Everton are not known for their flamboyance, however what they lack in flair and elegance they make up for in hard work and commitment and this has been the key to their success in the last few seasons. David Moyes has produced a solid team based on a good attitude and work ethic and many of the squad members do not get the credit they deserve. The press prefer to focus characters like Robinho – someone who will score a wonder goal but then drift into relative obscurity for the rest of the match. As big of a Robinho fan as I am, I am also a fan of the rewards that hard work can bring and this is a feature that epitomises Everton. Their side is full of ‘unsung heroes’ who contribute to the team effort. Steven Pienaar is one of these unsung heroes.

The Johannesburg-born midfielder began his career in his native South Africa with South African club Ajax Cape Town. He continued with the Ajax trend, joining the Dutch side in a move to Europe that would mark the beginning of a successful career for the youngster. Pienaar excelled whilst in Holland, playing a pivotal role in an exciting Ajax side that tasted victory in the 2002 and 2004 Eredivisie seasons. Pienaar began gaining himself a reputation and was highly sought after. In 2006, Borussia Dortmund purchased the midfielder as a replacement for the recently departed Tomas Rosicky, who had left the German side to join Arsenal.

However, Pienaar’s stay in Germany was relatively brief as he failed to fill the boots left by Rosicky. The following year he joined the Merseyside club on a year loan deal and impressed manager David Moyes with impressive attacking displays and two goals in his 28 appearances, with Moyes deciding to sign the winger. Moyes and Everton are no stranger to the odd bargain and Pienaar was another example of the ex-Preston managers shrewdness in the transfer market with the South African costing just £2 million. The winger has since begun to fulfil the potential that he showed at both Ajax and Dortmund and has become a fan favourite at Goodison Park.

A toe injury kept Pienaar out of the start of the 2008-09 season and the midfielder struggled to find form after returning from the treatment room. Everton were dealt a further blow when creative spark Mikel Arteta was ruled out for the rest of the season yet Pienaar took this as an invitation to step up to the plate. The South African produced a string of excellent performances that greatly contributed to Everton’s dazzling end to the season, with a particular highlight being a screamer at Villa Park which helped Everton leapfrog Aston Villa to finish in 5^th place.

It would however, be unfair to refer to Pienaar as just a hard worker. Along with the Spaniard Mikel Arteta, Pienaar is one of Everton’s creative outlets. The winger has great pace and acceleration, he has the ability to run at defenders and can provide accurate crosses. Although he does not get on the score sheet as much as he would like, Pienaar does have a deadly left foot and occasionally reminds fans of this with splendid strikes such as the one against Villa. He is a key member of Everton’s side and was greatly missed when sidelined from injury this season. Everton and USA goalkeeper Tim Howard has recently commented on the ability of Pienaar and his quote summarises the midfielder excellently. Howard stated:

“Steven is brilliant; he’s been a real revelation for our club. Every time we give him the ball it looks like something magic will happen.”

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