Pennant

[hairykewell]

I agree also. He is definitely the surprise packet of the year!

I wasn't one of those criticising the move at the start of the year but I remember my dad was laughing when we bought him. My dad has since admitted he is wrong!

[lfc4ever]

I agree also. He is definitely the surprise packet of the year!

I wasn't one of those criticising the move at the start of the year but I remember my dad was laughing when we bought him. My dad has since admitted he is wrong!

Phew, just checked who posted that!

[Red_Polo]

That's the problem, every signing comes at a risk. When we'd made all our signings for this season it looked so perfect. Pennant and Bellamy were not expected to be world class but they were supposed to be the ones to settle in quickly and improve us a fair bit from the outset, instead they took a long time to get going. Kuyt on the other hand did well from the off, some people perhaps had unrealistic expectations of him, but he's done pretty well for us.

The problem is we don't want to go signing players of a lower level just because they'll adapt faster, but at the same time we don't want to sign players that are of a very high standard in theory but which just don't adapt to the league. Lennon would be perfect but I suspect we'd find it tough to prise him away from Spurs. Henry would be a dream signing, although again I'm not sure how realistic that is.

Sometimes we make it sound so easy knowing Rafa has more money to play with, but it's not going to be easy at all. I think the fact Rafa has wanted to sign players like Villa and Alves before they became massive names is heartening though, he clearly knows how to unearth a quality signing from outside the obvious names that get bandied about each summer.

[DannyMan2006]

That's the problem, every signing comes at a risk. When we'd made all our signings for this season it looked so perfect. Pennant and Bellamy were not expected to be world class but they were supposed to be the ones to settle in quickly and improve us a fair bit from the outset, instead they took a long time to get going. Kuyt on the other hand did well from the off, some people perhaps had unrealistic expectations of him, but he's done pretty well for us.

The problem is we don't want to go signing players of a lower level just because they'll adapt faster, but at the same time we don't want to sign players that are of a very high standard in theory but which just don't adapt to the league. Lennon would be perfect but I suspect we'd find it tough to prise him away from Spurs. Henry would be a dream signing, although again I'm not sure how realistic that is.

Sometimes we make it sound so easy knowing Rafa has more money to play with, but it's not going to be easy at all. I think the fact Rafa has wanted to sign players like Villa and Alves before they became massive names is heartening though, he clearly knows how to unearth a quality signing from outside the obvious names that get bandied about each summer.

[Fiddy]

The goals point is a fair one, nobody's saying he should be prolific, but his career tally is indeed woeful for a winger however you look at it. An average of 2 a season or something is not the return you would ever expect a starting winger to get in a championship winning side. Of recent years, think Pires and Lunjberg, Giggs and Kanchelskis, Duff and Robben.

Pennant has actually looked like a much better overall player of recent weeks, but he has to work on the goalscoring side of his game if he'll ever really kick on for us.

You could argue all those are different types of wingers to Pennant though. None of them are really old-school beat-a-man-to-the-byeline-and-get-a cross in, they all like cutting inside and shooting which isn't Pennant's game. Kanchelskis even used to play on his wrong side purely so he could do that and get more goals...most of those have also at some point played in an inside role, which Pennant would struggle in.

Modern wingers are different though - look at the amount Ronaldo's scored, it's ridiculous. Most first choice strikers in the Prem haven't got half as many goals. As I said Pennant is more a traditional winger, so it's unrealistic to expect him to suddenly remodel his whole game. His role is to hug the touchline, provide an outlet, get to the byeline and put quality crosses in - which he's doing a lot more of of late.

[mersey86]

Did you see the game last night?.... other than a long range effort from Gerrard it was only the work of Pennant that made me think we'd score.... He was the best attacking force on the field.

I just watched the highlights. Pennant seemed to be behind most of our best attacks.

[Ron_Mexico]

im glad its not just me that thinks Quaresma is over rated! i think hes a good player in a **** league, certainly wouldnt be happy with anything over 6 or 7 mill for the little posing barsteward. Quite like the look of nani mind, or even schweinsteiger from bayern as a wide player...its going to be interesting to see who Rafa likes. In Rafa I certainly trust.

he's flavour of the month queresma, but he doesn't have the mentality to play at a top club and fit into a system. he's more into showing off than actually playing for the team

[lfc4ever]

And seems he can't keep quiet can he?:

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=pennant--i-m-flying&method=full&objectid=18928351&siteid=50061-name_page.html

Pennant: I'm flying

Apr 19 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

JERMAINE PENNANT hopes he’s starting to live up to the high standards set by Rafa Benitez following another impressive home performance last night.

Pennant shone in the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough which put the Reds three points away from confirming a top four position.

The right winger has enjoyed a gradual improvement since the turn of the year, but Benitez said last week the 24-year-old must still learn more about what it takes to succeed at a big club.

Pennant feels he’s now heading in the right direction.

“I’m in good form at the moment, but that’s as part of the team isn’t it?” said Pennant. “When the team’s performing it’s easier to play well yourself. Your best comes out then and at the moment I’m really enjoying my football.

