Player Watch: Erik Lamela

[phaser]

Agreed, I’m a huge fan of Coco and even I think “average to good” is an accurate description of his performances this season.

I also happen to think an “average to good” Lamela is a big asset and well worth keeping hold of.

With:

Eriksen
Alli
Son
Lamela
Moura

...making up the three behind Kane, I think we’ve got every base covered. They all offer something slightly different to each other, all can play different roles in different systems, and would be more or less effective against different types of opponents.

I see absolutely no reason to change any of them, I think we finally have the perfect attacking midfield options in our squad.

We need to sort out our CM in the summer, not worry about whether we swap out Lamela.

Average to good doesn’t cut it, Lamela has been here for 5 years purchased for big money and to give us an edge he is rarely good enough to provide. I would sell him along with Llorente & Jansen for one attacker of calibre who would eradicate a host of varying deficiencies.

 

[Bobbins]

Average to good doesn’t cut it, Lamela has been here for 5 years purchased for big money and to give us an edge he is rarely good enough to provide. I would sell him along with Llorente & Jansen for one attacker of calibre who would eradicate a host of varying deficiencies.

And who would that be?

 

[phaser]

And who would that be?

If we want to improve that question is for Poch, his assistants and our scouts to collaborate & identify. Personally, I would love Naby Keita here but he is earmarked for the Scouse.

 

[E17yid]

If we want to improve that question is for Poch, his assistants and our scouts to collaborate & identify. Personally, I would love Naby Keita here but he is earmarked for the Scouse.

Isn’t he a box to box CMF?

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

Isn’t he a box to box CMF?

At least he's something....

 

[Bobbins]

If we want to improve that question is for Poch, his assistants and our scouts to collaborate & identify. Personally, I would love Naby Keita here but he is earmarked for the Scouse.

Ah well there we go - to find a player who can replace Janssen, Llorente and Lamela and provide the skill sets to not only replace them but also improve us, is easier said than done.

That player may not exist - certainly not in our price bracket - it can’t always just be a case of “well that’s what scouts are for”. Lamela and Llorente may just be the best options we have. Certainly when the funds absolutely need to go on CM and possibly a Toby replacement rather than attack.

Keita of course is an attack-minded CM, rather than an around the box player like Lamela.

 

[dontsalebale]

Ah well there we go - to find a player who can replace Janssen, Llorente and Lamela and provide the skill sets to not only replace them but also improve us, is easier said than done.

That player may not exist - certainly not in our price bracket - it can’t always just be a case of “well that’s what scouts are for”. Lamela and Llorente may just be the best options we have. Certainly when the funds absolutely need to go on CM and possibly a Toby replacement rather than attack.

Keita of course is an attack-minded CM, rather than an around the box player like Lamela.

I think we have already signed his replacement. Lucas moura take a bow.

 

[Bobbins]

I think we have already signed his replacement. Lucas moura take a bow.

I think Moura is a very different type of player to Lamela, much more of a traditional winger, which we all agree we needed.

I think Moura’s great and I’m delighted to have him (wish we saw more of him) but his skill set complements Lamela’s by being so different, not replaces it.

One of my big worries is Eriksen getting injured - we’ve been incredibly lucky in recent times that the guy has practically never been injured, but if it happens, Lamela is the only one who could come close to filling in at number 10.

 

[dontsalebale]

I think Moura is a very different type of player to Lamela, much more of a traditional winger, which we all agree we needed.

I think Moura’s great and I’m delighted to have him (wish we saw more of him) but his skill set complements Lamela’s by being so different, not replaces it.

One of my big worries is Eriksen getting injured - we’ve been incredibly lucky in recent times that the guy has practically never been injured, but if it happens, Lamela is the only one who could come close to filling in at number 10.

To be honest I don't think you can replace what Christian brings to the table. Unless you happen to have a 100 mil down the back of your sofa

 

[Bobbins]

To be honest I don't think you can replace what Christian brings to the table. Unless you happen to have a 100 mil down the back of your sofa

Agree with that, we'll be screwed if he is out for a long time/leaves the club, but at the moment Lamela is the only one who could come close to filling the 10 role - Alli just doesn't have the speed of thought/movement/play as talented as he is (I still think Alli's at his best making late/angled runs into the box from an AM position).

 

[double0]

Lamela needs to score more goals....other than that he is a valuable team member.

Very skillful tenacious can cover lots of positions lacks goals though.

 

[daryl hannah]

Lamela’s contract was due to expire at the end of next season but Tottenham now have an option for the 2019-20 season, which they will trigger. That means Lamela will now not go into next season, the first at the new White Hart Lane, in the last year of his contract, and facing questions about his future.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...date-latest-mauricio-pochettino-a8310486.html

 

[Cravenspurs]

I am the first person to step up and defend Lamela. I love the kid and think he has given us an edge that we desperately need. He harasses, wins tackles, runs past empty, and is one of our more creative passers in the final third. He has saved us with multiple hockey assists, direct assists and so on. That run against City and assist to Eriksen was mustard.

My love is undying and it pained me to see so many spread rumors about the kid that fought tooth and nail for the shirt. He has clearly loves the game of football and isn't just in it for the money.

