Pennant Last Night

[Leo No.8]

Pennant for me was the best player on the pitch by an absolute mile last night.

 

Given people have been quite quick to jump on his back after some poor performances recently, I'm surprised not to see any mention of just how good he was against Reading.

 

After he put Fowler in for his goal with a lovely weighted pass he seemed to grow in confidence. From there on he showed pace, great skill and some fantastic quality into the box. In fact he set up the first three goals with his through ball to Robbie, excellent run from the centre circle which led to Riise's goal and quality corner for Paletta's header.

 

He showed why Rafa rated him so highly and why the likes of myself wanted him here, really for the first time since Haifa at home, using his very low centre of gravity to twist, turn and deliver some excellent balls into the box and interchange exceptionally well with numerous players to create chances. Also his touch was immaculate from some difficult cross-field passes, and he helped out the youngsters behind him a lot - it was a genuinely superb all-round display.

 

Yes Pennant has been disappointing after a bright start, so I really think he should keep his place following that performance and now his confidence looks to be restored. Give the out of form Xabi a rest, move Stevie into the middle with Sissoko and stick with Gonzalez on the left.

 

I think you'd see more good things from him against Villa.

[psl]

Agreed, Pennant played well and should start on Saturday. Robbie probably should too but its hard to leave out one of Kuyt or Crouch.

[yellow jumper]

agreed. it's clear he has talent. it's just his confidence/consistency that need work. mind you, he's not the only one.

[KD07]

Lovely display from the lad. Hope he kicks on from here.

[Mike]

he was s*** hot.

couldn't help thinking though that it was because he was given lots of room by a weaker opposition.

it could be what he needs for his confidence though and its exactly the kind of display he was bought for.

[Spike]

there was a great bit near the end. Pennant had played a stormer but when play stopped Rafa called him over and was properly drilling him on what other things he should be doing.

 

Interestingly enough, one of the lads who goes to the match with us is a FOF of Van Der Mayde and word was one of the reasons that Pennant has struggled at times is because fullbacks generally accept that to stop him you just stand up to him, and don't give him any space to kick and run into. Hence the rabbit in the headlights type performances we have seen at times.

[CarraLegend]

Pennant for me was the best player on the pitch by an absolute mile last night.

 

Given people have been quite quick to jump on his back after some poor performances recently, I'm surprised not to see any mention of just how good he was against Reading.

 

After he put Fowler in for his goal with a lovely weighted pass he seemed to grow in confidence. From there on he showed pace, great skill and some fantastic quality into the box. In fact he set up the first three goals with his through ball to Robbie, excellent run from the centre circle which led to Riise's goal and quality corner for Paletta's header.

 

He showed why Rafa rated him so highly and why the likes of myself wanted him here, really for the first time since Haifa at home, using his very low centre of gravity to twist, turn and deliver some excellent balls into the box and interchange exceptionally well with numerous players to create chances. Also his touch was immaculate from some difficult cross-field passes, and he helped out the youngsters behind him a lot - it was a genuinely superb all-round display.

 

Yes Pennant has been disappointing after a bright start, so I really think he should keep his place following that performance and now his confidence looks to be restored. Give the out of form Xabi a rest, move Stevie into the middle with Sissoko and stick with Gonzalez on the left.

 

I think you'd see more good things from him against Villa.

 

Yep, he was very good. He was the main creative man last night and stood up and was counted.

 

Impressive and hopefully he can continue it now.

[yellow jumper]

Interestingly enough, one of the lads who goes to the match with us is a FOF of Van Der Mayde and word was one of the reasons that Pennant has struggled at times is because fullbacks generally accept that to stop him you just stand up to him, and don't give him any space to kick and run into. Hence the rabbit in the headlights type performances we have seen at times.

 

don't think it's the strongest part of his game. when he comes up against that sort of defending he should just look to hug the touchline and cross it. he's got the talent to be as good as beckham in that regard. it's when he comes infield, or constantly tries to skin his man that he gets in trouble (although he did it very well last night).

 

sure benitez will want to work on his upper body strength too.

Edited October 26, 2006 by george lees

[Guest BigChief]

I was glad we signed Pennant but a bit disappointed with his performances this season. However, he has made more contributions to the club so far than Gonzalez, Aurelio and Bellamy put together. All these players need time to adjust, Pennant is no exception. Hopefully, he'll learn and become just the player we need (as will the others).

 

This adjustment period does mean we won't win the league again this season, but if we can win another cup then this season won't have been a write off.

[Guest Kev]

He played a lot better than of late.

