I think there are two players that currently look to be a poor use of the Bale money: Soldado Lamela Unfortunately they amount to 56m! This goes to show though that it is not easy buying players of this calibre. I think Lamela will improve in time, as will the rest of the attack, but whether he will ever be a 30m I don't know. We don't have that kind of time with Soldado though, as it is not a confidence issue its a service issue. We are letting him down and possibly costing him his world cup place.
Soldado hasn't been what I'd expect of a £26m player but his movement and finishing is top draw. The wingers and midfielders must find a way to reach him though. I can see why he cost so much but if the players behind him don't find him, you'd have to ask as to why on earth AVB/ Baldini decided to buy him when our system doesn't work for him. Lamela has definitely been poor, I've said already that I think we won't see the best of him until probably next season. 21, speaks no English and is physically weak, he needs time I fully appreciate that BUT when you splash £30m on a player, you have to expect something pretty soon-ish in fairness. It's funny though, in my opinion, the players who have so far adapted the best are ironically the "lesser" profile ones. Capoue prior injury looked like he'd been here for years, making Sandro's loss easier to take and he got MOTM vs Swansea. Chiriches has won MOTM in his last two starts, I love his attacking mind even if it does scare the **** out of me at times when he's traveling all the way up to the opponents box! Eriksen and Paulinho have also had great games but also gone missing on occasions. I (along with Roo) am Eriksen's biggest fan and I think once he settles more, we'll have one special, special player. Not sure how AVB has started Holtby the past couple of league games over him, for all of Holtby's work rate and great professional attitude, he just doesn't do much in league games and for me, is nowhere near Eriksen's level. Chadli's a weird one. Seems to be a bit injury prone judging by recent appearances and the fact he was subbed after 5 mins of coming on yesterday with a hammy is a bit of a concern. He's shown glimpses of his ability, has managed 2 assists and 2 goals (though none in the League) yet you get the feeling he's not trying too hard to impress yet.
I totally disagree, you can definitely teach players to pick a pass and instincts develop over time to. The issue is that to make a great pass to open up the defence you need 1) the passing ability 2) the vision to spot the pass and 3) the target player to make the right run. Without 3) it's useless having 1) and 2). And I'm not saying no one's making runs but, particularly when space is squeezed, you need to know where that player is likely to run to, how he wants the ball delivered etc and that takes an instinctive understanding which can build up over time. I'm not saying that it definitely will happen but I don't see why people disagree so much with the idea that it could be that our team needs time to develop the necessary understanding to become effective. I think out of you that don't think gelling is an excuse most probably accept that Wenger is a wise old oak and he said the samething at the start of the season, too many changes can unbalance a side whilst they adapt and settle. Look at the difference in the way the current Arsenal side link up compared to this time last year, it's a very big improvement and a lot of that comes from knowing eachother's games, they look like they know where other players will be and what run they'll make as soon as they get the ball. Maybe it won't happen with us, maybe AVB's not good enough to help it along but the theory looks sound to me.
Has he?! We do like a bit of risk taking in our defenders at Spurs but he hasn't shown the defensive quality to me so far. Kaboul, for example, was quality last night yet still did that cheeky back heel and skinned the Hull player by the corner flag in our half at one stage. Chiriches just looks like he doesn't want to be a defender. Paulinho's started the best out of our new signings for me. He's had a couple of quieter games but then again so has Ozil but he's always looking to get forward and be positive and I think he tries harder than anyone else to really take control of the game.
I think you might have missed my point then, we're all happy to concede in the past that JD isn't the best striker to play the lone role (example purposes, I know he improved a bit a while ago, but I'm generally speaking here)...I'll leave you with a period of time to coach that into him, how long do you think you'll need! Soldado as has been pointed out by more than one, has been giving movement and making runs for the last couple of months...why's no-body on the pitch seen them? We'll pleasantly have to disagree perhaps. Imo, all players can't be made to play all systems effectively, some suit better than others due to natural talents that are not coachable, you can't make a slow player fast (Dembele! ). You can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear...as your nan might say!
