Player Watch: Erik Lamela

[Ghost Hardware]

How has Moura got ahead of Lamela? I'm so confused, he's been here two minutes, has hardly got on the pitch and when he has he's been good but hasn't really done anything that warents him to be placed ahead of any one of our current AMs.

Would love to know why you disagree with this @zoneD? Why do you think Moura should be ahead of the rest of our AMs?

 

[Shadydan]

No, I'm not kidding you.

I've been following the Argentina national team pretty much my whole life because my dad is a huge fan of them and he's the one who basically indoctrinated me into football (and tennis). I sincerely think the main reason this Argentinian generation is falling to live up to its potential (which is to win absolutely everything) is because most of their players don't have the leves of intensity and ferocity of players like Lamela in crucial matches.

I don't know if you've noticed, but Lamela's attitude over the pitch often infects the rest of his team mates to the point that a lot of people have identified him as the one who leads our pressing game. You add that to a squad as formidable as Argentina, and that's probably your solution to make them stop playing cup finals like pussies.*

Disclamer: I actually think Argentina played rather well the WC and they were a bit unlucky not to win that game (and Germany was also the strongest possible rival they could face)... but they definitely were a let down at those two Copa America finals they lost in penalties against Chile.

Lamela alone is going to carry Argentina to the world cup despite what you think about his intensity and the effects it has on his team mates, they already have the Lionel Messi fella for the inspirational stuff.

If you watch Argentina you'd know that this team is done, they have absolutely nothing in midfield and the defence has no structure so putting Lamela on the pitch won't magically stop them conceding goals, do you get it?

 

[ralvy]

Lamela alone is going to carry Argentina to the world cup despite what you think about his intensity and the effects it has on his team mates, they already have the Lionel Messi fella for the inspirational stuff.

If you watch Argentina you'd know that this team is done, they have absolutely nothing in midfield and the defence has no structure so putting Lamela on the pitch won't magically stop them conceding goals, do you get it?

Look, Argentina has more than enough players of decent quality in pretty much every place of the field to be a serious contender for the WC... it's a matter of whether Sampaoli stops messing around and if their players can show enough determination and personality to build an identity and get the job done.

I'm not saying Lamela would be an inspirational figure in the Argentina squad, but his levels of commitment are something that Argentina badly needs. He's not the solution to all their problems, but he could play an important part in it.

BTW, I have no much faith that Sampaoli can get the job done... they should have stuck with Martino IMO.

 

[DaleMurphy]

Poch just keeps putting this guy in the lineup for big games I wonder why)

 

[Blue]

Poch just keeps putting this guy in the lineup for big games I wonder why)

Probably because of his poor mentality and bad recent performances.

 

[Gbspurs]

Poch just keeps putting this guy in the lineup for big games I wonder why)

Who has he dropped for Lamela for this game?

 

[yankspurs]

Poch just keeps putting this guy in the lineup for big games I wonder why)

Because he's good?

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I feel like I'm saying the same thing after every match, which I probably am so sorry, but the lad really deserves a new contract. He's a quality player and is excellent for us ether starting or off the bench, and he seems to love the club and never stops fighting. He deserves to be able to call himself a Spur for seasons to come.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Top effort again today. Uses the ball so well when many around him are losing their heads

Great challenge of Fabregas too

 

[bubble07]

Hope moura is watching his work rate. Unless he puts in a similar shift as him or eriksen or dele he wont be starting anytime soon

 

[Hoops]

Superb player. 1000% comitment. And sly digs on players I hate. Lovely stuff.

 

[walworthyid]

I know that I go on, but Lamela is so important to our squad and the way that we play. The workrate and use of the ball is outstanding. But what I love most is the sheer physicality and thuggery of a player that people see as a light weight fancy Dan! He is a proper footballer who gives 100% effort in every match regardless of the opposition. At the moment it is difficult to drop him, especially for big games.

 

[Kiedis]

His mentality and ability to basically being a shithousing **** is severely underrated.

He is as COYS as they come.

 

[spursfan77]

Was my motm today. Never gave up running

 

[dondo]

I’m a very passive and civilised man but is there anything sweeter than fabregas getting hurt by one of ours.
Fair play lamela you are one sneaky dirty bastard ?

 

[lunde1]

Love Lamela and really hope he gets a new contract. If all our players had the same spirit as he has we would win the League.

 

[scat1620]

Thing I'm most impressed with is how fit he looks now. I really thought that after such a long time out of the game he'd struggle to ever really regain the kind of fitness levels needed to play in a side like ours - just look at how much of a shadow of his former self Danny Rose looks at the moment, after less time out than Lamela.

I still think he has a way to go to regain some of his old attacking threat (I rarely feel like he's about to score or assist when he's on the ball, unlike the feeling I get when Son/Eriksen/Dele have the ball at feet), but his effort levels, commitment, fitness and high-pressing defensive abilities are all top drawer. Very happy to have him back as a totally viable option for the first team again.

 

[lukespurs7]

His off the ball work is so vital. Very important part of the team again today.
But deles 2nd goal is a prime example of what Lamela when all fit doesn’t start for us or score enough goals as not on the move enough. Brilliant today though.

 

[Graysonti]

If you don’t rate this player, give up on football.

And a hard b stad too

Love him.

 

[rossdapep]

One element of his game that I think gets overlooked is his ability to keep the ball moving. He's very much a one touch player and having a player who doesn't need to look up to move it on is very valuable. Sometimes our midfielders can be guilty of taking too many touches and lacking urgency, you can't accuse Lamela of that. I'm also enjoying his link-up play with Eriksen, they have a very good understanding.