Lennon leaving celtic

[Daggers]

Alternatively...

Well, there you have it, we disagree at a fundamental level on this...

...but fortunately there is more chance of me being able to give myself a gobjob than having Lennon trot out for us next season.

[l444ry]

That's what charity matches are for.

I think in the cold light of day, someone like Sam Allardyce or Harry Redknapp will offer Neil Lennon £40k p/w for 12 months (+ another 12 month option).

I'd question his sanity as well his professional and financial judgement if he came back to us next season.

I can't believe you'd really want another AJ?

Why, if Lennon would be good enough for Redknapp and Allardyce, do you feel that he'd be not good enough for a Championship club like Leicester? Just a friendly question.

[Nationwider]

Why, if Lennon would be good enough for Redknapp and Allardyce, do you feel that he'd be not good enough for a Championship club like Leicester? Just a friendly question.

As a player, his presence in the midfield next year would be a dream come true if it were to happen.

What I can't get my head around is that fact that the idea is being seriously entertained. I know NL gives all the old baloney in interviews about loving the club, as they all do.

I just can't see him wasting any time with us while we're in the CCC. As a player, it would be a less-than-auspicious way for him to end (possibly) his playing career.

As a coach, taking on a dodgy CCC club for a first assignment would be a risky career move. It might take years to get us going again in any case.

Why not go to Villa, rake in the bucks, buddy up with MON, Walford and Robbo again, get some badges and then take on The Poisoned Chalice?

[MBK]

That's what charity matches are for.

I think in the cold light of day, someone like Sam Allardyce or Harry Redknapp will offer Neil Lennon £40k p/w for 12 months (+ another 12 month option).

I'd question his sanity as well his professional and financial judgement if he came back to us next season.

I can't believe you'd really want another AJ?

Hope that's being sarcastic in the least. I don't like mercenaries, especially one who has single handedly done that much harm to our season. Andy Johnson is a shame to football and if I mention him again on this forum, I'll declare myself amnesic and not fit to post on foxestalk.

Reference to Lennon, we'll wait and see. I guess we should focus on a creative player anyway. Weso needs games and has shown to be more than able for this division. Whether he is consistent over a season needs to be seen. For sure we cannot expect him to play a bit part role again next year.

[Geo V]

Lennons legs have gone and despite being a City legend, I wouldnt want him back at City because I think it will all end in tears. BTW, whats the fascination in bringing back the old players from the "good old days"? If its not Lennon its Dickov and then someone said Heskey "in a couple of years" on another thread FFS! We dont need to scrape the barrel for players next season so lets aim a tad higher with our ambition.

BTW, I`d take him back as a coach because he is a leader, plays to the maximum despite having limitations and more importantly he has been a winner both here and at Celtic. Someone like Weso could learn a hell of alot from him.

[Nationwider]

It was. Most definitely. I was just returning the sarcasm.

AJ was a bad, bad idea from day one. I am joining the long list of "I told you so's".

I 100% agree with your last post. We need to stop the signings of downwardly-mobile midfielders. Hopefully our next manager will have the necessary profile, experience and charisma to be able to attract the good ones. There are good midfielders out there - they just haven't fancied joining us for about 5 years now....

I don't have a downer on NL. I just can't see him signing for us as he's too good!

[Ric Flair]

My views are that James Wesolowski has the potential to be the best defensive midfielder we've had since Neil Lennon. Injuries have suggested that reaching his potential could be harder than first thought, but he shouldn't be written off. Given the fact he's still only 19 and getting to grips with a sustained run in the team, i'm hoping he's geared up for first choice next season and he doesn't suffer any injuries.

If we really wanted to cover our backs and bring in someone who could help Wesolowski develop and help our team as a whole for a season then Neil Lennon would be a dream come true. I, myself have doubts he'd come here just as a player. If he is going to go to a club just to play then there will be premiership offers even if he is 36. But if there is a coaching role for him and he's still on the books as a player to help Wesolowski and if Weso is injured then we'll need a defensive midfielder. As i've said, we haven't had a quality defensive midfielder since.............Neil Lennon. 6 years on and he'd still be the best defensive midfielder we could have.

[Thracian]

Lennons legs have gone and despite being a City legend, I wouldnt want him back at City because I think it will all end in tears. BTW, whats the fascination in bringing back the old players from the "good old days"? If its not Lennon its Dickov and then someone said Heskey "in a couple of years" on another thread FFS! We dont need to scrape the barrel for players next season so lets aim a tad higher with our ambition.

