Aaron Lennon - is this just an insane idea?

[Dan Yeats]

Right then - I love Azza, he's been with us through thick and thin, for a long time, and seems very loyal to the club. He's had patches of brilliance and patches of "meh" - but there haven't been many occasions when he's been genuinely dreadful. Above all, he's always appeared to give a damn, and been putting his full effort in.

But... it's becoming increasingly evident at this stage in his career that he doesn't pose much of an attacking threat any more. He's still getting appearances though, because his tracking back to nullify threats on the flank is superb. In fact, I think he's defined a novel position on the field, and Football Manager may need to add "Defensive Winger" into the mix...

So, we have a winger that's actually more gifted defensively now than in attack.

Meanwhile, at Right Back...

Kyle1 is out for a while after surgery.
Kyle2 is injured.
Eric is a CB.

Aaron Lennon at RB anyone? A reverse Bale transition?

I dunno, I'm not saying this is definitely a good idea - but thought worthy of a conversation on teh interwebz at least.

 

[eViL]

Just adding to our back post frailties by putting a short arse in there.

I personally think Lennon's fitness hasn't been where it needs to be for some time now.

 

[ricardomcd]

I like you have been a big Azza fan and maybe its because of that we are trying to shoe horn him in. Nevertheless I do think there is merit in the idea.

 

[DaSpurs]

Frankly, isn't really a terrible idea. Will certain get stuck in, and we are slim at the position atm. However,

Just adding to our back post frailties by putting a short arse in there.

this is actually true. There are plenty of short fullbacks out there, and in fact I'd say I even prefer wide men to be under six foot for the sake of on average better agility and acceleration. But as for Lennon, he's just not a jumper to compensate for his very short height, and as a result I think it could potentially cause more problems than it would actually address.

 

[DOX]

I see your point, but considering that the full-backs in Poch's system still have to pose some kind of attacking threat.. And Lennon's crossing ability... Yea, not working...

 

[bubble07]

No way

 

[MatJspur]

Really dislike the idea to be honest, just because he tracks back a bit does not mean he can defend

 

[Redfap]

An interesting idea and I was thinking about it myself the other week. But my conclusion was basically that, he would be a liability defending an aerial threat and there is a big difference between being a winger that tracks back effectively and a full back.

Interesting topic though

 

[Lappi]

Can definitely see the attraction. However like someone above said, he's a small little tyke and we'd leave ourselves pretty vulnerable to a team just putting a big striker on the left ring and hoofing long balls up to them. I remember Allardyce doing it to little YP Lee once. I'd be happier seeing it if we were chasing a game, rather than starting. If you were to suggest having Dembele at left back at the same time, now then i'd be more interested, if only from a romantic perspective

 

[mpickard2087]

I've suggested this a few times in Europa/Cup games. There has been a real problem with width from the right hand side and Lennon would surely be far more comfortable getting forward and overlapping than Naughton or Dier and it finds a use for the very limited skillset that he does have. These sorts of games are ones that I expect us to be dominating possession and so defensive capabilities are less important.

I'd rather we tried something proactive and a bit daring, rather than stuck to the same old, same old safety first template. It might work, it might not. But I don't think Naughton or Dier are massively effective either.

 

[Ionman34]

Danny Rose is a converted winger, he's not exactly a man mountain himself either.

How often do you see a fullback in an aerial challenge too?

His job would be to stifle the service, not deal with a crossed ball in the air, that's why we have tall CH's.

Not the worst idea I've ever seen.

 

[weststandvoice]

He's barely in the running as a Chirpy stand in.

 

[CheeseGromit]

It is not without some consideration
It is not an idea that can be played out on messages boards but on the training ground

It is more about adaptability in positional play and can he tackle adequately.

These have never been put to the test.

 

[Black]

Hes been a right back for a couple of years now

 

[Metalhead]

Right then - I love Azza, he's been with us through thick and thin, for a long time, and seems very loyal to the club. He's had patches of brilliance and patches of "meh" - but there haven't been many occasions when he's been genuinely dreadful. Above all, he's always appeared to give a damn, and been putting his full effort in.

But... it's becoming increasingly evident at this stage in his career that he doesn't pose much of an attacking threat any more. He's still getting appearances though, because his tracking back to nullify threats on the flank is superb. In fact, I think he's defined a novel position on the field, and Football Manager may need to add "Defensive Winger" into the mix...

So, we have a winger that's actually more gifted defensively now than in attack.

Meanwhile, at Right Back...

Kyle1 is out for a while after surgery.
Kyle2 is injured.
Eric is a CB.

Aaron Lennon at RB anyone? A reverse Bale transition?

I dunno, I'm not saying this is definitely a good idea - but thought worthy of a conversation on teh interwebz at least.

I have heard worse ideas. I wonder whether Poch has considered it.

 

[Lufti]

No, no no no, terrible.

Defending isn't just about being able to tackle, it's made up so much from positioning and decision making, both things Lennon is terrible at. Not to mention his slight figure and the disadvantage for when he has to drop in and attempt to win the ball in the air

 

[Dan Yeats]

Mixed opinions so far then! Valid points on both sides.

I still think it could work, but I agree especially with @CheeseGromit - it's something that should be tested on the training ground before any first team action.

 

[ClintEastwould]

Nope.

Lennon tracks back well but for a fullback you need to:

Tackle - can't do that
Contest in the air - can't do that
Cross from deep - can't do that

 

[dontcallme]

Not for me but I've heard worse ideas.

 

[PeeEyeEmPee]

yes. it's an insane idea.