aaron lennon - ready for england?

[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.

[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.

[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!!

[Lawrenzini]

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.