“It’s pleasing to have found a consistency level. That will be pleasing to the manager and the rest of the boys as well.

“You want to do a good job and then you get rewarded for it. I feel I’m having an impact on the games.

“I know the standards expected at Liverpool and I’ve known that since the first day I came here. Every day is a learning curve for me and the way we play football here is great for me.

“I feel we’ve been playing well and being part of this team helps me get better and improves my confidence. Last night’s game showed how confident I am out there now.

“We’ve a good cushion now for the Champions League spot and we know with one more win, we’re safe.”

Liverpool face Wigan at home this weekend when three points will secure a Champions League qualifier at the start of next season.

And Pennant admits he’ll be pushing hard to ensure he’s in his manager’s thoughts for the trip to Stamford Bridge next week.

“We’ve a game on Saturday before Chelsea and we need to put that first,” said Pennant. “We don’t want to put Chelsea above all the others because we need to stay focused. Then we’ll see what the manager chooses for the Chelsea game.

“If he wants someone who’ll be more defensive on the right, he’ll probably look to Stevie because I’m an out-and-out winger who doesn’t have those defensive elements to my game.

“If the manager wants to go that way against Chelsea that’s fair enough, but he knows what I can do so whether I start or I’m on the bench, it’s not a problem.”

Xabi Alonso missed last night’s game with a slight groin strain but expects to be fit for the visit of Wigan.

[Ron_Mexico]

what a totally misleading headline

i dont see anything wrong with what he said there.

where the hell does bascombe get "i'm flying" from any of that?

[Kopite_Colin]

he's still far from a 7/8 million pound player

I agree. Somebody needs to switch the microphone on permanently rather than just doing a sound check.

[Craig_H]

If Ian Callaghan can score less than 70 goals for us in over 850 appearances and deservedly be an absolute legend, then surely Pennant can score the little he does and just be a good squad player?

I have to step in here mate.

The game has changed, these days, title winning sides have high scoring midfielders/wingers.

AA has a point.

[Jack D Rips]

he's flavour of the month queresma, but he doesn't have the mentality to play at a top club and fit into a system. he's more into showing off than actually playing for the team

FFS

[Maestro]

And seems he can't keep quiet can he?:

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=pennant--i-m-flying&method=full&objectid=18928351&siteid=50061-name_page.html

Pennant: I'm flying

Apr 19 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

JERMAINE PENNANT hopes he’s starting to live up to the high standards set by Rafa Benitez following another impressive home performance last night.

Pennant shone in the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough which put the Reds three points away from confirming a top four position.

The right winger has enjoyed a gradual improvement since the turn of the year, but Benitez said last week the 24-year-old must still learn more about what it takes to succeed at a big club.

Pennant feels he’s now heading in the right direction.

“I’m in good form at the moment, but that’s as part of the team isn’t it?” said Pennant. “When the team’s performing it’s easier to play well yourself. Your best comes out then and at the moment I’m really enjoying my football.

“It’s pleasing to have found a consistency level. That will be pleasing to the manager and the rest of the boys as well.

“You want to do a good job and then you get rewarded for it. I feel I’m having an impact on the games.

“I know the standards expected at Liverpool and I’ve known that since the first day I came here. Every day is a learning curve for me and the way we play football here is great for me.

“I feel we’ve been playing well and being part of this team helps me get better and improves my confidence. Last night’s game showed how confident I am out there now.

“We’ve a good cushion now for the Champions League spot and we know with one more win, we’re safe.”

Liverpool face Wigan at home this weekend when three points will secure a Champions League qualifier at the start of next season.

And Pennant admits he’ll be pushing hard to ensure he’s in his manager’s thoughts for the trip to Stamford Bridge next week.

“We’ve a game on Saturday before Chelsea and we need to put that first,” said Pennant. “We don’t want to put Chelsea above all the others because we need to stay focused. Then we’ll see what the manager chooses for the Chelsea game.

“If he wants someone who’ll be more defensive on the right, he’ll probably look to Stevie because I’m an out-and-out winger who doesn’t have those defensive elements to my game.

“If the manager wants to go that way against Chelsea that’s fair enough, but he knows what I can do so whether I start or I’m on the bench, it’s not a problem.”

Xabi Alonso missed last night’s game with a slight groin strain but expects to be fit for the visit of Wigan.

I've been the first to condemn him for what he's said in the press this season, but I see nothing wrong with that article.
I also find it misleading and unfair to say that he "can't shut up" - he's given an interview, no more, no less.

[tomasjj]

he's flavour of the month queresma, but he doesn't have the mentality to play at a top club and fit into a system. he's more into showing off than actually playing for the team

My impression too. A bit of a showboater.

And as Polo said above, I think he will struggle to fit in the PL.
That is why I would prefer Ribery or maybe Alves, who are tougher and more tenacious.

[Maestro]

My impression too. A bit of a showboater.

And as Polo said above, I think he will struggle to fit in the PL.
That is why I would prefer Ribery or maybe Alves, who are tougher and more tenacious.

If we signed Ribery, we could put this on a flag:

Ribery - for our pleasure.