80% of you are out of order

[RedProf]

I reckon Pennant has been average - he has the potential to be so much better though. Two main areas he needs to work on asap (imo of course) :

1. Decision making/intelligence - he needs to play the right balls when he is in the last 1/3rd not constantly do the same thing like cut backs. Offer some variety to his play to keep the defender on his toes - will he go outside or will he go inside? He has the skill and quick feet to put most defenders on their arse if he had a mind to.

2. Crossing - he gets into some great positions and then yet again spoons a nice high floaty cross into the box, perfect for a defender to head or keeper to claim. He needs to learn to deliver with pace and less height. I think perhaps 1 reason why we bought him was because he had the highest crossing stats in the Prem when he was at Birmingham. Ideal for Crouchy, except most of his crosses were as above, coupled with inaccurate delivery.

If he could do these two things, then I'd overlook his poor scoring record and lack of goal threat as I think he'd create so much more for others.

[rage]

so going off the opinions on this thread its more like 95% of us out of order

[Michael]

Dirk Kuyt.

Kuyt isnt playing as a right winger .... he's playing as a right sided attacker! Not the same thing!

[Michael]

I'm just not sure those things you've highlighted are enough.

When the best you can say in such a post is that he's "solid in possession" amd "gets stuck in", for an attacking winger we have a minor problem. And anyway, Dirk Kuyt does everything you've mentioned, only much better.

As a backup squad option I have no real problem with him, but he is not, nor ever will be, of the standard required of a regular first team player for a title challenging team.

I only picked out those things because they are elements of his game that people tend to pick on ...... to imply that he doesnt care or as a stereotype for a player that doesnt have 'heart' ...... but they are simply not correct ....

[Michael]

He's ****. Another poor performance in Saturday's friendly.

I expect better of you!

[Michael]

Agreed ... unfortunately he is a bit of a numpty, has had a chequered past and is best mates with Ashely Cole

But I am with you, always said Lionel Richie is a very good player for us, he has been very very solid for us. With the exception of the shaky start he had with us he has grown from strength to strenght with many Man of the Match performances in my books. But some people wont give the guy credit or let him forget his past, if he had an inio on the end his name they might be more excited. As squad players go I am more than happy with him and I think he is much more than that... Nice one Mike speaker of sense as always

Thanks pall ..... I class him as a squad ++ player ..... wort a start in certain games and as a minimum on the bench for the rest of the time .... He is a good outlet and makes things happen.... Not every player in the squad has to be a f-ing worldbeater!

I've been surprised by his attitude ...... and the fact that he is still ONLY 25!

[JPK]

Kuyt isnt playing as a right winger .... he's playing as a right sided attacker! Not the same thing!

That's what Pennant should be playing as. If he did that he would be rated

[Michael]

I can see your point here but in general I think he is better than people make out. The problem for me is that he is very one dimensional - if we played a 4-4-2 with two strikers most of the time he would be a valuable squad option - as it is he offers too little in terms of goal threat.

He has at times (I specifically remember a game against Bolton) allowed us to play with width to devastating effect. The problem is to use that game plan regularly we need two strikers who are decent in the air and someone to stretch the team on the left. Neither of which we have.

As such I would say he is of the standard and attitude to be a valuable squad player but as it is he is not suited to the way we are moving as a team and squad and so is not a good long term option.

I cant argue with any of that ...... I think he is a great option and does force us to play with width ..... even if we dont have a traditional english centre forward ... the fact that he opens up the field creates other opportunities .... Im not so sure that Torres couldn't adapt to make use of Pennant in certain situations ..... when going through the middle isnt working for example

[Michael]

on his day he's a cracking player (best player at CL final) but that day isn't often enough, saying that I'd rather he played wide instead of Kuyt

He doesnt like to give the ball away ... maybe that is from his Arsenal days .... that might be why he doesnt shoot so much .... Perhaps if he did he might get more goals and 'joe public' may warm to him .....

[Michael]

A winger who hardly ever crosses the ball

???? I'm going to go stat hunting!

[Michael]

I'm of the opinion he's been alright for us and is a good squaddie.

Isnt it interesting that the old school .. better quality posters are pretty much in agreement! That is enough for me! Case closed!

[Michael]

I reckon Pennant has been average - he has the potential to be so much better though. Two main areas he needs to work on asap (imo of course) :

1. Decision making/intelligence - he needs to play the right balls when he is in the last 1/3rd not constantly do the same thing like cut backs. Offer some variety to his play to keep the defender on his toes - will he go outside or will he go inside? He has the skill and quick feet to put most defenders on their arse if he had a mind to.

2. Crossing - he gets into some great positions and then yet again spoons a nice high floaty cross into the box, perfect for a defender to head or keeper to claim. He needs to learn to deliver with pace and less height. I think perhaps 1 reason why we bought him was because he had the highest crossing stats in the Prem when he was at Birmingham. Ideal for Crouchy, except most of his crosses were as above, coupled with inaccurate delivery.

If he could do these two things, then I'd overlook his poor scoring record and lack of goal threat as I think he'd create so much more for others.

I agree with the addition of a pinged cross to his armory he might be a little more effective ...... a la Giggs ..... still only just turned 25 so he may develop that!

[Michael]

so going off the opinions on this thread its more like 95% of us out of order

94.5%

[Michael]

That's what Pennant should be playing as. If he did that he would be rated

But he isnt a right sided attacker .... he is specialist ..... which is his limitation... hence his position as a squad player ... but he doesnt deserve the stick he gets because of that ....

[Dlira]

Maybe he's capable of crossing the ball, but he hardly hits his teammates, he never scores, he hardly glide past defenders. Overall I reckon he is extremely inconsistent and far from good enough. I certainly hope Rafa sells him. If we can get 5 mill pound we should concider ourself as lucky.