Is Lennon really a winger?

[Krafty]

Lennon has been in poor form recently and recieved some critiscm, especially for his poor delivery.

Yesterday against Pompey we saw the problem in its entirety. Against Full backs that have a good amount of pace, so he cant just skin them on the outside, Aaron has a problem delivering a good ball. In fact he had several chances to deliver a ball witout being under pressure and he still failed, and I think it might be because he is not really a winger.

If it were not for his pace, I dont think he would find himself out on the wing. He started off as a striker, and while he has a good box of tricks and agility and balance he doesnt seem to have the technique to cross the ball properly. He is very potent when he gets to the byline and can drill a ball across the six yard box, but he cant whip a ball into the box. He continually looks to get to the byline but when he fails he has to stop and it allows the defenders to get deep and means that there is no space for him to cross a ball into. Its almost a catch 22. If he fails to get to the byline and past the full back, the space he would cross a ball into from deep disappears.

I would argue that he is better crossing from the left, as when he cuts inside he can do a curling cross to the back stick that is hard for the keeper to cut out.

Until he can improve his crossing considerably I would consider dropping him to the bench, give him a bit of rest and try other players.

 

[al_pacino]

He does seem to be more dangerous attacking through the middle or from the left, Jol plyedhim behind the strikers against Chelsea in the cup last year, maybe that could end up as his best position. But will he get a chance with us?

 

[Mornstar]

If he was just a poor crosser but offered other things to the team such as goals, through balls, freekicks, corners etc (a certain Mark Overmarz comes to mind, just as dwarf like with plenty of pace), he could probably justify his place in the team. Right now, he's offering the team NOTHING. Yesterday, you could tell the likes of berby and keane were getting extremely frustrated with him. I think Ramos is simply giving him an opportunity before the end of the season, when he'll be shipped out.

 

[BorisTM]

He's better off when given a freedom to move across the midfield. Now when he's on the RIGHT wing the problem is not Lennon himself but the fact that after he gets the ball he doesn't get support and most of the time the other players rush into the box while he has todeal with 2-3 defenders. Which is the opposite of what happens on the left where Keane and Bers often help Steed and Chimbo when building up an attack.

His crosses are not the typical penalty box dumps, he tries to play them clever but most of the time we doesn't get a player at the near post, which is basic stuff. Plus when he's under pressure he can't always produce the good ones and the rest of the players have to adjust their positioning according to his situation.

 

[paul_1979yid]

Maybe thread should be 'is Lennon really a footballer?'

 

[themanwhofellasleep]

Yes, Lennon is really a winger. Yes, he is really a footballer. He's been poor recently, but I think all of us have seen enough from him over the last couple of seasons to know that he can be an excellent player.

 

[paul_1979yid]

Yes, Lennon is really a winger. Yes, he is really a footballer. He's been poor recently, but I think all of us have seen enough from him over the last couple of seasons to know that he can be an excellent player.

yeah ok

 

[Makkaveli101]

He's better off when given a freedom to move across the midfield. Now when he's on the RIGHT wing the problem is not Lennon himself but the fact that after he gets the ball he doesn't get support and most of the time the other players rush into the box while he has todeal with 2-3 defenders.

VERY true.

 

[lilywhitecurtis]

How can people justify the statement that lennon offers nothing 2 the team? Anymore than Steed I wonder? It'd be nice 2 see which one not only has more assists but has been involved in the build up 2 more goals. Yes Lennon has performed more consistantly in a spurs shirt than this season, but for people 2 question is he a footballer and if he contributes anything is utter bollox. And by the way, i'm not knocking steed, merely using him as an example 2 defend Lennon.

A good player goes through a bad patch of form, and he's ripped 2 shreds. Let's not forget he's only 20!!!

 

[paulspursman]

exactly steed is less a winger than lennon if anything

steed has done well playing away from where he is supposed to most the time

lennon can come through this blip of form and be a better player at the end of it. he has bags of potential

 

[snake1]

I'd be very surprised if Lennon wasn't with us next season. As others have already stated, he's still only 20, and very much still a player for the future, in my humble opinion. By all means sign a quality right-winger and let Lennon fight for his spot, but we shouldn't even consider selling him at his age. Unless, of course, Ramos believes there's no hope in 'coaching' the player, he should remain at Spurs.

 

[ataggy]

Na he's a left back!

 

[fortworthspur]

I really dont understand why Lennon cant get the ball more than 2 feet off the ground, and why he cant bend it an inch. Its actually becoming a very big problem.

 

[paul_1979yid]

I really dont understand why Lennon cant get the ball more than 2 feet off the ground, and why he cant bend it an inch. Its actually becoming a very big problem.

Its really not that hard to do either!!!! Try it over the park or for those who play Sat/Sunday football you will know its not that hard. And dont tell me its hard to do in front of 35k people.

Ill tell you whats hard....Freezing cold sunday morning, PAYING to play, no grass on the pitch just mud (which sticks to the ball) and a football that weighs best part of a ton (or so it feels when you kick it) and having the living shit kicked out of you by the 40year old 22stone full back!!!

Getting paid to play football EVERYday and playing games on a pitch like carpet.........oh for the chance!