The Townsend-Lamela Problem

[thinktank]

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.....

Agree. We really need to get lamela going on the right and get his game going as he is incredible really. Need to use him.

The thing is, he links up very well with Holtby.

The harsh truth is that Lamela holtby Eriksen is probably a perfect three for us in terms of working together dynamically; the conundrum is how can we leave out one of our stand-out players?

I would actually sacrifice Townsend to the bench to allow these three to start together as it brings more to the team overall and the link up would be insane between them.

So that's the way to go imo.

AVB has some tough decisions to make.

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

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.

I was behind the goal in the first half so witnessed at close quarters what happened.
It's true Townsend went outside but a lot of that was because their left back forced him outside on to his weaker right foot. This in turn meant his crosses were hit more in hope than intention. Further to this the centre backs were on top of Defoe and cut every low cross out before it got anywhere near him.
Tactical genius old Sam.

 

[SteveH]

Andros great effort by the lad, but AVB is not getting the best from him. Still personally undecided about Andros. Lemala, there's something in the lad for sure but, christ he looks all at seas, but it very early in his Spurs career. Looks no better than Dos Santos at the moment.

Bottom line it is very hard to asses players in the current squad. So many have not been here five minutes and look green. Which won't help the rest of the team.

Over to AVB for the answers

 

[Ghost Hardware]

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

I would love to see something along the lines of:

Pauly Holtby​

Lamela Eriksen Townsend​

Soldardo​

​

That to me would be a fantastic midfield and nicely balanced. And if we where 1or 2 up in the second half and struggling just bring Sandro on for ether Holtby or Eriksen, depending on who was faltering, and muscle the game out. Dembele i like a lot but nether he or Pauly are fantastic passers and, at the moment at least, we need that from our midfield otherwise we are way to reliant on Eriksen to create everything. When Eriksen settle and pushes it up a notch then maybe we can start thinking about making him our sole creative hub but at the moment its not fair on him and does not help the team as a whole and forces players to create for themselves... this is fine for Townsend but not for Sig or Lamela who is still settling in.​

 

[crokey]

Townsend offers directness, pace, ability to take a full back 1v1, crossing and long shots at goal. I believe he can do this from either side of the pitch so I would like to see Townsend and Lamela on the pitch at the same time and switching sides. I believe positional fluidity of attacking players is underutilised either by AVB or by the players currently on the pitch.

With Sandro and our two box-to-box, I think we can still control the game as well as having faster, more direct attacks. Dembele and Paulinho can control the midfield and play higher up the pitch, Townsend and Lamela providing threat from wide.

I realise it has neither Holtby or Eriksen playing a traditional 10 but this set up has a more controlled way to overrunning a team like Villa.

Something like:

Lloris​

Walker Daws/Kaboul Vertonghen Rose​

Sandro​

Paulinho Dembele​

Lamela Soldado Townsend​

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Sorry but what in the world has Lamela done to earn a spot ahead of Eriksen, Holtby, Chadli, Sigurdsson (who I greatly dislike so that's saying something)?

 

[CJMurray]

Sorry but what in the world has Lamela done to earn a spot ahead of Eriksen, Holtby, Chadli, Sigurdsson (who I greatly dislike so that's saying something)?

He's one of the most talented youngsters in the world, scored 15 goals last season from the wing and cost 30m, maybe we should start giving him a full game in the league.

 

[glacierSpurs]

Sorry but what in the world has Lamela done to earn a spot ahead of Eriksen, Holtby, Chadli, Sigurdsson (who I greatly dislike so that's saying something)?

starting him is the best confidence one can give..

Eriksen did neither but had started, supposedly based on the fact he can provide the creativity, which we knew can be BS so far as one can have a patchy game or two..

and Lamela heartened me with his willingness to defend... Townsend? track-back, son...

 

[RJ1882]

One is an exciting English player, non is a supposed £30M player, potential superstar. No disrespect to Townsend but this shouldn't be up for debate. I think AVB should pick his strongest team, that he planned all sum mer on building.
433 with Sandro in the side. Lamela rwf. No messing about.
Paulinho Sandro Eriksen
Lamela Soldado plus one of 5 is our strongest team surely?

