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FAN ARTICLES

Pienaar's White Heart Pain?

By Jamie Sweet :  12/05/2011 :  Comments (72) :
Now that it is mathematically impossible for us to qualify for Europe, and, as I understand it, only 5th position (currently filled by our neighbours) taking the final spot in the Europa League, it got me wondering how former Everton player of the season, Steven Pienaar, might be enjoying life at White Heart Lane?

His decision to move, aided by the Big Guy upstairs, was surely based on the assumption that Spurs would be playing in Europe every season. I imagine that his only real highlight since joining Spurs would be the two-legged victory over AC Milan in the Champions League, both games in which he started, but was subbed with about 20 minutes to go.

Other than that, I am left thinking that, from a footballing perspective, he may well be starting to question the advice that his good buddy has given him. Yes, his pockets may be bulging a little more than they were when he was at Goodison, but I am assured that money was never a motivating factor in the joint decision made by our Peanuts and our Heavenly Father.

He has only played one full game for Spurs. This was in their 4-0 FA Cup humiliation at the hands of mighty London rivals ? Fulham. Not an enjoyable 90 minutes I would suggest. He has only started 4 Premier League matches, getting subbed in each one. These games included the 3-1 bashing at Blackpool and draws against Wolves and Newcastle. Hardly the stuff dreams are made of.

And he just might be starting to get a sore arse: In the ten Premier League games he has been in the matchday squad for, he has spent 496 minutes sat on the bench and only 404 minutes on the pitch, with the majority of those playing minutes coming from his first 5 games at the club. The last 5 Spurs league games have seen a total of just 70 minutes of Pienaar?s tireless running, trickery and general lack of end product.

With the likes of Bale, Van der Vaart and Dawson at Tottenham, Stephen Pienaar is unlikely to ever enjoy being a fans' favourite again. With the wealth of midfield talent at the club, he is just as unlikely to ever be one of Harry?s favourites.

So could the moral of this story be that the grass isn?t always greener? Or perhaps that God doesn?t always know best?

We, as contributors to ToffeeWeb on the other hand, nearly always do know best, and any player thinking of jumping from the Everton ship this summer would do well to keep this in mind!

Reader Comments (72)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Andy Mack
1 Posted 12/05/2011 at 06:50:51
I suppose 'Appy 'Arry could end up flogging him in the transfer window on the continent for a couple of million more than he paid, agent gets a cut, player (and God) get a cut... and we have still lost a decent player.

Hadn't been following his Spurs career but interesting stats, the grass certainly isn't greener.
Ray Roche
2 Posted 12/05/2011 at 06:50:50
Jamie, the modern footballer is as far removed from the likes of Labone, Harvey or Watson as it's possible to get. His only interest is his bank balance. No Premier League player will have the loyalty shown by those mentioned at the expense of the stack of cash that provokes the inevitable transfer once his form attracts the attention of the likes of 'Arry Redknapp.

Pienaar will not care one bit about the lack of on-field action provided his finances have improved. And the small amount of money spent by Spurs to secure his services was possibly a gamble by 'Arry to weaken Everton, who may have been seen as a rival for European football... who knows? He was only ever going to be cover for Bale at the most.

Chris Bannantyne
3 Posted 12/05/2011 at 07:30:24
Forget transfer fees and that, would you have him back? I would.
Danny Broderick
4 Posted 12/05/2011 at 07:42:23
He has had a groin injury since he has been at Tottenham. Time to move on. He was a good player for us, he wanted a change, we made a profit (although that would have been a bigger profit if we'd have sold him in the summer).

I would also have him back by the way, his link up with Baines was the best in the league at times over the last couple of seasons...

Tony Hale
5 Posted 12/05/2011 at 08:02:30
Cost of player: £3m; Weekly wage of said player: £75k; Removing one of a rival team's top players for literally peanuts: PRICELESS.
Frank Key
6 Posted 12/05/2011 at 08:03:30
The loss of Champions League football will inevitably lead to the loss of a few of their top players. With a good pre-season behind him, Pienaar may therefore find himself back in the team.
Russ Quinlan
7 Posted 12/05/2011 at 08:06:35
How many players over the years have fitted into our team and then thought they were better than they really were? Barmby was a case in point: did well here, got into the England squad and then said he wanted to play for the RS; needless to say, once he left... oblivion!

Can't see Pienaar ever recreating what he had here with any other team, so, once again... oblivion!

