Neil Lennon

[Ric Flair]

Lennon has been out on the piss all weekend in various places throughout Leicestershire. There are rumours on another forum that he's having talks with us this week. Might explain his sudden fondness to drink in every village and town of the county.

Not overly keen on the prospect of N'Gotty, De Zeeuw, Lennon and Kishishev all playing together.

[Dames]

Great news, we moaned that we needed players that could last 90 minutes instead of 45 so we sign 4 players with the combine age of something like 140.

[Phlashman]

I agree with your sentament about all these older players. But I'd still take Lennon, we've been lacking any sort of leadership of the field for a very very very long time.

Maybe the plan is to use these older players, hoping to get the last good year out of them, to get to the prem rather than building a base for a potential premiership team?

Also I think people forget how young most of the players we've already got are.

[davieG]

I agree with your sentament about all these older players. But I'd still take Lennon, we've been lacking any sort of leadership of the field for a very very very long time.

Maybe the plan is to use these older players, hoping to get the last good year out of them, to get to the prem rather than building a base for a potential premiership team?

Also I think people forget how young most of the players we've already got are.

Like another MA, err no thanks.

They are not mostly young they do however lack decent experience.

[Lester LXXIV]

I agree with your sentament about all these older players. But I'd still take Lennon, we've been lacking any sort of leadership of the field for a very very very long time.

Maybe the plan is to use these older players, hoping to get the last good year out of them, to get to the prem rather than building a base for a potential premiership team?

Also I think people forget how young most of the players we've already got are.

All the rumours i've seen have linked him with F#&est, I haven't seen 1 linking him with us recently.

[teblin]

Just get some pace on the flanks, and up front we'll be fine

[Dames]

Its been a few years, but the Foxes retirement home is now opening its doors again.

It origianally shut down in 2004 due to lack of funding but now with new investors in place its destined to re-open and start taking in golden oldies it was once famous for.

[sackmycook]

nothing wrong with signing older player as long as they still have a season or 2 left in them.

at 37 de zeuw probably hasnt and lennon at 36 probably hasnt either.

neither did rab, keown, wise, hignett, etc so we have been pretty crap at signing older players.

normally you want a player who has been released for being too old like when wigan got de zeuw and that liverpool defender the name escapes me.

[Thracian]

nothing wrong with signing older player as long as they still have a season or 2 left in them.

at 37 de zeuw probably hasnt and lennon at 36 probably hasnt either.

neither did rab, keown, wise, hignett, etc so we have been pretty crap at signing older players.

normally you want a player who has been released for being too old like when wigan got de zeuw and that liverpool defender the name escapes me.

Normally I don't want em at all. The secret of buying, to me, is getting something that will appreciate rather than depreciate.

[The People's Hero]

Normally I don't want em at all. The secret of buying, to me, is getting something that will appreciate rather than depreciate.

So is it better to buy someone who is sh it and might one day become mediocre (Elvis Hammond for example) or someone who is great but might deteriorate a little?

Not getting at you here - just trying to show you the other side of the coin.

[THEBIGJOHNSTEADER;]

So is it better to buy someone who is sh it and might one day become mediocre (Elvis Hammond for example) or someone who is great but might deteriorate a little?

Not getting at you here - just trying to show you the other side of the coin.

chance would be a fine thing

[mancunianfox]

So is it better to buy someone who is sh it and might one day become mediocre (Elvis Hammond for example) or someone who is great but might deteriorate a little?

Not getting at you here - just trying to show you the other side of the coin.

Can we not just have a thread about Neil Lennon signing for us? I notice that the dark forces of Hammond are starting to cloud ANOTHER thread.

[THEBIGJOHNSTEADER;]

Can we not just have a thread about Neil Lennon signing for us? I notice that the dark forces of Hammond are starting to cloud ANOTHER thread.

