Too Early To Give Up On Pennant
3Thursday, September 25, 2008 by Paul Grech
There have been many critics of Jermaine Pennat – a good portion of them Liverpool fans – yet I have always failed to understand the reason for all the negativity. I appreciate that he’s probably not good enough, or at least not consistent enough, to be playing each week for a team with title ambitions but, as a squad player, he isn’t a bad option.
Especially considering the competition.We all know that Dirk Kuyt works hard and plays a valuable role for the team (even if some are much less willing to agree to his utility than others) yet the creativity that he brings to the side is minimal.
Who else is there? Yossi Benayoun has played on the right but that is largely through default. Give him a choice and he’d opt for a central role and that’s probably where he’s at his best. You might also point at Nabil El Zhar. The Moroccan youth has promise but a genuinely better option than Pennant he is not.
What Pennant does lack in comparison to those three is the ability to play in different roles which is probably why Rafael Benitez tends to prefer them when choosing his substitutes. Or at least that is my assumption because the other areas where Pennant is lacking – scoring and consistency – are problems for the others as well.
Specifically in his role, however, he is the best of the lot. Pennant has pace, his crosses the ball into dangerous areas and is the most creative even though his apparent reluctance (whether imposed or not I don’t know? to go past people rather than crossing as soon as he finds space is frustrating.
Pennant has also improved in his attitude, which at the time of his transfer was the biggest worry, and ever since joining Liverpool he has been impeccable. He has never complained about being dropped, has always worked hard and when he’s had to play for the reserves he's always done his utmost.
His attitude was typified this week against Crewe. Making his first appearance for the season, he knew that this was the perfect opportunity to show his worth and so he did, setting up the second goal and being one of the better players on the pitch.
That is unlikely to win over support from those too entrenched in their negative opinion of him. But will it be enough to change Benitez’s mind? Hopefully yes.
Category Jermaine Pennant
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I agree, I do however think he could play in a title winning side. I am amazed he's not supported more by liverpool fans, and i think it must be because he doesn't score a great deal and doesn't do hundreds of pointless step overs (thats what gets shown on MOTD). With Pennant you are guarenteed a steady supply of crosses, and width, both things Liverpool have been lacking of late. If given a chance, I'm sure he'll get back to the form which got him a MOM in the 2007 Champs League final.
Yes, it is time for Benitez to open his eyes widely and see what pennant can offer. He can dribble, cross and most importantly, he has a pace which kuyt lacks of. I always think highly of him but somehow our Benitez has other in his mind. Play him and you will see goals start flowing in, we couldn't even open Stoke defence. Why dont Benitez gives him a chance and show him what he can do. He is english and only 25 if i am not wrong so his prime time is still ahead of him and most importantly his attitude has changed .
He's not as good as Gerrard or Babel out there (both bigger goal threats and whip in better crosses), but there is no way in my opinion that he should be behind Kuyt or Benayoun in the pecking order. For anybody who says that Pennant doesn't score enough, neither does Kuyt!!
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