By the way, mate, Nelson is a loverly place!!
Guy Hastings
8 Posted 12/05/2011 at 08:42:32
Good piece in the Guardian today on the likely cull at Spurs with the likes of O'Hara and Bentley coming back from loan and Woodgate, King and Cudicini sucking money out of the club. No mention of Pienaar's possible exit, though. In fact, no mention of him at all. Wouldn't mind O'Hara at a knockdown price.
Kevin Hudson
9 Posted 12/05/2011 at 09:01:09
I agree with the premise of the article, despite the unneccesary taunting of the man's religious faith.

I reckon Pienaar is in the same boat as Lescott. Ostensibly at clubs offering better prospects, yet relegated to bit-part players largely unappreciated by their new fans.

Sure they'll be telling themselves that they made the right decision, but ultimately I don't think they're finding things as rewarding as before. I may be biased, but it seems they're cutting a rather hollow appearance these days...
Tony J Williams
10 Posted 12/05/2011 at 09:56:12
I am bitter and I hope he goes the same way as Ratzinski, however I would have him back too. Schizophrenia doesn't run in my family, yes it does, no it doesn't etc etc [repeat to fade...]
Jimmy Hacking
11 Posted 12/05/2011 at 10:15:13
Is this the same Pienaar who we signed for next to nothing, gave us three and a half years of excellent service and then left us for a profit?

For fucks sake give him a break, just because he fancied a move doesn't make him a sodding criminal, it's no wonder they call us "bitter blues".

Hmmm how do you spell "schaadenfreude"?
Brian Lawlor
12 Posted 12/05/2011 at 10:26:25
Pienaar's reason for moving to Spurs was his multi-million pound signing on fee and £75k wages.
Duncan McDine
13 Posted 12/05/2011 at 10:27:39
Who'd have thought that ickle Leon would come in and do the same job as Peanuts, but also score goals... something that the little cartoon faced, deep voiced knob-jockey couldn't.

I'd still have him back!!!!
Steve Hopkins
14 Posted 12/05/2011 at 10:33:43
Did anyone see him when he came on against Man City?

He truly stunk the place out! I had 3 feelings: 1) Up yours for leaving us, you greedy twat;
2) That's a shame to watch one of our old boys struggling so badly; and
3) Was he always this bad when he played for us and we just ignored the fact?

He just looked way out of his depth in what is clearly a very talented Spurs midfield and I guess you could put it down to being desperate to impress.
Lee Mandaracas
15 Posted 12/05/2011 at 09:27:33
I don't think the taunting of the man's 'faith' is unfair at all. To repeatedly grandstand about your faith with prayers to the heavens when you score, habitually crossing oneself with the fervour of someone with OCD and praising God in every possible interview kind of engenders comments.

The only reason I think it is fair game is that I believe the guy to be a hypocrite. Nothing to do with him leaving us because this is an opinion I frequently voiced when he was here. To practise so little of the faith you ram down others' throats by drink-driving and physically attacking women makes it open season in my opinion.

I do not care what someone's faith is or whether they have one at all. I do deeply resent holier-than-thou hypocrites. Just my holier-than-thou opinion though ;)
Simon Harris
16 Posted 12/05/2011 at 10:33:59
Took me weeks to get over the sale of Pienaar. I've finally stopped mumbling about it to the guy next to me at the match.

He was my favourite player and so comfortable on the ball, rarely gave it away cheaply and his relationship with Baines was special, only akin to Steven and Stevens in my life time. It would be interesting to see the stats on Baines's assists, pre and post Pienaar.

I blame the board for not doing enough to keep our best player (IMO), but there's no doubt he was tempted by the bright lights of North London.

Whilst Osman will never excite me in the same way Pienaar did, he has stepped up to the plate and performances like last Saturday are easing the pain.
Brian Denton
17 Posted 12/05/2011 at 10:54:51
'Hart' not 'Heart'. White Hart Lane, you know, where Spurs play. White Heart Lane is where 'Spuds' play, presumably.



A hart is a deer, btw.
Liam Reilly
18 Posted 12/05/2011 at 11:00:50
Can?t say I?ve missed him, because the stats don?t lie.
He had some skill on the ball for sure; but for a so called attacking midfielder, he should have had more goals and more assists to his name. I expect he will begin to fade away at Tottenham and appear at some middle of the road side in Europe.
Lee Mandaracas
19 Posted 12/05/2011 at 11:18:32
BTW, Ray Roche (2), I think your opinion of footballers' per se is fair but not all of them are like that. Let us not forget Atreta could have gone for over £100k per week PLUS a hefty share of a transfer fee last closed-season but chose to stay. Granted he chose to stay for a pay rise taking him to £75k per week but that is still a hell of a lot less than he could have got had he moved.

