Aaron Lennon

[Rossi22]

I really dont think Lennon's crossing is the issue, he can pick out a cross when required. The problem is everytime he gets the ball and looks up there is one, or on a good day two people in the box. And more often than not the movement from those in there is poor anyway....

..... yet Eriksen manages to find them regularly. It's a mystery alright ..

 

[harr1984]

..... yet Eriksen manages to find them regularly. It's a mystery alright ..

Look at where they receive the ball its completely different. Eriksen doesnt hit the by line and cross the ball he's a right footer cutting inside and crossing, its a completely different thing altogether you're talking about...

 

[braineclipse]

I really dont think Lennon's crossing is the issue, he can pick out a cross when required. The problem is everytime he gets the ball and looks up there is one, or on a good day two people in the box. And more often than not the movement from those in there is poor anyway....

The fact that he can't really strike the ball with any power limits the kinds of crosses he can make. His chance on his left when he cut inside against WBA illustrated this. That was about as well as he'll ever strike a ball from there and he still didn't score. Similar illustration the goal after the Amilfitano cross for WBA, he crossed the ball really hard and caused problems for us. Lennon doesn't have that in his locker. He has to cut it back or go for the "looped cross" every time.

For sure we have a problem with getting players into the box and for sure we're nowhere near good enough at setting Lennon up in good situations in the final third to utilize his strengths. But he is limited by his inability to strike the ball properly.

 

[Jordinho]

Crosses into the box provides the lowest chance to goal ratio, whether it's because of poor crosses or nobody in the box.

 

[Rossi22]

Look at where they receive the ball its completely different. Eriksen doesnt hit the by line and cross the ball he's a right footer cutting inside and crossing, its a completely different thing altogether you're talking about...

You're making it different to try and justify your point. Both cross the ball, Eriksen finds team mates, Lennon finds defenders, that's just how it is. Lennon's not good enough, one goal and two assists from 25 games, he must be one of the most ineffective attacking players in Europe. Ciao Aaron.

 

[harr1984]

The fact that he can't really strike the ball with any power limits the kinds of crosses he can make. His chance on his left when he cut inside against WBA illustrated this. That was about as well as he'll ever strike a ball from there and he still didn't score. Similar illustration the goal after the Amilfitano cross for WBA, he crossed the ball really hard and caused problems for us. Lennon doesn't have that in his locker. He has to cut it back or go for the "looped cross" every time.

For sure we have a problem with getting players into the box and for sure we're nowhere near good enough at setting Lennon up in good situations in the final third to utilize his strengths. But he is limited by his inability to strike the ball properly.

Yeah agree with that. I find his shooting odd, he actually seems more of a threat when he cuts inside and hit those left footed daisy cutters?! As for his crossing he is good at picking out players with the low cut backs, him and Defoe were always good at that and also those looped crosses can be decent. But obviously he doesnt naturally strike the ball as well as Eriksen....

 

[harr1984]

You're making it different to try and justify your point. Both cross the ball, Eriksen finds team mates, Lennon finds defenders, that's just how it is. Lennon's not good enough, one goal and two assists from 25 games, he must be one of the most ineffective attacking players in Europe. Ciao Aaron.

Im not making it different, it is different. When Eriksen receives the ball to cross it tends to be after a period of passing where the play is more static and there are a few players waiting for the cross in the box. Where with Lennon he receives the ball after a release pass where players have to sprint to get in the box and due to his pace there isnt a lot there to cross into....

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I really dont think Lennon's crossing is the issue, he can pick out a cross when required. The problem is everytime he gets the ball and looks up there is one, or on a good day two people in the box. And more often than not the movement from those in there is poor anyway....

I have watched Sterling a lot this season and you can see the similarities between him and Lennon expet... Lennon doesn't ever appear to know what to do with the ball until he has a touch or two whereas Tserling knows before he gets the ball.

They both has very similar physical attributes but one creates for himself and others and the other seems to play the crosses in where he thinks people should be or occasionally cuts in.

Lennon could be used much more centrally if we had the right dynamics but he hasn't progressed in a manner which suits his natural abilities enough IMO

It's no coincidence that he is a player that the club has tried to upgrade on a few times

 

[Rossi22]

Where the hell did this player go???

[video=youtube;2CYd2CR-KoE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CYd2CR-KoE[/video]

[video=youtube;vb0HTqzy_0k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb0HTqzy_0k[/video]

These videos make me sad. I hope we sell him before my memory of him becomes even more tarnished. At the age of 18/19 I really thought he'd go on to become a top tier talent but for whatever reason he's progressively become less and less effective.

 

[braineclipse]

These videos make me sad. I hope we sell him before my memory of him becomes even more tarnished. At the age of 18/19 I really thought he'd go on to become a top tier talent but for whatever reason he's progressively become less and less effective.

You seem fond of goals and assist stats:

http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/35866/aaron-lennon?cc=5739

PL only his goals column has looked like this: 1, 4, 3, 3, 3, 5, 2, 3, 2

His assists have been: 2, 7, 5, 2, 9, 4, 5, 8, 3

(both going by season, starting with this season going until the 05/06 season)

This season has been disappointing for him like for most of our team, but it's not like there's a constant downwards trend. Last season was close to his most effective/productive. More just a lack of progression that's frustrating, but far from uncommon. And the fact that those videos are highlights from many seasons illustrates just that point.

