Where now for Lennon?

[Jenko]

Ok, so with the window closed we three wingers. Lamela (our record signing), and Townsend. Both seem to be above Aaron in the pecking order and he may or may not be injured.

Considering last Christmas people were on about how he had been our best player so far last season to where he is now there is quite a contrast. Should we have sold him and where could he expect to go that would help him get on that plane to Brazil?

I think he's suffered from confidence or motivational problems to some extent over the last couple of seasons. He has not lived up to the potential he had a few seasons ago. Its difficult to understand why because I still think he's capable of ripping up the best defences in the league, just not sure if HE knows that.

So at the moment my guess is that he will be on the market in January. How much should we get for him if that is the case? He's only 26.

 

[Blake Griffin]

i'd still play him, his pace opens up other avenues.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

Lennon is injured hence Andros has been put in the starting line up, I think as the season progresses lil Lennon will have a part to play across all competitions...

 

[Nocando]

I agree there's still place for him. I think people on here fail to appreciate that we need competition for places and we wont play the whole season with one starting 11. Lennon has had very few challenging his right wing (Bentley prob the only one), he still only 26 or 27 iirc so that's not much older than many of the new recruits (i.e Chadli) and yet he has bags more experience. Added to this I think we still need and lack serious pacey wingers, with Lennon and now Townsend being the only real ones (poss Lamela too).

How many times did Bale pick up the ball and counter and create something form this situation? Lennon has the ability to do this (against AC to Crouch for example), it's just that being one of two of these tpyes of player with Bale, many focused too heavily on him doing this all the time. Even the opp would do this, however with a big squad Lennon can find his feet again (they are small after all).

 

[DEFchenkOE]

He's just too suited to playing in a 4-4-2 and hasn't adapted his game. If you look at him and Walcott, both have similar speed, but one plays with a strikers instinct, making runs, getting in behind defences. Lennon spends too much time getting chalk on his boots.

Might be worth seeing him on the left, might give him a new lease of life.

I'm glad we never sold him though but he'll have to accept he's no longer a starter.

 

[Nerine]

I like Lennon.

Just think he needs a bit more confidence sometimes and a bit of a kick up the rear.

I find him quite clinical when he has the opportunity to score.

 

[tobi]

He needs to be brave and stop playing it safe, look around and adapt.

 

[Nocando]

He's just too suited to playing in a 4-4-2 and hasn't adapted his game. If you look at him and Walcott, both have similar speed, but one plays with a strikers instinct, making runs, getting in behind defences. Lennon spends too much time getting chalk on his boots.

Might be worth seeing him on the left, might give him a new lease of life.

I'm glad we never sold him though but he'll have to accept he's no longer a starter.

It wasn't long ago since we were laughing at Walcott in comparison to Lennon. Now it seems the other way round. I still have a fair amount of faith in him and think he can adapt to a different formation. It's not like he has had much experience playing this way? As I said I think the competition for places (for the first time in his career) will be good for him or at least a test of how he performs from now on.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

It wasn't long ago since we were laughing at Walcott in comparison to Lennon. Now it seems the other way round. I still have a fair amount of faith in him and think he can adapt to a different formation. It's not like he has had much experience playing this way? As I said I think the competition for places (for the first time in his career) will be good for him or at least a test of how he performs from now on.

Had a look at their stats since 06/07, Walcott's first full season
GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists

GS Sb G A
06/07
Walcott 13 21 1 7
Lennon 36 14 5 13

07/08
Walcott 17 19 6 5
Lennon 35 7 2 8

08/09
Walcott 29 9 8 3
Lennon 38 14 5 8

09/10
Walcott 20 17 4 3
Lennon 25 4 3 14

10/11
Walcott 33 14 13 12
Lennon 36 13 3 7

11/12
Walcott 45 5 9 11
Lennon 26 6 4 6

12/13
Walcott 33 20 22 16
Lennon 43 4 4 10


63 goals for Walcott, 26 goals for Lennon
57 assists for Walcott, 66 assists for Lennon


Azza also has 2 goals and 3 assists from his first season with us in 05/06, from 22 starts.

 

[annekcm]

Lennon is a good traditional winger. But that isn't the role he would be needed to play in our preferred formation. He has to develop his game to be able to get involved with play when he cuts in and sets up Soldado. Last year he didn't really do it, granted that our tactics last seemed to be give it to Bale on edge of box, so it's hard to tell. But he certainly is a great option to have around if we need to change things up.

It's a shame about it's injuries over the last few years too. Never seems to be able to get a good consistent run before he pulls a muscle and is out for another month. I think that has also affected his confidence to run at people. I don't know how many times I find myself screaming at the tv for him to run at his man and take him on, what he's great at. But he turns and passes it back.

