Yes Lennon is better defensively. That's why I think he probably ought to start today. The Newcastle team showed me that Martinez wants to prioritise a sound defence which is good. Unfortunately though, Newcastle offer no barometer of that achievement.
But we all admire Barkley in attack whilst accepting his lesser contributions in defence. I'm fine with that - we watch a player develop. And then everyone says Lennon is great as he offers more defensively. Why isn't Deleufeu offered that time to develop that side of the game then? I have always thought Deulefeu is brilliant. He may need a rest and his fitness should be better granted. But it confuses though that so many rate Lennon after a career of mediocrity yet it only takes one poor game from Deulefeu for people to start shouting at him at the game, groaning, and complaining that he'd be better off from the bench and all that crap.