BTW, I`d take him back as a coach because he is a leader, plays to the maximum despite having limitations and more importantly he has been a winner both here and at Celtic. Someone like Weso could learn a hell of alot from him.

I'd have Heskey back here tomorrow if I could.

[Dames]

I'd have Heskey back here tomorrow if I could.

And Savage.

[Manwell Pablo]

He might have two seasons of Scotish football left in him, though I doubt it, but not two years of Championship football. But let people find out the hard way. We seem to have an inner wish to do that anyway.

But you aren't actually basing that on anything are you Thracian, as I imagine you've probabley seen 3 minutes of Celtic all season.

[Geo V]

I'd have Heskey back here tomorrow if I could.

As I said, someone was talking about having him here in a couple/few years. How do we know what state he will be in by then by either performance or physically? Its pointless to say that we want him back just because he is an ex-player and should judge a player on current ability and not previous succeses. Michael Rickets is a player that is the perfect example of a big strong forward who was capped for England and looked like getting a move to a big club whilst doing well at Bolton but a couple of years on and he looks nothing more than a journeyman, having had 5 clubs in about 18 months. Ricketts is younger than Heskey too!

These are exciting times for us fans and we need to stop going on about the past and actually start looking forward to the different players that will be coming in. This summer will be the best summer for us in years!

[FrankieWorthoYaggedMyWife]

As I said, someone was talking about having him here in a couple/few years. How do we know what state he will be in by then by either performance or physically? Its pointless to say that we want him back just because he is an ex-player and should judge a player on current ability and not previous succeses. Michael Rickets is a player that is the perfect example of a big strong forward who was capped for England and looked like getting a move to a big club whilst doing well at Bolton but a couple of years on and he looks nothing more than a journeyman, having had 5 clubs in about 18 months. Ricketts is younger than Heskey too!

These are exciting times for us fans and we need to stop going on about the past and actually start looking forward to the different players that will be coming in. This summer will be the best summer for us in years!

Ricketts has'nt got nearly 50 England caps though has he!

He also wasn't first choice at Liverpool for four seasons!

Or played in numerous European Competitions and World Cups!

Ricketts is not fit to lace Emile's boots!!!

Anyone on here who wouldn't take Heskey back tomorrow is clearly insane!

[Manwell Pablo]

Ricketts has'nt got nearly 50 England caps though has he!

He also wasn't first choice at Liverpool for four seasons!

Or played in numerous European Competitions and World Cups!

Ricketts is not fit to lace Emile's boots!!!

Anyone on here who wouldn't take Heskey back tomorrow is clearly insane!

He's quite cleary over rated by some on here (what a suprise Thracian being one of them, doesn't take einstiein to make the connection there)

But you are quite right, he'd be a good player to have for any Championship side.

[Lord Nibblington]

So... some people are discounting Lennon because he's too good? Ok then.

Frankly, whilst I generally agree with all the chit chat about trying to sign young hungry players, building a team for the future, atrracting high quality players, yadda yadda yadda, I see nothing wrong in trying to sign one or two quality older

players to help us. I'm not talking going over board and everyone we sign be old. And shit. Like we've done in the past. Just one or two players, who, might be old, but are still top quality (with regards to this division).

I mean, Portsmouth used Paul Merson when they got promoted, and he was 34/35. He was hardly a horrible signing for them now, was he? Of course, Lennon and Merson are different players, with different games... but the point still stands.

Course, if some people think Lennon doesn't have the quality for this division anymore, that's fair enough. I just happen to dsagree with you. I would think that the majority of clubs in the Championship would be more than happy to sign Neil Lennon if they could.

[Manwell Pablo]

So... some people are discounting Lennon because he's too good? Ok then.

Frankly, whilst I generally agree with all the chit chat about trying to sign young hungry players, building a team for the future, atrracting high quality players, yadda yadda yadda, I see nothing wrong in trying to sign one or two quality older

players to help us. I'm not talking going over board and everyone we sign be old. And shit. Like we've done in the past. Just one or two players, who, might be old, but are still top quality (with regards to this division).

I mean, Portsmouth used Paul Merson when they got promoted, and he was 34/35. He was hardly a horrible signing for them now, was he? Of course, Lennon and Merson are different players, with different games... but the point still stands.

Course, if some people think Lennon doesn't have the quality for this division anymore, that's fair enough. I just happen to dsagree with you. I would think that the majority of clubs in the Championship would be more than happy to sign Neil Lennon if they could.

