http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...ations-Stoke/story-14030032-detail/story.html JERMAINE Pennant says he is enjoying life at Stoke City again after helping the team end their losing streak. City head for Everton tomorrow in decent spirits following Saturday's 3-1 home win over Blackburn and the 1-1 draw with Dynamo Kiev on Thursday which secured Stoke's place in the Europa League knockout stages. The 28-year-old says he had become frustrated, and didn't feel he was seeing enough of the ball during the four-game losing run in the Premier League which was finally ended by the Blackburn win. He said: "It is always difficult when sometimes the team goes through a bad patch. "With tactics, formations and style of play, sometimes it is difficult to find your form. But we are starting to pass the ball a bit more and get it out to me a little bit more which helps me. "I have been a little bit frustrated but you have to work for the team as well. The team comes first." Pennant proved his worth on Thursday with the pin-point cross which set-up Kenwyne Jones's 8ist-minute equalise. Had Stoke lost, they would have needed a point from their final group game, away to Besiktas on December 14, to be certain of qualifying. They still need a point in that game to win the group and secure a more favourable tie in the last 32. However, that is likely to be a lower priority than the Premier League game at Wolves on December 17. Pennant added: "We can still win the group and I think we will look to do that. "But the good thing is we can go there and relax and not be under massive pressure. We still want to top the group but we know we can go out there and play with a bit more freedom and actually enjoy the game." Pennant says City's hectic schedule has put a strain on the squad after 24 games already this season. That is 10 games more than Premier League rivals Wigan have played. The winger reached the 2007 Champions League final with Liverpool so is used to the demands of Europe and the Premier League. However, Pennant, who has started 16 and come on as a substitute in four of Stoke's games, said: "It is definitely tough with games coming thick and fast. I have done it before but it is hard and tiring on the body. But that is what we get paid to do." The effort seemed worth it when City finally broke through Dynamo Kiev's defences on Thursday. Stoke were outplayed in the first half but improved after the break against experienced opposition who were well organised behind the ball. Pennant added: "It is difficult for any team to come to the Britannia and try to defend for 90 minutes, especially when the crowd get behind us and give us a little lift. "Everyone is buzzing that we are through to the next stage."
It's all well and good following the win vs Blackburn and the draw vs Kiev but what if we were to lose against Everton this afternoon, will he feel miserable again?
Although Pennant is "Partly correct" re he said the "tactics formation and style of play it's difficult" I know that.. Newcastle, QPR and Kiev all had two player's marking him. So, I can fully understand why he gets frustrated. But, IF there are usually TWO player's looking after him. We SHOULD have a spare player somewhere but.. Like Pennant say's the "tactics etc" means that we don't USE that spare man? That is why I question T.P.s tactics, especially away from home and maybe the report that Pennant has "had a word with Tony Pulis" MIGHT just might mean that both he and Etherington START today v Everton. My guess is that they will not.. so if not, WHY not T.P.? I still think Pennant needs to get his head down, stop getting frustrated and do what he does best. RUN at defenders and KEEP doing that.. he did on Thursday and ONE great cross from Pennant for Jones to nod home. The team I would LIKE to see today is.. Sorro or Begovic not fussed Wilko Huth Ryan Higgy Pennant Whelan Palacios Etherington Walters Crouch But, Delap will play, Whtiehead might so we would be back to the same old same old away from home. Without TWO wingers we won't create much and we'll defend from the off. For the umpteenth time T.P. PLEASE let's ATTACK.. but I suppose It's too much to ask for. I agree though that, too many times on Thursday.. Pennant SHOULD have put in better balls than he did so, he's partly to blame.. STOP talking Jermaine and just DO IT on the pitch. That applies to Delap and Co too! We ain't good enough to just turn up and hope for a pt... so GO for IT! Then, if we lose, we lose fair enough.
I would be happy with that team, Potts, though I might play Wilson instead of Higgy. But me, you and the majority of posters know that RORY will play this afternoon and don't forget Woodgate is available again. I would really like us to set=up to attack today as 3pts would move us to 8th and surely we are going to get something on our travels sometime - why not today?
NO RORY AND WE WON?????? Is this a coincidence? I think not.. Whitehead/Whelan/Shotton listened on the tranny.. they ALL worked their balls off.. ALL 11 have.. WELL DONE Tony Pulis and the lads for once, we kept the midfield tight, we KNOW we can score and it worked really well.
Agreed Potts. The midfield had a good balance to it. Shotton added more energy and pace, and helps us out defensively as well.
Sgt Much as I like Rory.. Pace and energy are something that Rory does not have! He just does not suit the system we employ away from home. Shot's sounded like he did really well Sgt? Could not get that link working.. but WHY did the Everton fans Boo Sorro? For Christ's sake I feel like nipping over and telling em what I think but IF anyone saw the link, was this correct. He was knocked out? HOW is that time wasting...
Thought Shotts did terrifically well as did the whole of the midfield to be honest. He just added a bit more energy and pace, worked incredibly hard, ran himself ragged both defensively and offensively and made a great interception in the last minute of injury time. The Everton fans were booing Sorensen when he went down for a 2nd time. He got clattered in the head accidentally by Cahill in a 50-50 challenge and he was down for about 3 or 4 minutes. Then he got up again, but then fell down a few minutes later then they started booing him. They looked like idiots as he was stretchered off.
Rumours abound on Twitter that Pennant found out he wasn't playing last night and walked out of the team hotel. If true, then maybe he isn't enjoying life at Stoke as he claims.
I was surprised that Pennant wasn't even on the bench yesterday so I assumed he was injured. If he is going to react like that (if it's true) whenever he isn't selected then he is a mardy' sod. We have a squad and not everyone can play at the same time. You cannot please everyone all of the time and a manager has to be able to manage. The sooner he realises that the better. That said, he is a talent and we need him. A good win yesterday to complete a satisfying week