How many goals did Lennie score for us during his foxes tenure? I recall him side footing into the top corner is a quality 2-2 match with Villa, (I think Matty Elliot scored the other goal, totally smashing in a volley with some aplomb!!) but I can't remember many more

[London_Fox]

This Lennon discussion has happened before in lots of detail. The only thing that I can really see that has changed is that he has declared an interest in coaching as well as playing now and is quieter on the Premiership thing. It may well be that Martin Allen wants someone the fans can identify with, can help bring on younger players, bring some positivity to the squad even if he doesn't play every game. Despite the cynics on here I can see it being very popular with the majority of fans and being a real boost.

Out of interest he played 43 games this season (and one sub appearance) including 8 in the Champions League. It may ONLY be the Scottish League but that's still impressive.

[Thracian]

This Lennon discussion has happened before in lots of detail. The only thing that I can really see that has changed is that he has declared an interest in coaching as well as playing now and is quieter on the Premiership thing. It may well be that Martin Allen wants someone the fans can identify with, can help bring on younger players, bring some positivity to the squad even if he doesn't play every game. Despite the cynics on here I can see it being very popular with the majority of fans and being a real boost.

Out of interest he played 43 games this season (and one sub appearance) including 8 in the Champions League. It may ONLY be the Scottish League but that's still impressive.

Forty-three games in the Scottish League - and surrounded by far superior team-mates than the opposition generally musters - is nothing like 43 championship League games where every game is a fairly furious locking of horns. In football terms it must be cruising the Adriatic.

How will having Lennon in some younger player's place help to bring him on?. Instead of an appreciating asset we'd have an ever-less-athletic old timer. No thanks.

Fans forever want old heroes back. Even when they're permanently injured sometimes. And it's a sentiment that's invariably doomed to disappointment all round.

[davieG]

This Lennon discussion has happened before in lots of detail. The only thing that I can really see that has changed is that he has declared an interest in coaching as well as playing now and is quieter on the Premiership thing. It may well be that Martin Allen wants someone the fans can identify with, can help bring on younger players, bring some positivity to the squad even if he doesn't play every game. Despite the cynics on here I can see it being very popular with the majority of fans and being a real boost.

Out of interest he played 43 games this season (and one sub appearance) including 8 in the Champions League. It may ONLY be the Scottish League but that's still impressive.

Why do people assume that experience means that they are capable of bringing people on. I've worked with and managed many experienced people in my time and only one every now and again had the ability to do this let alone the motivation. Unless you know the player it's just impossible to judge and shouldn't be assumed for Lennon, De Weez, N'Gotty et al. Let the reason for signing them be that they are good enough to warrant a place in the team all the rest is bullshit.

[Ricey]

I would take him with hestitation as there's no doubt he has what it takes, however if we should sign him I'll be worried if we then also proceed to sign 3 or 4 other over 30's......a couple maybe, but no more than that.

[London_Fox]

Forty-three games in the Scottish League - and surrounded by far superior team-mates than the opposition generally musters - is nothing like 43 championship League games where every game is a fairly furious locking of horns. In football terms it must be cruising the Adriatic.

How will having Lennon in some younger player's place help to bring him on?. Instead of an appreciating asset we'd have an ever-less-athletic old timer. No thanks.

Fans forever want old heroes back. Even when they're permanently injured sometimes. And it's a sentiment that's invariably doomed to disappointment all round.

He played 43 games including helping Celtic qualify from the group stages of the Champions League. Celtic went out to Milan but gave it as good a shot as Utd did (closer on scoreline). You are very quick to dismiss an injury-free season when it suits. The challenges of the Championship and Scotland are clearly different and this one might be more 'physical' but at Celtic the expectation is to win every game, every team is out to beat you, you play in front of a packed stadium at home and are involved in one of the most passionate derby matches around. Add to that the Champions League and your dismissive post seems somewhat childish.

Some people might always want older players back but others reject them automatically. I'm struggling to see our Midfield ball winner who played 40 games or more for us this season and drove us on. We have no reason or proof to believe that Weso will be be able to do the whole season in that role (nor is it fair to expect him too). I accept that you might not want us to play with a ball winner just 10 strikers and a keeper but most people accept the need for someone who can break up play and win the ball in the side. The truth is that there aren't many players who do that role well but Lennon is one of those that can.

