| Redknapp tries tricks to lift Lennon • 'Lennon needs to get a bit of confidence,' says manager• Tottenham prepare for visit of FC TwenteHarry Redknapp did not want to labour the point about Aaron Lennon's lack of confidence but then again, when you consider one of the Tottenham Hotspur manager's training-ground ruses to rebuild it, you get the picture that it has become a problem."Aaron is a quiet little lad but one game can turn it for him," Redknapp said, hoping it could be tomorrow night's Champions League Group A tie against FC Twente at White Hart Lane. "He needs to get a bit of confidence. And maybe in training you work with him and you stick somebody at left-back who you're confident that he can get by."The search is on for the crash test left-back. Could it be Roman Pavlyuchenko's interpreter? The Spurs Lodge tea lady? Gilberto?On a more serious note Redknapp feels Lennon, who has looked toothless so far this season and has also faded from the England reckoning since the collective World Cup disaster in South Africa, needs to reassess his game. Although Redknapp balked at the notion that the right-winger had to be considered one-dimensional, he did say that he must learn to "mix his game up"."He has got to learn to come off the line and to pop up in little holes in between midfield, like [Luka] Modric does or [Rafael] van der Vaart can do," Redknapp said. "He is an out-and-out flying little winger but, if he can come into those holes and get himself turned, he can drive in at people from there. He doesn't always have to stay wide."He also might have to run 10 yards and check back 15 times in a game to find a yard of space. You might have to play the ball behind the full-back early on, then the full-back might drop off. If Aaron just accepts being marked, it's going to be hard. But if he runs behind people, even if he doesn't get them, at least the full-back drops off and then you might get it to his feet."Redknapp has sympathy for the difficulties the modern winger faces. Indeed, it was interesting to hear him reiterate his view that Gareth Bale, who has looked so impressive at left-midfield this season, would eventually find his feet at left-back, from where he can enjoy more space and build up greater steam when thrusting forward."Aaron is not playing like he did last year, that's for sure," Redknapp said. "Before he got the [groin] injury [in late December], he was absolutely flying but it's getting more and more difficult now to play in that position."You watch the Matthews Cup final [of 1953], the left-back used to cover 40 yards back. The ball comes out to Stan and he starts to jog off, then about 10 seconds later the left-back comes into the picture and he's going backwards."Now, the ball goes out to the winger and the left-back is half a yard away from him and crash. They're all quicker than wingers, anyway. Aaron has just been quiet in the games, people have marked him tightly. He's found it hard to get in the game."Lennon has not made it into either of Fabio Capello's England squads so far this season, although he may have the chance of a recall for next month's European Championship qualifier against Montenegro as the incumbent Theo Walcott is injured and James Milner suspended. Clearly, though, his form needs to pick up first. Lennon was pictured smoking a fat cigar after England's World Cup exit. He has to ensure it was the only thing to go up in smoke."Aaron has got left out [by Capello] but he's got to fight through that, he can't give up," Redknapp said. "He's a young kid with great ability and he needs to find a way to get the best out of himself. And so have we. You've got to work with him, haven't you? You have to get his confidence back, get him playing well again."Clever coaches will get the best out of players and improve them. If something is not happening, help them with their problem. You can't just write them off."Tottenham HotspurHarry RedknappChampions LeagueDavid Hytnerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
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Everton v Liverpool Everton have not beaten Liverpool in the league since September 2006. There could hardly be a more favourable moment to break that run, because the Anfield side's poor form has left them in the bottom three, even if they will have been lifted by the completion of the club's sale to new US owners. The form of the Goodison club has barely been better than that of the visitors and they stand above them in the table purely on goal difference, but all the organisational and motivational skills of the manager Roy Hodgson will be needed. Kevin McCarraVenue Goodison Park, Sunday 1.30pmTickets Sold outLast season Everton 0 Liverpool 2Referee H WebbThis season's matches 4 Y16, R0, 4.00 cards per gameOdds Everton 6-4 Liverpool 11-5 Draw 23-10EvertonSubs from Mucha, Turner, Beckford, Hibbert, Bilyaletdinov, Gueye, Baxter, Duffy, Silva, MustafiDoubtful Jagielka (hamstring)Injured Anichebe (knee, 23 Oct), Saha (knee, 23 Oct), Fellaini (hamstring, Nov), Pienaar (groin, Nov), Rodwell (ankle, Dec)Suspended NoneForm guide WDLDLDDisciplinary record Y6 R0Leading scorer Cahill 3LiverpoolSubs from Jones, Jovanovic, Ngog, RodrĂguez, AurĂ©lio, Kelly, Pacheco, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Wilson, Spearing, Shelvey, Ince, EcclestonDoubtful AurĂ©lio (achilles)Injured Agger (back, 31 Oct), Kuyt (ankle, Nov)Suspended NoneForm guide LDLDWLDisciplinary record Y8 R1Leading scorer Gerrard 3Match pointers• There have been more red cards (19) in matches between Everton and Liverpool than in any other Premier League fixture• Liverpool have made their worst start to a season since 1953-54, when they were relegated from the top flight• Everton have made fewer tackles (115) than any other side in the division• Liverpool have won just one of their last nine league matches, while Everton have won only two of the past nine• Steven Pienaar has won more free-kicks (22) than any other playerPremier LeagueEvertonLiverpoolguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Wayne Rooney's ten turbulent months: timeline Timeline: ten months which have seen Man United striker fall from grace. telegraph.co.uk |