The Mail Bag
Excited about Pienaar
Comments (32)
Reading the match report on the BBC site after the game at Derby, I came across this sentence that got me excited: "Pienaar, the South African mid-fielder, was probably Man of the Match for his sensational work-rate".
Since the match was not on TV in India, can somebody confirm: Was he MotM? Was he really as impressive as the BBC reporter made it out? I would love it if he came good with Everton ? another "gem" uncovered by the shrewd DM?
Ajay Gopal, Posted 30/10/2007 at 09:09:42
Comments
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Allan Hobbs
2 Posted 30/10/2007 at 15:06:25
2 Posted 30/10/2007 at 15:06:25
The kids a class act; he was astonishingly good at Ajax but lost his way a bit. Still has bags of potential, skillfull with pace too - I’m well impressed with him in the last few games as he’s found his feet in this league. Long may it continue; he should be in the starting lineup every week for my money.
Seamus Murphy
3 Posted 30/10/2007 at 15:28:36
3 Posted 30/10/2007 at 15:28:36
He seems to be getting better game by game
Paul Kellett
4 Posted 30/10/2007 at 15:29:36
4 Posted 30/10/2007 at 15:29:36
...his back flick versus Larissa for Ossie’s goal was pure class. His work rate is getting better in my view game by game. In his first few games he didn’t track back but I think he knows he is needed going forward and at the back.
I honestly can’t see how Phil Neville can get back in the team !?!
I honestly can’t see how Phil Neville can get back in the team !?!
John Lloyd
5 Posted 30/10/2007 at 15:36:10
5 Posted 30/10/2007 at 15:36:10
Cos he is Moyesey’s blue eye & club captain. You remember David Weir getting played for about a year after his past best date....same thing.
Before you all have a go, I actually loved big Davie Weir but you have to admit that towards the end you didnt want him in team. Good luck to him up there though.
Before you all have a go, I actually loved big Davie Weir but you have to admit that towards the end you didnt want him in team. Good luck to him up there though.
Neil Kinsella
6 Posted 30/10/2007 at 16:02:41
6 Posted 30/10/2007 at 16:02:41
Since Doddy had his collar felt by Sefton Council has he got a tranfer to Bangalore Sewage Dept?
Dave Roberts
7 Posted 30/10/2007 at 16:09:40
7 Posted 30/10/2007 at 16:09:40
Just a reminder that Peinaar is only here on loan. I agree, he is class act, but if he gets too good, given his pedigree and history (wasn’t he dubbed the African Wayne Rooney or something?) some glamorous Champions League Club may swoop in for him...or his own club may want him back! Sign him up in January if you can Mr Moyes, we don’t want another Fernandes fiasco.
Concerning Doddy, I don’t know the bloke or his circumstances, but working for the petty tyrants that now constitute Local Authority bosses, he may well have lost his job. He may have a wife and kids. If it was somebody off this site who blew him up I hope they can live with themselves.
Concerning Doddy, I don’t know the bloke or his circumstances, but working for the petty tyrants that now constitute Local Authority bosses, he may well have lost his job. He may have a wife and kids. If it was somebody off this site who blew him up I hope they can live with themselves.
JL Slap
8 Posted 30/10/2007 at 16:26:44
8 Posted 30/10/2007 at 16:26:44
I hear where your coming from Dave especially as 98% of footballers are mercenaries, but I think that signing him in jan may be premature, lets keep him full season and if he deserves his transfer give it to him, he has had a couple of good games but for me he is another very small lightweight midfield and at best will only be competing with Osman for a place in the starting line up.
Gootta ask lads, whats all this stuff about Doddy & sefton council?? am I missing something here or jsut not getting something??
Gootta ask lads, whats all this stuff about Doddy & sefton council?? am I missing something here or jsut not getting something??
Dan Sedlak
9 Posted 30/10/2007 at 16:45:18
9 Posted 30/10/2007 at 16:45:18
Doddy? Is that really him?
http://richards-thought-online.blogspot.com/
http://richards-thought-online.blogspot.com/
Dave Roberts
10 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:00:50
10 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:00:50
JL Slap
Doddy seemed to think that somebody blew him up to his bosses for spending too much of his time logged on to Toffeeweb when he should have been working. He suspected somebody who also used the site and who did not share his optimistic view of all things Everton. I haven’t seen anything from him since...don’t know whether anybody else has!
