: Thu May 29, 2008 9:50 am  

Trimalchio wrote:

In the end it comes down to petty jealousy and small town inter-club envy. The Saints fans wouldn't have been jeering him earlier this year had he not scored a spectacular length of the field try against the self-styled 'entertainers'.

i think the jeering was more down to his try celebration, rather than the try itself. When a player puts themselves on a pedestal, like he did after he scored, he is there to be knocked off as soon as he makes a mistake.

Had he not celebtrated in the manner he did, Saints fans wouldnt have celebrated his cock-ups with such glee.

Having said all that, he could be a great player - he isnt at the moment. If he doesnt sort out his defensive deficiencies and stays are Wire he will have a Calderwood-like career and maybe pick up a few medals along the way; he may well have a trophy laden career like Anthony Sullivan if he joins a big club. He wont be an international regular though.

To be honest, I hope he can sort it out. I think it is a great shame he hasnt kicked on this year, as he could have been a revelation at the World Cup.

: Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:57 pm  

His name was on the team sheet tonight but I dont recall him touching the ball

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:06 am  

Eurob0y wrote:

His name was on the team sheet tonight but I dont recall him touching the ball

He touched the ball quite a few times tonight, but then a split second later it was on the floor on almost every occasion.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 1:11 am  

Eurob0y wrote:

His name was on the team sheet tonight but I dont recall him touching the ball

He did. At one point he went to the middle of the field to take a dummy half carry, saw the Saints defence coming towards him and quickly offloaded to Carvell before running back to his wing. The ball was passed out to him on the next play and he dived for the ground before any tacklers got near him. I think Lowes took him off after that.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:42 am  

I dont know what to make of Penny.

Too much too soon - 4 year contract and thrown into the first team?

Weight of expectation?

Playing with Matt King?

Coaching Methods?

Confidence?

Saints debut winger looked more composed than penny.

Riley came through at the same time,is a similar age. Did well last year when I saw him and showed flashes of brilliance in a very good performace last night.

When bridge/reardon is back to full fitness I would be tempted to get penny a month or two in the national league.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:39 pm  

Eurob0y wrote:

His name was on the team sheet tonight but I dont recall him touching the ball

A few knock ons and hopeless drives. His defence is still awful, yet they continue to pick him.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:54 pm  

No1_Saints _Fan wrote:

A few knock ons and hopeless drives. His defence is still awful, yet they continue to pick him.

I don't remember him knocking on at all.

He also mad a decent tackle on Gardner who offloaded and they scored while the rest of the team watched and didn't get involved.

The result? Penny takes the blame and gets dragged off the field.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 1:15 pm  

The game has moved on and the ideal winger isnt a lightening fast 5ft 9inch bloke who weighs in at around 11stone
The modern winger needs to be 6ft 1inch+, 14 stone, able to field high kicks, defend strongly and provide support to the pack in taking the ball up infield.

Pennys physique and pace is more suited to the requirements of a modern day NRL fullback. Weather he could learn the role of fullback is something that we would only find out if he was played there, and given top class coaching. Certainly his pace would be utilised more from the fullback position than from the wing.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:03 pm  

I believe after skinning Gardner and Wellens at Knowsley Road in 2007 Ray French had him down as 'The Next Martin Offiah'. Ridiculous. He has the attributes to be a real threat but the weight of expectation after comments such as Senile Ray's is unbelievable and unfair on any young winger.

Whats more, when I see him I think he believes that hype, he has an arrogance and a swagger that belies his ability. I think a spell in the U21's or in the National League (Sorry, 'Championship') would do him some good.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:17 pm  

Leeds_Rhydon wrote:

I believe after skinning Gardner and Wellens at Knowsley Road in 2007 Ray French had him down as 'The Next Martin Offiah'. Ridiculous. He has the attributes to be a real threat but the weight of expectation after comments such as Senile Ray's is unbelievable and unfair on any young winger.

Whats more, when I see him I think he believes that hype, he has an arrogance and a swagger that belies his ability. I think a spell in the U21's or in the National League (Sorry, 'Championship') would do him some good.

He reminds me of Leroy Rivett..............only not as good