Player Watch: Erik Lamela
- Thread starter Ossie85
- Start date
The Apprentice
Charles Big Potatoes
- Mar 10, 2005
- 11,145
- 15,632
Felt like a proud Dad watching him come back on.
That’s weird isn’t it?
Sorry.
That’s weird isn’t it?
Sorry.
SpunkyBackpack
Well-Known Member
- Dec 8, 2005
- 7,831
- 9,372
His haircut isn't stupid enough any more, get rid.
muppetman
Well-Known Member
- Jul 29, 2011
- 9,030
- 25,221
I thought Mahrez's triple roll earlier was worse tbh
SUIYHA
Well-Known Member
- Jan 15, 2017
- 1,739
- 8,650
When we first signed him I got frustrated that we were playing him out wide. I felt he was too one-footed to be playing on either wing - he was too predictable cutting inside if he's on the right and he isn't fast enough to be the direct type who would get to the byline and whip in crosses from the left. My first thoughts were that he'd be better off playing as a centre-forward, as the thing he had caught attention for mostly at Roma was his goalscoring in his final season. Since then, Kane has obviously come through now and taken the CF spot, but tonight Lamela played deeper in the middle in the Eriksen role. And in the time he was on, he was arguably the best player on the pitch. I was expecting him to be rusty but he was anything but.
We played our best football of last season after the formation switch to the 3-4-2-1. With two powerful CMs in Wanyama and Dembele protecting our already solid back three, and the full-backs converted to wing-backs to provide the width, it meant that Alli and Eriksen had more free roles to move around and attack. Teams couldn't figure out how to track their runs and as such they both exploded into form - they were two of the best attacking players in the country from December onwards. That run ended with us finishing as the league's top scorers and enjoying our highest ever goals tally in a 38 game league season. That strong run all came when Lamela was out injured. You might say that's because it meant more game time for Eriksen, Alli and Son who are better than him, but on the flipside, he may well have really flourished in that formation as one of the two behind Kane.
He has always covered a lot of ground, pressed opponents well when we're not in possession and been willing to both run with the ball or hit it first time if there's a chance on. With Eriksen and Alli now both out of sorts I'd like to see him get a chance in that central attacking role as soon as he's fit enough to start games.
We played our best football of last season after the formation switch to the 3-4-2-1. With two powerful CMs in Wanyama and Dembele protecting our already solid back three, and the full-backs converted to wing-backs to provide the width, it meant that Alli and Eriksen had more free roles to move around and attack. Teams couldn't figure out how to track their runs and as such they both exploded into form - they were two of the best attacking players in the country from December onwards. That run ended with us finishing as the league's top scorers and enjoying our highest ever goals tally in a 38 game league season. That strong run all came when Lamela was out injured. You might say that's because it meant more game time for Eriksen, Alli and Son who are better than him, but on the flipside, he may well have really flourished in that formation as one of the two behind Kane.
He has always covered a lot of ground, pressed opponents well when we're not in possession and been willing to both run with the ball or hit it first time if there's a chance on. With Eriksen and Alli now both out of sorts I'd like to see him get a chance in that central attacking role as soon as he's fit enough to start games.
LukaMotion
WHL 1899-2017
- May 17, 2010
- 2,883
- 5,926
I predicted at the start of the season that he might never play for us again, with all the talk of his injuries dragging on and seemingly no return date.
Couldn't be more glad to be wrong. It was brilliant seeing him get a run out, even in the shittest of circumstances. Second touch on the pitch, assist. The most creative pass any of our players had made all game to that point, and he produced it in 30 seconds after coming on. It really shows how much we missed him and, in general, how the team at the minute has run out of ideas. Eriksen, Alli, Dembele, Son and Sissoko should all be attempting passes like those, it's the kind of sharp, round the corner pass that he thrives on. A little bit of movement from him off the shoulder of the defender and he gets enough space on a pass like that to get a clear shot away, and with his finishing thats normally all he needs. Really pleased for Erik that he hasn't forgotten how to play and I can see him completely reinvigorating the team around him as he continues his comeback.
Couldn't be more glad to be wrong. It was brilliant seeing him get a run out, even in the shittest of circumstances. Second touch on the pitch, assist. The most creative pass any of our players had made all game to that point, and he produced it in 30 seconds after coming on. It really shows how much we missed him and, in general, how the team at the minute has run out of ideas. Eriksen, Alli, Dembele, Son and Sissoko should all be attempting passes like those, it's the kind of sharp, round the corner pass that he thrives on. A little bit of movement from him off the shoulder of the defender and he gets enough space on a pass like that to get a clear shot away, and with his finishing thats normally all he needs. Really pleased for Erik that he hasn't forgotten how to play and I can see him completely reinvigorating the team around him as he continues his comeback.
St José Dominguez
Well-Known Member
- Jul 15, 2014
- 3,592
- 11,648
People say Eriksen needs competition and a player to rotate with and we have it in Lamela in my opinion. Don't bother wasting our money on anyone else of that ilk, plough every last penny into a dynamic forward to backup Kane and come on as a sub.
If we can get Eriksen and Dele back in top form our bench could suddenly look strong and full of "game changers" in Son, Lamela and a new signing but also mean pressure on first teamers and not a drop off in levels if rotated in.
I won't hold hope of a new striker being anything though with our horrendous recent transfer record in that position.
If we can get Eriksen and Dele back in top form our bench could suddenly look strong and full of "game changers" in Son, Lamela and a new signing but also mean pressure on first teamers and not a drop off in levels if rotated in.
I won't hold hope of a new striker being anything though with our horrendous recent transfer record in that position.
glacierSpurs
Well-Known Member
- Sep 28, 2013
- 16,163
- 25,473
Both of them hitting top strides are our best chances of beating Citeh when we meet them. But well, we have more games to worry before that I supposed.
Kane, Son, Lamela, Eriksen and Dele. Just what a fucking group of talents when all were on top form..
rabbikeane
Well-Known Member
- Mar 29, 2005
- 6,932
- 12,767
So good to have our best player back, just stay fit now
spursfan77
Well-Known Member
- Aug 13, 2005
- 46,684
- 104,964
Lamela's return means two things for me:
1. Much needed pressure for places and competition for Alli and Eriksen who look too comfortable of their places in the team.
2. The end of Sissoko being near the starting XI.
1. Much needed pressure for places and competition for Alli and Eriksen who look too comfortable of their places in the team.
2. The end of Sissoko being near the starting XI.
Spurrific
Well-Known Member
- Jun 2, 2011
- 13,501
- 57,356
He's obviously not our best player, but technically he is up there.
The thing is, he plays passes like that all the time. He is the best through-ball player at the club, bar none. Eriksen has it in him, but never seems to really go for through balls. We do too much passing in to feet lately, Lamela is somebody who likes to play it in front. The amount of times Rose/Aurier/Dier/Eriksen smashed the ball into Kane or Dele's feet and expected them to do something with it when surrounded by 4 players was silly yesterday.
Really glad to see him back, could see he wasn't fully fit as he wasn't charging around as much, but him at full fitness will be a great option for us.
big fan of Lamela, great to have him back. Will add something I feel we have been desperately missing of late...
but on top of that.. will hopefully give Eriksen/Alli a little kick up the backside.. Poch always goes on about creating competition for places.. I think someone needs to drive Eriksen and Alli on to up their performances.. Lamela can do that.
but on top of that.. will hopefully give Eriksen/Alli a little kick up the backside.. Poch always goes on about creating competition for places.. I think someone needs to drive Eriksen and Alli on to up their performances.. Lamela can do that.
