Source: Team_Talk
Pienaar positive despite slow start
Midfielder Steven Pienaar insists he is enjoying his football at Everton and that confidence within the dressing room remains high.[LNB] The South Africa international is in the last year of his contract at Goodison Park and negotiations appeared to hit a stumbling block over the summer.[LNB]However, the 28-year-old has not let that affect him as he put in another encouraging performance in the Toffees' last-gasp 3-3 draw against Manchester United on Saturday.[LNB]Pienaar accepts the World Cup made things difficult for many players who returned to their clubs later than usual ahead of the new campaign but he feels in top form.[LNB]"When you come back from pre-season and join a team late you have to catch up," he said.[LNB]"But for me it wasn't really a matter of that, it was just getting fully fit by playing games.[LNB]"Even if I made mistakes I just had to improve, so by playing even for the national team it's helped me get sharper and get my confidence.[LNB]"I feel fit and that's so important because I'm enjoying my football."[LNB]Pienaar hit Everton's opener against United but then saw the visitors score three times before injury-time strikes from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta snatched a point, extending their unbeaten record which stretches back to late November last year.[LNB]They have still to register a win in four matches this season but the midfielder believes that show of character may prove to be significant.[LNB]"It can definitely be a turning point," he told the Liverpool Echo.[LNB]"The comeback was amazing. For us it could be a big game, and as long as we keep the record of almost a year without a defeat at home we can go on.[LNB]"It's only four games gone and we have 32 left so let's hope and see.[LNB]"Our confidence hasn't been dented at all. We are all full of confidence."
