A special mention for this man

[Craig_H]

He was fantastic when he came on yesterday and it's gone largely unnoticed (or un-mentioned, at least).

We showed nothing going forward, but when he came on, that changed.

He made himself constantly available down the right, was confident in taking on the fullback and had the beating of him on several occasions, in a short space of time. Not only that, but having beaten his man, he was putting in a good delivery most times.

Put simply, as soon as Pennant came on, we suddenly offered a threat.

One swallow doesnt make a summer, but credit where it's due, he was excellent in that cameo at Villa Park and if he produces that regularly, he'll be a very useful player for us.

Keep it up JP

[Parm]

indeed, I thoughtRafa should have taken Momo off much earlier and gone with SG in cm and JP rw. He looked useful and is showing some improvement. Whether that'll be good enough for him to be here next remains to be seen,

[Morph]

He was fantastic when he came on yesterday and it's gone largely unnoticed (or un-mentioned, at least).

We showed nothing going forward, but when he came on, that changed.

He made himself constantly available down the right, was confident in taking on the fullback and had the beating of him on several occasions, in a short space of time. Not only that, but having beaten his man, he was putting in a good delivery most times.

Put simply, as soon as Pennant came on, we suddenly offered a threat.

One swallow doesnt make a summer, but credit where it's due, he was excellent in that cameo at Villa Park and if he produces that regularly, he'll be a very useful player for us.

Keep it up JP

You think he'll see much football next season?

[Chrono]

You think he'll see much football next season?

If he does it will not be with Rafa as manager. Agreed that he made a good contribution the other night but if we get backed in the market he can expect a sharp exit or a cozy bench.

[Craig_H]

You think he'll see much football next season?

He will if he performs like that whenever he gets a chance.

It's difficult because unless one of Momo/Alonso/Mascherano goes, it's likely that Pennant's competition for RM is Gerrard. And that's a battle JP will never win.

[Morph]

I see it a different way, I think one of the first buys of the summer will be a right winger, contrary to popular beleif I think Rafa prefers Gerrard in the middle, but uses him on the right as his RW options are Pennant or Pennant. It's easier for us to cope in the middle without Gerrard with the players we have at the moment, which lets Rafa shift him right.

A good right winger will see Pennant relegated to the bench and garrard back in the middle I think.

[Craig_H]

I see it a different way, I think one of the first buys of the summer will be a right winger, contrary to popular beleif I think Rafa prefers Gerrard in the middle, but uses him on the right as his RW options are Pennant or Pennant. It's easier for us to cope in the middle without Gerrard with the players we have at the moment, which lets Rafa shift him right.

A good right winger will see Pennant relegated to the bench and garrard back in the middle I think.

You're probably right.

But it will also see one of Momo, Masher or Alonso sold/indefinitely dropped.

[Morph]

not so sure but, I think alonso is most likely to go, but would rather it be Sissoko (on current form) if i had to pick

[Red_Polo]

A lot of people mentioned him in the MotM thread. Only player other than maybe Bellamy that took any responsibility to attack / create. All in all he's been a huge disappointment, but at the same time he has come on for us in the lsat couple of months, and I wouldn't be unhappy about him staying. We need to see SG in the middle and that means a new top class RM player must come in, with Pennant providing some decent cover for whoever that may be.

[Craig_H]

If one has to go, let it be Mascherano.

The other two are tried, tested and proven within our team.

Obviously, having just arrived, it isnt actually gonna be JM.

[Morph]

If one has to go, let it be Mascherano.

The other two are tried, tested and proven within our team.

Obviously, having just arrived, it isnt actually gonna be JM.

Personaly of the 4 we could have in midfield, and assuming Mascher is the player we are expecting him to be, I think Sissoko is the most expendable.

[Craig_H]

Personaly of the 4 we could have in midfield, and assuming Mascher is the player we are expecting him to be, I think Sissoko is the most expendable.

That may be the case, but going on what we know NOW (as opposed to what we expect or hope), i'd keep Sissoko and dispense of Masher.

[Morph]

That may be the case, but going on what we know NOW (as opposed to what we expect or hope), i'd keep Sissoko and dispense of Masher.

thing is i'd get rid of neither in the close season and expect Rafa to do just that, so I don't think it's something we need to address for 12 months at least

[Craig_H]

thing is i'd get rid of neither in the close season and expect Rafa to do just that, so I don't think it's something we need to address for 12 months at least

Hopefully you're right.

I just wonder how long we can keep those 3, PLUS Gerrard all happy, if they're being dropped/playing out of position on a regular basis, as would surely have to happen.

[Morph]

It is a tough one, but rafa seems to have a knack for it, the only players I see really being peeved at not getting much game time are Fowler and Dudek, both of whom are probably on their way out.