Paul Merson, Steve Stone, Teddy Sherringham and Tim Sherwood, probabley even more.

[Ric Flair]

So... some people are discounting Lennon because he's too good? Ok then.

Frankly, whilst I generally agree with all the chit chat about trying to sign young hungry players, building a team for the future, atrracting high quality players, yadda yadda yadda, I see nothing wrong in trying to sign one or two quality older

players to help us. I'm not talking going over board and everyone we sign be old. And shit. Like we've done in the past. Just one or two players, who, might be old, but are still top quality (with regards to this division).

I mean, Portsmouth used Paul Merson when they got promoted, and he was 34/35. He was hardly a horrible signing for them now, was he? Of course, Lennon and Merson are different players, with different games... but the point still stands.

Course, if some people think Lennon doesn't have the quality for this division anymore, that's fair enough. I just happen to dsagree with you. I would think that the majority of clubs in the Championship would be more than happy to sign Neil Lennon if they could.

You've raised a very good point. Anyone who hates to see players over the age of 30 playing here, should consider not bothering watching us under Mandaric because Milan likes the clubs he owns to have some quality players who have been there and achieved stuff in the game. This young and hungry policy is all well and good, but sadly it won't all be like that down at Leicester I can promise you.

[Geo V]

Ricketts has'nt got nearly 50 England caps though has he!

He also wasn't first choice at Liverpool for four seasons!

Or played in numerous European Competitions and World Cups!

Ricketts is not fit to lace Emile's boots!!!

Anyone on here who wouldn't take Heskey back tomorrow is clearly insane!

fella but thats not what I am saying! Having Heskey tomorrow is different from having him in 2 or 3 years. The point I was making was that people get so engrossed in the old days that regardless of what age/form/current ability of one of our former players is, they want them back! There arent many players who have gone back to the club where they made there name and have done just as well as before. Infact, I cant think of any!

The people who are stuck in the past need to move on and only remember the players that have done well for us with fondness and not look at bringing back every player that featured during the MOM era.

[Leicfox]

I just happen to dsagree with you. I would think that the majority of clubs in the Championship would be more than happy to sign Neil Lennon if they could.

I agree, Roy Keane was after him earlier in the season.

[Dames]

I'd like to see him back.

Certainly has more passion for the game than Andy Johnson and being a fans favorite he wouldn't let us down when he did perform.

I reckon if he came back he would play about half the games and help coach the youngsters most notably Weso.

[Thracian]

So... some people are discounting Lennon because he's too good? Ok then.

Frankly, whilst I generally agree with all the chit chat about trying to sign young hungry players, building a team for the future, atrracting high quality players, yadda yadda yadda, I see nothing wrong in trying to sign one or two quality older

players to help us. I'm not talking going over board and everyone we sign be old. And shit. Like we've done in the past. Just one or two players, who, might be old, but are still top quality (with regards to this division).

I mean, Portsmouth used Paul Merson when they got promoted, and he was 34/35. He was hardly a horrible signing for them now, was he? Of course, Lennon and Merson are different players, with different games... but the point still stands.

Course, if some people think Lennon doesn't have the quality for this division anymore, that's fair enough. I just happen to dsagree with you. I would think that the majority of clubs in the Championship would be more than happy to sign Neil Lennon if they could.

As it happens I think Lennon will deteriorate fast as a player and won't be anything like we remember him. But that's not my main concern.

My point is that while the likes of Merson and Sheringham were/are guileful attackers, Lennon is another defensive midfielder. We don't need another. I am sick of defensive midfielders. It seems we have an obsession with defensive midfielders and I'd be happy to put an embargo on signing the breed, and especially if they're over 25.

Generally speaking Lise is spot on - signing former players is much more likely to end in tears of woe than happiness.

But I don't want our attention diverted anymore. I want us focused on signing players who can attack.

By the time we've sorted those we won't be able to afford the God-knows-how-much we would waste per week on signing Lennon.

[Manwell Pablo]

As it happens I think Lennon will deteriorate fast as a player and won't be anything like we remember him. But that's not my main concern.

My point is that while the likes of Merson and Sheringham were/are guileful attackers, Lennon is another defensive midfielder. We don't need another. I am sick of defensive midfielders. It seems we have an obsession with defensive midfielders and I'd be happy to put an embargo on signing the breed, and especially if they're over 25.

Generally speaking Lise is spot on - signing former players is much more likely to end in tears of woe than happiness.

But I don't want our attention diverted anymore. I want us focused on signing players who can attack.

