Pennant

[richt71]

What's happened to the lad?? Confidence gone? Not consistant. Cos today I can't remember him putting many if any crosses in. Finnan seemed to be playing right wing and right back.

[Billy Dane]

Drop Pennant, move Gerrard to RM. Drop Bellamy and play Crouch and Kuyt up front. Luis at LM, and then stop tinkering with the line up. FFS.

[Gerrardrules]

It seems to me his physical condition is not good enough yet.

[Sion]

Not defending him, but he didn't get much service at all today.

[Guz]

This team is completely clueless to using genuine wingers I think.

[Rimbeux]

Drop Pennant, move Gerrard to RM. Drop Bellamy and play Crouch and Kuyt up front. Luis at LM, and then stop tinkering with the line up. FFS.

 

 

I see you've bought into it

[Ste M]

Not defending him, but he didn't get much service at all today.

 

Barely anything went down that side when he was on the pitch, then when Garcia comes on suddenly we start playing stuff in that direction. Granted he's hardly looked great so far, but he needs the ball to look good, and for my money he's not getting it.

[4411]

Pennant gets plenty off the ball but he rarely runs at defenders, dribbles past them and delivers a cross. With him its either cross as soon as he recieves the ball or run infield.

[Guz]

Barely anything went down that side when he was on the pitch, then when Garcia comes on suddenly we start playing stuff in that direction. Granted he's hardly looked great so far, but he needs the ball to look good, and for my money he's not getting it.

 

Not so much today, but when he does get it, he's far too deep and either has to pass it back, take on 2-3 players or pass it square. Our movement isn't good enough and our wingers aren't able to find space for themselves. Look at the 2nd half v Spurs last week, our movement was top notch and as a result - Gerrard and Gonzalez - were picking up holes between the spurs midfield and backline and isolate players 1v1

Edited September 30, 2006 by Guz

[Falconhoof]

Had his head in his hands on the bench after he came off. just looking down at his feet.

[McBain]

A combination of very good, decent, and utter shyte. Just like the team in general

[moptop46]

A combination of very good, decent, and utter shyte. Just like the team in general

 

I have to agree.

[Guest TanMan]

Drop Pennant, move Gerrard to RM. Drop Bellamy and play Crouch and Kuyt up front. Luis at LM, and then stop tinkering with the line up. FFS.

 

I'd have Speedy on the left, Garcia on the bench but totally agree with Crouch starting with Kuyt. Bellamy coming off the bench would carry some impact against tired legs.

[Guest Lfcruleus]

Sorry Jermaine but you were s**** today

[Billy Dane]

I see you've bought into it

 

Can see the sense in making one or two changes per game - fitness levels, specific opposition etc, but not 4,5 or 6 changes each game.

[Guest RedLegend]

Pennant looks a bit lightweight to me. Looks great when you're dominating a team but if the game becomes a battle he can become a passenger.

[Rimbeux]

Can see the sense in making one or two changes per game - fitness levels, specific opposition etc, but not 4,5 or 6 changes each game.

 

 

However this is his way, he's always done it, especially early on, and for different comps. I also remember Ferguson making 7 or 8 changes midweek to weekend and walking away with titles because he had fresh players for the run in when needed. It's a method and a fact of life, and not many can get away with winning the league by Easter, then falling apart physically like Chelsea, their seasons have been pretty much over come the final four weeks where cups and usually leagues are won.

 

For me the main thing that bothers me is players moving position, which will be Garcia and Gerrard. Yeh they can play across the midfield and in the hole, but not doing one role consistently can and does take from their game imo, and being the two most creative, that's an issue. So not so much rotation, as positional changes is how I see a problem.

[Billy Dane]

Can see your point, but doesn't he also need to factor in that we have our toughest games at the start of the season? Cheslea, Mancs, Arsenal, Everton and Bolton (we find it tough) away?

 

Great if our players are all fit for a relatively easy run in, but not if we've already blown the league by the end of October.

[Rimbeux]

Can see your point, but doesn't he also need to factor in that we have our toughest games at the start of the season? Cheslea, Mancs, Arsenal, Everton and Bolton (we find it tough) away?

 

Great if our players are all fit for a relatively easy run in, but not if we've already blown the league by the end of October.

 

 

Aye, but I don't think anyone sees them as weakened sides, just different. Lets be honest, no one can be definative about the front players, Crouch was as poor as the others after he came on, and he played as good as a full half. Then centre half was a change many would have made, as was JAR.

 

I know what you mean about getting an XI and making sure that works, but with a few injuries along the back line, and the perfomances not really nailing anyone undroppable, it's not really been a time when you could say 'best team'.

[crisps]

Pennants been absolutely shocking the last 3 or 4 games he's played.

[redjersey]

Pennants been absolutely shocking the last 3 or 4 games he's played.

He's been poor. To be fair though, of Rafa's summer signings only Kuyt has looked anything like good value as yet. Bellamy, Pennant, Aurelio and Gonzalez have all looked average at best.

[owenthomas]

none of this time to settle and get used to new surroundings, players & tactics here.. straight in and do the job or you're out..

[crisps]

He's been poor. To be fair though, of Rafa's summer signings only Kuyt has looked anything like good value as yet. Bellamy, Pennant, Aurelio and Gonzalez have all looked average at best.

 

to be honest i didnt expect gonzalez and aurelio to shine straight away but really thought bellamy and pennant would be very good, startin to think this could be a level too far for them, especially pennant

Edited September 30, 2006 by mikeyj

[owenthomas]

that's wrong and will be proven so as well..

[Andy-oh-six]

He hasn't been great recently but today he was very poor. He really needs to pick it up.