Erik Lamela recently scored his first goal for Spurs and looks set to be pushing for a debut league start after the international break. The Argentinean has had a slow start to his Tottenham career but is finally showing glimpses of what he can offer to the team, through performances in cup games against Hull […]
Time to Coco
Erik Lamela recently scored his first goal for Spurs and looks set to be pushing for a debut league start after the international break. The Argentinean has had a slow start to his Tottenham career but is finally showing glimpses of what he can offer to the team, through performances in cup games against Hull and Sheriff.
His goal threat is already known to many, netting fifteen goals in the Serie A for Roma last season. This is even more impressive considering his position as a winger, as well as how tactical and defence-orientated the Italian league can be. An interesting fact to note is that all but one of these goals came from inside the opposition’s penalty area. I would say that this statistic is fairly opposite of what we have come to expect from Andros Townsend, who often fires long range shots from the edge of the box.
![[IMG]](http://i.imgur.com/SRGaEtA.png)
The above graphic is taken from a Serie A game last season where Lamela scored two goals. His presence in the Udinese box was an important influence in his scoring, as he spent almost one fifth of his time in the opponent’s penalty area. The same willingness to get into this goal scoring position helped him open his Tottenham account in Europe, with the build up to the goal shown below.
After playing the ball to Christian Eriksen, Coco’s first reaction was to run into the box in hope of an opportunity. The chance came as Paulinho drew a player in with his run, creating space for Lamela to pick up the loose ball and finish neatly with a left footed shot.
Another reason why the former Roma winger will shine for Spurs is the fact that he creates opportunities for others. The game that I’ll present this with may be a little of an anomaly though, last year Lamela was posting on average 2 chances created every league game, but it does show the explosive capabilities of Tottenham’s record signing. In this game he created 9 goal scoring opportunities for his teammates, with more than half of these occurring inside the area. This is something that a certain Roberto Soldado is craving.
![[IMG]](http://i.imgur.com/Ofx0ZcC.png)
Football is a game where confidence is a key factor in a player’s performance. It is easy to forget that Lamela is a young 21 year old who has had tremendous pressure put on him, created by a language barrier and a massive change of culture. He would undoubtedly feel more at home sipping mate in Recoleta or La Boca than navigating the busy London streets.
With such circumstances it isn’t easy for even the most talented of players to exhibit their true talents, but recently the Argentinean has started to show more confidence in his play. This is shown by the take-ons (at a 69% success rate) he attempted against Sheriff and willingness to run at players, really highlighted by the nifty footwork from the Porteno to secure a penalty for Jermain Defoe.
![[IMG]](http://i.imgur.com/Yvc2poT.png)
But with Lamela’s preferred position being on the right, what does that mean for Andros Townsend?
In my opinion it would mean that the recent England international would have to play on the left, as he sometimes did for QPR last season. I believe that if played on the left, then he would be more inclined to cross the ball using his stronger left foot, instead of cutting inside and firing long shots towards the goal. This would mean more direct wing service to Soldado, something which is seriously needed, as well as service to our other Spanish speaker, who actually scored three headed goals for Valencia last season.
In conclusion, I think that Erik Lamela is close to starting league games for Tottenham. I believe that through his performances in Italy and his large transfer fee it is undoubted that he is a talented player, but now it looks like he is starting to find his feet in England and he could be the catalyst to get Spurs scoring again.
[author name=”Jai B” avatar=”https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/1659352356/IMAG0018.jpg” twitter=”Jai_B[/linequote]
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23 Comments
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14/11/2013 @ 2:37 pm
He should have played last Sunday against Newc. Would have kept up his confidence momentum.
14/11/2013 @ 2:49 pm
A manager with even a bit of common sense would have played him against Newcastle, following his showing against Sheriff. I say, not only he should have played on Sunday, but he should have figured in all Spurs formations right from the start of the season. This so-called manager didn’t give him any chance at all. All right, he might have starred, as all indications are showing; and he might have just been ordinary.But fgs, why didn’t he give him a try?
This two-bob manager just gave in to the media hype regarding Townsend and thus shut Lamela out. He is so much inflexible and with lack of imagination and knowhow, that it didn’t occur to this 2-bob manager that it is possible to play both of the lads together.
14/11/2013 @ 4:25 pm
No he shouldnt you dickhead…the only thing thats too bob round here is the size of your brain Einstein….
14/11/2013 @ 4:26 pm
Two bob that is you fuckin dustman.
18/11/2013 @ 11:20 pm
But what about the way AVB eased Lloris in? It seemed to take ages, but when the time came…wow!
Management is complicated, so you can’t be held accountable for failing to understand the nous it requires; you are, after all, only a punter. As well as picking a good team, you have to keep the squad happy. How would you explain to Townsend, as well as all the other fringe players pushing to make the starting eleven, that despite his valiant efforts he’ll be dropped?
