Thread: Steven Pienaar

An attitude that is second to none: yet another reason why Pienaar was a good signing for us.

Steven Pienaar admits his inability to contribute to Tottenham's march up the Barclays Premier League has been depressing, but knows his chance will come.

Pienaar has been blighted by injury since his January arrival at White Hart Lane with an abdominal muscle complaint the latest setback.

The 29-year-old has been limited to just one appearance this season, in the Europa League last Thursday, and watched Sunday's 3-1 defeat of Fulham from the bench.

Tottenham sit on the brink of the top four and Pienaar accepts that breaking into a team operating at full throttle will be difficult.

But the South Africa midfielder is determined to prove his worth.

'It's depressing. The team is playing well and getting results, which is satisfying,' he said. 'But if you're not playing you don't have a hand in helping the team and as a player you always want to be part of a team that's doing well.

'If you're not part of it, it's like getting your money without doing anything. But I will definitely get my chance. There are a lot of games this season and you just have to be patient.

'There's no way the team will perform at this level for the whole season. You just have to wait.

'You don't wish anyone to get injured, so I'll just have to wait for my chance and I believe it will come.


On the march: Gareth Bale (2nd right) sent Spurs on the way to victory at Fulham

'The coaching staff have told me I have to get fit, that I've been unlucky with injuries. They believe in me and I believe in myself.

'The guys are in good form and we're on a good run. When you're injured you have to keep fighting and working hard and be patient.

'When your opportunity does come you have to prove yourself again and make sure you hold onto your place.'
Even if Pienaar fails to break into the Spurs line-up by the end of the campaign, he will remain at White Hart Lane.

'In January I signed a four-and-half-year contract,' said Pienaar who rejected a move to Chelsea in favour of joining Spurs.

'If it's not working out this season I'll just have to wait until next season. That's part and parcel of football. You just have to keep on going and don't give up.'

On the up: Spurs are fifth in the Premier League after Sunday's win over Fulham

Seven wins in eight matches has powered Tottenham up the Premier League and Pienaar is convinced they can finish in the Champions League places.

'The way we're going we can definitely finish in the top four. It's going to be a season with a surprise in it,' he said.

'We're only one point off Manchester United if we win our game in hand.

'It depends how the team is playing, but we can even finish close to Manchester City.'
Tottenham enter the international break perched three points above Arsenal and Pienaar would love to secure north London bragging rights.

'We don't speak about it but of course you want to finish above your neighbours. It's a good feeling,' he said. 'Hopefully the way things are going we should finish above them. Then it will feel good walking around north London.'


Read more: Steven Pienaar frustrated at Spurs | Mail Online

It's good to actually talk about the guy for once without posting a link that leads to a SSN website linking him away from the club.....

I thought for the short cameo he had (15 mins) he looked really lively. He's been hampered by injuries and I think he's finally fully fit. I also think he's a great option to bring off the bench and to use against certain opposition. Last night I saw him making threatening runs with the ball, charging into the box, closing down and passing creatively.

I think him playing against Everton helped too. He was banging on about how it was his 'special' game earlier in the day.

Did look sharp though & hopefully he can bring something to table

COYS

I hope he stays. Useful player for us.

He is a bit old, and of course not as physically gifted as Lennon. That said is an extremely intelligent player and last season he demonstrated his ability adjust his play to make the players around him better. He has already proven himself as a more than competent player that should get PT, providing he is fit. It was nice to see him on yesterday, and I don't think that he had an outstanding game either - he had a normal game for his standards, and those standards are high. He may not get the goals or individual highlights people want to see, but his passing and link of play is every bit as good as Lennons and Bales. It is an utter shame he has not been ready to go a bit earlier in the season, we have needed him, but still if he stays fit he can play adequate cover for both of our wingers without taking away from the "spurs style" - this cannot be said for anyone else on our team. Certainly not for VDV or Niko.