Aaron Lennon. Often left in Bale's enormous shadow through no fault of his own our No. 7 has had an interesting time of it over the last couple of seasons. In the words of Redknapp, a top top player and in those of AVB, he's massive. What I've noticed since joining the ranks of the Lilywhite is that despite the headlines going to Bale, Defoe, Modric last year, Rafa last year etc. the man who has been instrumental to our success has been Aaron Lennon. Despite not enjoying the superstar status of those surrounding him he's been an ever-present for Spurs since his move from Leeds - except for that weird period when Bentley got an extended run in the side.

As anyone who's seen...approximately a minute of Lennon's play knows, his main asset is his pace. Spurs possess three of probably the top five quickest players in the league with Bale, Walker and Lennon and this is where Lennon becomes such a key factor. His pace, dribbling ability and now actual end product give the team much more balance, allowing us to direct attacks through either wing. Not to mention Lennon's ability to play on either wing (although this is negated by Bale's poor abilities on the right so we shouldn't do this) and you've got a very dangerous prospect.

When Lennon is absent the team is far too one dimensional. As we saw last year when he had a series of niggling injuries, the team just can't really make things happen without Lennon there to offer width, attacking thrust and an outlet ball on the right hand side. When he's not there Walker has to play right wing and right back and that just leaves us so open at the back. What has really surprised me though has been Lennon's overall play this season. Credit has to go to AVB for this as he is making those off the ball runs we've all been dying to see, he's shooting more and his final cross or pull back is not only seeming to me more accurate but also is more of a planned, deliberate action as opposed to the panicky hurried action we've seen in the Redknapp years.

However, what's made Lennon so vital this season is that he's developed the ability to take the game to the opponent. When Bale has been out through injury or paternity leave (it wasn't even a boy...) Lennon has taken over and shone in the absence of Weezus to be that match winner everyone knew his talent allowed him to be. He was often ignored as simply the guy opposite Bale, the other winger at Tottenham. This year he's stood up and made people take notice. Aaron Lennon isn't "the other winger" anymore, he's a proper threat in his own right.