I think he can still play a part, but for him to be effective he has to be set up in good situations. That happens all too rarely. And it's also illustrative that Townsend who some thought already had surpassed Lennon earlier this season has been at least as ineffective and that really only one attacking player (Eriksen) has been a success this season (along with Ade in the second half of the season).

 

[diego_maradona]

He is still good at what he does. He like many of our players are not playing at their best.

I've always said he would probably thrive with creative midfielders in the centre of the park rather than workhorses like what we have.

Solid midfield duo should be complimented by creative attacking midfielders like Silva, Cazorla, Ozil, Nasri etc. Creative midfielders like Modric, Huddlestone, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Fabregas etc... Compliment more direct players like Walcott, Navas and Lennon etc. Walcott and Navas have more to his game.

But I maintain, he is a fantastic tool to have in a managers bag. Raw pace, good ethic. If drilled correctly he could absolutely be part of an efficient team

New manager has a job however to understand what he expects from that position. A creative playmaker like Eriksen or a direct winger.

 

[DHSF]

Look at where they receive the ball its completely different. Eriksen doesnt hit the by line and cross the ball he's a right footer cutting inside and crossing, its a completely different thing altogether you're talking about...

Precisely. Also dont forget Lennon is extremely quick and players like Kane will never be able to catch up so Lennon will never has as many options as an Eriksen. I think Lennon has much more to offer than what he has shown and has not been as good this season but I do think that he has strengths and weakness like any other player.

 

[spurs' magna carter]

He is still good at what he does. He like many of our players are not playing at their best.

I've always said he would probably thrive with creative midfielders in the centre of the park rather than workhorses like what we have.

Solid midfield duo should be complimented by creative attacking midfielders like Silva, Cazorla, Ozil, Nasri etc. Creative midfielders like Modric, Huddlestone, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Fabregas etc... Compliment more direct players like Walcott, Navas and Lennon etc. Walcott and Navas have more to his game.

But I maintain, he is a fantastic tool to have in a managers bag. Raw pace, good ethic. If drilled correctly he could absolutely be part of an efficient team

New manager has a job however to understand what he expects from that position. A creative playmaker like Eriksen or a direct winger.

This.

If you don't have a visionary supplying Lennon with a pass behind the full back then he's left wanting. People have to remember that when Lennon was 18/19 during his first season he had Carrick effortlessly supplying him with through ball after through ball, he was like a child in sweet shop.

 

[THFC6061]

Aaron Lennon tries to take a penalty blindfolded...

https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/5BEB8CEE7B1073169588314849280_1d979399883.3.2.mp4?versionId=xA3vinDShHyxNZnvVPNbOe1MedywI0LY

 

[braineclipse]

This.

If you don't have a visionary supplying Lennon with a pass behind the full back then he's left wanting. People have to remember that when Lennon was 18/19 during his first season he had Carrick effortlessly supplying him with through ball after through ball, he was like a child in sweet shop.

Spot on. We also miss Modric for this and of course Corluka who had a very good partnership with Lennon and was excellent at releasing the little man. Walker has improved with this, but still some way to go to reach Corluka's level.

I'm still hoping that a slight change in personnel and style next season will see Lennon up his game.

 

[Pirate55]

This.

If you don't have a visionary supplying Lennon with a pass behind the full back then he's left wanting. People have to remember that when Lennon was 18/19 during his first season he had Carrick effortlessly supplying him with through ball after through ball, he was like a child in sweet shop.

If you look at those videos carefully, most are NOT reliant on others finding Lennon quickly or Lennon running in behind following defense splitting passes. Most show him taking players on in one to one situations. He seems to have lost this ability (and some pace).

Think we should change his number back to 25 or get rid.

 

[Rossi22]

Get rid, some just don't want to see the glaringly obvious. Hopefully QPR go up and Harry throws some money our way.

 

[SpurMeUp]

I think Lennon would improve under the Dutch systems and he will become a valued squad player. Able to come on and change a game as well as start in EL and cover injuries.

 

[braineclipse]

If you look at those videos carefully, most are NOT reliant on others finding Lennon quickly or Lennon running in behind following defense splitting passes. Most show him taking players on in one to one situations. He seems to have lost this ability (and some pace).

Think we should change his number back to 25 or get rid.

When you're Aaron Lennon how do you get into one on one situations against well organized teams without there being quick passing in the buildup to that?

Every team in the league knows that if you leave your full back isolated against Lennon you're going to have a bad time so they double up on him. So to counter act that we have to create that space, create those situations...

 

[clevelandspur]

When you're Aaron Lennon how do you get into one on one situations against well organized teams without there being quick passing in the buildup to that?

Every team in the league knows that if you leave your full back isolated against Lennon you're going to have a bad time so they double up on him. So to counter act that we have to create that space, create those situations...

Really? I haven't noticed this in some time only rarely or teams that park the bus so to speak so they double virtually everyone with the ball. If we want to move forward and challenge further Lennon cannot be in our first XI regardless of system or manager imo. He hasn't been a constant threat in years, next season we should either sell on while we can still get some value or he will just be a squad player