Pienaar was good even before Baines started playing regularly on the left.
His contribution goes beyond things that can be categorised by statistics such as goals and direct assists.
I'm not even making reference to playing in Baines to get an assist.
Moyes made mentioned it the other day, it's his willingness to take the ball even when under pressure. He's excellent at making space where there is none or winning a free kick. With our dropping our possession levels winning free kicks high up the pitch is important.
In addition to that he will take the ball, lay it off, look for it again. This makes space for other players.
When we had Arteta playing well and Ossie in there as well, we perhaps had too many players who were looking to do this. I think now we have more players who are direct that we may be slightly more balanced.
But Pienaar's willingness to take the ball is a major plus for players who look up and don't see an immediate option.
It will take him a couple of games to get back into full fitness but I'm sure he'll get there soon.
And I'll be made up if E4E is correct, which he usually is, and he's back for good.
You beat me to it, but it can't be said enough if some people on here don't recognize what he has done for us.
In short, without him, we're no more than a hoofball team, with Jags and Neville being the worst perpetrators (in the past) and players like Rodwell, Arteta and Osman (on bad days) always finding a way to stand behind a defender.
When he came, and kept on offering himself to be passed to, our standard of play improved dramatically.
And another thing, his work rate is second to none too.
