Topic: Florent Sinama-Pongolle

[Gedo]

of all the players that we have sold in rafa's time as manager

pongolle is the one i miss the most

can gedo or shankslegend offer any reasons or explanations as to why pongolle was sold

most reds fans rate sinama a lot

It's like all Football,certain Managers take to certain Players,obviously Rafa didn't fancy him...............by the same token,Rafa loves Kuyt,could have something to do with the fact that he signed Kuyt...........and didn't sign Pongolle !!!!!!!

[Redcap]

Rafa's always been more concerned about the right type of player for our system than anything else, Pongolle didn't fit into our system and was moved on. I like him a great deal as a player, but there's not a great deal of room for debate when Rafa has his heart set. He didn't fit into our system then, and frankly I'm not sure which part of our system he would fit into now. We have an abundance of quality players who can play in the hole (if indeed, he can actually play there), and when Babel can't get a game on the right, I don't see where he would fit. Up front? Not quite convinced he has the ability to hold the ball up as Rafa requires his forwards to do, and again there's a long queue ahead of him. Frankly if we bought him for some reason now, people would be complaining that he's holding back the Nemeths, Pachecos and maybe N'gogs of the squad.

[MNAA]

I may have missed it ... bt did Rafa at anytime said that Pongolle is not his type of player, did not suit his system, etc, etc???

[Alf]

Good lad.

[Gaz123456]

I liked Pongolle. Maybe he suffered a little by being seen as part of a 'package' with Le Tallec. If he been signed on his own he might have been looked on more kindly.

[zabadoh]

He's having a trial with Dundee United.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-champions-league-hero-10474818

Good luck, FloPo!

Liverpool FC Champions League hero Florent Sinama-Pongolle hoping to kick-start career in Scotland

Since being part of Liverpool’s triumphant 2005 Champions League winning squad, Florent Sinama Pongolle has lived a largely nomadic existence.

There have been spells in Spain, Portugal, France, Russia, America and Switzerland with the striker not coming close to living up to the hype which accompanied his arrival at Anfield from Le Havre in 2003.

Now the 31-year-old striker, who scored nine goals in 66 appearances for the Reds, is desperately trying to kick-start his career with Scottish Premiership strugglers Dundee United.

Pongolle is on trial with the Tangerines and wants to prove to boss Mixu Paatelainen that he merits a permanent contract.

“I am confident that with my experience I can bring something to this team,” he told The Courier.

“I think I can help the club. This team is better than the league position, there is a new manager here who wants to bring his own mentality.

“He wants to play football that he believes in. Dundee United has good players with great ability, everyone is fit and working hard – I can see that.

“From working hard every day and getting a set idea of how the manager wants to play, I’m sure Dundee United won’t be in this place long.

“At the moment, I am here for a week and after that I think we will discuss the future. I hope we can find an agreement for both sides because I want to help the team go forward.”

“Dundee United is a club with a big history and a big name in Scottish football so it should be in the top division.”

Pongolle joined Recreativo de Huelva after leaving Liverpool and a promising run of form earned him a move to Atletico Madrid.

However, since 2010 his career has been in free-fall with injuries hampering his progress. He has had spells with Sporting Lisbon, Real Zaragoza, Saint-Étienne, FC Rostov, Chicago Fire and Lausanne Sports.

“The last two years have been hard because of injuries but I am okay now,” he added,

“I’m ready and I want to show it. I had surgery on my knee in March when I was in Switzerland with Lausanne so that kept me out until the summer.

“In July I wasn’t fit and couldn’t go anywhere for a pre-season with any teams. So I had to get myself 100% so that I was able to train properly and that meant doing a lot of work on my own.

“After I did that I went to Le Havre because that is where I started, they received me and I was able to train with the squad.

“It was just about getting fit so that I could come to another club when this came along. Dundee United asked to see me so I came over here this week and hopefully I can get a contract here.

“I will be suited to the style, I enjoy the British way of playing and I want to find my football again.”

[zabadoh]

FSP passed his trial and has signed for Dundee United

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34942311?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_match_of_the_day&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport


Florent Sinama Pongolle signs for Dundee United after trial

Former Liverpool and Atletico Madrid forward Florent Sinama Pongolle has agreed a contract until the end of the season with Dundee United.

The deal with the 31-year-old and his availability to face Hamilton is subject to international clearance.

Sinama Pongolle had been on trial at Tannadice after exiting Lausanne-Sport.

United head coach Mixu Paatelainen said: "He will bring experience, tactical awareness and quality to our squad."

The Frenchman joined Swiss second-tier side Lausanne in January after leaving Chicago Fire, but a cruciate ligament injury preventing him playing.

"He understands football, shows excellent passing and positional sense," Paatelainen told his club website. "I am looking forward to working with him."

Sinama Pongolle, capped once for his country, becomes the second Frenchman to sign for United this week.

