I'm sorry Affy but I don't agree here. Lennon has not been fine recently, he has been really disappointing.
Lets look at the last two games. Against City, Walker and others needed a lot more protection with Silva and others running riot. Lennon didn't provide it.
Against Hull, we needed a winger with pace to open up an obstinate defense. Again, Azza was found wanting and didn't perform. Lennon really doesn't deserve a place in our starting eleven and should be kept as an impact sub until he regains any form. He still has no understanding with Walker after what four years together.
Consequently, against Everton, if we want to peg them back on our right side, given how strong Everton are on the left with Baines and Piennar, we need either Townsend or Lamela if they are fit. If not, I would prefer Dembele to play on the right hand side of midfield as he could cover Walkers forward runs without any problem.
I get the feeling Lennon is coasting with us and really needs a fresh start to re-energise him. Sadly, I don't think this will be with us. He has failed to deliver too often.
i hear you bro , and over the last two games he hasnt been at his best, but think of lennon like this, as the sharp penetrating end of a sword with a steady hilt. Lennon cannot function without supply...his is that type of player...in essence his contribution is DIRECTLY linked to the contribution of those that can supply him the ball......and supply him the ball in an early and timely fashion...in order to isolate him with his opposing full back
lennon is not a play making winger, at least he hasnt shown that part of his game enough so that one can claim he is...he is a penetrative winger.....and quite simply one of the deadliest if not the deadliest one in the league when in a one v one situation.
you say we needed lennon to get through hulls defense? i agree.
but think it through, in your mind...play by play. how does he do this? Is it him picking it up from lloris and going through the whole team ?(exaggerating to prove a point) or is it him being supplied the ball in order to beat his man or get in behind him via a pass through the inside channels?
did you expect Lennon to be feeding through balls to trailing runners...ala mata, hazard, willian, giggs, suarez on the flanks , silva etc etc? Unfortunately then in that regard you are almost always doomed for disappointment because that isnt his natural game...he can do it but he doesnt do it...if you get my meaning
it isnt a surpise that lennons best years came when he and thudd were regular starters.....and carrick too. quick efficient supply to lennon directly correlates to us being threatening on his side
one thing though that i didnt think would be in dispute is lennons work rate on the defensive end , i have to say i am surprised that this is being questioned. for a winger...a pure out and out winger , who now has an end product in delivery....he is a premier defender from the flanks..and adequarely substitutes for walker when walker is exposed on the flank
without lennon coming infield to promote walkers runs...
IF lennon was to come infield and space for walker was created...it isnt primarily lennons job to cover...its which ever midfield , centre mid, thats on lennons side..they are the ones to cover the flank...this is something that sandro is an expert in and something that we miss baldy
i think if we want to peg everton back then they need to fear us...and fear us with something sinister. i vote for lennon and walker....and quite frankly....neither of pienaar or baines can handle either of those two
one more thing..i think walker and lennons relationship can be better, but it isnt dire, i know thats not what you are saying , and i think that if anyone is to get with the program it should be walker more so than lennon...i feel lennon should be promoting walkers choices more ..cause right now it feels like its the other way around