[CarraLegend]

I was glad we signed Pennant but a bit disappointed with his performances this season. However, he has made more contributions to the club so far than Gonzalez, Aurelio and Bellamy put together. All these players need time to adjust, Pennant is no exception. Hopefully, he'll learn and become just the player we need (as will the others).

 

This adjustment period does mean we won't win the league again this season, but if we can win another cup then this season won't have been a write off.

 

No he hasnt, although I really like him thats b******s, Aurelio has got assists notably the brilliant one against Gala, Gonzalez has two goals, Bellamy has 2 goals and set up Crouch in the CS and Crouch again against Bordeaux.

[jon_hall]

I wasn't that impressed with him yet again, not enough end product and against a team who had made 7 changes from their previous game.

 

Hope it gives him some confidence to carry on and improve and maybe one day prove he is good enough.

[Mike]

I wasn't that impressed with him yet again, not enough end product and against a team who had made 7 changes from their previous game.

 

Hope it gives him some confidence to carry on and improve and maybe one day prove he is good enough.

 

he set up 2 of the goals?

[fred milne]

Give the out of form Xabi a rest, move Stevie into the middle with Sissoko and stick with Gonzalez on the left.

To be honest, if anyone is out of form and in need of a rest its Stevie.

 

I'm glad Pennant did well last night. I don't think too many have questioned his ability, just his temperament.

[jon_hall]

he set up 2 of the goals?

 

Against a weakened side, he doesn't produce it at all yet against opposition in the league. Not worth the amount of money we have paid for him upfront without the add ons.

 

He'd have been slaughtered for some of his performances if he'd been foreign, yet he can't use not being used to the pace as an excuse.

[Lee W]

Good to hear Pennant had a good game.

 

The 'problem' with Pennant (and Bellamy) to a certain extent is that in the past they have always been one of the first names on the teamsheet so had the chance to play their way out of any dips in form or lack of confidence.

 

With the system that we have, you get no such chance, unless you're Alonso or Gerrard - therefore both will take time to adapt. Despite what a few seem to think, they're both good enough players they'll just take time to grow in confidence within the managers system. We've signed lot of players in the last year or so, so expecting them all to 'click' is unrealistic.

 

With Pennant he has tended to drift into traffic too much and Bellamy is offside too much (some dodgy decsions granted).

[Guest Jack Bauer]

Pennant just needs to believe in himself a bit more, I think he's a bit to afraid of failing again.

[Maldini]

No he hasnt, although I really like him thats b******s, Aurelio has got assists notably the brilliant one against Gala, Gonzalez has two goals, Bellamy has 2 goals and set up Crouch in the CS and Crouch again against Bordeaux.

I can't be arsed going through the goals, but I'm pretty sure Pennant has at least 6 assists this season, for what they're worth.

[Kite]

Against a weakened side, he doesn't produce it at all yet against opposition in the league.

Reading are in the same league as us, last time I checked.

[anny road]

Against a weakened side, he doesn't produce it at all yet against opposition in the league. Not worth the amount of money we have paid for him upfront without the add ons.

 

He'd have been slaughtered for some of his performances if he'd been foreign, yet he can't use not being used to the pace as an excuse.

 

whjy slaughter him after his best ga,e for us?

[CarraLegend]

I can't be arsed going through the goals, but I'm pretty sure Pennant has at least 6 assists this season, for what they're worth.

 

Even if he has (I can only think of two last night, Gala and Haifa away) it still doesnt match what Gonzalez, Aurelio and Bellamy have done (And so it shouldnt), not slagging him off or anything as I really wanted us to sign him but just saying that other lads point is wrong.

[tomasjj]

Even if he has (I can only think of two last night, Gala and Haifa away) it still doesnt match what Gonzalez, Aurelio and Bellamy have done (And so it shouldnt), not slagging him off or anything as I really wanted us to sign him but just saying that other lads point is wrong.

 

 

Yeah.... Aurelios one assist is better than Pennants 6....

 

Its tough to be better than 3 players combined too.

 

[CarraLegend]

Yeah.... Aurelios one assist is better than Pennants 6....

 

Its tough to be better than 3 players combined too.

 

 

Set up Bellamy against Blackburn and Crouch against Gala. That seems like two to me.

 

Of course its tough to be better than 3 players combined, thats obvious. Im just disputing the fact he hasnt been like someone said.

[Dule]

I think Pennant should only play home games. He seems to play alot better when he plays at home

[psl]

I think Pennant should only play home games. He seems to play alot better when he plays at home

 

If we dropped all the players that play better at home then we'd struggle for a team for away games.

Edited October 26, 2006 by psl