Although the savoury taste of nuts can also be fulfilling, as a keen observer of our beloved Blues you can’t help but to notice the impact Steven Pienaar has when he’s in our side. By taking a look at our league performances during his time at the club, it is easily noticeable that the South African skipper has a resounding influence on not only results, but the style of play we produce.
In his first season at the club back in 2007-08, we managed to finish 5th, and then repeated the feat in 08-09, before finishing 8th in 09-10. In all three of those seasons, we finished with 60 plus points, whilst in 10-11 when he had left, we finished with 54. Admittedly, he isn’t the sole reason we performed so well, but his influence is telling.
During his time at the club, we played in the Uefa Cup (as it was called back then), and performed admirably during the competition. Now I refuse to dwell on the shoot-out with Fiorentina back in ‘08, but we all remember how close we were to a quarter-final appearance.
Steven Pienaar made 109 league appearances for us from 2007-11, and scored 9 goals. Although that may seem minute, it’s a shame I couldn’t find how many goals he set up, because that column would have been far more impressive. However, there is one goal stood out for me the most, Arsenal away.
The date was 9 January 2009, and the venue was the Emirates Stadium. It was 1-1 up until about the 80th minute; cue Pienaar. Cahill put him through, and the little man did the rest, he made Almunia look silly with a delightful chip that summed up what he brought to our team: the x-factor.
At the start of the season that has just passed, it was clear how desperately we needed him. There was no spark to light us when we were down, and our most exciting player had just departed for North London.
I have no doubt that he (along with Jelavic) were the reason we were able to finish so strongly. He scored 4 goals in 14 matches, and brought back the point of difference we needed to turn losses into draws, and draws into wins.
The game against United speaks for itself where he along with Fellaini were outstanding in match that had seemed lost. To reiterate how much we missed him last season, statistics will tell us that in the 24 league matches he missed; our record was 9 wins, 5 draws and 10 losses. Conversely, in the 14 matches he played, our record was 6 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses. The numbers speak for themselves.
I know that some of us are still slightly bitter that he left in the first place, especially to a team we were contesting for 4th with, but all will be forgiven if you believe what’s written in the papers.
There are rumours he is close to joining us permanently, and Moyes’s desire to have him back is no secret. Despite hitting 30 recently, what he brings to our side is paramount. His telepathy with Baines down the left was a feature of our success during the latter part of the last decade, and despite the money issues we currently have, there is no reason we can’t mirror our success of at least pushing for European football.
I have full confidence that our investor in shining armour is on his way, but for the time being, we will have to do what we do best and battle manfully with what we have. With Pienaar hopefully back on board now, there will be a certain Croatian yearning for his services, whilst on the sidelines so will we.
Reader Comments (21)
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2 Posted 09/07/2012 at 09:43:59
3 Posted 09/07/2012 at 10:13:04
If this Prajnic does sign it would be interesting to see if Pienaar is as effective coming in from the right rather than the left. I know players switch several times during match depending on the tactics but Pienaar spends the vast majority of his time as an 'inside left'.
4 Posted 09/07/2012 at 12:04:59
5 Posted 09/07/2012 at 12:36:10
6 Posted 09/07/2012 at 12:39:52
If SP come back it'll be great, if not life goes on. At the end of the day it's not like he's Pele or something. I'd rather have Hoilett if given the choice.
Most important thing for me is that we sign someone decent for the left hand side. If its SP then good as he already knows us, if not then hopefully whoever it is will good.
7 Posted 09/07/2012 at 13:44:13
8 Posted 09/07/2012 at 14:06:36
Wasn't overly concerned when he left but when Arteta departed too, we had no real skilfull player to take us forward. Now with Fellaini, Gibson and Jelavic interplaying, Pienaar will do very nicely, thank you very much....ust hope we keep Baines.........and Fellaini
9 Posted 09/07/2012 at 15:04:20
10 Posted 09/07/2012 at 15:25:15
This team just doesn't work without him. We could have whichever flying winger you wanted on the wing but a bit like Walcott for England, if you can't get the ball to them when they're on the run in space they're a bit useless. Pienaar makes up for our lack of quality in central midfield by giving us 'go forward' or whatever you want to call it.
