Player Watch: Erik Lamela

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

It's a touchy subject round here, I know, but I have had enough now. I hope we move Lamela on this summer.

Like clock work...one loss in 14 matches and now Dier, Trippier, Lamela, Davies, Sanchez, Lloris are all 'not good enough'.

"When I say 'knee' you say 'jerk'...'knee'...'jerk'..."

 

[E17yid]

Lamela is a massive level below any of them.

Kane and Eriksen yes (though a bit harsh to compare to Kane as they do different jobs)

I’d agree with you re Alli to but this season Lamela has been more consistent, imo, though Dele has the higher ceiling, no doubt.

I’m not sure he’s a massive level below Son either tbh but I can see why you’d think that.

 

[jonathanhotspur]

Interesting. Do you not think he’s been good since coming back from injury?

No, I have been very underwhelmed.

If someone put a gun to my head and said one of Eriksen, Son, Dele and Lamela had to go It would be Lamela, just.

I am not Alli's biggest fan. I want more players who take fewer touches.

 

[E17yid]

No, I have been very underwhelmed.

I am not Alli's biggest fan. I want more players who take less touches.

Fair enough. I think, on the whole, he’s been good since coming back, a lot better than I thought he would be, tbh.

I see this touches thing get thrown about a lot for various players (Dembele always used to be the one to get it) and there’s two things I’d say in response to that

Firstly, taking touches is not intrinsically bad just as taking less touches isn’t automatically good. There’s lots of scenarios where taking more touches is a good thing (see our recent win against Stoke as an example of when it’s beneficial to slow the game down)

Secondly, why is all the onus put on the player who takes the touches. Perhaps it’d because your options are limited, perhaps the movement of the players around you isn’t what it should be. It’s what always annoyed me about the Dembele sideways passing thing. If the movement of the people in front of him is akin to someone in a coma and is therefore not offering much you’re not really left with much choice.

I’m not totally disregarding what you’re saying re Lamela as there are times when he does but he also, imo, looks to release the ball a lot quicker than most of our players.

 

[werty]

Kane and Eriksen yes (though a bit harsh to compare to Kane as they do different jobs)

I’d agree with you re Alli to but this season Lamela has been more consistent, imo, though Dele has the higher ceiling, no doubt.

I’m not sure he’s a massive level below Son either tbh but I can see why you’d think that.

He's had a couple of decent games (Swansea away in the Cup he played really well), but he's been average at best in most games that have been in the balance. There's been a few game where we've been well ahead that he's come on late and created a chance which inflate his creativity in the statistics.

He's the only attacking player I've seen routinely getting praised for having a great game in matches were he offers nothing offensively, and always gets away with a bad game because of his massively overrated work rate - he presses very well but works no harder than other players and his pressing often puts him out of position.

 

[Hercules]

Graeme Souness said it all yesterday, and he rightfully says ‘he is still a Spurs fan at heart’. Asked about Lamela, and said he is not convinced. Some nice little touches, looks a footballer etc, but no.

I like Coco, and his attitude. Is there a place for him as a squad player? Yes! Should we sell him? Debatable, but I would keep him one more season. You have to give him applause for how he has come back after a year, plus out. On that alone, we need to give him another season.

Sentiment has to be detached in these decisions, and after one more season, even moreso.

 

[kaz Hirai]

Like clock work...one loss in 14 matches and now Dier, Trippier, Lamela, Davies, Sanchez, Lloris are all 'not good enough'.

"When I say 'knee' you say 'jerk'...'knee'...'jerk'..."

Think it's more a case of people just biting their tongue unfortunately. Cant wait to dig certain players out but it's been a long wait for a bad performance

Now the cockroaches crawl out the cracks

 

[BringBack_leGin]

No, I have been very underwhelmed.

I am not Alli's biggest fan. I want more players who take less touches.

Fewer*

 

[E17yid]

He's had a couple of decent games (Swansea away in the Cup he played really well), but he's been average at best in most games that have been in the balance. There's been a few game where we've been well ahead that he's come on late and created a chance which inflate his creativity in the statistics.

He's the only attacking player I've seen routinely getting praised for having a great game in matches were he offers nothing offensively, and always gets away with a bad game because of his massively overrated work rate - he presses very well but works no harder than other players and his pressing often puts him out of position.

I thought he was very good against Juventus. Was a big statement by Poch to start him that game.

I can’t disagree with the work rate thing as while I think Lamela’s work rate is great I’ve always thought that Son’s, Alli’s and Erikens is also very good.

Offers nothing offensively is just bollocks I’m afraid though, mate.

 

[werty]

I thought he was very good against Juventus. Was a big statement by Poch to start him that game.

