PLAYER WATCH: Soldado

[TottenhamMattSpur]

Why do you doubt it will happen?

I think the chances he's missed lately, which have been poor misses and completely unlike him, show that he is totally out of form, and that when he gets it back, he will be scoring plenty.

That's scoring plenty in addition to his all-round excellent movement, chance creation and passing, which he's already doing. Add goals to that and you have the complete striker.

I think he's struggling as he doesn't fit in our team. Valencia set up to do little other than serve the ball up on a plate for him. Most of his goals were one touch tap ins.
Really easy chances and lots of them.

In our team and may be in our league he'll get less chances less space less ease with which to score.

I think like many other expensive strikers he's not the same player. It happens frighteningly often.

 

[Bobbins]

I think he's struggling as he doesn't fit in our team. Valencia set up to do little other than serve the ball up on a plate for him. Most of his goals were one touch tap ins.
Really easy chances and lots of them.

In our team and may be in our league he'll get less chances less space less ease with which to score.

I think like many other expensive strikers he's not the same player. It happens frighteningly often.

Well at least you've given a reasoned argument unlike most of his detractors on here.

I happen to disagree with it as most of his 'tap-ins' in Spain were actually extremely good finishes and many were not easy chances at all.

I also think he's already shown that he has massively more ability than just goalscoring and offers so much more to the team than Defoe has ever done, despite this being his first season in this league and Defoe playing here his entire life. Next season might be Bobby's season to go goal-mad (but knowing us we'll almost certainly be on our third different manager and 47th new squad by then).

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

Well at least you've given a reasoned argument unlike most of his detractors on here.

I happen to disagree with it as most of his 'tap-ins' in Spain were actually extremely good finishes and many were not easy chances at all.

I also think he's already shown that he has massively more ability than just goalscoring and offers so much more to the team than Defoe has ever done, despite this being his first season in this league and Defoe playing here his entire life. Next season might be Bobby's season to go goal-mad (but knowing us we'll almost certainly be on our third different manager and 47th new squad by then).

I certainly wouldn't score as many as he did in that Valencia team.
I reckon I'd get more there than here though.

 

[eddiev14]

I feared this might happen for Soldado. I am a massive fan of his but it's pretty clear that if we play one up top then Ade is by far the better player for that role. His ability to bully defenders and make it stick really impressed me today, reminding us all what a top target man he is.

I worry for Soldado as I reckon he'll only play now in a 4-4-2 (unless Ade gets injured).

Thoughts?

 

[Oshi]

I feared this might happen for Soldado. I am a massive fan of his but it's pretty clear that if we play one up top then Ade is by far the better player for that role. His ability to bully defenders and make it stick really impressed me today, reminding us all what a top target man he is.

I worry for Soldado as I reckon he'll only play now in a 4-4-2 (unless Ade gets injured).

Thoughts?

With the amount of movement and inter-changing between Ade, Eriksen and Chadli today I could quite easily see Soldado in place of Chadli. Ade loves drifting off into the wings, dropping deep and moving around, I see no issues with the Soldier, which to be honest is how we had been playing anyway. Remember that Ade volley against Southampton? Soldado pulled out onto the wing, picked it up and pinged in a beaut of a cross for Ade. The old adage good players can play anywhere.

It's only 4-4-2 on the team sheet.

 

[hodsgod]

I certainly wouldn't score as many as he did in that Valencia team.
I reckon I'd get more there than here though.

I am convinced of that too, that league is so poor lower down the few decent players score a hatful.

 

[dagraham]

I feared this might happen for Soldado. I am a massive fan of his but it's pretty clear that if we play one up top then Ade is by far the better player for that role. His ability to bully defenders and make it stick really impressed me today, reminding us all what a top target man he is.

I worry for Soldado as I reckon he'll only play now in a 4-4-2 (unless Ade gets injured).

Thoughts?

I agree and it's why we need cover for Ade.

I had always put Soldado down as a Lineker type and he needs to rediscover his confidence in front of goal. Ironically though I thought the one aspect we missed today was Soldado's composure and precision of final ball.

With a bit more care we could have had a hat ful today.

 

[Syn_13]

I feared this might happen for Soldado. I am a massive fan of his but it's pretty clear that if we play one up top then Ade is by far the better player for that role. His ability to bully defenders and make it stick really impressed me today, reminding us all what a top target man he is.

I worry for Soldado as I reckon he'll only play now in a 4-4-2 (unless Ade gets injured).

Thoughts?

I really like carrot cake.

Oh, sorry. About Soldado. Erm...yeah, what you said makes sense.

 

[eddiev14]

With the amount of movement and inter-changing between Ade, Eriksen and Chadli today I could quite easily see Soldado in place of Chadli. Ade loves drifting off into the wings, dropping deep and moving around, I see no issues with the Soldier, which to be honest is how we had been playing anyway. Remember that Ade volley against Southampton? Soldado pulled out onto the wing, picked it up and pinged in a beaut of a cross for Ade. The old adage good players can play anywhere.

It's only 4-4-2 on the team sheet.

That's an interesting idea. Do you think he might get pissed off/frustrated being asked to play wider though?

 

[knilly]

That's an interesting idea. Do you think he might get pissed off/frustrated being asked to play wider though?

It could be similar to when villa was asked to do the same at Barca.

