The Townsend-Lamela Problem

[wiggo24]

I was thinking after the West Ham defeat that I don't actually know what our best team currently is and, taking it one step furthur, i think this is the biggest debate.
The problem is that they both need to start. Townsend because he's playing very well atm and was probably the only player that left the game yesterday with some sense of dignity. Lamela, becuase he is one of the brightest young talents in the world and AVB can't not play a 30million player.
So, once I'd decided on this, I still can't figure out what side each of them should play.
Townsend is obviously playing well at RW atm, but after seeing Lamela over 10 times now, i think he may lack the elctric pace that is needed for an out and out winger, who hugs the touchline. Lamela is also more of a goal threat than Townsend imo as Townsend has had the most shots for the team this season so far and still hasnt scored.

I don't think that LW suits Lamela as I think he'll constantly be forsced inside and end up passing it backwards, whereas Townsend can skin'em and whip in a cross, and will be more able to hug the touchline and play like lennon used to, but on the left, which is needed imo.
For this reason, I am forced to conclude that Lamela will be much better on the right, even though I have seen multiple teams with him on the left. I also think Townsend will be a very effective traditional LW.

Thoughts? Am interseted to hear other people's view on this as I've spent quie a while thinking about it.....

 

[C-oops]

Yep. Townsend left playing like a traditional winger. Lamela cutting in from the right with Walker overlapping. Maybe they might even like to swap around a bit and mix it up.

 

[jonola]

I think I would give this a go and see if it looks more balanced, to be fair in doing this I drop a lot of players that I would like to use but maybe time to keep it simple whilst they all get used to each other ???

-----Sandro---Eriksen
Lennon-----------Lamela
------------Ade
----------Soldado

Ade loves to drift around which would allow Lamela to cut in, it worked out well for Bale

 

[daehanmingook]

Yeah if they both play at the same time, Townsend left, Lamela right is the only way to do it. But I also don't see a problem with having two good players in one position taking turns playing. They can't play every game, after all.

LW Chadli, Siggy, Townsend
RW Lamela, Lennon, Townsend

5 players for 2 spots, might be difficult to keep everyone happy but surely Lamela will eventually be the go-to option for RW (unless we change tactics and go for width with Lennon). This means Townsend will be backup to Lamela or be the left-sided version of Lennon. Very good option to have.

 

[SugarRay]

I would like to see Lamela and Townsend start our next league game. Holtby too

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

It's not about having a 'best team' anymore. If you want to compete for the top 4 all players should be pushing each other so the level of our team does not drop no matters who is in the match day 11.

 

[stormfly]

Townsend had a great game and put some great crosses into the box but Defoe was never going to rise like a Salmon and head one of those crosses in to be fair, even if Ade played he wouldn't have busted a gut to get on the end of it. It was really frustrating seeing Townsend do all that good work only to see chances going begging. But why is there only one player in the box for him to aim for? If siggy had followed in at the back post he could have had a goal, I think this is what Lamela would do so for us.

 

[C-oops]

It's not about having a 'best team' anymore. If you want to compete for the top 4 all players should be pushing each other so the level of our team does not drop no matters who is in the match day 11.

This just isn't going to happen until we sign another LB and possibly a striker depending on what's happening with Ade.

 

[Eric_s]

I think the problem is not just with Lamela settling in, it's his teammates as well. There 3 or 4 occasions where Lamela made very good runs into acres of space and calling for the ball but his teammates turned away and pick the wrong option. The second goal we conceded yesterday was a typical example. Lamela pass to dembele and ran into a very good position, calling for the return. Dembele turned away, lost the ball, walker was napping somewhere and they scored.
We may never see the best of Lamela if he is surrounding by dim players who cannot link with him.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

Indeed. I feel that lamela has more in his locker than townsend, but townsend has played far too well to be dropped.

 

[eddiebailey]

AVB relies on the fullbacks for width, but with Rose injured, and BAE on loan because AVB does not like the cut of his jib, that is not happening. That means the system should change, with Townsend playing as an orthodox left winger, and someone, possibly Lamela, possibly Chadli replacing him on the right.

Agree though that lack of understanding with teammates is part of the problem as to why Lamela is not making an impression. It takes time, as Holtby has shown; Defoe’s resurrgence in the cups owed a lot to the understanding he has built up with Lewis - which is why it was such a crass decision to start Defoe but not Hotlby, particularly with Eriksson, for all his obvious talent, also struggling.

There are very few overseas players who come into the Premiership and hit the ground running, and those are usually highly experienced players like Van der Vaart or Ozil, who have played at the highest level. We cannot expect too much too soon from kids like Lamela and Eriksson; they will need to be bled into the team.

 

[eViL]

AVB relies on the fullbacks for width, but with Rose injured, and BAE on loan because AVB does not like the cut of his jib, that is not happening.

Because BAE doesn't give you width, he doesn't get down the line and create that outlet. That and the fact he's just not athletic enough to play wing-back in AVB's system.

That's why he's at QPR. He's a good defender but he didn't go forward enough.

 

[Yid121]

Townsend played LB in Europa, might be worth a crack in games we're chasing, such as the game yesterday.

 

[fatpiranha]

No problem as far as i'm concerned. Lamela has done nothing yet to suggest he should be anywhere near the 1st team whereas Townsend has been improving match by match and looked our only threat on Sunday.

£30M price tag or not you have to earn your place. Some players just take a little longer to adapt to a new team whereas others (such as Capoue) simply slot in like they've always been there. I desperately hope that Lamela comes good but until he shows some signs of performing there's no way we should bugger about with the position of our most in form outfield player. Let's not forget we may also have Lennon to consider as well soon.

We can revisit this thread when there's something to discuss.

 

[lillywhites61]

Very tough choice to make, for me Andros is our big threat right now and it would be a tough one to switch wings as he is causing issues every time he attacks, would he be as big a threat on the left? I'm not so sure.

He is so much better than Lennon right now, confident and his crossing is so much better as well. But as you say how do we leave Lamela on the bench?!

 

[TheAmerican]

Townsend should start on the left imo, and Lamela should be on the right. His service was much better today, but he is far too wasteful with his shots. I would prefer to have him roast rb's and slot in nice crosses to Soldado.

 

[hodsgod]

Indeed. I feel that lamela has more in his locker than townsend, but townsend has played far too well to be dropped.

I think he left the key to the locker in Rome! I have hardly seen anything from Lamela that begins to suggest he has more in his locker than Townsend.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

I think he left the key to the locker in Rome! I have hardly seen anything from Lamela that begins to suggest he has more in his locker than Townsend.

Probably mre to do with the fact that he has as many assists as Townsend in the league this season even though Townsend has had about 10x as much time on the pitch, in the same position.

 

[Bobbins]

Irritatingly yesterday Townsend attempted probably more crosses than any game I've seen this season - so often he cuts inside onto his left, but yesterday he often went wide and put a low ball into the middle.

Of course, Defoe was no-where near any of the crosses, but it frustrated me because Soldado has been crying out for some balls into the box that he can attack all season and he's hardly had any!

Anyhoo, yes Townsend left, Lamela right, Holtby/Eriksen behind Soldado. For me I'd go Dembele/Sandro or Paulinho/Capoue behind them as well, I think we need at least one proper DM.

 

[chinaman]

Because BAE doesn't give you width, he doesn't get down the line and create that outlet. That and the fact he's just not athletic enough to play wing-back in AVB's system.

That's why he's at QPR. He's a good defender but he didn't go forward enough.

Having Naughton there is even worse. He doesn't even make any attempt to chase his opponent once beaten.