Unsung hero!

Many things have been said and written about Aaron Lennon, but sadly many ignore the quality, work rate and team ethic of a genuine unsung hero in the Tottenham team.

Sure Lennon has been guilty of being a little one-dimensional, lacking quality in the last quarter, either in his supply or finish, whilst he is yet to truly convince that he is comfortable cutting inside as well as out, from his favoured right side, but on all counts I see him improving, perhaps due to his own effort and growing maturity, but I also wonder if this is down to the coaching staff instilling confidence as well as demanding more from a player who without question has the ability, but perhaps he has not always had that belief to take on his man or shot himself, preferring the safe and simple option, but giving others the glory.

After the Swansea game I read with some disbelief an article in this sites forum that both Lennon and Walker weren't good enough for our team. Sadly I can't add Walker to this lovefest, as he hardly covered himself in glory with another brainstorm that cost us a goal, but equally, I still have absolute faith that he has the ability, intelligence and dedication to work on his game and become the great full back we all hoped he would do. Lennon may often be overlooked for the likes of Bale in the popularity or glory stakes, but am I alone in feeling that Aaron has developed his all-round game and has a work-rate second to none when compared with others in his position.

How often when fans talk about their ideal Spurs XI, Lennon gets overlooked for a fancy formation or supposedly more popular or expensive buy, even players we haven't got and probably never will have, but somehow Lennon always seems to get picked for the starting line up that counts, whether that is AVB or Harry Redknapp. Probably because he does his job and his role in the team is vastly and increasingly under-rated. I concede that Aaron can sometimes frustrate, but isn't that the life of a winger? What Lennon showed yesterday and also in other games recently is a greater willingness to roam, drop deep, play from the left or centre, instead or sticking rigidly on his right flank, often getting overlooked as the team relies of running through the centre or via the magical pace of Gareth Bale on the left.

Yesterday I was delighted to see Lennon score a great individual goal. One where he created and finished. My only wish is to see him do that more and to do that perhaps he needs to be more selfish, but will that detract from his wonderful team ethic that is so often overlooked by fans, if not by his team-mates? Perhaps getting a balance is what is needed. Both he and Bale have outstanding pace and stamina, but also a brilliant work ethic to their games. Bale for me often goes for glory, whereas Lennon takes the route that more often than not looks to play in a team-mate instead of taking the ball on himself. I suppose as long as the end result is successful, all is good, but I do feel that Lennon needs that extra bit of selfish, to perhaps take his own game further and perhaps allow AVB to develop the team with him in it as a more attacking and goal threat.

For me, where Aaron has lacked, when we talk about playing towards a 4-3-3 or similar is that he isn't dangerous in and around the opposition 18 yard box. If he could add that touch of selfish and get somewhere near ten goals a season, you feel he would truly be the player to offer us the quality of the likes of Remy or dare I suggest Walcott in their ability to play wide or in an attacking three, but be a scoring threat as well as a creative one. Over the last three seasons, Lennon's goals per game simply hasn't matched his potential in my opinion. I know there is more to his game than goals, but I do feel he needs to add that goal threat to his game and therefore I was so pleased to see him score yesterday. Three goals in twenty-seven games for club and country this season remains poor, but it compared with 4 in 32 last and 3 in 46 the season before that, so it is clear that ten goals in two and a half season isn't good for Lennon, but the question is, can he offer more and if not are his all round attributes good enough to be an integral part of the AVB era???

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