I can’t disagree with the work rate thing as while I think Lamela’s work rate is great I’ve always thought that Son’s, Alli’s and Erikens is also very good.

Offers nothing offensively is just bollocks I’m afraid though, mate.

What did he do that was so great in the Juventus game?

 

[E17yid]

What did he do that was so great in the Juventus game?

Do you want some itemised breakdown of everything I think he did well during the 90mibs? If so I’ll have to watch again especially as I had a few.

From the top of my head he just put in a really solid Lamela esque performance. Put in a great shift, contributed to attack and defence and generally contributed to an all round good team performance (though IIRC Aurier didn’t have his best game)

 

[jonathanhotspur]

What did he do that was so great in the Juventus game?

In the away game, I thought it turned out to be an inspired decision to play him, and said so at the time. I thought he kept the ball moving and showed great fight.

 

[werty]

Do you want some itemised breakdown of everything I think he did well during the 90mibs? If so I’ll have to watch again especially as I had a few.

From the top of my head he just put in a really solid Lamela esque performance. Put in a great shift, contributed to attack and defence and generally contributed to an all round good team performance (though IIRC Aurier didn’t have his best game)

Well if you don't mind .

I'm struggling to remember a single chance he created or when he himself looked like scoring himself. As yet people were mentioning him alongside Eriksen and Demeble who were outstanding.

And there's the Lamela cliché again, "put in a great shift". He worked no harder than anyone else. No one ever mentions the shift Eriksen puts in even though he's covers more ground than most in the league.

In the away game, I thought it turned out to be an inspired decision to play him, and said so at the time. I thought he kept the ball moving and showed great fight.

We would have kept the ball whether he was there or not. After 10 minutes they had receded to their penalty box, camped in their own half and were happy for us to have it.

He was like Indiana Jones in the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Him being there had no impact on the story of the game and the outcome would have been the same. Same as the Chelsea game where his performance was praised.

 

[E17yid]

Well if you don't mind .

I'm struggling to remember a single chance he created or when he himself looked like scoring himself. As yet people were mentioning him alongside Eriksen and Demeble who were outstanding.

And there's the Lamela cliché again, "put in a great shift". He worked no harder than anyone else. No one ever mentions the shift Eriksen puts in even though he's covers more ground than most in the league.
We would have kept the ball whether he was there or not. After 10 minutes they had receded to their penalty box, camped in their own half and were happy for us to have it.

He was like Indiana Jones in the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Him being there had no impact on the story of the game and the outcome would have been the same. Same as the Chelsea game where his performance was praised.

Great shift can mean different things. In that Juve game he broke up the play and really helped out in defence. I’m not saying Eriksen or Alli don’t but I think that’s one thing he has over them.

You’re right, though, while I thought he played well that night belonged to Dembele who was a monster.

I’ll see if I can find any stats from the game as I’m sure as Hell not going to watch it again.

 

[IfiHadTheWings]

Coco has been very good considering the length of his lay off etc but it does make me chuckle how much he gets praised for routine things...he is quite the SC legend.

All things considered i would certainly offer him a new contract as he the right attitude, application and desire we need in the squad.

 

[ralvy]

It's a touchy subject round here, I know, but I have had enough now. I hope we move Lamela on this summer.

I'm sure we're gonna move him in the summer... move him to the list of Tottenham players with an improved contract.

 

[dondo]

Kane and Eriksen yes (though a bit harsh to compare to Kane as they do different jobs)

I’d agree with you re Alli to but this season Lamela has been more consistent, imo, though Dele has the higher ceiling, no doubt.

I’m not sure he’s a massive level below Son either tbh but I can see why you’d think that.[/QUOTE]




He is way below son in my eyes.
Souness said it all about lamela yesterday, over 100 games 6 goals(may not be 100% correct)
That’s not nearly enough for a player in one of the 3 behind the striker. Look at son, Eriksen and deles records it’s far better.
I realise it not all about goals and lamela does create and gets assists but we are at the level now that we need more from our attacking players

 

[fortworthspur]

We dont need to mess with the attacking options we already have this summer unless its an upgrade on Llorente.

 

[tiger666]

Souness said it all about lamela yesterday, over 100 games 6 goals(may not be 100% correct). That’s not nearly enough for a player in one of the 3 behind the striker. Look at son, Eriksen and deles records it’s far better.

Rather simplistic view to be honest. Considering Lamela has had long periods out for injuries I don't see it as being too bad.

Spurs careers:

 

[E17yid]

No doubt he’s massive level behind in terms of goals scoring. In terms of all round play? I don’t think so. Not as good? Probably but a massive level below? Not for me.

It’s subjective, though. For me a massive level below would be like Sissoko and Dembele.