[Marc]

I saw Aaron Lennon in action today against Jamaica and thought he was poor. It seemed he didn't have the guts to run at players, or make runs unless he had acres of space to do it, which is highly unlikely to be the case during the world cup.

Practically every time he received the ball out wide, he passed it backwards, then just stood still instead of running forward for the return pass. Shaun Wright Phillips would have been a much better player to put out there, even if he does only have 10-15 games under his belt this season, at least he takes players on. I'm glad Becks is in such great form because I would hate to have to see Lennon come on during an important match.

I heard he was good against Belarus, but they were hardly difficult opposition even if England did make them look like they were, but i would have definitely expected more of a showing from him against Jamaica, who had a defence with a severe lack of... err.. anything defence related..

[dannius]

Lennon was excellent against Belarus, England's best player by a country mile. He didn't do much today except for the run which set up the penalty, but it was his first international cap and he was probably a bit overwhelmed by it all.

Give him chance, i'm sure he'll be a good player for us.

I'm seriously not a big fan of Shaun Wright-Phillips, he runs a lot but always just loses the ball. There's never an end product with his moves.

So in conclusion, i'm also glad Beckham is in good form. But if he's needed I'd like to see Lennon given a chance to come on in a couple of WC games. I'm sure he'd scare the hell out of some defences.

I am a bit concerned about our penalty abilities though.............

Agree with you on this one. Sean Wright P, would have been a better choice IMO. However let's see if lennon rises to the occasion.

[GBDG1]

I think Lennon was slightly put off by the fact Jamaica's left back was very quick, which meant he didn't have his usual pace advantage. So it is hard to judge off just this game.

[7up4it]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

I think Lennon was slightly put off by the fact Jamaica's left back was very quick, which meant he didn't have his usual pace advantage. So it is hard to judge off just this game.

Yes, I have to agree with you but I do believe he will do well for us.

I also think we should drop Beckham as captain & give Owen Hargreaves the armband.............Not!
I mean Hargreaves is completely hopeless & should not be allowed to wear an England shirt, what do the England management see in him? it baffles me it really does

[scrapbook]

Being 4 - 0 I thought he did what was needed which was not to give the all away and keep possession.

He did seem a tad shy in running at anyone today, but I suspect England were just in a keep ball mode by then.

I'm / was a big fan of SWP, but anyone thinking he is a better bet at the moment must be forgetting the terrible form he is in right now. He has effectively had the whole season off. Lennon is definately the right choice for the this world cup.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by 7up4it

Yes, I have to agree with you but I do believe he will do well for us.

I also think we should drop Beckham as captain & give Owen Hargreaves the armband.............Not!
I mean Hargreaves is completely hopeless & should not be allowed to wear an England shirt, what do the England management see in him? it baffles me it really does

He's Svens illegitimate son I tell you! Really, he is......................

Lennon didn't have the best of games, but he is a prospect. Unlike Hargreaves. At least he might rise to the occasion whereas Hargreaves has had plenty of chances and never done it for England.

[RMCF]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

I think Lennon was slightly put off by the fact Jamaica's left back was very quick, which meant he didn't have his usual pace advantage. So it is hard to judge off just this game.

Also have to agree with you on that one. Plus he was a big bugger!!

He tried to outrun him and couple of times and couldn't. Its time like this, as a wide player, that you need a few tricks to help you get past the defender but Lennon didn't show any signs that he had any.

Same would go for Downing, who I am not a fan of. His game seems just to be pushing the ball past the defender and running. If he comes up against fast right-backs he too may suffer, as I have never seen him produce any tricks or great pieces of skill.

But I think worrying about these 2 fella's isn't important, because they probably won't play in the WC, unless injuries force it.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by SOK

Also have to agree with you on that one. Plus he was a big bugger!!

He tried to outrun him and couple of times and couldn't. Its time like this, as a wide player, that you need a few tricks to help you get past the defender but Lennon didn't show any signs that he had any.

Same would go for Downing, who I am not a fan of. His game seems just to be pushing the ball past the defender and running. If he comes up against fast right-backs he too may suffer, as I have never seen him produce any tricks or great pieces of skill.

But I think worrying about these 2 fella's isn't important, because they probably won't play in the WC, unless injuries force it.

I'd better be careful here as the chest beating, flag wavers are getting on my case, but therein lies the problem. England haven't got a bad first choice team, but it thins rapidly even when it comes to subs. Ok we have Carragher who can play anywhere in the back line (thank God!) and Campbell looks less wobbly now, but the midfield and forward line lacks that level of depth. What happens if Cole, or worse Gerrard or Lampard get injured? What happens if Owens fitness finally does fail?

