Lennon - Is He Really Playing that Badly?

THWH90 · « **on:** April 29, 2007, 11:59:22 AM »

To be honest I don't know why everyone is saying that Lennon's not been performing this season... I can understand why you do think that, last season yes he was better, but this season he's not been playing badly.

Look @ the circumstances, it's his 2nd season so most will know what he does by now and so many teams are doubling up on him. This makes it very difficult for him as he doesn't have the space to go round people - when he played for England in both games, he seemed to be beating everyone and so that shows that it is not his fault but teams are dealing with him. Well then you might say he's a one trick pony, well he has only just turned 20, what do you expect?!

Also Jol seems to be putting him on the left a lot, which makes it even harder for him as he can't do what he does best, in sprinting round the player getting an early cross in. Instead, he has to either go down the wing, and take his cross later, but by then he's gona get closed down. Or he cuts into the middle and get crowded out... You may also think then that it is Jol's fault but I think doing the right think for lennon. He's improving his allround game, while he's young. As Jol probably knows that his crossing/passing isn't as good as how well he can beat players. Also Jol is being cautious with how much Lennon is playing - which is a very good thing as I don't want to see him develope as an injury prone player...

Dimitar B. · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2007, 12:02:25 PM »

1 Assist against Middlesborough does not excuse a season of getting tackled 9/10, and light hearted tackles and effort.

Though playing on the left doesnt help. And all the great wingers have teams double up on them, think about it, every team must have done it to C.Ronaldo this season, yet hes emerged this season as the best player in the world.

THWH90 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 29, 2007, 12:46:21 PM »

Yes, Lennon's season hasn't been the best BUT he has played badly just hasn't been as good. C. Ronaldo has been playing for longer than lennon, is more powerful, skilful and can shoot. So that's why Jol's putting him on the left, trying 2 make his alround game good. Also Ronaldo has a team full of top quality attackers which helps him a lot. Yes we have keane and berba, but we don't have any other decent (skillful) midfielders/wingers...

Jude106 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2007, 01:02:14 PM »

Lennon hasn't had the best season but I believe there are great things to come from him, the guy is only 20! with a bit more experience he'll be flying. I think Jol has taken a risk trying him on the left just to find out what he can do.

goods7 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:42:06 AM »

About Lennon, I would like to say:
He's fast, but he's small, so not so powerful.
His dribbling is fast, but not so sophiscated. He cannot deceive defenders well. He doesn't have good deceiving motion while some wingers have good ones.

Sometimes, I think he is just very fast squirrel (?).
But, he has sort of instinctive sense for football. Remember? When somebody crossed, he tossed by his leg side jumping, and Tainio shot and scored.
That's indication of his sense for football, I think.

Anyway, as said by previous reply, he's still young so has many days to improve himself.

I think he played a lot at left since Steed didn't play well at left.

keane on berbatov · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:49:46 AM »

he's quality, be back to his best next year.

Just been a long season for him following the hype at the start of it

mearno · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2007, 03:10:23 PM »

fair enough this hasnt been that good of a season 4 him but u have 2 remember hes only 20 he has the potential 2 be one of the best in the premiership

pukekohespur · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2007, 07:53:38 PM »

WE all accept that he is still learning. There is no doubting his potential but as hre is a very fast squirral i think his obvious lack of football maturity [due only to his youth] sometimes means his on ball decision making is a little random. BUT who better to learn the ropes from than Berbs and Keano.
On that subject that volley from Berbs . i had a friend who once said that to be a truely great sportsperson you had to have more than a touch of arrogance. That goal was part arrogance and part sublime skill and whats more he knew where tha ball was going long before it left his foot.