I don't think he is alone either as I feel quite sure players such as Tim Cahill would take a lot more than a big paycheque to be lured away from Goodison Park. Leon Osman & Tony Hibbert are both given, even if some on here don't believe they could better their deals elsewhere. Phil Neville is quite possibly another and I hope Jags & Bainsey (being original Blues and apparently as passionate about us as ever) are too - but maybe I am wearing my blue-tinted specs with them. There are exceptions to the 'greedy professional footballer' rule and I rejoice that I believe we have several of them playing for us.
Mike Allison
20 Posted 12/05/2011 at 11:27:08
We knew all that before he left, but that won't stop the next greedy (sorry, ambitious) player wanting to move on for more money (sorry, to be part of an exciting project).
Chris Fisher
21 Posted 12/05/2011 at 11:32:43
I would love for us to finish above Spurs as well just to really push the point home to him!
Robert Moore
22 Posted 12/05/2011 at 11:40:57
Fact:? Baines made Pienaar look good.
John Ford
23 Posted 12/05/2011 at 11:39:26
God spoke, and 'kerching' went the till.
Colin Malone
24 Posted 12/05/2011 at 11:35:02
Stephen Hunt
Sur Jo
25 Posted 12/05/2011 at 12:05:09
That was a sweet piece Jamie. I do not know how to accept the fact that Pienaar has every right to move on after his Everton contract. However, I am an Everton fan, so I could care less. I am bitter that the guy left and I can't understand why I feel happy when I hear that his career is taking a dive at Spurs.

Pienaar forgot that his career was going nowhere until Moyes decided to take him to Everton and work with him such that he can find his strength. At Everton, he had the luxury to dictate the midfield, and he always had Bainesy to set up everything for him on a plate. Can't understand how God did not make him realize how lucky he was at Everton and that he should not have left.

Would love to have him back though. He complements Bainesy, rather that the other way round.
Tony J Williams
26 Posted 12/05/2011 at 12:36:47
That's my way of looking at it Sur. Baines was the better out of the two, he even makes Ossie look good on the left
Norman Merrill
27 Posted 12/05/2011 at 13:28:32
I was disappointed when he left, but that goes with any player with his ability leaving our small squad.
He has come in for some fierce criticism from Spurs fans on radio and the club websites, even Harry the lad has, had his share, regardng the purchase.
Tim Spring
28 Posted 12/05/2011 at 12:52:09
Why do we spend so much time bad mouthing former players, current players, coaches, rumours, groundsmen, the toffee lady!?

The guy has gone, whether he went for money, to play in the capital or for European football it doesn't really make a difference to the players we have in the squad available to us.
It may be because I am in a bad mood as have to go to a wedding in Germany next mnoth which is going to be awful, but with all ex players, who cares! I love them when they play for EFC, and I love them if they love the club, but if they go we move on.
Jay Harris
29 Posted 12/05/2011 at 13:18:48
He's a bit like every other Judas.

He sold God down the river for 30 pieces of silver.

Just to correct Jimmy # 11 we bought him for 2.5 million and sold him for 2.5 million therefore did not buy him for nect to nothing and make a profit.

Personally I would sooner have kept him as it will cost us more than 2.5 million to replace him but Bullshit Bill and his buddies need the money apparently.
Alex Bonnar
30 Posted 12/05/2011 at 13:53:22
I'll guess that Pienaar, similar to that lad who went to Newcastle, were urged by their Agents to 'progress their careers'. The fact that they are now both unhappy sitting on the bench will not bother an Agent who is now receiving a cut of a higher wage plus a big fee for facilitating the move. Players are easy meat for some of these sharp operators.
Antony Matthews
31 Posted 12/05/2011 at 13:58:14
Piennar left to try to better his career and play Champions League football. What did Gosling leave for? A year on the treatment table and a wad full of cash. Newcastle must have money to burn.

If I was DM, I'd try to sell them the Yak, Vaughan and Saha. That will really piss them off!