As for bringing players on that comes from what I know/have heard about Lennon as a character. That should not be a primary reason for signing anyone but surely if he can add to Weso's game that can only be a bonus. People are cynical about all experienced players (with justification from the past few seasons) but some of them might also have value to add.

[I8AM]

Lennon has been out on the piss all weekend in various places throughout Leicestershire. There are rumours on another forum that he's having talks with us this week. Might explain his sudden fondness to drink in every village and town of the county.

Not overly keen on the prospect of N'Gotty, De Zeeuw, Lennon and Kishishev all playing together.

He was only on the piss all weekend in Leic as he came to a wedding at the marriott along with a whole host of ex players/managers. Matt Jones, Mike Whitlow, Walshie, the Birch, MON, MA (Micky Adams), RK. Sorry to dissapoint but more likely he had a chat with MON about an appearance at Villa.

[Ric Flair]

He was only on the piss all weekend in Leic as he came to a wedding at the marriott along with a whole host of ex players/managers. Matt Jones, Mike Whitlow, Walshie, the Birch, MON, MA (Micky Adams), RK. Sorry to dissapoint but more likely he had a chat with MON about an appearance at Villa.

He was also in my local off his face on Friday. Someone on another forum reckons they asked him if he's coming back to Leicester and he said it's up to the us, meaning he wants to come back.

[Fez of Mahrez]

He played 43 games including helping Celtic qualify from the group stages of the Champions League. Celtic went out to Milan but gave it as good a shot as Utd did (closer on scoreline). You are very quick to dismiss an injury-free season when it suits. The challenges of the Championship and Scotland are clearly different and this one might be more 'physical' but at Celtic the expectation is to win every game, every team is out to beat you, you play in front of a packed stadium at home and are involved in one of the most passionate derby matches around. Add to that the Champions League and your dismissive post seems somewhat childish.

Some people might always want older players back but others reject them automatically. I'm struggling to see our Midfield ball winner who played 40 games or more for us this season and drove us on. We have no reason or proof to believe that Weso will be be able to do the whole season in that role (nor is it fair to expect him too). I accept that you might not want us to play with a ball winner just 10 strikers and a keeper but most people accept the need for someone who can break up play and win the ball in the side. The truth is that there aren't many players who do that role well but Lennon is one of those that can.

As for bringing players on that comes from what I know/have heard about Lennon as a character. That should not be a primary reason for signing anyone but surely if he can add to Weso's game that can only be a bonus. People are cynical about all experienced players (with justification from the past few seasons) but some of them might also have value to add.

[Thracian]

He played 43 games including helping Celtic qualify from the group stages of the Champions League. Celtic went out to Milan but gave it as good a shot as Utd did (closer on scoreline). You are very quick to dismiss an injury-free season when it suits. The challenges of the Championship and Scotland are clearly different and this one might be more 'physical' but at Celtic the expectation is to win every game, every team is out to beat you, you play in front of a packed stadium at home and are involved in one of the most passionate derby matches around. Add to that the Champions League and your dismissive post seems somewhat childish.

Some people might always want older players back but others reject them automatically. I'm struggling to see our Midfield ball winner who played 40 games or more for us this season and drove us on. We have no reason or proof to believe that Weso will be be able to do the whole season in that role (nor is it fair to expect him too). I accept that you might not want us to play with a ball winner just 10 strikers and a keeper but most people accept the need for someone who can break up play and win the ball in the side. The truth is that there aren't many players who do that role well but Lennon is one of those that can.

As for bringing players on that comes from what I know/have heard about Lennon as a character. That should not be a primary reason for signing anyone but surely if he can add to Weso's game that can only be a bonus. People are cynical about all experienced players (with justification from the past few seasons) but some of them might also have value to add.

I'm not dismissing Lennon's injury-free season. I'm saying it is a lot easier to have an injury-free season as a prompting midfielder in a side like Celtic who are demonstrably so much better than their opponents for 70% of their games than it is when all the games are close and inclined to be frantic.

