Beat me to it, liked years ago but.... Get rid of dead weight to try find some more officially depressed with safc
Is it reported that its with a view to signing or is DM doing him a favour and allowing him to train and keep his fitness levels up until he finds a club?
Expecting Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert to arrive this week as well... If I were Moyes I'd choose one or the other out of N'Zogbia and Pienaar, not both.
A few Sunderland representatives have been spotted hovering around Dixie Deans grave, holding shovels!
Former Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar IS training with Sunderland as David Moyes looks to strengthen his squad.The 34-year-old midfielder - who has been linked with a move to Orlando Pirates - was released in the summer after just half a dozen appearances last season for the Toffees. The former Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is training with Sunderland at the club's Academy of Light base. After succeeding Sam Allardyce midway through the pre-season campaign, Moyes admits time restraints have left him with little chance to see all of his potential new recruits in the flesh, with less than a fortnight until the Premier League gets underway. But the ex-Manchester United boss hopes to counter that obstacle by bringing in homegrown players, or at least those who have experience of competing in English football. Pienaar would certainly fit into that mould, with the South African international boasting a wealth of top flight experience. Moyes said: "We want to get it right, so it’s important that we get people who know the Premier League and how it works. "I would always go and watch the players, see them live, but that’s impossible. "My style wouldn’t be to take anything off a video, but unfortunately with some of them at the moment, I’m having to do that. "I’m trying to avoid that situation as much as possible, because if you get into it too much, you can make mistakes. "I’ve never been off the telephone, I’ve done an awful lot of work just trying to find out who could be available and what could happen. "We’ve got a couple of offers in for players just now, written offers, and we are just waiting for them to come back."
If Moyes can get enough out of him to help keep us up that will have to do, sums up our true ambition. We're penny pinching again lads. Short is happy to barely exist and happy with a relegation battle every season just so long as we stay up and doesn't have to put his hand in his pocket. Get used to it. This going to happen with a owner like we have. Most still seem think he's brilliant so should be happy with this sort of ambition. I'm not.
I actually don't know what to think. He was mint 6 years ago. He may have a year left in him. I have sympathy (to an extent) with Moyes and I appreciate his honesty when he says he tries to watch a live game to view a player rather than on video. (Nunez for example). We do have another 28 days in transfer window and he has been in office for what 10/11 days now. I will keep my trust in him for now.
I would rather use players like this as "squad" players on get paid as you play rather than fill the squad up with substandard players on long contracts (we have been there before). I say this as long as we sign some quality for the first 11.
If they are just to make up squad numbers on a pay to play then I'm happy. We have a wafer thin squad and if Moyes can get something out of them then it's ok with me.
Pienaar was one of my all time favourite Everton players, as his work rate was immense. Unfortunately injuries have taken their toll and his legs have spectacularly gone. I'd be amazed if this was anything more than Moyes doing the lad a favour and allowing him to train with a PL outfit, as it's obvious to a blind man that he's ****ed for this level.
Agree, considering how small our squad he might come in handy. I wouldnt be suprised if one or two more of similar ilk join. But like you say this deal (if we do get him, he is only training with us after all) can only be fully judged when the transfer window shuts.
Wonder how many out of contract professional footballers are training with sides at the moment? Bet there are loads and none of them end up with pro contracts for the coming season. This is probably a non-story - the line "as David Moyes looks to strengthen" is very true - but the likelihood of the player signing is slim unless he proves he has worth. We're all talking about penny pinching as we're about to reportedly break the transfer record at the club? Either of the statements intimated in that sentence could be true but one thing is for certain, none of us on here actually know and we're all making assumptions. Mine is - wait until August 31st and I'll tell you
Pienaar was a top player, he can offer a lot to your squad, maybe not the first 11 but if somebody like Watmore can take something from him, even if it just keeps players on their toes it's a good deal. You've too many players who haven't got any real competition for places, almost guaranteed starters. Appearance fee guaranteed every week. He could come on at 80 mins if you're 1-0 up, he's more likely to see the game out professionally than a younger lad.
Another season where we are woefully under prepared for the start of the competition, cheers Sunderland hierarchy! No point blaming the FA, Ellis and Co had to know Sam would probably go if asked. Instead of the piss poor cloak and dagger way it was dealt with by out pr team it should have been honest clear communication. Something like "we are proud to announce due to his efforts for us last season Sam has been considered for the England job. We hope he stays but have contingency in place of he leaves" At least the the fans could take some pride in our manager going to England. But what did we do? We lied. And when found out our excuse was "well everyone else was meant to lie as well" This coupled with penny pinching on mvilla has cut our ****ing legs off pre-season all feel good factor well and truly diminished. I for one am not happy to wait and see and judge at the end of the window! I feel like its groundhog day because as I said last season the competition starts in mid August not the end even if we sign Messi on deadline day without a miracle we will be playing catch up all year again. By the grace of whatever god you like Hull look in a worse state than us but right now unless another 2 teams **** up spectacularly it will be us Hull and anyone else.