I think Pienaar is probably rueing the decision he made to leave as most footballers don't like sitting on the bench for long periods, especially when fit. We did warn him though. I bet that twat Redknap will slap a hefty £5-8 million price tag on him if he chose to sell him.

Can't see him leaving the bright lights soon as he has made his bed and now has to lie in it.

Tommy Gourlay
32 Posted 12/05/2011 at 14:14:13
Pienaar is sadly missed by me because he was great in Pro Evo...... ;)
Kunal Desai
33 Posted 12/05/2011 at 14:17:13
For monetary needs Pienaar got what he wanted, but footballing purposes he was never going to dislodge Bale and Lennon in those favoured positions. Both are far better footballers than Pienaar. I wouldn't be surprised to see him move on again within a year as he'll only ever be a squad filler at WHL.
Michael Brien
34 Posted 12/05/2011 at 14:08:40
Jamie & Lee #14 ?? some good points. But as a Christian I have to take a bit of an issue with you on some of the points that you made in which I think you do taunt the guy's faith. Tim Howard is also a Christian ? he has stayed at Everton ? maybe when he could have earned more elsewhere. The reason I take issue with you knocking his faith is that you seem to imply all Christian players would be like that.

Pienaar made up his own mind. Did he do the right thing? Well, as a Christian and an Evertonian, I would say that no he didn't do the right thing. In financial terms he is better off... but I don't think he has made a good career move. It looks like Spurs will have to sell a few in order to keep Bale and before any new signings are agreed. I was impressed by Redknap's attitude in the last two games: at Chelsea they were robbed and against Blackpool, Charlie Adam should have been given a red card for his tackle on Bale. I have seen Fellaini hammered by the MotD pundits, yet I don't recall anyone suffering a serious injury as a result of one of his challenges. Anyway I digress; yes 'Arry has shown a good attitude lately unlike some managers that one could mention!!

However, there's one thing I think Pienaar may have not looked at too carefully. Namely 'Arry likes to wheel and deal ? there seems to be a greater than average turnover of players at Tottenham. He could be on his way after a couple of years. Personally I was upset that Pienaar left as, whilst he was good for Everton, Everton was good for him. His career got back on track at Goodison, after he had struggled at Borussia Dortmund. I would not be surprised when his career is over if Steven Pienaar regrets having left Everton. Money isn't everything and, as regards game time, I am pretty sure he would have figured more prominently in Everton's team than he has at Spurs.

It reminds me in some ways of Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell. They left Charlton and Reading to go to Chelsea ? a supposed dream move. They may have earned loads more money at Stamford Bridge but it didn't do their careers any good, did it? Who knows, maybe he will be back at Everton in the future? The return of "a repentant sinner" would bring rejoicing in heaven. (Apologies for that one but I couldn't resist it!!!)
Dan Parker
35 Posted 12/05/2011 at 14:44:55
Tony (post 5), I agree. I've often wondered whether Spurs only bought Pienaar to remove a key player from a rival team in the same way perhaps Man City did when they tried to compete against Everton for a top 7 place. It worked for both teams in respective seasons where we had a poor start as a result (amongst other issues).

Villa were also right up there with us and they've been hand-picking their players too.
Alan Clarke
36 Posted 12/05/2011 at 14:57:52
I think Baines helped Pienaar a hell of a lot. When Pienaar left, people were quesitonning whether Baines would now be as good. If anything, he's been better. That's not because Pienaar made Baines bad, it's just Baines is a very good player. I don't think Assou-Ekotto is quite in the same league.

If it is all about money for Pienaar then I hope he enjoys it whilst watching his former team mates finish above him in the league. There has to be some glory still left in football and I doubt Pienaar will experience any even Spurs do win something. A win never felt quite the same for me if I was on the subs bench or I only featured for 15 minutes in the game.
Michael Kenrick
37 Posted 12/05/2011 at 15:14:59
Simon (#16), Baines's assists are pretty similar, especially if you consider the relative number of games:

Pre: 7 assists plus 1 goal;

Post: 5 assists plus 1 goal and 2 penalties.

Pienaar Factor: zero.
Ernie Baywood
38 Posted 12/05/2011 at 15:19:37
As a footballer I'd have him back in a heartbeat... but the message should be that once you ditch us then you never come back.

I'd imagine there are a few current blues who take note of what happens when you leave.
Simon Harris
39 Posted 12/05/2011 at 15:25:41
Thanks for that Michael, ? I'm pleasantly suprised!

My Pienaar-tinted glasses have obviously obscured how well Baines has coped since his departure; like many of the other posters, that is testament to Baines's quality.
Chris Butler
40 Posted 12/05/2011 at 15:54:47
I think most Everton fans know when players are going to regret their decision to leave us. In my opinion, he's looked awful for Spuds. He din't leave for money reasons, he quite rightly objected to lesser players to him like Arteta being offered higher wages than him. He's a top guy and deserves a good reception against us.
Robbie Muldoon
41 Posted 12/05/2011 at 16:15:47
12 assists from Baines this season is incredible, clearly Player of the Season.
David Duffy
42 Posted 12/05/2011 at 16:53:59
Guys guys guys... Pienaar is a good player... With Baines! He needs a Baines or Cole. He is good with linking up play.

Second spell at Goodison? Nah... Not going to happen and honestly, i hope it doesn't. Lets move on.
Dennis Stevens
43 Posted 12/05/2011 at 17:08:13
Apparently, this imaginary entity that the superstitious, er - I mean faithful, believe in moves in mysterious ways. Somebody should have told young Stephen.
Ray Roche
44 Posted 12/05/2011 at 17:10:20
Lee Mandaracas @19

Lee, there is a degree of truth in your comments but I think that Cahill, Leon Osman & Tony Hibbert are the exceptions that prove the rule. For every Hibbert there are a dozen Anelkas or Lescotts.

Don't get me wrong: it IS a relatively short career and players need to feather their nest while they can, but they could be honest about it and admit that they're only going for the money and save us this badge kissing fiasco every week, before slithering out under the door for their thirty pieces of silver.

Had Lescott been upfront and said that he was leaving for more money and, and, maybe, more chance of CL football, then most fans would have been disappointed but would have respected his position. To throw a sulk (the Arsenal match) until he got his own way was totally wrong. He would have made enough money at Everton to have secured his, and his family's future anyway.

Brian Waring
45 Posted 12/05/2011 at 17:29:03
Lee (#19): "Arteta could have gone for over £100k per week, plus a hefty share of a transfer fee" ? Not being funny mate, I must have missed that one, but who came in for him, and offered him over £100k per week, plus a hefty share of a transfer fee?
Rob Murphy
46 Posted 12/05/2011 at 18:39:49
Doubled his money while halving his workload, sounds like a good deal to me!!
James Brand
47 Posted 12/05/2011 at 22:17:08
Robert Moore (22)

Spot on! I really don't know what the fuss is about! He never scored goals, went missing etc...

He had bags of space to play in because of Baines creating that space...

Don't get me wrong, I liked him, but he was never in Arteta's class. We're only arguing about this because we got NOTHING for him! If we'd have got £8m+ for him, we wouldn't have this thread.

He's no 'loss' - BAINES MADE HIM LOOK GOOD PEEPS!
Jamie Sweet
48 Posted 12/05/2011 at 22:47:38
I sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended by the religious references in the article. I would never usually choose to mock anyone?s faith. It was, however, an intentional dig at Pienaar, as I always felt he hid behind his faith and used it to justify his decision to move on. I don?t like anyone using their religion to justify their actions, particularly when those actions hurt people. In Stevens case, I would just much rather he?d come out and say ?I fancy a crack at Champions League football, and an extra 20k a week can?t be sniffed at?.

And to those who say ?he?s gone, get over it? I say fuck off! This guy was an important part of my life for a few years, and I think it?s natural to wonder how he?s getting on. Like when a girlfriend you really liked dumps you? you still think about her from time to time? and there?s a little piece of you which, even though you don?t really care anymore, makes you secretly hope that the new guy she?s with treats her like shit and makes her realise she was better off when she was with you.
Michael Brien
49 Posted 13/05/2011 at 07:20:48
Well put Jamie - I must say I was saddened more than angered by his departure. His time at Everton helped to put his career back on track and I really think that he has made a mistake. That's not said out of any vindictiveness, I just think that he has been " taken in" as it were - dazzled by the promise of Champions League football. As I have said I like 'Arry, but he does wheel and deal and I would be very surprised if he lasts a couple of seasons at Tottenham. Had he stayed at Goodison, he may not have earned as much money - but I think he would have been appreciated more and would certainly have had more game time. At Spurs it will be a case of being in the limelight until the attention turns to the next new signing - I hope he enjoyed being flavour of the month - but he will find that it doesn't last long.
Joe McMahon
50 Posted 13/05/2011 at 12:35:20
Jamie- Bloody Hell, how bitter are you?