[Titi Camara]

Former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama Pongolle scores ridiculous overhead kick in Thai league game

Can't believe he's 32!

[Oddball]

Former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama Pongolle scores ridiculous overhead kick in Thai league game

Can't believe he's 32!

Make you feel old hey Rob

[Titi Camara]

Make you feel old hey Rob

You know it r kid!

[zabadoh]

Thai League 2 though.  How much can they be paying him?

Sent from my SM-G550T using Tapatalk

[Lynx the saucy mynx]

I genuinely felt so bad reading this. He wants the club to organise a way to get him, Mellor and Le tallec on a future parade bus.

I feel we owe it to him. Let’s get all our fan power together and do this.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-striker-left-watching-champions-23932856

[disgraced cake]

I genuinely felt so bad reading this. He wants the club to organise a way to get him, Mellor and Le tallec on a future parade bus.

I feel we owe it to him. Let’s get all our fan power together and do this.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-striker-left-watching-champions-23932856

I remember Neil Mellor saying this a while ago. Reckon it should happen, you know.

[Keith Lard]

If we win the CL we should definitely be making that happen. Poor fella, that must have been tough

[CraigDS]

Shit for him, but honestly seems pointless having him on any bus in the future. People won't be there cheering for him, he isn't part of this squad, he doesn't know them and would be in the way if he started interacting with them celebrating.

[afc tukrish]

Shit for him, but honestly seems pointless having him on any bus in the future. People won't be there cheering for him, he isn't part of this squad, he doesn't know them and would be in the way if he started interacting with them celebrating.

You grumbly bastard...

[Lynx the saucy mynx]

Shit for him, but honestly seems pointless having him on any bus in the future. People won't be there cheering for him, he isn't part of this squad, he doesn't know them and would be in the way if he started interacting with them celebrating.

I actually thought this when I read the article. Maybe we can dig out the 5th European cup, and give Mellor, Pongolle and Le Tallec their own corner of the bus to wave around. Would look weird, but I’d do it for them.

I remember Mane hardly being on the bus last time, think he stayed at the bottom most of the time, so there’s definitely room.

[reddebs]

Sorry for being ignorant but what happened that they should be part of the parade?

[TepidT2O]

One of the first times I used google translate was to translate a French article about him and his cousin.


It’s come on quite a bit since then

[BobPaisley3]

Just typical of the organisation at the club in those days.

[Lynx the saucy mynx]

Sorry for being ignorant but what happened that they should be part of the parade?

They were told they couldn’t board the plane back home with the rest of the players, as their seats were reserved for family members of other players. Because of that, their plane was delayed the next day until after the parade.

[reddebs]

They were told they couldn’t board the plane back home with the rest of the players, as their seats were reserved for family members of other players. Because of that, their plane was delayed the next day until after the parade.

Jesus Christ what a shitty thing to do!!

[Lynx the saucy mynx]

Jesus Christ what a shitty thing to do!!

It really is, and usually people wouldn’t make a request like he’s made out of pride or respect for the current team. Which obviously shows it still hurts.

He said in the interview that if this could get back to the club to make it happen, so I do wonder if it does get back to them. Whether they do it or not is one thing (depending if our next parade is this year or several years from now) but be interesting to see if they even notice the request he made in the Echo.

[reddebs]

It really is, and usually people wouldn’t make a request like he’s made out of pride or respect for the current team. Which obviously shows it still hurts.

He said in the interview that if this could get back to the club to make it happen, so I do wonder if it does get back to them. Whether they do it or not is one thing (depending if our next parade is this year or several years from now) but be interesting to see if they even notice the request he made in the Echo.

Even if they got 10mins they'd get enough of a taste to remember but it's up to the club I guess 🤷

[Clayton Bigsby]

It was really poor form from Liverpool re the flights. But the time has passed.

[stoa]

Never heard that story and it shows what a mess the club was behind the scenes at that time. It's just an awful thing to do to those players. And as the article rightly points out, it's not like they were a bunch of kids who got five minutes between them in the whole road to the final, they (at least Sinama-Pongolle and Mellor) were pretty vital to get out of the group in the first place. And I can't see the club not doing anything now for them. Having them on the bus would be a bit weird, but certainly for them it would be a great experience, even if it comes 15+ years too late. At the same time, I don't think it would take anything away from the current team and the current celebrations, if they were just up there on the bus. If you don't want to put them with the current players, get them a little special spot on the second bus with the press people or whoever was on there and have them do the parade that way. Then get them at one of our next home games and maybe let Anfield give them a clap and cheer at halftime. Done.