11 Posted 09/07/2012 at 14:45:10
The support work of the full-back(s) makes such a player more effective and retaining Baines is probably vital to get the most out of Pienaar. Pranjic seems to be a possible alternative for either player, and I think Baines could play the more advanced role if required.
Obviously Pienaar has his issues and his current court case is a great worry if he is found guilty. Would love to have a younger (better) version if possible but they are not exactly ten-a-penny, and so Peanuts is likely to be our best possibility for strengthening the team in this particular way for a relatively modest outlay.
Overall, an important piece of business this summer and, providing he is found not guilty, I for one will rest easier when he is officially an Everton player again.
12 Posted 09/07/2012 at 15:37:03
As I say, he undoubtedly improves the side but to say that Osman, Cahill and Gueye can't do something based on a single game is a bit harsh. I think this is something that's happened too much since the semi, 'we always choke' 'we can't play when there's pressure' etc all get heard a lot but with no real basis. We lost a game 2-1 with a late goal, it happens.
Only one team wins the cup, does that mean all the others choke on the way?
13 Posted 09/07/2012 at 16:01:38
Cahill, Gueye and Osman all lack crucial aspects of what makes Pienaar so effective for us (for example, Maggie doesn't have the tricks to work in a tight space and Ossie doesn't have the burst of speed to get away from a defender; don't see Timmy as the same sort of player at all and definitely not as a season-long alternative) and we would be a step back if Pienaar (or someone at least as good) isn't brought in
14 Posted 09/07/2012 at 16:25:52
My point was that it was a bit harsh to say we couldn't play without him and use only the semi as an example when there were other examples where we were playing well without him, that's all.
With regards to choking, I get your point but again, does that mean United 'choked' against Liverpool? And City 'choked' against United? And Liverpool didn't choke against us or Cardiff but did against Chelsea?
It just seems to me as though it's maybe, just maybe, not quite as straightforward as that.
15 Posted 09/07/2012 at 17:36:54
Any player can be replaced but if we don't get Pienaar or an equivalent then I think we will be a poorer team for it. That, for me, is not based on a single game, but on our improved form from January on. Although there are other factors / players to consider, I firmly believe Pienaar was key.
16 Posted 09/07/2012 at 18:11:54
17 Posted 09/07/2012 at 18:30:56
The biggest thing of Yessar's stats is the less losses, and Gibson was a fundamental part of that. We look much more of a unit with him, and I think for £500k he is an absolute bargain.
With Pienaar, I would love to have him back, I just hope we dont go over the odds for him, he's only 30, and will lose his peak ability in a couple of years.
£3 million for him? Yes, would be a good deal. £5 or 6 million would be a No from me.
18 Posted 09/07/2012 at 18:44:21
According to you the only possible explanations for not winning a game can be the inability to play without Pienaar or choking? Wow. I can't quite understand what caused them to choke against Wolves or Stoke but obviously that's the only explanation.
19 Posted 09/07/2012 at 18:42:17
The obvious 'if' is if the terms are right, but a better player ready made to fit into a good squad couldn't be imagined. In simple footballing terms it's right.
Fingers crossed.
20 Posted 09/07/2012 at 19:56:37
So do we pay him what we didnt think he was worth last time, plus how much will we lose on the deal with Spurs.
21 Posted 10/07/2012 at 04:52:25
But in saying that, I think we also need another winger in the Hoilett mould, maybe Donovan? He would be perfect, but then again, both are over 30.
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1 Posted 09/07/2012 at 07:30:36
2011-12 Pienaar set up eight goals.
2010-11 Pienaar set up one goal.
2009-10 Pienaar set up seven goals.
2008-09 Pienaar set up ten goals.
2007-08 Pienaar set up 14 goals.