Neil Lennon

He just means he's happy in the context of this weekend's SPL opener and the game against Cluj that he was discussing. He knows we need more and he knows that takes time, so he's happy with what we have "at the minute".

It would be bad management to kick up a fuss in the press about needing more players before Cluj. It's important the squad we have feel confident they can do it, because in all probability there won't be anyone before that game. You can guarantee he's working hard in private to get more in ASAP.

Good management from Lenny.

 

It is... from Congerton definitely, possibly Rodgers and just maybe arguably Lawwell. It's not appalling management from Neil Lennon, who has done nothing but work hard to get players in from basically a standing start. Good deals take time and you will notice that none of our signings so far were on Congerton's infamous list just a few short months ago (and quite rightly too).

 

I think we have to take into account where we were, mate. The frustration is understandable after the last few windows; but the blame for that lies firmly with Congerton, Rodgers and Lawwell. A good window requires a lot of work, so lets look where we started from in the early spring:

No scouting network and a handwritten list of crap players that might as well have been written in crayon by a 5-year-old.

I totally understand if Congerton and Rodgers are getting absolute pelters, because we are going into this game against Cluj in a weaker position than we should be and a lot is at stake here. I even understand if Lawwell gets it tight over this, no doubt some of it is deserved. But there are folk in this thread that are getting hysterical about the job Lennon is doing already. From where we were early spring, I think Lennon has actually done a decent job so far this summer and there isn't any evidence to say Hammond hasn't either.

I know what he said in the press conference, but it has to be taken in context. He has to balance two (well, actually more than two TBH) different jobs in his interviews: he has to pressure Lawwell for more signings and he has to avoid saying certain things, because at the moment he will be working to mentally prepare the players for the trip to Romania.

 

Aye, wait and I'll go through your post history

 

I take all that on board mate, but Lenny said he started identifying targets in February.. we still have time, but he won’t be absolved of blame if we fail to strengthen in the areas that he himself has identified.

 

It's true, mate. I'd just add that he was very busy getting the treble over the line and is now very busy again trying to get us back into the CL. He only had a crazily short window to devote himself to it full time (and in that window, we did pretty well). I know work is ongoing; but I genuinely think if there's one guy that can be absolved of blame should we still not have a first choice RB when the window closes (and if KT goes and isn't properly replaced), it's Lenny.

Maybe I'm biased, because I love him; but that's genuinely how it looks to me. At any rate, disagree though we do over Lenny, we definitely do agree that there are a few people who do indeed need their balls booted. Congerton first and hardest, Brendan Rodgers for using his influence to get his mate a job to our detriment and Lawwell for actually allowing the * to dismantle the old network.

 

I wasn't directing that at Lennon. I was directing that from the top down. From Lawell down Lennon.

I don't think you can completely absolve Lennon of any blame either. He's been in the job for 6 months and he surely knew key areas where he was going to need new players in. He is certainly not the man to blame but he's definitely been brought in as a yes man and that is what worries me.

I do blame Congerton and Rodgers for a * of a lot more. The ridiculous situation we find ourselves in in terms of bodies. Over influx of midfield players and back up options who just aren't good enough.

 

I would agree more with that sentiment if Lenny were coming out and saying we still need to strengthen, we're still a way off where we want to be etc rather than fobbing us off with the party line of he's happy with what he has and we are stronger than last year bollocks.

 

We are stronger though. Weve signed a new CB, replaced izzy with a new LB, got a 40 goal striker back, younger players have developed more. Every team still wants more to Improve but we still are stronger.

 

He was using Rogic, Tierney and Griff as reasons we are stronger. Yet KT and Rogic are still crocked and we just don't know how Griff will hold up. All 3 were available at the start of last season, as far as I can remember, so how exactly does that make us stronger?

Yes we have replaced Izzy, and brought in a CB but we have lost 2 CBs and 3 RBs. We might have some more quality in places, but overall I'm not convinced we are stronger, certainly not with regards depth of squad. And lets face it, with the number of games we play and the amount of injuries we get we need depth.

 

Nice post mate. Gonna save it and read it on holiday, saves me buying a book.

 

The irony of using 2 sentences and 4 clauses to say TL;DR.

 

Looks like Lenny’s team can entertain us. He just needed a chance to work with the team a while and put his own stamp on things

 

Lennons gameplan looked pretty good today though didn't it

 

Absolutely buzzing after that.

Credit to Lenny, that was a massive improvement on what we were seeing at the tail end of last season. Proper football on show, none of this getting it wide and crossing it non stop.

Said it already but that was the best we’ve played since we pumped the Huns 5-0 to win the league.

 

Thought when Johnston went off we went 4-3-3. Bit of versatility in his selection.

 

Knew I'd inspire that kind of reaction from Lennon and the team.

 

And the Snake NEVER scored 7 in his reign......Well done Lenny

 

I will gladly eat my words if we perform like that on a regular basis.

Bigger tests to come.