He served us well, we have to let it go. There is a big chance he'll be playing in the CL with Spurs again in 18 months time, he certainly wouldn't if he chose to stay at Everton playing at Woodison Park. I wish him well, he didn't leave in the same was as Lescott. .
Michael Brien
51 Posted 13/05/2011 at 13:20:45
Joe - he didn't leave in the same way as Lescott that's true. However, when he joined us on loan he hadn't exactly had a great time in Dortmund. And I wouldn't be so sure if i was you that Spurs will be back in the so called Champions League so soon. The signs are that they will have to offload some players before any new signings can be made. It appears that although they didn't go as far as Leeds did - they did overstretch themselves to try and gain the coveted CL place.

Next season's top 4 will be the same as this season's I think - although as Eric Morecambe might have put it not necessarily in the same order !! Steven Pienaar may find himself surplus to requirements at Tottingham and be sacrificed in order to a) sign a big name Foreign star or b) try to keep Bale. I expect him to be out of WHL in another year or so. That's not bitterness - just an acknowlegement that Arry does more wheeling and dealing than Del boy.
Peter Laing
52 Posted 13/05/2011 at 13:52:47
Jamie Sweet, shit, man you need counselling................
Mike McIlroy
53 Posted 13/05/2011 at 14:15:20
I always find it fascinating the progress of players who think the grass is greener etc etc.

Lescott and Pienaar have struggled to set their new teams on fire and even Rooney has had times where he looks distinctly average. I think when players go to these 'big' clubs with large squads and large bank balances, the pressure to perform actually has a detrimental effect on them.

For the blues, they WILL play week-in, week-out because they bloody have to!! And the adoration from the fans is alot more genuine and complete. I just wonder if Scott Parker has that mindset when he's looking for a new club?

Yes go to the Mancs or back to Chelski but if you want to play all the time, get credit for your performances, AND an England spot, then Goodison is your answer, Mr P ? and this time, don't ask for silly wages... (think I've just hit on a problem!)

Ernie Baywood
54 Posted 13/05/2011 at 14:22:35
Yes Baines made him look good, but in my opinion Baines hasn't got back to the level that he was at with Pienaar in front of him. Either going forward or in defence, where Pienaar was always a good shield for him.

Still been very good, just not the exceptional consistency that he put in with Pienaar there.
Chris Keightley
55 Posted 13/05/2011 at 14:46:10
Jamie Sweet WTF mate! you have been watching way to many Tom Cruise films, the girlfriend piece of your thread made me feel ill - Important part of your life - maybe if you had lived with him?? LMAO
Brian Waring
56 Posted 13/05/2011 at 15:27:21
Agree with Ernie. Without Pienaar covering him, Baines has shown the flaws in his defending.
John Morgan
57 Posted 13/05/2011 at 18:02:21
I seem to remember Mr Pienaar telling us he would gladly sign a new contract, but "it had to be fair and it had to be right and the one on offer wasn't fair". That was 12 months before he left, so, as we all already knew, he'd made his mind up a long time ago.

Perhaps he can enlighten us as to what wasn't fair about the contract.

It's hard to believe it would be anything other than money because Flash Harry can't offer anything other than more dosh - not even regular European football!
Ian Tod
58 Posted 13/05/2011 at 18:34:41
Pienaar has made a massive mistake leaving us, I thought at the time of him leaving and watching his performance after coming off the bench of which he only made because bale was injured confirmed that and looking at the fact we could overtake Spurs it also looks as though he may of taken a step down!
Adam Rathe
59 Posted 13/05/2011 at 19:53:52
Good article. I think he'll regret it, though I doubt he'll ever let it be known, maybe not to give his attackers the satisfaction (though I don't think he cares about this too much) or because God wasn't right this time. I don't think his faith is this shallow though.

I'd love to have him back but that'll never happen in my opinion. There's no question though in footballing terms he's made the wrong decision.
Joseph Strumm
60 Posted 13/05/2011 at 21:21:11
The word was that he was the biggest mercenary in the dressing room and was always advocating the "fill your pockets and fuck the club" approach. Some Christian values... not!
Peter Warren
61 Posted 13/05/2011 at 21:49:03
"there's no question though in footballing terms he's made the wrong decision"

........mmmm let's wait and see, rather than judge after 3 months
Ian McDowell
62 Posted 13/05/2011 at 22:07:52
I don't think he regrets it at all.

