Source: Daily_Mail
Harry Redknapp tips Aaron Lennon to rediscover fire
Harry Redknapphas challengedAaron Lennon tofight his way out ofhis rut and overcomea crisis of confidence whichhas subdued one of Tottenham'smost potent weapons. [LNB]Lennon's form has been acause of concern for Redknappthis season, along with an alarminglack of fit central defenders andfears of distraction caused by theChampions League with Tottenhamat home to FC Twente in theirsecond Group A game tonight.[LNB]The Spurs manager revealedyesterday how Gianfranco Zola hadwarned him that Europe's elitecompetition can make it harder forplayers to motivate themselves fordomestic matters. But Lennon'sproblems seems to run deeper. [LNB]Troubles: Aaron Lennon has struggled for form in a Tottenham shirt[LNB]The 23-year-old winger has rarelysparkled since his return frominjury in April, he was poor at the World Cup and has been overlookedby England this season. [LNB]Redknapp said: 'He's not playinglike he did last year, that's for sure. [LNB]Before the injury, he was flying. Buthe's a young kid with great abilityand needs to find a way to get thebest out of himself. [LNB]Backing: Harry Redknapp[LNB]'We have to work with him and gethim going again. That's what weget paid to do as coaches, to findthe key to getting him on the ballmore. When someone's got thattalent, you have to find a way towork with him, get his confidenceback, get him playing well.[LNB]'One game can turn it. He needs abit of confidence and maybe intraining, you stick somebody atleft-back who you're confident hecan get by. I'm sure I can find one!'[LNB] Lennon was electric in the openingmonths of last season andinspired England to a 5-1 winagainst Croatia at Wembley inSeptember which sealed qualificationfor South Africa. [LNB]But he had adisappointing tournament, withEngland manager Fabio Capellosubstituting him an hour into thegoalless draw against Algeria. [LNB]Redknapp said: 'Some playerscame back from the World Cup andit's not affected them. Some, likeWayne Rooney, have not had a goodstart. Aaron's been quiet andpeople have marked him tight. He'sfound it hard to get in the game. [LNB]'It's a difficult position to playnow. You watch the Matthews CupFinal and the ball comes out toStan and he starts to jog off, then,about 10 seconds later the left-backcomes into the picture and he'sgoing backwards. [LNB]'Now, the ball goes out to thewinger and the left-back is half ayard away from him and crash.When someone's that close allgame, team-mates look at you anddon't give you the ball. Or the onlyball is inside the full-back and theopposition make sure they get theircentre-half over to cover.[LNB]'Aaron's got to find a way, or we'vegot to work hard with him, to gethim on the ball. Too many times,people sign players and say: 'Hecan't do this, he can't do that'. Well,clever coaches will get the best outof them and improve them.' [LNB]Heurelho Gomes and BenoitAssou-Ekotto are expected toreturn from injury tonight butRedknapp is short of defenders ashe bids to improve a run of one winin six games, with Younes Kaboultweaking his troublesome hamstringin training yesterday. [LNB]Ready for action: Spurs train ahead of the showdown with Twente[LNB]On the struggle to follow a Europeangame with a good League performance,Redknapp said: 'I wastalking to Zola and he was sayingthat when Chelsea first went intothe Champions League they foundit difficult getting up for the bread-and-butter games. [LNB]But they adaptedand we have to do the same. It's agreat position to be in, playing inthe Champions League. We want tostay in it but we've also got to takecare of the League form.'[LNB]VIDEO: Harry ready for Twente test... Jenas claims he almost quit Tottenham but is now ready to fight for his placeWest Ham 1 Tottenham 0: Green back to his best after World Cup nightmareTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC
