Lennon

[Fergus]

The past 8 years have been great and we've got great value for money but his position is one we need to improve on with a better all round wide player.

Or at least have other options for.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Fucking abysmal? Where the fuck is the justification for that statement?

AVB specifically mentions Lennon yesterday - he didnt have to but he fucking did that says all there is to know regarding Lennons contribution and all round game.

Lennon USED to be a one trick pony but now he is able to use his left foot, drive inside, defend and play from the right. His game has evolved so people calling him a one trick pony seem to judge him based on all those silly numbers they see on websites etc

Fucks sakes we really do have some astonishing people as fans.

AVB said Defoe was as good as Falcao the day before.

 

[DIEHARD]

AVB said Defoe was as good as Falcao the day before.

Well he would know - no? Seeing as he has managed both players.

Also Defoe is scoring goals for fun in the premier league. So not that far fetched is it.

 

[OmarsComing]

Well he would know - no? Seeing as he has managed both players.

Also Defoe is scoring goals for fun in the premier league. So not that far fetched is it.

Lol

 

[DIEHARD]

Lol

I didnt realise you had managed both players - apologies.

 

[Shadydan]

I would say that Nani and Young were both superior wingers to Valencia.

And thx

Nani can't get into the Utd team at the moment and Young blows hot and cold.

 

[OmarsComing]

Nani can't get into the Utd team at the moment and Young blows hot and cold.

Nani's injured and has been injured for most of this season. Flip a coin with regards to who is the better player out of Young and Valencia, but Young edges it for me as he can play more forward positions but squad dependent I would choose one or the other.

 

[SpurSince57]

I'm not dismissing it but it's all hypothetical to suggest that if he played double the minutes, his stats double as well.

Look, I see your point re assists and it's a stat line that can be skewed by the calibre of the striker in the team such as van Perise for the Arse last year but the stat line for 'clear cut chances created' IMO is totally subjective as no two chances and conditions will be the same.

Assists is a tangible stat as its lead towards a goal being scored which should be the main crux of an argument and like I said, Lennon's stats, lower minutes or not, doesn't hold much water in that argument.

Well of course it is, at least as far as 'clear cut' goes. Two seasons ago, though, Lennon created roughly as many scoring chances—64—as VdV and Modric; Walcott created just 16, for seven assists. Only one conclusion to be drawn there, surely, even though Walcott played 700 minutes less? And in 2010-11 and 2011-12 Lennon's conversion rate was 1 in 6 and 1 in 4 as opposed to Walcott's 1 in 6 and 1 in 7 (approximately).

 

[Gbspurs]

I didnt realise you had managed both players - apologies.

Why would you need to manage both players? Got eyes? If yes then you are qualified to see that Defoe isn't half the player Falcao is.

What AVB is doing if fluffing up his own player to boost his confidence. It's hardly a shocker. Ever told the missus that she gives the best blowjobs just so you get more? It's like that.

 

[DIEHARD]

Why would you need to manage both players? Got eyes? If yes then you are qualified to see that Defoe isn't half the player Falcao is.

What AVB is doing if fluffing up his own player to boost his confidence. It's hardly a shocker. Ever told the missus that she gives the best blowjobs just so you get more? It's like that.

I got eyes... I also have eyes to know that Megan Fox is way hotter than Jo Brand but what I dont know is whether Megan is better girlfriend material than Jo (lets be honest Megan is way hotter - I digress tho)

I am sure AVB is stroking Defoe's ego and if it works it is. I am not saying Defoe is better than Falcao but I would moreso take AVBs word than yours or anyone on here as AVB will have worked with both.

 

[OmarsComing]

I got eyes... I also have eyes to know that Megan Fox is way hotter than Jo Brand but what I dont know is whether Megan is better girlfriend material than Jo (lets be honest Megan is way hotter - I digress tho)

I am sure AVB is stroking Defoe's ego and if it works it is. I am not saying Defoe is better than Falcao but I would moreso take AVBs word than yours or anyone on here as AVB will have worked with both.

I'm glad you confirmed that.

Jo Brand vs Megan Fox, hmmmm tough one that. TBH Megan Fox could be a kitten killer but I would still be choosing her over Jo Brand every day of the week regardless of Brand's personality.

 

[DIEHARD]

I'm glad you confirmed that.

Jo Brand vs Megan Fox, hmmmm tough one that. TBH Megan Fox could be a kitten killer but I would still be choosing her over Jo Brand every day of the week regardless of Brand's personality.

Me too to be honest. Not the best analogy have to admit.

oh - sarcasm lowest form of wit dude

 

[Cravenspurs]

I have been a negative commenter when it comes to Lennon. I love his ability to track back. I have never ignored that fact. He is one of the best and is a team player for sure.

This year he has been much more consistent and has really been a positive force for the team and for AVB.

