Spurs vs Chicago Fire

[LexingtonSpurs]

It's not so much that Soldado couldn't play there but that we have others who would be far better off there. Also the guy has very limited pace and wouldn't offer enough in supporting and going beyond Ade.

Soldado and Ade were probably the best pairing we had up front last season. Soldado would do fine playing behind Ade in a more creative role.

 

[Blake Griffin]

Soldado has a goal and 3 assists? What's your point?..

There was a point last season where I would rather Kane play than Soldado but I think he's been good this pre-season. So has Harry Kane though so it's a matter of preference

that's funny because i think i'm now reaching that point. the thought of going to upton park with soldado as a lone striker makes me wince a little.

 

[Flobadob]

Just to clear this up, because I'm getting a tonne of negative ratings for my team I suggested. If I was going to pick an 11 of the best players from this tour there is no way I would pick Fryers over Veljkovic. However, I would like to know how many of you paid attention to the fact that I was putting out a team for a PREMIER LEAGUE match before you gave me those negative ratings? I've been banging on about Veljkovic for almost 18 months to my friends saying how talented he is and that he will likely be just as successful as Bentaleb but there is still no chance I would start him in the premier league at CB because he would likely get bullied and outpaced by premier league strikers. In midfield, I absolutely would start him because he's shown his technical ability and reading of the game is absolutely excellent. This is an 18 year old boy though, you have to remember. Although he's technically excellent for an 18 year old he won't be ready to play in the premier league at CB until he's at least 20 without taking a pretty big risk of him not coming up to scratch physically

 

[Flobadob]

that's funny because i think i'm now reaching that point. the thought of going to upton park with soldado as a lone striker makes me wince a little.

Is that because you don't rate him or because you don't think he would do well enough physically against Reid and Tomkins? For me that's the only question mark I have with Soldado, because his technical ability is amongst the very best IMO

 

[@Bobby__Lucky]

Soldado and Ade were probably the best pairing we had up front last season. Soldado would do fine playing behind Ade in a more creative role.

Agree with this...however I also really liked when tim in his early games looked like he was setting up as 442, but ade and soldado switched between main striker and left wing

 

[Mr Pink]

It's not so much that Soldado couldn't play there but that we have others who would be far better off there. Also the guy has very limited pace and wouldn't offer enough in supporting and going beyond Ade.

At the same time though, the clever interchanging we saw against Toronto...I don't see why we couldn't try it.

A three of Eriksen, Lamela and Soldado behind Adebayor could be very intriguing. I'd definitely be curious to see how it would fair.

That being said having a bit of pace to blend with the guile and class of Eriksen and Lamela might end up being a must.

 

[Annabel]

Highlights on BT now...

 

[Blake Griffin]

Is that because you don't rate him or because you don't think he would do well enough physically against Reid and Tomkins? For me that's the only question mark I have with Soldado, because his technical ability is amongst the very best IMO

a bit of both but primarily the latter. i just think he's a bit of a wet flannel and will end up being a non-event going up against two powerful centre backs away from home. i've really liked what i've seen from kane these past few games, his touch, hold-up and link-up play have all been impressive. he's a decent size too so can handle himself against defenders. i wouldn't mind soldado so much at home, or in a two but away from home on his own i see him being little more than a passenger.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

Soldado and Ade were probably the best pairing we had up front last season. Soldado would do fine playing behind Ade in a more creative role.

Just to follow up, i posted this in another thread:

Ade and Soldado started 7 games together for 17 points - 2.4 per game, or 92 points extrapolated over a season.

Spurs scored 1.9 goals in those games, and conceded 0.7 goals per game (compared to 1.4 scored, and 1.3 conceded for the season).

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

a bit of both but primarily the latter. i just think he's a bit of a wet flannel and will end up being a non-event going up against two powerful centre backs away from home. i've really liked what i've seen from kane these past few games, his touch, hold-up and link-up play have all been impressive. he's a decent size too so can handle himself against defenders. i wouldn't mind soldado so much at home, or in a two but away from home on his own i see him being little more than a passenger.

I don't think you should look at our attack this year as a lone striker up front - it seems we are going to generate many chances from quick counter attacks following turnovers - see both goals last night. In that regard, hold up play is less important than being able to close down on defenders quickly, and to make something happen quickly on a turnover. I think Bobby fits that mold pretty well - I think Ade can play that role also, if he remains committed to his instructions on when to press. I am less convinced that Kane can effectively play that role for 60+ minutes as a starter, could see him as a sub though.

 

[Flobadob]

a bit of both but primarily the latter. i just think he's a bit of a wet flannel and will end up being a non-event going up against two powerful centre backs away from home. i've really liked what i've seen from kane these past few games, his touch, hold-up and link-up play have all been impressive. he's a decent size too so can handle himself against defenders. i wouldn't mind soldado so much at home, or in a two but away from home on his own i see him being little more than a passenger.

As a fan looking at the here and now I would put Soldado on the pitch because as a fan it's natural to want to win the upcoming match. If I'm looking at it from a managers point of view having to build a team for the next 10 years in theory (It always seems like just a theory!) then I think I'd have to agree with your selection as I agree that Kane is already better than Soldado physically and looks to be improving that aspect more and more, and he's always very good technically also, like you say touch is great, he has great vision, he is able to run with the ball better than Soldado and as a former forward myself I find his finishing in training and in matches at times quite stunning. I think he's gonna be a top player

 

[idontgetit]

that's funny because i think i'm now reaching that point. the thought of going to upton park with soldado as a lone striker makes me wince a little.

It's fine so long as people run past him

 

[ClintEastwould]

It's fine so long as people run past him

What a quality goal that is

 

[JimmyG2]

Doesn't make him too short to be a cb, just has to have a great jump to be goon in the air, if not then he might be better in cm.

He's the same height in cm. as he is in inches.

 

[The Spurs Lad]

Soldado and Ade were probably the best pairing we had up front last season. Soldado would do fine playing behind Ade in a more creative role.

Did you genuinely just tell me Ade and Soldado were the best pairing we had up front last year then say we should play Soldado behind Ade?

They were the ONLY pairing we had except a young inexperienced Kane and a past it Defoe, hardly an accomplishment. Even then, Kane was far better than any of our strikers at the tail end of the season.

Secondly just because Soldado did well alongside Ade as ST doesn't mean he will suddenly work well with Ade from a deeper role.

 

[Bofbro]

Full Match.
http://www.footballorgin.com/2014/07/pre-season-friendly-match-chicago-fire.html

 

[Bofbro]

 

[EQP]

It's fine so long as people run past him

You can't coach that.......okay i am lying it seems you can coach good movement and one touch interplay

 

[paulcumpstone]

interested to find out why kaboul didnt play, had he picked up a knock? or do you think it could have been poch saying you ignore my tactics/shape (spat from the other game) so i won't play you if you ain't going to listen

 

[idontgetit]

It's only just occurred to me but, does Soldado remind anyone else of VDV?