I would move this guy on in the summer, he just doesn't contribute enough whatsoever to play for a club with aspirations such as ours.
No goal threat, not as creative as people think, slow, holds onto the ball for too long and constantly gives away needless fouls that slows our game down.
He came on yesterday and there was one moment where he picked up the ball in the final third, needlessly passed it backwards, received it back and then dribbled fifteen yards or so towards our own goal and gave it back to the defence. It's things like this that frustrate me about him.
He got slaughtered in his first couple of seasons but now I actually think he gets an easy ride.
I can't fault his passion and commitment, but I don't think he's good enough I'm afraid.
A player like Moura, if given time, is a lot more dangerous and effective.
Lamela
posted on 10/5/18
comment by sandy (U20567)
posted 17 minutes ago
Spurs surely have to be looking to get better than Lamela, as they do in several other positions.
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Like who?
posted on 10/5/18
There are far bigger priorities than replacing Lamela as a 2nd choice playmaker
The fullback positions. If Rose goes, we are extremely weak here overall
Another player who can play as a central forward
Reserve goalkeeper (possibly even first choice keeper)
Another CB if Toby goes.
posted on 10/5/18
Lol no chance we will be looking at first choice GK
posted on 11/5/18
We only have to look at what Liverpool have done with Wijnaldum and Ox, and City have done with Silva and KDB.
You do not have to be a traditional CM to excel in a midfield 3, or to be blessed with pace. In fact I feel they are so dangerous because they do not have solely orthodox CMs in there.
Two of Alli, Lamela and Eriksen would be perfect for it in my opinion. We have our pick of two solid DMs to anchor, plus Winks who could cover any 3 of the positions.
Dembele is very hard to replace, and if we stick with 4231 we will probably regress in that area with whoever we bring in, if we want to crack on we need to have a tweak.
It would allow us to inject some dynamism in to the attack, while keeping a player who still has more to offer than many of our squad.
Lamela had a long spell out we must bear in mind, and came back mid-season. He was never going to be completely up to speed
posted on 11/5/18
A 433 would probably suit the likes of Moura and Son too
It would lessen the defensive responsibility of Sessegnon if he signs.
It would suit Zaha if he came
Bale would absolutely love it
posted on 11/5/18
I completely agree that having two attacking midfielders in central midfield can work really well, especially if you're a team that dominates the ball (which Tottenham are, of course).
I just don't think Lamela is good enough in possession. That's all. He has all the other attributes, but he just needs to release the ball 2 touches sooner. He's had the same issue since he joined Spurs (presumably picked up the bad habit in the slower league in Italy) and it's not been coached out of him yet, so I don't see any reason why it'll suddenly be fixed by the start of next season.
Lamela as a backup attacking CM? Fine, give the experiment a go. As first choice though? Hell no. Buy a proper upgrade in that position first. Someone a bit more physical than Alli and Eriksen, but with good technique, dribbling and progressive passing ability too.
In other words, a complete midfielder who'll cost £100m
posted on 11/5/18
Personally I would have Alli and Eriksen as my first choice in there, with Lamela and Winks as the back-up options.
The midfield solution is there already for me - freshening up the forward line would be my priority. Saying Zaha is almost a cliche now, but he would be absolutely ideal for us.
posted on 11/5/18
I've obviously not watched Palace this season - I'd assumed they played like Leicester did in their title-winning season. Sit deep, punt it long for the whippet up top to chase. That's why I assumed Zaha wouldn't fit in Spurs' system - he wouldn't have any space to run into given that Spurs are so fond of passing sideways across the opposition half while the other team sit in their own box reading the newspaper.
posted on 11/5/18
Lame-ela
posted on 11/5/18
comment by HaaK (U11574)
posted 26 minutes ago
I've obviously not watched Palace this season - I'd assumed they played like Leicester did in their title-winning season. Sit deep, punt it long for the whippet up top to chase. That's why I assumed Zaha wouldn't fit in Spurs' system - he wouldn't have any space to run into given that Spurs are so fond of passing sideways across the opposition half while the other team sit in their own box reading the newspaper.
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They have mainly gone with Andros and Zaha as strikers I believe, with 4 narrow midfielders.
I do not think he is simply a Vardy myself. When he gets the ball, you back him to have a good tussle using either strength or pace, or a bit of skill. Not many players have all three.
I always go back to that FA cup game when they best us. He gave Danny Rose the hardest game I think I have seen under Poch