Forrest a Bhoy for life
plays, he really plays. He’s an outstanding player.
“But physically he looks great. He’s got strong thighs and shoulders, quite broad but compact. And he’s still got that great burst of pace.
“The quality and speed of his technique is superb and he’s a good finisher when he’s in there as well. He does everything very cleanly.”
Intriguingly, those steps to manage his contribution may also involve a move in from the wing to a No. 10 role.
It is a position he has occupied for Lennon before, mostly recently in the preseason tour of Switzerland and Austria, and the Irishman has been impressed enough to consider it as a serious option for the future.
“As James goes on, he may need to evolve his game in a different position,” the manager revealed. “He may need to play inside as he gets older, that’s something we’ll look at.
“He’s two-footed, quick and he can get on the half-turn in those inside positions to break the lines, rather than just doing the long running all the time in the winger’s position.
“He can play right and left – he played on the left in my first spell here. If people are getting too wise to him, can he develop his game for different positions? Of course he can, because he’s got the talent.
“I stuck him in the 10 position away to Hibs and he scored a wonder goal.
“He had a hell of a season last year, in terms of games as well, and fatigue started to kick in towards the end. That’s something we have to be mindful of.
“He is at his peak, though, and won’t averse to being flexible about where we want him to play.”