Doddy seemed to think that somebody blew him up to his bosses for spending too much of his time logged on to Toffeeweb when he should have been working. He suspected somebody who also used the site and who did not share his optimistic view of all things Everton. I haven’t seen anything from him since...don’t know whether anybody else has!
JL Slap
11 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:10:43
11 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:10:43
That is nuts, he was contraversial at times but aren’t we all....at times.
I’m in work right now, if I couldnt have a bit of banter of here I would go nuts!!!!
Nobody likes a grass.
I’m in work right now, if I couldnt have a bit of banter of here I would go nuts!!!!
Nobody likes a grass.
Connor Roher
12 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:05:17
12 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:05:17
The only god thing to come from the Manuel Fernandes saga. He’s not as good as Manny but he’s definatly a classy player. He has impressed me both with his talent and character. He knows he’s got the skill but he also does the dirty work. He works his socks off and gets up and down the left hand side nicely. A typical Moyes foreign player so to speak.
He is your typical Ajax player. Lots of awareness, energy and a genuine football brain. Yes he is a small slight player but there is no substitute for class and he has that. I’d rather have a small but talented player playing than an superior athlete with no ability but thats just my outlook. He improves the way we play and looks comfortable in a five man midfield which suits us best.
As people have said its to early to be saying go out and buy him but the signs are there. He was man of the match against Derby and he has looked good at Boro, Larissa AE, Metalist Kharkiv and Bolton. He would be a snip at 2 million and considering he is only adapting to English football he will only get better.
He is your typical Ajax player. Lots of awareness, energy and a genuine football brain. Yes he is a small slight player but there is no substitute for class and he has that. I’d rather have a small but talented player playing than an superior athlete with no ability but thats just my outlook. He improves the way we play and looks comfortable in a five man midfield which suits us best.
As people have said its to early to be saying go out and buy him but the signs are there. He was man of the match against Derby and he has looked good at Boro, Larissa AE, Metalist Kharkiv and Bolton. He would be a snip at 2 million and considering he is only adapting to English football he will only get better.
Neil McKinney
13 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:30:33
13 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:30:33
I was at the Larissa game and the lad was out on his feet when he was finally substituted. He ran his bollox off up and down the left, filling in for Baines at LB when he overlapped. Excellent effort levels capped with a little finesse.
Time will tell, but I can’t help admiring any player at EFC who offers for a pass, gets his foot on the ball and his head up. More of this please. I do think that ideally he is a straight swap for Osman though. Generally, against strong teams, we should only be starting with one or the other, but I think Pienaar’s recent good form has led to Osman raising his game as well. We’re starting to see glimpses of the Leon that we know can play.
Here’s to continued improvement and entertaining football.
P.S. I think VdM should get a run out at some point against the Hatters. If he’s not injured or drunk and still doesn’t get on the pitch on Wednesday, then he might as well pack his bags because Moyes will have made it quite clear that he is not in his plans.
COYB!
Time will tell, but I can’t help admiring any player at EFC who offers for a pass, gets his foot on the ball and his head up. More of this please. I do think that ideally he is a straight swap for Osman though. Generally, against strong teams, we should only be starting with one or the other, but I think Pienaar’s recent good form has led to Osman raising his game as well. We’re starting to see glimpses of the Leon that we know can play.
Here’s to continued improvement and entertaining football.
P.S. I think VdM should get a run out at some point against the Hatters. If he’s not injured or drunk and still doesn’t get on the pitch on Wednesday, then he might as well pack his bags because Moyes will have made it quite clear that he is not in his plans.
COYB!
Neil McKinney
14 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:41:38
14 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:41:38
BTW I hope Doddy comes back soon. The balance of the universe is all askew.
If the devil exists, then there must be a god. If there’s a Yin, there’s a Yang. If there’s night, then there must be day.
So it stands to reason, if there’s a Tony Marsh, there must be a Doddy. It’s the balance of the cosmos!
Come back Doddy, we need your uber optimism! lol
If the devil exists, then there must be a god. If there’s a Yin, there’s a Yang. If there’s night, then there must be day.
So it stands to reason, if there’s a Tony Marsh, there must be a Doddy. It’s the balance of the cosmos!
Come back Doddy, we need your uber optimism! lol
Jason Broome
15 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:44:03
15 Posted 30/10/2007 at 17:44:03
Wasn’t it mentioned somewhere that he was available for £2M!?
If that isthe true and he continues to impress, then we have no excuses.
If that isthe true and he continues to impress, then we have no excuses.