The question of injuries has cost us dear in the past with better teams never mind now. It has also of course played in our favour as in 86', but then the depth was greater.

It's all very well proclaiming (again) that we can win it, but we need to see more from the fringe players if we are too.

[RMCF]

Originally Posted by overkill

I'd better be careful here as the chest beating, flag wavers are getting on my case, but therein lies the problem. England haven't got a bad first choice team, but it thins rapidly even when it comes to subs. Ok we have Carragher who can play anywhere in the back line (thank God!) and Campbell looks less wobbly now, but the midfield and forward line lacks that level of depth. What happens if Cole, or worse Gerrard or Lampard get injured? What happens if Owens fitness finally does fail?

I've noticed they are after you !! Better you than me, I say.

Personally I think that Ferdinand might be a weak link - I'd have Carragher in CB in front of him. A better defender all round. Rio looks great when there's no-one near him, but can struggle when pressurised.

Owen came through well today, although I bet you all had your heads in your hands for 5 secs when he got the penalty but was lying holding his leg. It was lucky - could have been a lot worse with such a big guy falling on him.

Personally I think that the bench is slightly limited, well at this stage in their careers, as many are very young. Lennon, Downing, Walcott might just be a little naive for a WC this time round.

Law of averages would say that a lot of teams pick up a fairly major injury. England would just need to hope its not Owen, Gerrard or Becks (crossing out of this world recently). And God forbid, Robinson gets injured and calamity has to start!!

[GBDG1]

I would fully endorse putting Noel Edmonds in net over David (I can't go 10 minutes without doing something stupid) James.

[RMCF]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

I would fully endorse putting Noel Edmonds in net over David (I can't go 10 minutes without doing something stupid) James.

What about Noel Edmonds instead of Hargreaves?

Sven still has time to change his squad, hasn't he?

[domtheone]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

I would fully endorse putting Noel Edmonds in net over David (I can't go 10 minutes without doing something stupid) James.

I would fully endorse putting Noel Edmonds (or quite a few other defenders) in defence to replace Rio (ok it might not be every 10 minutes but he makes soooo many blunders he's just a liability) Ferdinand.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by SOK

I've noticed they are after you !! Better you than me, I say.

Personally I think that Ferdinand might be a weak link - I'd have Carragher in CB in front of him. A better defender all round. Rio looks great when there's no-one near him, but can struggle when pressurised.

Owen came through well today, although I bet you all had your heads in your hands for 5 secs when he got the penalty but was lying holding his leg. It was lucky - could have been a lot worse with such a big guy falling on him.

Personally I think that the bench is slightly limited, well at this stage in their careers, as many are very young. Lennon, Downing, Walcott might just be a little naive for a WC this time round.

Law of averages would say that a lot of teams pick up a fairly major injury. England would just need to hope its not Owen, Gerrard or Becks (crossing out of this world recently). And God forbid, Robinson gets injured and calamity has to start!!

They don't worry me SOK, it's just the mods I feel sorry for once the abuse starts for being 'unEnglish'.

Agree, that the bench is a tad naive, and more importantly that we cannot afford to lose any of five key players:- Owen, Becks (back to his awesome best!), Gerrard, Carragher, J Cole.

I know many might argue with Cole, but he's currently the only player, bar Rooney, who is willing to take defenders on from deep. Yes, he does lose the ball (that's a risk you take when trying play creative football) but a good defence and Midfield should be ready for that. I mean Ronaldinho is allowed to lose the ball when trying inventive stuff without the Brazilian press and fans bursting into tears!

As for Robinson, I heartily agree, should calamity become 1st choice we would have to play two sweepers to keep any attacks out. Or Noel Edmonds..............

[RMCF]

Originally Posted by overkill

I'd better be careful here as the chest beating, flag wavers are getting on my case

All for being a realist, eh?

As you say can the hardcore flag wavers show you any evidence since 1966 that you should assume England are going to win this year.

[Steven]

Downing, Lennon and Walcott: No

Unfortunately Sven should have used the many chances in the past year to try out untested players. What's the point in playing Gerrard for 45 in March when he's tired?