He has already shown excellent link up play with Ade, that he can put excellent crosses in and also would be ideal to fill the void when Ade drops deep.

 

[Oshi]

That's an interesting idea. Do you think he might get pissed off/frustrated being asked to play wider though?

Don't know if I would say its being asked to play wider, it is more of a case that Ade is the general focal point and everyone rotate around him. Bit like how Man City play with Aguero / Negredo (Aguero / Dzeko, Negredo / Dzeko etc.) on the pitch, yes its two strikers but its not two guys leading the line 4-4-2 style.

 

[Harry Barber]

Soldado is an old fashioned maestro. He's still adapting to the Premier League. Look at the nomad Giroud and Aguero for example, they've only come into it this season.
Give the guy a chance and he will beast the PL next season. Of that I have no doubt.

 

[theShiznit]

Bit worried that Tim is placing all his eggs in the Adebayor basket.

Clear that Soldado and/or Defoe were not going to be used today once Ade started playing (took 25 minutes today)
I get that Ade needs to feel the love but you cannot afford to piss off your backup strikers either, as if/when Ade does have one of those games, you are going to need Soldado/Defoe up for it.

For all his good hold up play Ade tends to hold onto the ball much too long and only plays the way he's facing, this is where Soldado can be more effective as he is better at using the ball quicker and onto runners through (not just way he's facing)

Hope the balance can be struck of getting the two (Ade & Soldado) playing well, whether that's in a 4-4-2 /4-3-3 or together or not.

 

[Jamturk]

Bit worried that Tim is placing all his eggs in the Adebayor basket.

Clear that Soldado and/or Defoe were not going to be used today once Ade started playing (took 25 minutes today)
I get that Ade needs to feel the love but you cannot afford to piss off your backup strikers either, as if/when Ade does have one of those games, you are going to need Soldado/Defoe up for it.

For all his good hold up play Ade tends to hold onto the ball much too long and only plays the way he's facing, this is where Soldado can be more effective as he is better at using the ball quicker and onto runners through (not just way he's facing)

Hope the balance can be struck of getting the two (Ade & Soldado) playing well, whether that's in a 4-4-2 /4-3-3 or together or not.

Are you talking about rotation?

Because Ade is clearly (as he stated he would be at the start of the season) our no1 striker.

Its up to Robbie to earn his place in the team now.

Also every player have bad games, and don't get accusations of being lazy, not caring etc thrown at them.

 

[theShiznit]

Are you talking about rotation?

Because Ade is clearly (as he stated he would be at the start of the season) our no1 striker.

Its up to Robbie to earn his place in the team now.

Also every player have bad games, and don't get accusations of being lazy, not caring etc thrown at them.

I'm talking about not keeping a player playing even though his performance is not what it can be, purely not to piss off that player.

I get that Tim is using the up surge that bringing Ade back in has had almost like that new club effect, but he has still had bad games and dips in these games, naturally in some cases due to going from no play to lots.

Didn't think Ade started playing today until he scored, it looked like it could have been one of those days. But once he did (score) he was a changed man, everywhere wanting the ball.

Just don't think it's wise to place such an emphasis on someone that can blow so hot and cold.

Defoe or Soldado must play a part in the City game whether from the bench or not, as if they don't they are effectively looking at 3 weeks between games, which will not help either's touch or fitness.

It is a squad game. Play your best players yes, but balance it with keeping others you will need in form.

 

[Jamturk]

I'm talking about not keeping a player playing even though his performance is not what it can be, purely not to piss off that player.

I get that Tim is using the up surge that bringing Ade back in has had almost like that new club effect, but he has still had bad games and dips in these games, naturally in some cases due to going from no play to lots.

Didn't think Ade started playing today until he scored, it looked like it could have been one of those days. But once he did (score) he was a changed man, everywhere wanting the ball.

Just don't think it's wise to place such an emphasis on someone that can blow so hot and cold.

Defoe or Soldado must play a part in the City game whether from the bench or not, as if they don't they are effectively looking at 3 weeks between games, which will not help either's touch or fitness.

It is a squad game. Play your best players yes, but balance it with keeping others you will need in form.

I don't think the whole team really didn't kick on till we scored.

I am crediting Sherwood for letting the Swans blow their load first.

 

[EQP]

I think we'll see more 442 against "lesser teams" so bobby shouldn't worry about getting games.

 

[beats1]

I don't think Soldado is a problem in the slightest but Adebayor is imo, the way he is playing you want him to stay next season but I would expect Levy to cash in with 2 years left on his deal

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

I honestly think people pick and choose the bits they want when they watch Ade just because they don't like him and can't stand that he's by far and away or best striker. By FAR. And unlike Soldado, he's delivering the goods in every game. 8 goals in 8 with assists to go with the goals. He works his bollocks off too.

I'm sure some of you would rather go back to no goals AVB and Soldado every week.

 

[kaz Hirai]

I honestly think people pick and choose the bits they want when they watch Ade just because they don't like him and can't stand that he's by far and away or best striker. By FAR. And unlike Soldado, he's delivering the goods in every game. 8 goals in 8 with assists to go with the goals. He works his bollocks off too.

I'm sure some of you would rather go back to no goals AVB and Soldado every week.

He is our best striker when he wants to be, but who knows how long it will be until he decides he can't be arsed again