John Charles
16 Posted 30/10/2007 at 18:32:24
16 Posted 30/10/2007 at 18:32:24
RE: Pienaar being snapped up by another club
Everton -as I understand- have an option to buy him for 2.5m gbp at the end of the season. If AC Milan offer 25m it wont matter, Dortmund have a contractual obligation to sell for Everton for 2.5m should Everton take up that option.
Would make a great permanent addition in my view. Especially given the 2.5m price... Koumas for 5.5m anyone?!!
Everton -as I understand- have an option to buy him for 2.5m gbp at the end of the season. If AC Milan offer 25m it wont matter, Dortmund have a contractual obligation to sell for Everton for 2.5m should Everton take up that option.
Would make a great permanent addition in my view. Especially given the 2.5m price... Koumas for 5.5m anyone?!!
Ricardo Humphries
17 Posted 30/10/2007 at 18:52:29
17 Posted 30/10/2007 at 18:52:29
Hi Guys,
Right at the begining of the season I said that Pienaar is going to be a big hit in English football. This is a guy who idolise the English game. At Ajax he was brilliant, at Dotmund not! He wanted a new challenge away from Ajax anf Germany was the only option at the stage. Since this player still played for Ajax Cape Town in SA he wanted a chance to play in England. This is a player that is by far better rated that Benni Mc Carthy in South Africa. The boy is a plain genius on the ball and I cant see Benni coming close to him. Moyes must act and sign him, cause if he can get the best out of this rough diamand, hes’s going to the give the skillfull youngsters at Arsenal something to think about. I know the player, cause I do reseach on all SA players plying their trade abroad. Please dont let the bigger clubs come and steal our talent.....again!!
Right at the begining of the season I said that Pienaar is going to be a big hit in English football. This is a guy who idolise the English game. At Ajax he was brilliant, at Dotmund not! He wanted a new challenge away from Ajax anf Germany was the only option at the stage. Since this player still played for Ajax Cape Town in SA he wanted a chance to play in England. This is a player that is by far better rated that Benni Mc Carthy in South Africa. The boy is a plain genius on the ball and I cant see Benni coming close to him. Moyes must act and sign him, cause if he can get the best out of this rough diamand, hes’s going to the give the skillfull youngsters at Arsenal something to think about. I know the player, cause I do reseach on all SA players plying their trade abroad. Please dont let the bigger clubs come and steal our talent.....again!!
Dave Roberts
18 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:10:10
18 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:10:10
John Charles,
Didn’t we also have an option to buy Fernandes?
Where is HE then? Even if you are right there is nothing watertight in football. The lad would be a snip at £2m and Moyes should get him in January at that price. I know it was a lot more complicated with Fernandes, 3rd party ownership and all that, but we don’t need to lose another one!
Didn’t we also have an option to buy Fernandes?
Where is HE then? Even if you are right there is nothing watertight in football. The lad would be a snip at £2m and Moyes should get him in January at that price. I know it was a lot more complicated with Fernandes, 3rd party ownership and all that, but we don’t need to lose another one!
joe mcparland
19 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:49:18
19 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:49:18
Sky sports news reported earlier that FIFA are looking to ban 3rd party ownership so hopefully no more fernandes fiascos will be occurring.
Connor Rohrer
20 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:39:36
20 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:39:36
Neil, I see where you are coming from but in a 5 man midfield we can accommodate both Pienaar and Osman and it improves our football. And that is what everyone wants to see good football. With Carsley holding and Cahill the focal point it gives players like Arteta, Pienaar and Osman time to do what comes natural to them "play football".
Strong teams? Derby where a physical team and we coped because we played football instead of getting dragged into a dogfight. Who else would you play in big games? Jagielka, Carsley and Neville? I would just go straight back to like the beginning of the season when quite frankly we where awful bar Spurs. A I have said a 4-4-1-1 formation containing a midfield of Arteta, Cahill, Carsley, Osman and Pienaar is both creative and hardworking and that extra man gives us the extra battler.
Osman’s rise in the last few games is due to the position he is playing. On the wing he is frustrating, lightweight, slow and flitters in and out of the games but in the centre you do see the old Leon Osman of 04/05. You see his quick feet, neat passing and energy and all the rest of the attributes that made him a hit earlier on in his Goodison career. With Cahill in front and Carsley behind he has all the protection he needs and he is really showing his class and long may it continue.