So he decides to use Hungary for them 3, 2 weeks before the Cup when the Squad and reserve list have been picked

Joking Sven. Still love you, will miss you, yada yada

Re Defoe: Had his chance, blew it. Will get in though, as Rooney won't recover

[FazerThou]

Originally Posted by 7up4it

I mean Hargreaves is completely hopeless & should not be allowed to wear an England shirt, what do the England management see in him? it baffles me it really does

Cmon that's not really fair. You can't stop someone from going to their local JJB, after all its his money

[7up4it]

Originally Posted by FazerThou

Cmon that's not really fair. You can't stop someone from going to their local JJB, after all its his money

Perhaps Hargreaves should work behind the counter at JJB's as that's all he's good for! (my apologies to anyone who works at JJB's )
He is not a world class footballer & never will be as long as i've got a hole in my a*se
Still he may prove me wrong over the next few weeks & be the player of the tournament scoring a 45 yard scorcher to win England the world cup then again maybe not.................

He is one of several players in the England squad who think that they are better than they actually are and they will be found out very shortly

[RMCF]

Originally Posted by 7up4it

He is not a world class footballer & never will be as long as i've got a hole in my a*se

But perhaps he doesn't need to be world class, just solid. There are very few world class players in the world today so I think that even Hargreaves supporters (must be 1 somewhere) wouldn't say he was world class.

But still baffles me why he is a regular for the last 2 seasons in the Bayern Munich side - one of Europe's top teams.

I put it down to their system suiting him better than England's.

[Steven]

Or maybe it highlights the difference in class from club to international...even if he has played in the CL

Mexico?!

[RMCF]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Or maybe it highlights the difference in class from club to international...even if he has played in the CL

Mexico?!

You may be right.

Mexico? Assume its the avatar - got them in the sweep at work!! Gotta cheer them on now.

[la gran siete]

Hargreaves is a good player . Ask anyone in Munich. People just havent seen enough of him here thats all. He just needs a few ninety minutes under his belt to shine.Hopefully he'll get his chance

[jls1972]

Hi Lads

Just thought i`d voice my thoughts.

It looked like Lennon had been told to hold onto the ball or bring other players
into the game more.

He said the same thing to Defoe earlier in the season and that was the main reason his goals dried up because he was dropping deep all the time.

Might be wrong but didn`t lennon skin the defender and get the ball back for owen when he won the penalty?

[Floodedstatue]

Originally Posted by jls1972

Hi Lads

Just thought i`d voice my thoughts.

It looked like Lennon had been told to hold onto the ball or bring other players
into the game more.

He said the same thing to Defoe earlier in the season and that was the main reason his goals dried up because he was dropping deep all the time.

Might be wrong but didn`t lennon skin the defender and get the ball back for owen when he won the penalty?

You're right about the last point, great ball by Carrick inside the defender to Lennon who set up Owen who should've hit it first time and was lucky to be clumsily brought down.

As for the Lennon issue, my feeling is Sven might've told him to hold back a bit. If he'd gone out there and skinned defenders for fun in the 20-odd minutes he was on, everyone would've been talking about him. Perhaps Sven wanted him to have the experience, but to be fairly quiet so that he remains a 'secret weapon'?

[DJT75]

Just going back to the beginning of the thread. Although I was surprized Sven picked Lennon (only because it's so unlike him to drop a squad player) - he was spot on in doing so. They are very similiar players & the simple fact Lennon was on top form & SWP wasn't makes it a no brainer. Lennon deserves to be there on this seasons form, SWP hasn't had too many chances this season but when he has played, especially recently, he's looked awful. I feel sorry for SWP, it's not his fault, but common sense has prevailed here.

Downing & Walcott is another matter. Downing hasn't really done anything to tell me he's international class (apart from a couple of good U21 games), should J.Cole get injured is Downing likely to step in? No, Sven would rather rejig the other midfielders & put Lennon or Gerrard on the left. - Walcott so far hasn't shown me anything to write home about...yet.

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by DJT75

Just going back to the beginning of the thread. Although I was surprized Sven picked Lennon (only because it's so unlike him to drop a squad player) - he was spot on in doing so. They are very similiar players & the simple fact Lennon was on top form & SWP wasn't makes it a no brainer. Lennon deserves to be there on this seasons form, SWP hasn't had too many chances this season but when he has played, especially recently, he's looked awful. I feel sorry for SWP, it's not his fault, but common sense has prevailed here.

.

100% right m8,can't believe a thread was started on lennon,it was his 1st cap for god sake.

[scrapbook]

We can close this thread now

[Marc]

glad to be proved wrong

[hot-fuzz]

Finally an "unkown" for the opposition to be scared of.
What a great weapon off the bench, best 2 subs Sven has made in a long time.

[smashed]

Ive always thought the same thing about Lennon... since watching him at Leeds.
Excellent at beating players, makes space down the wing... and then his cross..... oh dear It will either go past the far post, or hit the front man.

I hoped he would have learned to cross by now If he could get that bit right he would be really devastating.