 

[Bobbins]

I was behind the goal in the first half so witnessed at close quarters what happened.
It's true Townsend went outside but a lot of that was because their left back forced him outside on to his weaker right foot. This in turn meant his crosses were hit more in hope than intention. Further to this the centre backs were on top of Defoe and cut every low cross out before it got anywhere near him.
Tactical genius old Sam.

I was in the East Upper so got a good overview in the second half - same story but a lot of the problem was caused by Defoe's absolute refusal to ever attack a cross - he just hangs around the penalty spot/six yard line waiting for the ball to come to him - Soldado's movement is far better, and he actually goes for the ball rather than waiting for it to come to him, so he would've got on the end of at least one of those I'm sure.

 

[Legend10]

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

Still attacking Naughton then, surely your starting to get bored of it yourself by now?

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

I was in the East Upper so got a good overview in the second half - same story but a lot of the problem was caused by Defoe's absolute refusal to ever attack a cross - he just hangs around the penalty spot/six yard line waiting for the ball to come to him - Soldado's movement is far better, and he actually goes for the ball rather than waiting for it to come to him, so he would've got on the end of at least one of those I'm sure.

He might have but the crosses weren't all great as it was off Townsends weaker foot.
Which is a double whammy of a problem that AVB should have spotted. It was getting quite obvious we needed a right footer on the right and a lefty on the left to get round them.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

starting him is the best confidence one can give..

Eriksen did neither but had started, supposedly based on the fact he can provide the creativity, which we knew can be BS so far as one can have a patchy game or two..

and Lamela heartened me with his willingness to defend... Townsend? track-back, son...

Lmao, Townsend defended on several occasions yesterday, better than Walker actually. I love how people say Lamela tracks back because they saw him make that one slide tackle, too bad no one cares to note that his lack in concentration was the reason the fullback was able to charge past him. Pass to the RB wouldn't even have happened if he correctly marked in the first place. He was lucky the RB was so slow.

 

[parklane1]

Lennon should play on the right.

 

[Kendall]

starting him is the best confidence one can give..

Eriksen did neither but had started, supposedly based on the fact he can provide the creativity, which we knew can be BS so far as one can have a patchy game or two..

and Lamela heartened me with his willingness to defend... Townsend? track-back, son...

Eh? Didn't you see Townsend track a runner from inside West ham's half and get a block in just when the trigger was pulled? Lamela wouldn't have gotten close because he's a bit too precious for this league so far on existing evidence.

 

[al_pacino]

He might have but the crosses weren't all great as it was off Townsends weaker foot.
Which is a double whammy of a problem that AVB should have spotted. It was getting quite obvious we needed a right footer on the right and a lefty on the left to get round them.

The low first half cross was pretty much perfect, the problem was Defoe doing his standard hide behind the defenders trick.

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

The low first half cross was pretty much perfect, the problem was Defoe doing his standard hide behind the defenders trick.

That was one of the double whammy problems.
The other being almost all of the other crosses weren't as inviting.

 

[easley91]

In hindsight, what should've happened in Rose's absence was Naughton at LB, Townsend on the left wing and Lamela on the right with Walker at RB. We'd have width in some form on both sides of the pitch.

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

Personally feel its not who is a better player but who is a better fit for our team/tactics on match day.

Players like Townsend/Lennon thrive on their pace and ability to push the ball past defenders, push to the bye-line and/or whipping in crosses. These kinds of players are effective in both first team application and squad/bench rotation depending on the opposition but I feel they are most effective as a 45-60 min sub against stubborn defenses when our team (Invert wingers) just can't play through the middle and we need that width on the wings.

Invert wingers such as Lamela/Siggurdson/Chadli thrive on cutting in/ dribbling and shooting from range or pushing into the box and doing the same there. They form triangles of attack with the AM and ST and pass on the ground with through balls and such to assist if they don't have the shooting opportunity themselves. They will not look for a cross and do not have the pace to beat defenders in an out and out running match but they can latch onto those loose balls in the box with efficiency and have the odd wonder crack from outside the box and have it on target. These types of players are guaranteed starters and 45-60 mins is the time they have to justify their starting spot. IF not, Throw on some pace and mix the tactics up a bit. IF the opposition is known for parking the bus, start with the Pace and move to invert if needed. Its all about balance.

Any opinions?

 

[ClintEastwould]

they are our 2 best wide players and the can both play lw as well as rw. id start them both with lamela on the right 2/3 of the time switching occasionally.