All that being said, sure we can find a player that offers more in the area of assists and goals. But I think we will be hard pressed to find a player that tackles, leads the press, and leads by example. If everyone of our players had half the courage this kid had we would be battling for the top of the table and that is where I think he will be sorely missed.

If Lamela could give us 6-10 goals a year and 8-12 assists a year, he would be the creme de la creme. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have that type of stat stuffing ability in the Prem.

So who takes his place? Zaha? Pulisic?

EDIT: I think it is clear that we have to move back to a high pressing style of play that requires depth. This year we have reverted to a more often than not, less attractive style of play. I would like to see us winning the ball up the pitch and pinning our opponents back from 85% of the game and players like Lamela allow that to happen. Look at Pool and City this year. They are performing wonderfully with a team of people that work their socks off. Right now we aren't showing that same fight.

 

[jezz]

Lamela’s contract was due to expire at the end of next season but Tottenham now have an option for the 2019-20 season, which they will trigger. That means Lamela will now not go into next season, the first at the new White Hart Lane, in the last year of his contract, and facing questions about his future.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...date-latest-mauricio-pochettino-a8310486.html

Hey @Hercules is this correct?

 

[WexfordTownSpur]

I am the first person to step up and defend Lamela. I love the kid and think he has given us an edge that we desperately need. He harasses, wins tackles, runs past empty, and is one of our more creative passers in the final third. He has saved us with multiple hockey assists, direct assists and so on. That run against City and assist to Eriksen was mustard.

My love is undying and it pained me to see so many spread rumors about the kid that fought tooth and nail for the shirt. He has clearly loves the game of football and isn't just in it for the money.

All that being said, sure we can find a player that offers more in the area of assists and goals. But I think we will be hard pressed to find a player that tackles, leads the press, and leads by example. If everyone of our players had half the courage this kid had we would be battling for the top of the table and that is where I think he will be sorely missed.

If Lamela could give us 6-10 goals a year and 8-12 assists a year, he would be the creme de la creme. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have that type of stat stuffing ability in the Prem.

So who takes his place? Zaha? Pulisic?

EDIT: I think it is clear that we have to move back to a high pressing style of play that requires depth. This year we have reverted to a more often than not, less attractive style of play. I would like to see us winning the ball up the pitch and pinning our opponents back from 85% of the game and players like Lamela allow that to happen. Look at Pool and City this year. They are performing wonderfully with a team of people that work their socks off. Right now we aren't showing that same fight.

Totally agree and he should have started v Brighton and should start V Utd. We are missing heart and drive, and when a player gets stuck in it spurs the crowd on and the players around him ( if he can stay on the pitch). He and Dembele must start. And if Dele is in the mood, and I think he is in the big big games he also can fight and put in the niggling tackles and wind the team up. This is what we need until the end of the season and what we have lacked. If we have this and press and work hard, they all have the natural skill and ability, that is the natural abilities they have others don’t. But you only have to look at Brighton and West Bromwich the last couple of games to see where hard work can get you ( pity they didn’t do it all season

 

[Hercules]

Hey @Hercules is this correct?

Did I not ‘drip’ enough hints that he had a big few months etc, then again couple days sago?

 

[jezz]

Did I not ‘drip’ enough hints that he had a big few months etc, then again couple days sago?

You did but the article suggests its a done deal and he's staying.

 

[Hercules]

You did but the article suggests its a done deal and he's staying.

Extension clause gives him another 12 months to pull up trees, and if not, you know what will happen.

 

[Streetspur77]

Hey @Hercules is this correct?

I don't think asking itks questions is how it works....

 

[Bobbins]

I am the first person to step up and defend Lamela. I love the kid and think he has given us an edge that we desperately need. He harasses, wins tackles, runs past empty, and is one of our more creative passers in the final third. He has saved us with multiple hockey assists, direct assists and so on. That run against City and assist to Eriksen was mustard.

My love is undying and it pained me to see so many spread rumors about the kid that fought tooth and nail for the shirt. He has clearly loves the game of football and isn't just in it for the money.

All that being said, sure we can find a player that offers more in the area of assists and goals. But I think we will be hard pressed to find a player that tackles, leads the press, and leads by example. If everyone of our players had half the courage this kid had we would be battling for the top of the table and that is where I think he will be sorely missed.

If Lamela could give us 6-10 goals a year and 8-12 assists a year, he would be the creme de la creme. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have that type of stat stuffing ability in the Prem.

So who takes his place? Zaha? Pulisic?

EDIT: I think it is clear that we have to move back to a high pressing style of play that requires depth. This year we have reverted to a more often than not, less attractive style of play. I would like to see us winning the ball up the pitch and pinning our opponents back from 85% of the game and players like Lamela allow that to happen. Look at Pool and City this year. They are performing wonderfully with a team of people that work their socks off. Right now we aren't showing that same fight.

To be fair when he had his only actual fit season for us in 15/16, he did exactly what you asked, with 5 goals and 9 assists in the league, and 11 goals that season across all comps.

His problem since he arrived has been his lack of sustained fitness.