The Townsend-Lamela Problem

[Lifeson]

Frankly, I'm tired of seeing Sigurdsson out wide now. Yes, he has scored a few goals, but he offers NOTHING, I MEAN NOTHING! out there. He can't take on the fullback, he can only cut inside to his right foot, he shoots all the time, which is fine, cause he can shoot, boy can he shoot. But I do think we need more crosses and balls played into our strikers. And on top of this he always drifts in to the middle, occupying Eriksen or Holtbys space around the box. Now this is even more highlighted by playing Naughton behind him, as we all know Naughton doesn't provide any width what so ever going forward. In fact he provides very little at all going forward. So all of this combined has the effect off clogging up our play, basicly we have no left side whenever Naughton and Siggy plays.

I definitely think Townsend should get a run on the left with Lamela on the right. We already saw vs the Spammers that Townsend can whip in really good crosses with his right foot, imagine him on the doing the same with his left foot, with the added danger of also being able to cut in on his right foot.

Where this leaves Sigurdsson though, I don't know, sadly. I really like him, but he's not a wide player at all, and we seem to have players in all positions that can offer more than him.

 

[Dembele'Disciple]

There's not a debate to be had here. Towsend is showing signs of developing into a world beater. He's getting better game by game and once his end product come he's going to be incredible. He has to get all the game time he can possibly get.

 

[Twizzle]

I think its time to give Lamella a run on the left and see how it goes, he is a left footer and he's played there plenty of times before.

He is also very good defensively and works hard so may make up for some of our deficiencies at LB.

 

[double0]

Its not a problem its a squad game..

 

[Snarfalicious]

I personally wouldn't mind seeing Townsend play the Lennon role of last year but on the left. Put Eriksen in the middle with Lamela on the right. Then it becomes what do you do with Chadli/Siggy? I personally do like Chadli on the left as he gives us more height and the ability to win headers in the box. He also gives us a much needed presence in and around the box for set pieces.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

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.

Gervinho has 3 goals in 6 Serie A apps for Roma and was hopeless for Arsenal last year. Serie A is not a good comparison to the EPL, a fast player will always succeed there, especially on the wing. Lamela will be eased into the team and have to earn a starting league spot, which he most definitely has not done yet.

 

[CJMurray]

Gervinho has 3 goals in 6 Serie A apps for Roma and was hopeless for Arsenal last year. Serie A is not a good comparison to the EPL, a fast player will always succeed there, especially on the wing. Lamela will be eased into the team and have to earn a starting league spot, which he most definitely has not done yet.

Gervinho, really? You're comparing Lamela to Gervinho. Really?

Clearly, he is being eased into the team, but the way for him to earn it is to actually give him a proper chance in the league. Start him, in his actual position, not just throwing him on at left wing with half an hour to go and expecting him to save us (which he actually did incidentally against Cardiff).

 

[davros]

Like many others, I'd like to see Lamela start on the right and Townsend on the left. Townsend works hard and looks dangerous, so he'll help out the LB and give a genuine threat on that side. Lamela might take a bit of time to settle, but I think getting him on from the start would be a better way of integrating him into the team than just the sub appearances. If he struggles, we'll have Lennon back soon so there's good competition for that side. Two proper wide players will give us better shape and should create more chances for Soldado.

 

[ItsBoris]

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.

Here's the issue, before yesterday I would have agreed with you - Townsend left, Lamela right. But the problem is that Townsend was putting crosses in yesterday with his right foot. And good ones too. That really surprised me and it means that Townsend can provide a dual threat on the right, but on the left he is only a threat as a traditional winger. So I would have Townsend starting on the right.

Then the question would be where Lamela and Eriksen go. I think what might work best is Lamela in the #10 position, and Eriksen on the left. Eriksen is extremely two-footed so I think he could provide a great threat on the left like Townsend would on the right. Also from what I've seen Eriksen is quicker than Lamela which is a skill better suited for a wide player. Plus then Rose can overlap on the left and provide additional threat.

So I think if we are going for a 4-2-3-1, the best balance might be attained with this:

--------Paulinho--Sandro
Townsend--Lamela--Eriksen
---------------Soldado-----------

 

[Davo99]

_________________Lloris_________________

__________Kaboul_______Vertonghen_______

Walker___________Sandro_____________Rose

__________Paulinho______Holtby____________

_____Lamela_________________Eriksen______

_________________Soldado_________________







It could be incredible.

 

[Davo99]

A second eleven;


__________________Freidel_________________

Naughton____Dawson_____Chiriches____Fryers

____________Capoue_____Dembele__________

Lennon__________Sigurdsson_______Townsend

_________________Adebayor________________



Shows how weak we are in defensive areas but from the two holding mids forward it's alright. Add Chadli and Defoe to the group and we are doing alright. It's just likely to take time unfortunately.

 

[Flashspur]

not another 'problem' thread - well at least this is a positive one

 

[Bofbro]

Lamela is so much better on the left or centre anyway imo.

 

[neptunes]

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.....

 

[neptunes]

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.....

while Andy can skin them and whip in a cross, depends who is playing the forward role. If it is JD the crosses game will be ineffective as JD is too short to get on the cross balls. Lamela is much much more technical and can use both legs to wind his way to the bye line and cross low in the box area which what exactly happened with Paulinho's goal v Cardiff.

 

[Bofbro]

Gervinho, really? You're comparing Lamela to Gervinho. Really?

Clearly, he is being eased into the team, but the way for him to earn it is to actually give him a proper chance in the league. Start him, in his actual position, not just throwing him on at left wing with half an hour to go and expecting him to save us (which he actually did incidentally against Cardiff).

Gervinho looked class before he went to the Scum and is looking very good now at Roma, the PL is unforgiving imo.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Gervinho looked class before he went to the Scum and is looking very good now at Roma, the PL is unforgiving imo.

It's because Roma have Rudi Garcia as their manager who used to manage Lille, Gervinho's old club. He is a huge fan of the lad and knows how to get the best out of him. Gervinho got 14 goals and 10 assists in his last season in France. When Garcia was told he was available he snapped him up for Roma despite fans and the board not being 100% sure. I dont see how this reflects on Lamela as some people are suggesting.

 

[wiggo24]

I don't agree that Lamela had done nothing to prove himself. I think last season is proof at how class he is, or may become. Would love to see him and Townsend together though...

 

[nferno]

Lamela and Holtby need to start from now on and I don't care who is sacrificed. Play Townsend at LB, he can't do any worse at defending there than Graham Norton but he will offer so much more going forward.

 

[ItsBoris]

Lamela and Holtby need to start from now on and I don't care who is sacrificed. Play Townsend at LB, he can't do any worse at defending there than Graham Norton but he will offer so much more going forward.

To be honest he probably would have offered a lot more than Naughton at LB. But Rose should start there all day long for me when he's fit. I certainly wouldn't mind experimenting with Townsend at LB in the Europa league.