Liverpool FC Forum

by **Bad Bob** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:44 pm

With the transfer season creeping up and plenty of questions floating about regarding our current crop of forwards it seems like the right time to discuss the Liverpool future of our pacey Frenchman.

No, not that one...I'm talking about Pongo!

It seems the lad has dropped off the radar a bit this season--primarily due to his loan move to Blackburn--and is in danger of being the forgotten man in the forward calculus.

He hasn't exactly set the league on fire since he's arrived yet I can't help but think he's still got plenty to offer the team. He's got pace to burn, a lovely touch, a nice eye for goal and a good work ethic. He can play out wide in a pinch and he's got many good years ahead of him. In fact, he seems to offer everything that Cisse does and much more.

IMHO it would be a mistake to let him go at this point as I think the kid will turn out to be quality.

Having said that, his sale might help finance a significant piece of transfer business this summer.

What do people think...give him more time or cash in now?

by **anti-hero** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:43 pm

More time.

Young players will always mature and strengthen their game.

I think maybe another season on loan should do that before you could give him a realistic chance of breaking into the first team, provided he scores. He is good but I dont think there would be any places for him at Liverpool, yet, with a new striker coming in or so I hear.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 12:52 am

I personally think loaning Cisse out and using Pongolle on the right would've been a far better idea. He's far more skilful, and has better awareness.

The forwards situation is going to be fascinating I think - other than Crouch I just don't know what the pecking order is in Rafa's mind.

I'd guess it was:

Crouch
Fowler
Morientes
Cisse
Pongolle

Pongolle may well be the surprise package in the equation however. It could be the case that Rafa decided Morientes and Cisse were out in summer back in January, but endeavoured to give them both games in order to increase their marketability. Regardless of what anyone thinks about either of them, they'll certainly command higher transfer prices than Flo-Po. In this thinking, maybe Flo-Po's coming back, Fowler's staying and Rafa's only after 1 striker.

by **bng89** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:19 am

He is a good young player (as you described) that, in my view, should be given more time.
See what he can do when he comes back and if he isn't playing good, ship him out.

by **stmichael** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:26 am

it all depends what rafa has in the pipeline for next season. lets just assume that cisse and morientes go in the summer and two strikers are brought in to replace them. also assume that fowler is retained along with crouch in which case FSP is going to find himself in the exact same position that he is now, i.e. playing a bit part role. our best option may be to see if blackburn want to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

it's a shame the way it has gone for FSP this season if i'm honest. nobody can tell me that he wouldn't have offered more than cisse or morientes have done. for what it's worth, FSP is twice the footballer cisse will ever be.

by **AussieKopite** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:03 am

I hope you all remember that it was Pongo who got us back in the game against Luton.

by **Rafa D** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:36 am

When we first signed these two "brilliant" players from Le Harve. I really thought Anthony Le Tallec and Flo, would turn into unbelievable players for this club. They had just won the U18 World Cup, with Flo top scorer and Le Tallec voted as the MVP ( I hate this new terminalogy - far too American).
Supposedly they were two top young talents and every club in the world was after them. However I am afraid, they are just another two "classic" Houllier purchases. FSP has tried really hard for the club and he has popped up with some important goals, Luton and Olimpiakos spring to mind instantly, however I just don't believe he has the necessary attributes to be Liverpool "quality". He is fast, skillful and has a good touch, but he never seems to be in the right place at the right time. He has good footballers qualities, but whenever he starts or comes on, I have no confidence in him getting on the scoresheet and I know many reds who feel the same.
I think it is time for Flo to leave and I hope we get some decent money for him. However he may come back a different player, younger players have time to learn the game and adapt their play, and I would love it if he came back and proved me wrong. As Harry did, however at his present playing level, he is not good enough for Liverpool FC.

by **48-1119859832** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:32 am

I think it would be ashame if Florent Sinama Pongolle left, he hasn't really been given a lengthy run in the team, considering he's been here four years or so. I like him and rate him a lot, people like Rafa-Dodd have picked a few holes in his game but he's bound to have obvious flaws when he's hardly played regular first team football so far in his career.