I agree we didn't have a driving ball winner for 40 games. And very predictable it was too. The veteran Tiatto was supposed to be that man but he didn't even manage even the 30-odd games that Kelly hoped for - and that was at 33 - so excuse my being doubtful in respect of Lennon.

You still haven't told me how Lennon's keeping Weso out of the side will aide his development but, again, I agree Weso has given no indication that he can play a season in midfield.

However, if he can't, the answer lies, not with a golden oldie, but with a fit, strong younger player who does have a physical ability to survive and who will be worth increasing amounts as he does so.

Everyone seems to be assuming MM will be successful. But I think he has a mammoth task. And if in three years he's just blown money while not achieving his objective then I hate to think of our situation if we have no assets in our team.

There weren't many when Adams left (apart from Connolly) and how we struggled as a result.

[The People's Hero]

I'm not dismissing Lennon's injury-free season. I'm saying it is a lot easier to have an injury-free season as a prompting midfielder in a side like Celtic who are demonstrably so much better than their opponents for 70% of their games than it is when all the games are close and inclined to be frantic.

I disagree. When teams play Celtic they really try to get stuck in and break up Celtic's play.

The fact that Celtic are a technically superior side is, in my opinion, irrelevant.

The fact that the Championship is a very physical league and that we'll also be entering 2 cup competitions and playing a lot of games through the year, might be of relevance.

[London_Fox]

I'm not dismissing Lennon's injury-free season. I'm saying it is a lot easier to have an injury-free season as a prompting midfielder in a side like Celtic who are demonstrably so much better than their opponents for 70% of their games than it is when all the games are close and inclined to be frantic.

I agree we didn't have a driving ball winner for 40 games. And very predictable it was too. The veteran Tiatto was supposed to be that man but he didn't even manage even the 30-odd games that Kelly hoped for - and that was at 33 - so excuse my being doubtful in respect of Lennon.

You still haven't told me how Lennon's keeping Weso out of the side will aide his development but, again, I agree Weso has given no indication that he can play a season in midfield.

However, if he can't, the answer lies, not with a golden oldie, but with a fit, strong younger player who does have a physical ability to survive and who will be worth increasing amounts as he does so.

Everyone seems to be assuming MM will be successful. But I think he has a mammoth task. And if in three years he's just blown money while not achieving his objective then I hate to think of our situation if we have no assets in our team.

There weren't many when Adams left (apart from Connolly) and how we struggled as a result.

It's easy for any city fan at the moment to dismiss players over the age of 30 by bringing up Tiatto, AJ and the like but I think we should all be able to agree that the problem wasn't age but ability. Lennon always was and still is a far better midfielder ball winner then either of the above mentioned. He's better then both when all were playing at their own personal peaks. The comparison isn't really there.

We're going to have to disagree about the Celtic situation because i'm not sure how even the hustle and bustle of the Championship compares to Gattuso at the San Siro. The pressure on Celtic, the type of game people try to play against them (aggressive, closing down etc) is far greater then anything he'd have to deal with here. I'm not saying a season for us would be a stroll and i'm sure he'd have to work hard but he has the ability to do it at this level.

I really think it's one of the most physically straining positions on the pitch and it's tough for anyone to play a whole season there so why not share the workload between someone with experience and ability and someone who is up and coming. It's all well and good calling for a young, strong Greek God to come and hold our midfield together but he doesn't exist. The lack of quality in that position is a problem but unless MM can use his contacts to tempt Hargreaves to swap Utd for us, bring in Essien or Mikel from Chelsea or even (down a drop) steal Joey Barton at the last minute from Newcastle I'm failing to see who this young hero coming to save us is...

[London_Fox]

I disagree. When teams play Celtic they really try to get stuck in and break up Celtic's play.

The fact that Celtic are a technically superior side is, in my opinion, irrelevant.

The fact that the Championship is a very physical league and that we'll also be entering 2 cup competitions and playing a lot of games through the year, might be of relevance.

Sorry didn't read this before but