|
|
 |
| |
Spurs boss heaps praise on 'revelation' Lennon
Tottenham and Arsenal stars nominated for top award
FORGET about the future, Aaron Lennon is a player for the
here and now according to Spurs manager Martin Jol.
The winger, and his north London rival Cesc Fabregas, were among
two of the six rising stars nominated for the prestigious Professional
Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year Award
yesterday (Wednesday).
The 18-year-old Fabregas has caught the eye at home and abroad
after filling former skipper Patrick Vieira’s boots with
aplomb this season.
While Lennon, a summer signing from Leeds, has been busily providing
an extra outlet for Spurs’ domestic campaign with his clever
wing play.
Speaking after the victory over Manchester City on Saturday,
Jol said: “I still feel I have to be careful about playing
him – but he has been a revelation.”
Lennon became the youngest ever Premiership player after his
substitute appearance against Spurs for Leeds in August 2003.
And Jol has been impressed by his development since making his
Spurs debut two years later.
Jol added: “He wants to take the initiative all the time
and that is something he has picked up from working with the
squad. I thought he was one for the future but he has shown
us this season he is one for now.”
The winger will need to remain at his best as north London’s
Premiership rivals enter the run-in to the season’s end.
Spurs take on Everton and Manchester United over Easter, while
Arsenal were due to face strugglers Portsmouth last night (Wednesday)
and West Brom at the weekend.
Victory for both is essential with both managers insisting fourth
place is within their sights.
Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger said: “It is still in
our hands mathematically. We are five points behind Tottenham
with a game in hand, we still have to play them at home and
they also have some difficult games.”
Jol knows that those “difficult” games such as Everton
and Man Utd mean there is little margin for error if Europe
is to remain a possibility. But he said there was a good feeling
among the squad.
Jo said: “There is a relaxed feeling about the place –
our injury problems have cleared up and we have already shown
we can match the best.” |
|
|
|