Yeah he definitely got it vs Hull and I'm sure I read on the Spurs Twitter he got it vs Villa too (forgot about Sheirff in between, not sure who got MOTM for that). Yeah he does still look suspect defensively but I've gotta be honest and say I've been impressed overall. As for Kaboul, he's just pure quality, he's still our best CB in my opinion despite the praise Jan got last season and this. The sooner he's back fully fit the better, even if our defence has been solid without him, he'd add even more steel in my opinion. Plus he's a threat from set-pieces. My worry with Paulinho is that the games he's gone quiet in are the big ones. West Ham was his worst performance by far, amazed he lasted 90 mins and against Chelsea and Arsenal he wasn't great either. You can see the quality in him, well worth the £17m outlay, just hope he comes up in the big games for us.
I actually think Defoe's made some good runs the trouble was, like we saw against Chelsea and West Ham, when he does get the ball he tries to pass it into the corner which he's terrible at.
Our midfield was a bit of a mess against Arsenal anway but I thought he was good against Chelsea, particularly in the first half. Just needs a few more goals here and there.
First half he was good against Chelsea, was unlucky not to score but then he got over-ran by their midfield and didn't look too comfortable. I think the goals will come, he gets into decent positions and he seems to be good in the air too, though his long distance shots are as good as Zokora's
Defoe is quite a good example of the way AVB's system suits some players. He can't play the lone striker role in the traditional English way: ie the ball gets hoofed up to him and he has to win it and then hold on to it until support arrives. But in AVB's system the midfield is much closer to him so he just needs to pass it short and keep the move going. The negativity against the lone striker system on here in general is a bit odd. Almost every successful team plays some version of that these days and as Spain and indeed West Ham have showed you don't need any strikers at all. I can see why people don't like AVB if they think 442 with two strikers, two wingers and two in midfield is the way to play, but we spent years underachieving with that system before Harry came.
Tottenham's £30m signing Erik Lamela says he needs more time to adapt to life at White Hart Lane but is certain the club's decision to make him their record signing will be vindicated. In an interview with the London Evening Standard, the 21-year-old Argentina international forward, who joined from Roma in August, says: "I've barely been here two months, so time is maybe what I need." "I need training, a bit of rhythm, some games. English football is very different from the game in Italy — much more physical, whereas Serie A is more tactical. It's not necessarily more difficult, but it's just different. This is a style of football I like very much, though, and I think, with the way I play, it will be very suited to my game." Hopefully he said that in English, and not through a translator.
Ardiles is convinced he will be the best of our signings. His is a view I would trust (except on team formations)
He also said Veron would be a superb signing for Man Utd. Bobby Robson (possibly my favourite ever manager) said Rebrov would be a sensation in the premier league. ............not that I'm trying to disagree with ossie, as personally I believe Lamela once he setles will turn out to be our best buy, but no matter how well respected a player or coach is, they don't know anything more then us fans when it comes to predicting if a player will settle, too many factors involved.
I think every Spurs fan can see that Lamela can definitely become a superstar, admittedly it would've been nice to see him hit the ground running from the offset due to his price tag but it doesn't look like it'll turn out that way. It took Modric about half to three-quarters of a season before he started becoming a boss and I think Lamela will probably need a good season behind him to get fully adjusted. He showed glimpses last night of what he's about but there's so much more to come. He could do with a start in the league though as otherwise I think his adjustment process will take longer. I wouldn't drop Townsend but seeing as Lennon is still getting back to full fitness, Chadli looks like he'll be out longer and you never know which Gylfi will turn up, there could be a chance to see him and Townsend start a match some time soon.
Worth a read, not many players draw comment from Roma legend Totti...I'd have liked him to play for Spurs...Totti of Tottenham! or Tottenham Totti! http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/29/erik-lamela-tottenham-totti
I think they know a lot better than the average fan but that makes them well short of infallible! I'd be happy if 4 of our 7 signings turn out to be worth the money. That would be more than par for the course.