I'd love to just see Rafa give him a starting slot in say six games all in a row and I think Florent would show everyone what he capable of. I think it's ashame that he never got used much under Houllier or Benitez. I'd love to see him partner Peter Crouch next season. But I doubt that would happen.

As St Mike said Benitez will more than likely offload Cisse & Morientes/Fowler are candidates for the boot as well, therefore he will be looking to find two strikers of a good & experienced pedigree to walk straight into the team, which leaves Flo-Po in the same position as he has been this season & last season being nothing more than a bit-part player at most.

I don't want Florent to leave but I think Benitez should sell him if he doesn't figure in his plans, I'd much rather see unwanted talent move to a club where they will be used, rather than leaving them in the reserves for years.

What ever happens to Florent, I wish him all the best; he's shown me than he cut it with the best.

by **The Specialist** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:35 am

I think we should give him more time, he's still young. The problem is he needs games and playing time, and that's something that Rafa isn't willing to give him at this time. I don't know if he just doesn't rate him or what. Morientes and Crouch were both given long runs in the team when they weren't producing (I'm mainly talking about Morientes with this. Crouch's all-around play during his goalless spell at the beginning of the season was very good), so yes...I do not know. Rafa doesn't have any faith in the lad it seems. Not enough to stick his neck out for him atleast. When you're at a top club and you're in the position Pongolle is in, you need to produce the goods when you're called upon every time to maintain your place in the squad. While Pongolle has had some good moments (Luton, Spain), it wasn't enough to change anything in regards to the pecking order. He obviously found that frustrating. Frustrating enough to tell the journo's about it anyways, so he chose to go out on loan. He has something to offer, but from the looks of it now...all I think he could ever be at the club is a "super-sub" to change a game at times. And little Luis is currently occupying that role, so I don't see how he could ever develop his game enough here to break into the first team on a regular basis. I would be in favor of loaning him out again next season rather than selling him for the 1 or 2 million we could probably get for him. Who knows what will happen with him, though..

by **Flashard** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:41 am

Lets keep the lad he has got quality and age to spare. I feel he will come good.

For me lets give him more time.

by **woof woof !** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 12:10 pm

I'm still puzzled as to why he wasn't given more of a go with us . I can't see him wanting to return and stay at Liverpool considering how far down the pecking order he seems to be .

Quality player with the best of him still to come , we should have made more use of him .

by **dward** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 12:35 pm

from what I've seen of him he looks an excellent prospect, much better than what cisse offers :glare:

by **Ace Ventura** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:33 pm

I've said it before and i will again, FSP is quality, and should of been first choice this season imo, alongside Crouch.
He has a great touch, plenty of skills and lightening pace.
What rafa-dodd said about being in the right place at the right time is probably fair enough, but it is something that he could develop imo.
Working alongside Fowler would help him, Robbies movement is fantastic and the young frenchman could learn alot from him.
I really hope he will be back next season, like a few have already said, he would of been a far better bet than Cisse down the right, and is better than him in almost every aspect of the game imo.

by **dmf** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:54 pm

The guys all class i was expecting to see more of him this season i hope he stays.He has a great ability to create space with his first touch and beat defenders in tight situations which could be espcially dangerous with crouch feeding him the ball in and around the area

by **puroresu** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:02 pm

I honestly feel FSP would want to leave the club. he was gonna leave last year but rafa convinced him to say. you can't blame him for wanting a move as rafa is never gonna give him a run upfont. he is always gonna be 4th or 5th choice striker and a bit part RW player.

wherever he goes i really hope it works out for him!! the guy is quality and will do great somewhere else if given the chance.

remember reading that celtic could be interested. that would be a great move for FSP!!

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