Rafa says new-boy Jermaine Pennant is trying as hard as he can. But is that good enough for our mighty club?
I have the utmost faith in Rafa but it seems that he tends to take one to many gambles on troubled players with baggage. Both Craig Bellamy and Pennant have a history of trouble wherever they have been. Bellamy said he was proud to be at the Reds (The club he supported as a boy) and that his troubled past was behind him. Yet here we are without him against Pompey because he is in court contesting assault charges.
Pennant seems to alot calmer than he was in days gone by but does he have the quality? I can’t help but think of our main rivals (Chelsea and yes those Red Devil Scum) they will splash out for one or two players of proven quality and that’s it (Eg Carrick, Drogba, Cole, Ferdinand etc). We seem to sign eight with “potential” but still have to nuture them, we need them battle hardened and ready to fire from day one if we are to compete.
Dont get me wrong Rafa has made some shrewd signings with Xabi Alonso 8 million, Momo Sissoko 5 million, Agger etc but there are also alot of questionable ones.
Following the match with Pompey Benitez said: “We told Pennant to be confident, to get in his crosses and to beat defenders.
“He was trying really hard, I was pleased with that. But he must do things in a simple way, get his crosses in and hope the forwards can reach them.
“He was getting in plenty of good crosses but sometimes the forwards were not up in support.
“As long as he keeps trying and working I am happy. But the moment he becomes afraid to try things then he will not improve.”
Let’s hope Jermaine proves me wrong and starts firing down the sidelines.