By the time we've sorted those we won't be able to afford the God-knows-how-much we would waste per week on signing Lennon.

Well tough luck, two of them are leaving the club and we need at least one to replace them.

[Lord Nibblington]

As it happens I think Lennon will deteriorate fast as a player and won't be anything like we remember him. But that's not my main concern.

My point is that while the likes of Merson and Sheringham were/are guileful attackers, Lennon is another defensive midfielder. We don't need another. I am sick of defensive midfielders. It seems we have an obsession with defensive midfielders and I'd be happy to put an embargo on signing the breed, and especially if they're over 25.

Generally speaking Lise is spot on - signing former players is much more likely to end in tears of woe than happiness.

But I don't want our attention diverted anymore. I want us focused on signing players who can attack.

By the time we've sorted those we won't be able to afford the God-knows-how-much we would waste per week on signing Lennon.

I'm judging Lennon as the player he is now, not the player he used to be. And I don't really see where you're basing your deterioration statement. Is it because he's decided he's had enough at Celtic? Other players have decided they've had enough at Celtic and not plummeted into nothingness and being crap, Henrik Larsson being the most obvious example.

Yes, we need players who can attack. But even the most attacking teams usually have at least one player who will sit back and protect the back 4, much like Carrick does for Man U. Now, of course, you're going to say Weso. And I agree he could do a good job there. But are you realisitically expecting him to play 46 games next season? No injuries, no suspensions, no nothing?

Signing a team full of attacking players is a lovely thought indeed, but utterly implausible. We need to stengthen every area. Now, if Lennon's wage demands were such that he would be out only signing of the summer, you're right, completely unworth it. And yes, I know we don't have a bottomless pit of money, and his signing is perhaps unrealistic. But that does not mean he would be a bad signing if we could afford it, and if he was reasonable. Some of his wages would come from the fact we would not have to pay a transfer fee. I still feel that signing Lennon could have both beneficial short term and long term gains.

If we actually sign him though, I would be amazed.

[Thracian]

But you aren't actually basing that on anything are you Thracian, as I imagine you've probabley seen 3 minutes of Celtic all season.

I've read enough on Celtic fan sites to form a judgement and there's the world of difference between the relatively comfortable seasons for Celtic in Scottish football and the constant hussle and bustle of Championship football.

Every player has his time and I'd well imagine Lennon's had hisfrom what's been said - and knows it underneath. Otherwise why would he be on his way out of Celtic?

It really depresses to think that so many fans still want to bog our team down with past-it footballers. It's as bad as the constant and unfounded warnings about the risks of using youngsters.

Modern football is nothing if not frenetic. It is a game for the fit and the fast.

Some older players like Giggs, Neville and Scholes remain fit and fast enough. But I doubt Lennon will prove to be in that category.

[MBK]

Well tough luck, two of them are leaving the club and we need at least one to replace them.

Still Thracian's right. Leicester under MM must not be expected to be a feeding ground for players long past their prime. On the other hand I can see Lennon being interested in coaching more than a big wage packet. Probably all bullshit given the greediness of football players and agents.

[Ric Flair]

As it happens I think Lennon will deteriorate fast as a player and won't be anything like we remember him. But that's not my main concern.

My point is that while the likes of Merson and Sheringham were/are guileful attackers, Lennon is another defensive midfielder. We don't need another. I am sick of defensive midfielders. It seems we have an obsession with defensive midfielders and I'd be happy to put an embargo on signing the breed, and especially if they're over 25.

Generally speaking Lise is spot on - signing former players is much more likely to end in tears of woe than happiness.

But I don't want our attention diverted anymore. I want us focused on signing players who can attack.

By the time we've sorted those we won't be able to afford the God-knows-how-much we would waste per week on signing Lennon.

Thracian, as of this summer the following defensive midfielders we will have is as follows:

James Wesolowski

Tiatto, Johnson and Jarrett are all leaving.

Now, i'm with you on the optimism for Wesolowski to be the main man next season, but you have been one of the most cautious with Weso on his injuries. 5 games later and you forget that he might not last all of next season? So what happens then, you advocate for Teejay or Square bob to come in and play there?

I empathise with your frustration for the types of midfielders we've had at Leicester in recent years, but they are leaving this summer and we still require two midfielders who are capable of breaking up play and sitting in the middle protecting things. Wesolowski will be one of those and given he's fairly injury prone we need another one who's experienced to help him out.

We also need two attacking midfielders and two new wingers, something to wet your bell.