J Pennant Appreciation

[Rich]

Until he starts scoring goals a season he'll never be anything more than decent back up.

He's an attacking midfielder/winger, he should be netting 5+ goals a season.

Agreed. He needs to offer a goal threat, even his Chelsea goal wasn't from a position you'd class as being a goal threat.

When the ball is on the left he should be looking to add to the numbers in the box - looking for the scraps off the front men.

[friedk]

Until he starts scoring goals a season he'll never be anything more than decent back up.

He's an attacking midfielder/winger, he should be netting 5+ goals a season.

actually I agree with this.

He definitely has talent and has improved as the season has progressed, but throughout his career his main weakness has been his lack of goals. To be a top attacking midfielder you need to weigh in with close to double figures every season.

He is a threat though, and his link up play with Arbeloa down the right was first class on Saturday.

[Dirk07]

A bit special????? In what way exactly???

Don't you remember his myspace page?

[Rich]

If you are talking about a player that does look "a bit special" then Arbeloa has seriously impressed me in the short time he's been here. Sounds like he's impressed Carra too

[Endless Dream]

Even his mate on here J-P had lost faith in him and it really wasn't looking like he was going to make it for us.

I had indeed, really peed me off he did, then I found out he was having problems of the pitch (didnt know what they were, but they were quite bad) however when I found out he had been having problems I was told it was sorting itself out and he was getting happier again, obviously he is a lot happier now

[SB]

actually I agree with this.

He definitely has talent and has improved as the season has progressed, but throughout his career his main weakness has been his lack of goals. To be a top attacking midfielder you need to weigh in with close to double figures every season.

He is a threat though, and his link up play with Arbeloa down the right was first class on Saturday.

It would be nice to see him bang in a few more goals but he very rarely cuts inside and prefers to get his crosses into the centre. So my point is , he is hardly getting the chances to get goals as he doesn't get into positions to shoot, but he does set them up regularlly.

It would be more of a problem if he shot on site and didn't score if you get my drift! ( ala JAR )

[Maestro]

I agree that we need to be consistent, and praise his performances when he's doing well. He's going through a good spell at the moment, and I'd love to see him kick on from here. Let's not go overboard though - even on top form, the Liverpool team I want to see should have a better player on the right wing than JP. I agree with Polo in that I'd also be happy for him to remain in the squad however.

[Nicey]

A bit special????? In what way exactly???

You must have missed the back heel which set up our first goal or the sublime cross that delivered the ball perfectly for crouch to bang in another.

He can be absolute class

[Eth]

Do you recken he has his hair just the way he wants it now?

As for our right side - all he ever was is a stop gap until Rafa gets the man he wants on the right. He's playing well recently and offering alot more than the beginning of the season but I don't think he'll own the right side as if its a big game Gerrard is put there to make sure of it - which doesn't say much about the confidence that Rafa holds in him for big games.

[bazza76]

Do you recken he has his hair just the way he wants it now?

As for our right side - all he ever was is a stop gap until Rafa gets the man he wants on the right. He's playing well recently and offering alot more than the beginning of the season but I don't think he'll own the right side as if its a big game Gerrard is put there to make sure of it - which doesn't say much about the confidence that Rafa holds in him for big games.

Id say thats more to do with Gerrard just being a better player on the right, he was voted in the UEFA team of the year for right side midfield. The options in midfield ie. Momo, Alonso especially also dictated that Gerrard play elsewhere.
Id agree though, Pennant has gotten more confidence as the season wore on, personally I was expecting him to get better when he came to grips with how we play, same can be said of Gonzales. I think it will be healthy to bring in more competition for the lad anyway.

[red g]

done better recently, but he has an over inflated opinion of himself and he is not good enough to be a regular starter

[Bob]

Just thought I would fire up a Lionel Richie thread as for me he has been a bit special this season. I have always admired his skills previously but he was a little nearly won the race kind of players until Rafa got his hands on him.

So far his movement, pace and footballing brain have been outstanding. He is growing in confidence each game and for me he is doing everything right, right now. Tracking back, getting stuck in, making clever runs and anticipating movement sublimely. He has the potential to become a world class player if handled right if you ask me. I know he is no spring chicken and really should not be mentioning potential but I think if he could be a real force down the right flank next season.

Great player glad his is coming good on his talent. Definitely a first team player and McClown is mad not to have him in the National set up

Pennant

The 'world-class' label gets banded about far too often.

Pennant will never be in this bracket IMO. He's blossomed into a decent squad player, but he's no more than that, for the reasons mentioned in this thread already, more specifically the lack of a goal threat...

[Jack D Rips]

It would be nice to see him bang in a few more goals but he very rarely cuts inside and prefers to get his crosses into the centre. So my point is , he is hardly getting the chances to get goals as he doesn't get into positions to shoot, but he does set them up regularlly.

It would be more of a problem if he shot on site and didn't score if you get my drift! ( ala JAR )

Funny that. Earlier in the season he was getting slaughtered for cutting inside and not getting enough crosses in.

[Red_hot]

You must have missed the back heel which set up our first goal or the sublime cross that delivered the ball perfectly for crouch to bang in another.

He can be absolute class

So one pass makes him special? Fair enough he's improved since he came but he is not what I would call special.

[Shaggy]

He deserves credit. He took the flak when he was playing **** and now he's playing well, so he deserves credit.

I think he finally looks as though he feels at home in our squad. I think he could have a future as a squad player.