Strong teams? Derby where a physical team and we coped because we played football instead of getting dragged into a dogfight. Who else would you play in big games? Jagielka, Carsley and Neville? I would just go straight back to like the beginning of the season when quite frankly we where awful bar Spurs. A I have said a 4-4-1-1 formation containing a midfield of Arteta, Cahill, Carsley, Osman and Pienaar is both creative and hardworking and that extra man gives us the extra battler.
Osman’s rise in the last few games is due to the position he is playing. On the wing he is frustrating, lightweight, slow and flitters in and out of the games but in the centre you do see the old Leon Osman of 04/05. You see his quick feet, neat passing and energy and all the rest of the attributes that made him a hit earlier on in his Goodison career. With Cahill in front and Carsley behind he has all the protection he needs and he is really showing his class and long may it continue.
Gaz
21 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:51:24
21 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:51:24
Pienaar is gradually getting better with every game but needs to become stronger on the ball, even though height isn’t his forte. Arteta developed strength on the ball only after a while with Everton, and it doesn’t matter how good you are on the ball if you get knocked off it every time.
I dont think Pienaar will do what Fernandes did because its a completely different situation with different pricing.
He needs to prove himself completely up until January that he would be worthwhile, and not just against some average teams like Derby and Larissa.
I dont think Pienaar will do what Fernandes did because its a completely different situation with different pricing.
He needs to prove himself completely up until January that he would be worthwhile, and not just against some average teams like Derby and Larissa.
Neil McKinney
22 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:58:06
22 Posted 30/10/2007 at 19:58:06
Connor - good points.
I wasn’t really thinking about the 5 across midfield. When you pack the midfield you’re right, you can have both of them and I am always happy to see footballers rather than plain tacklers.
I was thinking more along the lines that if Moyes does try to get another "quality" midfielder in the Jan window, then the likelyhood is that Pienaar and Osman will end up fighting for the one spot. I don’t mind that as such, competition always brings the best out of players.
Moyes has shown he is keen to try and develop something other than 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1, and if we play four or three across the middle, then I don’t see both of them playing. Of course, I would love for them to both prove me wrong and play blinders every week. I’m easily pleased as long as we do well.
With Carsley in the twilight of his career, I think Moyes still faces the dilemma of what type of midfielder to go after. He’ll want some steel but also some creativity. Let’s hope he doesn’t end up buying someone who promises to be both and turns out to be neither.
I celebrate the renaissance of Osman, the emergence of Pienaar and the return of passing to the Everton fold.
Can I have some more please sir?
I wasn’t really thinking about the 5 across midfield. When you pack the midfield you’re right, you can have both of them and I am always happy to see footballers rather than plain tacklers.
I was thinking more along the lines that if Moyes does try to get another "quality" midfielder in the Jan window, then the likelyhood is that Pienaar and Osman will end up fighting for the one spot. I don’t mind that as such, competition always brings the best out of players.
Moyes has shown he is keen to try and develop something other than 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1, and if we play four or three across the middle, then I don’t see both of them playing. Of course, I would love for them to both prove me wrong and play blinders every week. I’m easily pleased as long as we do well.
With Carsley in the twilight of his career, I think Moyes still faces the dilemma of what type of midfielder to go after. He’ll want some steel but also some creativity. Let’s hope he doesn’t end up buying someone who promises to be both and turns out to be neither.
I celebrate the renaissance of Osman, the emergence of Pienaar and the return of passing to the Everton fold.
Can I have some more please sir?
AT
23 Posted 30/10/2007 at 21:03:19
23 Posted 30/10/2007 at 21:03:19
I think he’s getting there and he has some great touches. Agree completely about a five-man midfield. I’d like to see him get a few goals in. He showed he could against Boro and you could see when he span away to celebrate that he was over the moon about it! Get this lad signed up in January. There’s a couple of very busy months ahead with a variety of different teams to play. Hope he proves himself. He works well with Baines down the wing, taking some of the focus off Arteta to provide creativity
Ben Jones
24 Posted 30/10/2007 at 21:06:17
24 Posted 30/10/2007 at 21:06:17
Mr Pienaar seems a decent enough player and is certainly worthy of being a good squad player for us. Now, £2 million for him is a good deal.. in my opinion.. seeing he has got good technical ability and is a versatile player. I know it is early in the season... but doesnt £2 million seem a good deal to buy him on a permanent basis?
Rob Fox
25 Posted 30/10/2007 at 21:22:44
25 Posted 30/10/2007 at 21:22:44
At the time he came it was reported that we had a clause to buy at £2.5m at the end of the loan. We did not have the same deal with Fernandes.
