats not to say he’s not going to get back to being quality. Class is permanent, form is temporary.

As for being lightweight - I’m not sure it matters if you’re good enough, look at Cesc Fabregas, he’s only little, and Shaun Wright-Phillips. Both only little fellas but both great players who are doing well in the Premier League.

More power to Pienaar, I hope he starts more games. Our squad looks pretty well equipped now, especially when we get Cahill & Vaughany back.

Dave Sheedy
16 Posted 03/09/2007 at 12:26:27

Matt Brown,

I too was at the Reebok and for the first 10 mins thought we had an even lighter weight version of Osman but once Pienaar played that telling ball through to AJ for the goal he seemed to gain momentum and confidence.Myself and my old man thought he was our best player in the first half always wanting the ball and showing some fine trickery and passing.
The highlight was one move from a Bolton corner (I think) were Pienaar,Yakubu and AJ all broke with devastating pace only for the move to break down through AJ on the edge of the Bolton box.
I for one was pleased with Pienaars debut and believe there is alot more to come from him once fully integrated.