1. He gets more money.
2. He has played Champions League football now.
3. Spurs will finish above us next season and will probably significantly strengthen the squad.
James Stewart
63 Posted 14/05/2011 at 00:06:48
Pienaar is a massive waste of talent. Obviously gifted yet so ineffective in the final third. Not missed at all and I would have sold him sooner.
Andrew Presly
64 Posted 14/05/2011 at 00:33:38
Post Rooney, surely nobody is bothered about players coming / going anymore? Probably Felli leaving is the only thing I'd give a vague toss about and even then I'd be thinking about how quickly Ross Barkley can be recombobulated to fill the role.

That said, I do wish ill on any good player still in their prime who leaves us, so the OP has got it right... aka Pienaar, Lescott, Rooney ? ill. Jo, AJ, Yobo etc - goodwill. Pretty basic stuff but true.
Brian Waring
65 Posted 14/05/2011 at 09:00:06
Why should players show loyalty to their clubs, when as soon as their respective clubs find them surplus to requirements, they fuck them off, whether that player wants to leave or not?
James Martin
66 Posted 14/05/2011 at 10:46:37
All very well debating who made who look good on that left flank, how much pienaar is now sitting on the bench, and how much more he is now earning but there are a few things conveniently overlooked. Tottenham now have a very good replacement for any attacking position in their midfield warming thier bench. Everton's left flank, meanwhile is undeniably worse off. Baines has had too shoulder the offensive burden due to Bily's incompetence, which has led to him being defensively suspect in a lot of games. Was it a good move for Pienaar to leave? No. Have we replaced him with anything better? No.
Ian Bennett
67 Posted 14/05/2011 at 12:27:16
Not surprised in the slightest. Said he was a nearly player when he was with us ? nearly great, nearly scored etc.

His wage demands never squared with his ability and Spurs will come to see it in time. He's peaked and will go downhill from here on in.

Let's get some money spent on the wings and look to move on. Would far rather take the £3m plus £3m in wages per year we have in play from him, and put it into a player who is up and coming. That might sound bitter ? but Pienaar in 3 years time will be worthless whilst a decent, young well scouted replacement could be worth multiple more.
Ciarán McGlone
68 Posted 14/05/2011 at 14:27:20
If Pienaar genuinely wanted to play Champions League football he'd have warmed Chelsea's bench instead of Spurs'...

But Spurs offered him more of what's important to him...

Inconsistent and overrated player who thinks he's god's gift... Best well shot of that one.
Vijay Badhan
69 Posted 15/05/2011 at 04:27:15
I personally would never want him back! He turned is back on us for whatever reason I don't care but he wanted to leave us so he honestly never really loved EFC or the fans who gave him so much love or the manager who resurrected his career.

Baines made him look better than he was and, most of the time I watched Pienaar play, he ran around in circles with very little end product. His leaving Everton had very little effect on us.

Steve Edwards
70 Posted 15/05/2011 at 11:50:34
Good article spoilt by slurs with regard to the man's faith. I'm sure many like me will find this offensive.
Terry McLavey
71 Posted 15/05/2011 at 11:47:53
I think we were more creative with Pienaar and have played a different game since his departure, but he's gone now so we can speculate forever and it won't make any difference!

Also, Michael (#34), as for Fellaini not wishing to injure anyone on purpose, Liverpool's Kyrgiakos may have a different opinion! Quite ironic Karmic retribution intervened and he injured himself in the process!! Never been a great fan, always thought he was a bit of a thug, but we don't really know what the manager tells him to do!

Also DM did say that players sometimes don't do that well when they leave EFC! But, by the same token, quite a lot don't do well if they stay, judging by this season!!! Roll on August with a new quality striker and creative midfielder... yea right!!!

Jamie Sweet
72 Posted 16/05/2011 at 01:08:46
Steve #70. I have apologised for this (post 48 - paragraph 1) and I apologise again.

I then followed with paragraph 2 which, in hindsight, made me sound like some kind of psycho stalker nut-job!

I only wrote this article as I found myslef wondering exactly how Peanuts was getting on and decided to take the time to look into it... and thought I'd share my findings. I genuinely am not that bitter toward the guy... nor have I ever lived with him (thanks Chris #55!)

My decision to include the religious undertone followed by idiotic ramblings to spice things up was an error of judgement. Maybe I could write for News of The World?

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