This being the case, there is nothing to be gained from paying the money early. If Moyes wants him - which if he keeps up his form should be a formality - then he will buy him next summer, as with Yobo.
This being the case, there is nothing to be gained from paying the money early. If Moyes wants him - which if he keeps up his form should be a formality - then he will buy him next summer, as with Yobo.
Lue Glover
26 Posted 30/10/2007 at 22:51:58
26 Posted 30/10/2007 at 22:51:58
sign him up asap DM. The lad has vision, awareness and bags of energy. His touches are excellent and he has been instrumental in three of our last 5 well worked goals. I hope he gets a few more goals and the supporters behind him. I for one will be singing..there’s only one Pienaar, there’s only one Pienaar......
I could almost begin to get over Manny’s loss if Stevie P carries on improving.
COYB.
I could almost begin to get over Manny’s loss if Stevie P carries on improving.
COYB.
Connor Rohrer
27 Posted 30/10/2007 at 22:56:55
27 Posted 30/10/2007 at 22:56:55
Ben, I think he’s more than a squad player. He has genuine quality and is naturally on of our most talented players.
Neil, I completely agree with you and I think I misjudged your post. I agree we need a quality midfielder in January or for next season. If we continue to play the 4-5-1 or the 4-1-4-1 and Osman shines maybe it is Carsley that will make way. You just never know. If I was Moyes’s I’d be looking for someone with a bit of presence aswell as being a good footballer. Diaby anyone? Hardly playing at Arsenal and at 6ft 3 and an excellent footballer he has signs of being the next Viera.
Anyway, I dont think anyone should get to carried away because we know as soon as we lose people like Tony Marsh will be coming on and saying I told you so. The football has definatly improved though and lets hope it continues.
Neil, I completely agree with you and I think I misjudged your post. I agree we need a quality midfielder in January or for next season. If we continue to play the 4-5-1 or the 4-1-4-1 and Osman shines maybe it is Carsley that will make way. You just never know. If I was Moyes’s I’d be looking for someone with a bit of presence aswell as being a good footballer. Diaby anyone? Hardly playing at Arsenal and at 6ft 3 and an excellent footballer he has signs of being the next Viera.
Anyway, I dont think anyone should get to carried away because we know as soon as we lose people like Tony Marsh will be coming on and saying I told you so. The football has definatly improved though and lets hope it continues.
Gavin Harris
28 Posted 30/10/2007 at 23:44:30
28 Posted 30/10/2007 at 23:44:30
He is starting to look a great player and his confidence is growing by game.
I just hope we have agreed a fee for him as I dont want it to rise too much.
I just hope we have agreed a fee for him as I dont want it to rise too much.
Nick Broadhurst
29 Posted 31/10/2007 at 01:16:39
29 Posted 31/10/2007 at 01:16:39
Actually, if I remember correctly, didn’t it take some time for Arteta to get used to the English game also?
I don’t want to count my chickens just yet, but is anyone else getting a sense of deja vú here?
I don’t want to count my chickens just yet, but is anyone else getting a sense of deja vú here?
Gavin Harris
30 Posted 31/10/2007 at 19:58:48
30 Posted 31/10/2007 at 19:58:48
"I don?t want to count my chickens just yet, but is anyone else getting a sense of deja vú here?"
I hope you are right. :-)
I hope you are right. :-)
Brian Waring
31 Posted 01/11/2007 at 11:13:28
31 Posted 01/11/2007 at 11:13:28
There is no-way Moyes should buy him in January.He hasn’t done enough yet for me.He has had a couple of good games,and then for rest of his appearances he has been average,with the odd good touch here and there.Let see how he copes when the season really gets going.I hope the lad does turn out to be a gem,because this is the type of player we need at the club.
Ricardo Humphries
32 Posted 01/11/2007 at 17:44:58
32 Posted 01/11/2007 at 17:44:58
I’ll have to agree with Lue Glover about his good awareness. Only class players knows every move that’s going on around them without even focusing on the ball, his got that ability. Remember what Patrick Viera once said about Pienaar when Ajax faces Arsenal at Highbury, "I was outclassed by a better player" Let not forget what Wenger’s comments was on what was a very good season for Ajax. Moyes just need to give him a run in bigger games, cause I really think his one of those players that loves the big stage! Pienaar is known as "Sckillo" in Holland and its obvious why. From what I’ve seen I know his more than a squad player!
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1 Posted 30/10/2007 at 14:52:09