Aaron Lennon

[Raziel]

He'd get abused if he went to the World Cup because England don't care about anyone not named Rooney, Lampard or Gerrard. So they'll fail to play to his strengths. They'll play Johnson behind him despite knowing that Walker has been consistent this year and knows Lennons game.

Plus, how do you leave Walcott out?

Honestly, play Walcott more in the middle (Scum have done it, he wants to play there), with Lennon wide and Walker behind and Townsend on opposite flank. England aren't going to technically outplay anyone, so might as well play to the only strength which would be pace in players and in tempo of game.

You are right about Lennon's lack of impact in England's setup, it's because everyone looks to make the first pass to Lampard/Gerrard who in turn look for Rooney. Lennon needs to be an early outlet.

 

[Mumorn]

Honestly, play Walcott more in the middle (Scum have done it, he wants to play there), with Lennon wide and Walker behind and Townsend on opposite flank. England aren't going to technically outplay anyone, so might as well play to the only strength which would be pace in players and in tempo of game.

You are right about Lennon's lack of impact in England's setup, it's because everyone looks to make the first pass to Lampard/Gerrard who in turn look for Rooney. Lennon needs to be an early outlet.

Some people tend to forget lennon went to the 2010 world cup, played the first two games and was innefective. England wont make that same mistake.

 

[Whiffler]

When he first played for England he was cheered to the rafters because he would at least try to go past people with the ball, rather than hold and/or pass back.

Unfortunately his problems are

1. Repeatedly having the sh1t kicked out of him and refs afraid to show cards.

2. Being told by coaches to go inside

3. being given the ball too late, by which time the 'plan' has effectively been telegraphed

4. ditto - much too late, by which time he's had to stop

5. coaches subbing him because they see another CM as being more aggressive than a real winger.


I believe he should be in contention for Brazil, but fear Woy will instead pick Milner - whose best use is midfield or as a tunnel support on the CrossRail project.

 

[screen nayim]

Pointless taking Lennon to Brazil as no other fcuker other than Walker passes to him.

 

[DublinSpur]

Some people tend to forget lennon went to the 2010 world cup, played the first two games and was innefective. England wont make that same mistake.

Yeah, and the rest of the England team were so very effective in those games! Yet I didn't see many of them being dropped.

Not being English, I'm not that bothered if Hodgson chooses the wrong squad (and leaving Lennon out would be "wrong" in my view) and it would at least mean no chance of a World Cup injury.


International tournaments just aren't the same for me without Irish involvement, but I'll still end up watching loads of games next summer I'm sure.

 

[thfcsteff]

Some people tend to forget lennon went to the 2010 world cup, played the first two games and was innefective. England wont make that same mistake.

No they don't.

Ineffective? This obviously had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Glen 'Toilet Boy' Johnson would carry the ball 40 or 50 yards before releasing to Lennon who, at such a point, had needed to check back so as to not be offside so slow was the service. If England had played to his strengths he'd have been a revelation IMO.

 

[thfcsteff]

Depends on how you setup, Lennon works when you are willing to use your width, and you are willing to get the ball to him early.

What I find interesting with TS and his use of Lennon is, you have Lennon & Walker +one of Soldado/Ade drifting across and it overloads the right side, so that even when a CM/CB drifts across to cover, it's not enough to nullify the threat, add to that 2 or 3 people actually going to be in the box, it's very effective.

Agreed.

 

[billyiddo]

No they don't.

Ineffective? This obviously had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Glen 'Toilet Boy' Johnson would carry the ball 40 or 50 yards before releasing to Lennon who, at such a point, had needed to check back so as to not be offside so slow was the service. If England had played to his strengths he'd have been a revelation IMO.

Lennon was made the fall guy at after two poor opening games from the team - he actually assisted one of our goals (iirc) and was the least of the sides problems(as the following performances without him proved)

 

[thfcsteff]

Lennon was made the fall guy at after two poor opening games from the team - he actually assisted one of our goals (iirc) and was the least of the sides problems(as the following performances without him proved)

Indeed…that's exactly how I remember it.

 

[Grays_1890]

Honestly, play Walcott more in the middle (Scum have done it, he wants to play there), with Lennon wide and Walker behind and Townsend on opposite flank. England aren't going to technically outplay anyone, so might as well play to the only strength which would be pace in players and in tempo of game.

You are right about Lennon's lack of impact in England's setup, it's because everyone looks to make the first pass to Lampard/Gerrard who in turn look for Rooney. Lennon needs to be an early outlet.

My England team would be 4-3-3 and my front 6 would be:

Barkley - Gerrard - Wiltshire

Sturridge - Rooney - Welbeck/Walcott

 

[Mumorn]

Lennon was made the fall guy at after two poor opening games from the team - he actually assisted one of our goals (iirc) and was the least of the sides problems(as the following performances without him proved)

Don't remember Lennon touching the ball, let alone assisting

 

[Rossi22]

I remember him playing a superb through-ball to Heskey but he missed the 1-on-1.

 

[africanspurs]

it wasnt sublime?

 

[thfcsteff]

Don't remember Lennon touching the ball, let alone assisting

Now you're just being contrary-Mary!

 

[Jurgen the German]

Lennon was made the fall guy at after two poor opening games from the team - he actually assisted one of our goals (iirc) and was the least of the sides problems(as the following performances without him proved)

Tbh, he's had more than enough opportunities for club and country to prove he's a top player. I used to back the guy to the hilt, but sadly I think he'll always be injury prone and he's not consistent enough despite playing some blinders over the years.

 

[Pandy]

To be honest I'm not sure I would take Lennon to the World Cup, he is too streaky - unless he was fully fit and on form he may well go missing in every game whether he gets the ball or not.

Would have something like this as first choice XI:

------------Hart-----------
Walker-Jagielka-Terry-Baines
------Carrick-Barkley-------
Walcott--Lallana--Rooney--
---------Sturridge---------

 

[indianspur]

it wasnt sublime?

:lol:

 

[SubZero]

No they don't.

Ineffective? This obviously had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Glen 'Toilet Boy' Johnson would carry the ball 40 or 50 yards before releasing to Lennon who, at such a point, had needed to check back so as to not be offside so slow was the service. If England had played to his strengths he'd have been a revelation IMO.

Glen Johnson ruined Lennon's chances of making an impact by being unbelievably undisciplined, much like Walker was when he first broke through. Lennon makes very rapid and intelligent runs, but you have to identify and pass early, like Corluka did so well. It's no coincidence that Lennon's play has been better as Walker's overall awareness and gameplay has grown. He may have lost a fraction of his explosiveness, but England could do much worse than bringing Lennon as long as Walker is called up.

 

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

I always end up leaving the ground feeling with his pace, control and work-rate he should have done more. At times he seems uninterested at going at players in the box.

 

[Cochise]

The whole England team were useless at the 2010 world cup but for me injuries prior to tournaments have been his problem. IIRC he was injured for a few months prior to the world cup yet still got picked and wasn't match sharp for the tournament. Even if he was fully fit though, no one in the team would pick him out and Johnson would crowd him out. Then again we are underdogs in our group and will likely have to work off counters, something that I think Lennon would be ideal for.