Yet we all can not ignore that he is not a goal threat from the side and with the direction we are heading, we need that. In attack he is relatively one dimensional. If he attacks the fullback then we all know what is coming. When he cuts inside he uses his pace to create desperation but then runs into a mind block. He doesn't have the final ball or the threat on goal and at this stage in his career he won't just change. He has reached his peak, albeit a great squad player peak. But if we are looking to be more lethal in attack then we need more of a threat from the right.

I think that is where most negative Nancy's come from. We all appreciate his work rate. And he in the upper echelon of wingers in the league. But that really isn't saying much when looking at the competition.

I hope for some youth coming through that can offer a threat.

 

[davidmatzdorf]

Our whole team style depends on Lennon, not quite as much as it depends on Bale, but he is nevertheless a lynch-pin. People who cannot see what Lennon brings to the team are watching football with tunnel-vision.

He's scored a few goals this season and he's had a few assists, but he's a speedy attacking winger who also plays a major part in our general midfield play, which is very unusual. He provides an out-ball, not often enough used. His tracking back is superb - on two occasions in our last two matches, he raced back to be a 2nd or 3rd man to prevent an attack. He didn't even touch the ball on either occasion, but his positioning and presence were crucial in stifling the move. His pace changes the way defences play against us and opens space for Bale and the attacking midfielders - not many teams have lightning wingers on both sides. He crosses passably well. An exceptionally high percentage of his goals are scored late in matches and change results (there was whole thread about this, with stats, a few months ago).

There's nothing wrong with Lennon this season. As he generally is when he's fully fit, he's been on good form and he's doing every bit of his job. Gareth Bale is a better footballer - big surprise. But he wouldn't be anywhere nearly as effective if we didn't have Lennon.

 

[SpurSince57]

But if we are looking to be more lethal in attack then we need more of a threat from the right.

Well, that depends on what system we play, surely. In a single-striker system the 'wingers' (actually, wide forwards) have to chip in. In a 4-4-2 a winger's goal contribution is of less importance; it's the supply that matters. There haven't been that many out-and-out wingers who have also been top goalscorers; I was privileged to see Cliff Jones, and Peachbottom Ronaldo was another.

 

[Cravenspurs]

Well, that depends on what system we play, surely. In a single-striker system the 'wingers' (actually, wide forwards) have to chip in. In a 4-4-2 a winger's goal contribution is of less importance; it's the supply that matters. There haven't been that many out-and-out wingers who have also been top goalscorers; I was privileged to see Cliff Jones, and Peachbottom Ronaldo was another.

I agree with you there. It definitely depends on what system we play. Last year Lennon was perfect for Harry's approach. But with AVB and his ideals I foresee us trying to move away from that. Isn't that why we were after willian? Isn't that why he brought in mata and played Sturridge on the wing? His success came with Hulk manning that position.

We have seen AVB adapt his style to suit the players he has at his disposal. Yet you can see what we wants from the team and ultimately, if he stays on long term, then I foresee someone replacing Lennon.

That being said right now we are using our wide men and Lennon has been much better this season.

I never wanted to dog the man. I just think that if we want to be contenders we will need to find some competition on the wings.

 

[HodisGawd]

Please don't knock Lennon - he's been a great player for us. You notice it more when he doesn't play for us, we lose our shape completely and just don't carry the same threat. He's key for us and has been for ages. Lennon is underrated. He tracks back, his control is amazing, he spreads play and he frightens defences. Yes his finishing and final ball could often be better, but if that was the case he'd be an astonishingly good player and would have been snapped up years ago. We have an excellent right winger who would be very difficult to replace so be careful what you wish for. Now, let's look at where we could improve the team elsewhere...

 

[Gbspurs]

What I like about he guy is that he is 100% a team player. He knows what his role is in the team and he sticks to it. He must be pretty good if 3 managers have played him whenever he has been fit. I know Ramos wasn't a fan but never mind! Hope he stays with us until he retires.

 

[DJS]

For people who are suggesting Walcott as a better option, he actually wants to play as a centre forward and this is reported to be a big issue in him signing a new contract at Arsenal.

He no wanna play right wing anymore hombres.

 

[michaelden]

I agree with you there. It definitely depends on what system we play. Last year Lennon was perfect for Harry's approach. But with AVB and his ideals I foresee us trying to move away from that. Isn't that why we were after willian? Isn't that why he brought in mata and played Sturridge on the wing? His success came with Hulk manning that position.

We have seen AVB adapt his style to suit the players he has at his disposal. Yet you can see what we wants from the team and ultimately, if he stays on long term, then I foresee someone replacing Lennon.

That being said right now we are using our wide men and Lennon has been much better this season.

I never wanted to dog the man. I just think that if we want to be contenders we will need to find some competition on the wings.

Lennon can play the RM in a 4-3-3 and William etc... the RWF