 

[Nocando]

Had a look at their stats since 06/07, Walcott's first full season
GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists

GS Sb G A
06/07
Walcott 13 21 1 7
Lennon 36 14 5 13

07/08
Walcott 17 19 6 5
Lennon 35 7 2 8

08/09
Walcott 29 9 8 3
Lennon 38 14 5 8

09/10
Walcott 20 17 4 3
Lennon 25 4 3 14

10/11
Walcott 33 14 13 12
Lennon 36 13 3 7

11/12
Walcott 45 5 9 11
Lennon 26 6 4 6

12/13
Walcott 33 20 22 16
Lennon 43 4 4 10


63 goals for Walcott, 26 goals for Lennon
57 assists for Walcott, 66 assists for Lennon


Azza also has 2 goals and 3 assists from his first season with us in 05/06, from 22 starts.

Thanks but as informative as that is, I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to say in context to my point. Sorry if I have misunderstood (or reading too much into it) but I don't think it can be disputed that there were more concerns over Walcott, even form those within Arsenal. In fact he almost left them before signing a new contract iirc. It was at this point I remember seeing lots of comments about how much better Lennon was (there was even that chant about being a shit Lennon). Personally I never really thought Walcott was a failure and that he is a very good player. Always has been. I still think Lennon is a good player too.

 

[MattyP]

I think he's a decent option - we had very little pace on Sunday and he offers more defensively than Townsend did on Sunday. I can recall a number of occasions Townsend looked like he was running in treacle when he was coming back to defend.

I'm glad we've kept him, even twenty minutes as an impact sub here or there he will contribute.

 

[Mr Pink]

So glad we didn't sell him.

Will still play an integral role this season, and his pace and acceleration (no matter the system) still stretches defences and opens up more space for others to excel in. Pulling the opponents defensive shape about is a must when we are at home and teams come for a point.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Thanks but as informative as that is, I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to say in context to my point. Sorry if I have misunderstood (or reading too much into it) but I don't think it can be disputed that there were more concerns over Walcott, even form those within Arsenal. In fact he almost left them before signing a new contract iirc. It was at this point I remember seeing lots of comments about how much better Lennon was (there was even that chant about being a shit Lennon). Personally I never really thought Walcott was a failure and that he is a very good player. Always has been. I still think Lennon is a good player too.

What I meant was, for years we (spurs fans) always said Lennon was the better player, Walcott can't dribble etc.

I remember there would be outrage on here when Walcott was being picked over Lennon for England. Lennon's assist's are good but Walcott's goal return is impressive and he seems to be improving as a player. Lennon has stood still, could even say gone backwards a little. The thing that frustrate's me with Lennon is that he's a really good finisher, just doesn't put himself in scoring positions enough.

 

[tobi]

Its not right to compare Walcott and Lennon, one thinks like a forward and the other thinks like a (traditional) winger.

Lennon can still improve but his place in the team is (finally) under serious threat and he must respond accordingly. If he doesn't improve this season then he never will and he should be sold.

 

[Nocando]

What I meant was, for years we (spurs fans) always said Lennon was the better player, Walcott can't dribble etc.

I remember there would be outrage on here when Walcott was being picked over Lennon for England. Lennon's assist's are good but Walcott's goal return is impressive and he seems to be improving as a player. Lennon has stood still, could even say gone backwards a little. The thing that frustrate's me with Lennon is that he's a really good finisher, just doesn't put himself in scoring positions enough.

Oh I see. No I totally agree.

 

[dagraham]

I've said it numerous times over the last few days ; Lennon is the type of player who's contribution you only realise when he's not playing. Lennon being injured is no bad thing as it has allowed Townsend to get some starts and feel part of things. This in turn means that when he is fit he will have to displace Townsend or Chadli rather than just waltz back into the team.

He has been coasting but now he has real competition and I hope he thrives on it. Also, I can imagine the last thing any opponent wants to see is Lennon coming off the bench when the game is stretched.

Selling him was one of my big fears yesterday and am so glad we didn't. We simply can't afford to be without both Bale and Lennon from our squad.

 

[dude573]

Personally I think Lennon has lacked confidence for the past 3 years now. With the Gareth Bale's rapid improvement and the vast amount of carbon copy young English right wingers being found, Lennon has really fallen down the line.

But whenever he doesn't play, we lack something. I think Spurs have become so accustomed to Lennon being here that when he isn't there we look unbalanced and awkward on the attack.

I'm glad Lennon didn't leave yesterday, he is a good player, and to be honest he could be a real problem to tired fullbacks if he comes off the bench in the 70th minute or so. Townsend and chadli are also near his level, it looks great competition for him.

I'm extremely happy he is still a Spurs player.

 

[dagraham]

Another thing about Lennon I forgot to add is he works his arse off. Lemala may prove to be different gravy but I bet Walker would rather Lennon in front of him.

 

[carpediem991]

Glad he is still here. He knows the league, the club, his position. Maybe he will find a place in there you never know. In games where we need a goal he could come on for Walker as offensive right back. He can be a useful sub.