[Lynx the saucy mynx]

Never heard that story and it shows what a mess the club was behind the scenes at that time. It's just an awful thing to do to those players. And as the article rightly points out, it's not like they were a bunch of kids who got five minutes between them in the whole road to the final, they (at least Sinama-Pongolle and Mellor) were pretty vital to get out of the group in the first place. And I can't see the club not doing anything now for them. Having them on the bus would be a bit weird, but certainly for them it would be a great experience, even if it comes 15+ years too late. At the same time, I don't think it would take anything away from the current team and the current celebrations, if they were just up there on the bus. If you don't want to put them with the current players, get them a little special spot on the second bus with the press people or whoever was on there and have them do the parade that way. Then get them at one of our next home games and maybe let Anfield give them a clap and cheer at halftime. Done.

I just don’t know if the club even knows of his request. I’ve googled this article and Twitter searched it and hardly a mention at all. Heck no one else even knew before I posted it. I just don’t think it’s publicised enough for the club to even notice.

It’s why I was hoping us as fans can do something to make it more publicised. Istanbul was the greatest night of a lot of peoples (certainly mine) life. And that doesn’t happen without those lads, so even having them on the second bus would be great. But like I said, I just don’t think the club even knew about it.

[stoa]

I just don’t know if the club even knows of his request. I’ve googled this article and Twitter searched it and hardly a mention at all. Heck no one else even knew before I posted it. I just don’t think it’s publicised enough for the club to even notice.

It’s why I was hoping us as fans can do something to make it more publicised. Istanbul was the greatest night of a lot of peoples (certainly mine) life. And that doesn’t happen without those lads, so even having them on the second bus would be great. But like I said, I just don’t think the club even knew about it.

I am 100 percent sure the club know about it. They have a media department and part of their task is certainly to observe what is being said/written about LFC in various forms of media. If there's a story in the Liverpool Echo, the club will know about it. It might be a case of not the right people knowing about it (in terms of making it happen), but the communications people in the club will have heard it. I work as a local journo for a small paper (not in the UK) and from what I know about PR work this looks like the perfect opportunity to get a positive story (both in the media, but also for all the club channels like on the website, instagram, youtube and whatever) with very little effort. At least it should be very little effort for a big organisation like our club. Having said that, it would clearly help, if supporters upped the pressure on the people in charge to make something happen, so yeah, the story should be heavily pushed by everyone...

[Lynx the saucy mynx]

I am 100 percent sure the club know about it. They have a media department and part of their task is certainly to observe what is being said/written about LFC in various forms of media. If there's a story in the Liverpool Echo, the club will know about it. It might be a case of not the right people knowing about it (in terms of making it happen), but the communications people in the club will have heard it. I work as a local journo for a small paper (not in the UK) and from what I know about PR work this looks like the perfect opportunity to get a positive story (both in the media, but also for all the club channels like on the website, instagram, youtube and whatever) with very little effort. At least it should be very little effort for a big organisation like our club. Having said that, it would clearly help, if supporters upped the pressure on the people in charge to make something happen, so yeah, the story should be heavily pushed by everyone...

I think what they would do for a positive PR story, would be a blog of the day on the club channels. So it would start off with pics of the 2005 parade and interview them one by one about how they felt. Then they would follow them around documenting the day, ending with how they feel now.

The club will see it as an extra form of content, while making a few feel good headlines at the same time. I know it sounds opportunistic on the clubs part, but I’m sure Pongolle and co won’t care.

But the fans definitely need to push it, because unless there’s already been contact internally it seems like there is zero momentum for the gesture right now.

I had to chuckle at someone’s post in the parade thread on the main forum, about giving them 3 a minibus right behind. 

[afc tukrish]

I think what they would do for a positive PR story, would be a blog of the day on the club channels. So it would start off with pics of the 2005 parade and interview them one by one about how they felt. Then they would follow them around documenting the day, ending with how they feel now.

The club will see it as an extra form of content, while making a few feel good headlines at the same time. I know it sounds opportunistic on the clubs part, but I’m sure Pongolle and co won’t care.

But the fans definitely need to push it, because unless there’s already been contact internally it seems like there is zero momentum for the gesture right now.

I had to chuckle at someone’s post in the parade thread on the main forum, about giving them 3 a minibus right behind. 

Or maybe, like, skateboards... so they earn it...

[Drinks Sangria]

It’s not nice what happened, it’s a bit horrible in fact, but allowing them to join the celebrations of a squad from nearly two decades later with the club owned, managed and organised by a completely different organisation would be bizarre.

I think the club should find some way to make amends, but including them on a celebratory parade with players a couple of generations removed from the teams they played in isn’t the way.

You wouldn’t want to alter the vibe or feeling in any way for the current players who’ve achieved so much.

What is slightly eyebrow raising is that James Milner is closer in age to all of those retired players from the 2005 squad than he is any other player in the active squad at present (exception of Adrian).

[Dudek savessssss.........!]

Noticed that both Florent Sinama-Pongolle & Anthony Le Tallec are scheduled to play in the Legends game at Old Trafford tomorrow.