It's clear to all of us that Soldado was hugged as a child, which immediately makes him better than Barren Dent.
I know - it's weird, isn't it? I also think it's a bit weird how almost all free kicks turn into short taps to a player rather than getting the ball in the box more often. I mean - I never thought I'd see the day when I longed for a bit more route one stuff but it does seem to me odd that professional players cannot be trusted to be able to put a dangerous ball into the opposition area from midway inside the opponents' half. I wouldn't mind so much but what so often happens nowadays is a foul is given, the Spurs player plays a short pass to someone four or five yards away, then that player looks up, sees nothing, goes sideways, then that player looks up and either goes sideways or, more often, back to a CB and then back to the goalie! Some day soon some team is going to start playing 4 4 2 and concentrate on getting the ball to the strikers early and teams won't know what to do against it.
I agree with you . I sat there the other night and yet again I was bored stiff with this tedious style of play I have endured since the day Redknapp was removed. The harm inflicted on our club by AVB is proving to be very difficult to budge. If we sacked Poch then we would rightfully be seen as a laughing stock, but if we did do so, then I would not be the slightest bit upset. The other day, I was watching SSN and he was interviewed and I couldn't understand a word the man was saying. He mumbles, he stumbles and he isn't up to it. His substitutions are impossible to understand and in my opinion he is not even a step up from Tim Sherwood.
Canât say it looks good, but itâs not yet hopeless. I donât think, like Torres, that heâs lost something physically. AVBâs slow buildup destroyed his effectiveness initially, then he lost his confidence when we played a system where other attackers like Ade and Eirksen thrived. But he hasnât been bad in the cups on balance. I agree he needs a fast buildup, as do all our attackers really, but I think Pochettino understands that, and is trying to balance a certain amount of possession with a certain amount of get the ball into the box quickly. As it happens, while I think he may die on the vine, I wouldnât be at all surprised if a long run in the first team wouldn't be see him find his form. Failing that, Iâd play him at CAM in the cup teams.
Soldado is pony. Sell him along with Paulinho and Chiriches and try to recoup half of the £50million they cost us.
Hate to say it but I think we may have to give up on Bobby. I said at the start of the season I believed all 7 guys from last season would come good, I still believe that all of these guys are fantastic players but for whatever reason, Bobby just looks a lost cause now and his chances of playing are getting slimmer with Kane's impressive form and so you have to ask if there really is much point keeping him, though with that said, if Ade goes to ACoN in January we'll need him around. The same goes for Paulinho and Chiriches though, both have dropped down in the pecking order and neither have impressed in the chances they've had. Paulinho finds himself behind Capoue, Dembele, Bentaleb and now Mason, with Stambouli also challenging for a place. Chiriches is behind Verts, Kaboul, Fazio and Dier. I think we can afford sell Vlad without feeling much of a loss, we have enough CB cover and even on form, I'd still place him as 4th best. Paulinho and Soldado on form can add goals, assists and game changing moments and are arguably better than their current first choice counterparts when they're on form but while they're off the pace, it's a choice of sticking or twisting. I'd have to be honest in saying I'm leaning more towards twisting now, especially Bobby. I think there's still hope for Paul if he gets his head down and starts producing in his chances as Capoue's first choice partner is yet to be cemented.
I too like a Kevin Davies style CF, that's why I mentioned last year about going in for Steven Fletcher or Shane Long which I got a little shot down for. Both Long and Fletcher annoy the **** out of CB's with their movement and battling nature, not the greatest of finishers but their annoyance on CB's could help open spaces for Nacer, Chris and Erik.
Looked at another way it is not in the least bit surprising. Set pieces look exciting but rarely actually result in goals as the defence outnumbers the attackers and has time to get organised. So it is probably the right strategy to pass short and lure the opposition out.
Oi! HIAG! That's enough song-writing from you, if you don't mind! (Actually, that's also what I sang at the NLD when he came on. Round where I sit, it seems to be the general assessment.) By the way, how does he get a standing ovation every time he comes on or goes off? Not just polite applause, I mean. When has he ever played well enough for Spurs to earn that? I understand people were trying to give him some encouragement when he first arrived, but it's completely illogical this season. Such a disappointment! We'd been crying out for a new striker for so long, and we've been sold a ........do
Remember a few years back when we played Blackburn and the whole of WHL was behind Gomes the entire game because the papers and pundits were all on his back? Same thing, given how the papers keep calling Soldado a flop, either by including him in those 2013-14 flop xi articles last season, or Metro running an article about how he missed when trying to poke the ball back in the net after Mason's goal against Forest (rather than, say, him being the only Spurs player in the last year to divert a Townsend Special into the net in the same game)
I wouldn't sell Soldado at this point because we're a striker short. I may be the only one who thinks we have a good collection of strikers, and only need a fourth (edit: whose name should be Lionel Messi) to complement the three we have. We shall see. I'm not ready to give up on Soldado because I think he's going to have a run of games for some reason or other soon, and his chances of coming good during them are decent. The problem with Paulinho and Chiriches is that they both are not sold on playing Pochettino's style, I would guess. They both like flicks and tricks too much, and a coach who demands top levels of fitness and hard pressing may take a dim view of them. But I don't think that's true of Soldado. I think he's perfectly willing to do what he's asked to do. That being the case, I think he may well have a future here. Don't forget, a couple of goals in, what, four appearances in the cups is okay.
I like how loyal we've been to soldado...would rather that than do a gooner and boo him until he has to be subbed crying off the pitch like Eboue imo! I am hoping he will redeem himself like paul stewart did... he was **** for the first 2 years he was a spurs player and then went on be a very good player and won us the 91 FA Cup...so I hope he stays and comes good
Meanwhile, it seems Chiriches is a menace to his teammates for club and country: http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnatio...ks-romania-teammate-in-international-training
Chiriches planning for the future. His victim was one Dorin Goian, who plays centre-half for our next Europa League opponents, Asteras Tripoli! Well done, Vlad. Looks like we might be playing him at the wrong end though, if the power behind that shot is anything to go by.
Defending is now a science and EPL team defending is serious business nowadays. These days, forwards generally need to be canny negotiators and IMO a good striker should possess a combination of strength and speed not to mention mental acuity. Since his arrival, I've not seen any of these qualities from Spaniard Bob. Further more, in this modern era, what advantage do we derive from employing a goal hanging striker, who can only score tap-ins from a distance of 6 yrds max ?. Answer: None what so ever. He's now had three managers and a Noah's ark full of midfield and creative players playing behind him.... none can make him score...none. Usually I'd want my money back when this kind of thing happens in real life, but on this occasion we were robbed with our eyes open. Sell, sell, sell.