I understand your frustration, but I also see that it is due more to your failure of perception than anything that AVB has done. If we chose your rather short-sighted path, we’d have a squad full of disillusioned players who’d wonder just exactly what they have to do to get a start. Maybe they’d just give up trying. Not good.
14/11/2013 @ 3:09 pm
Im still on the fence regarding AVB. Maybe there are reasons behind the scenes we do not know about as to why he choses not to play him? Townsend’s good, he will wise up. Hopefully AVB will give a run for Coco as a free roller with Townsend/Lennon swapping wings.
14/11/2013 @ 3:29 pm
I believe that 4-4-2 is still the best formation for Spurs. We tried 4-2-3-1 last season and it was a failure. We began picking point when we switched to 4-4-2 with Bale just behind the striker. Having said that I would like to make a point that Lamela can play in that very same position and the formation that saved us last season. He has everything to play there, he is creative, can dribble and most importantly Lamela can score goals. As for Townsend give him a few more games and he will sit on the bench. We will soon find out that he is not the player we were thinking he is. Selfish is the only word that can describe him. I would like to see Lennon back on the right and Chadli on the left. Two proper wingers that can deliver. Of course 4-4-2 will mean that there will be one defensive midfielder and based on performance that has to be Sandro. The other one has to be one of Eriksen, Holtby and Siggy. Guilfy is not a winger Dear AVB, never has been and never will be
14/11/2013 @ 4:04 pm
townsend LW lamela RW with lennon impact sub
AMAZING just fucking get it done AVB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
14/11/2013 @ 4:27 pm
I think everyone agrees it’s baffling that AVB has chosen not to use Lamela in the league, especially as neither Townsend, Lennon, Chadli, or Siggs has set the stage alight and warranted automatic selection.
I think Lamela’s young age and issues with culture shock are certainly relevant, but the guy is a football player; he knows how to play. So keeping him off the field has lead/will continue to lead to raised eyebrows in AVB’s direction…
14/11/2013 @ 4:48 pm
Know ure subject befor etalking shit morons…Lamela is no2 to Messi for Argentina…21 years old….but he ha s had problems settling in and was clearly felt too early by AVB…his family has been brought to London and only now doeas he seem to be settling in ..he is the jewel in the crown so to speak…so all you thickos who are slagging off AVB…fuckoff and get a life..u do not deserve to support Spurs…and have proably only been doing so for 5 minutes….probably prefer Harry motormouth Rednapp back
14/11/2013 @ 5:06 pm
The fact that he’s only 21 should not be a stopper. The great Pele played for the national team at the age of 17. Even our own Chiriches, at the age of 22, is the captain of the Romanian national team.
When Lamela was at Roma he played on a regular basis. So what do we have so special in our EPL that would make it so hard for him to play regularly? If our “smart”manager had played him from the start, I believe we would not have lost those priceless points, against WH and Newcastle. Apart from the incapacity to score decent goals; toiling to win against weak opposition, etc.
I’m not saying that Lamela would 100% have been the solution. But you never know if you don’t give him a go, my friend.
14/11/2013 @ 5:46 pm
The phrase “our “smart”manager” shows me your agenda a willingness to distort and omit things to back up your bile. A little intelligence will tell you that Lamela struggled in Rome during his first season. Also , his native tongue is Spanish and I am a Spanish speaker but for four decades have conversed with Italians speaking Italian whilst I spoke Spanish . The languages booth are in the category of romance languages with the same roots. Presumably you are multi-lingual and can dispute these facts. Didn’t think so as your comments is very much in the “don’t confuse me with facts as I’ve made up my mind” vein. By all means criticise AVB but it looks infantile when facts are distorted . We can all differ in our opinions but honesty and knowledge are needed to make a coherent case.
14/11/2013 @ 8:44 pm
Which facts, in your esteemed opinion, did I distort? Did I say anything that is not true?
The fact that I don’t agree that our so-called manager is “smart” irks you.
15/11/2013 @ 3:38 am
If I manage a team, I want to put the BEST available 11 out there to win the game, regardless of their age or first language. I think we all agree that Lamela would be part of that 11. Culture shock, language etc aside, if you can make a compelling argument that Lennon, Chadli, Siggy have all played out of their skins and kept Lamela on the bench, I’d like to hear it. AVB DOES warrant some fair criticism for his handling of Lamela, especially for not playing him against Newcastle. Remember, had Lamela not had a brief cameo at Cardiff, it would have finished 0-0.
The boy can flat out play and needs games under his belt. A third of the season is pretty much over. He left Roma a legitimate star and should have been allowed to hit the ground running at Tottenham. His first poor season in Italy was years ago and does not translate into now. You have every right to react to profanity or rants about AVB, but the man DOES deserve some criticism for his decisions concerning Lamela.
15/11/2013 @ 2:01 am
Really good informative positive piece!
15/11/2013 @ 2:36 am
It seems to me AVB is wrapping Lamala in cotton wool because he is well aware that this boy is precious! I also think that AVB thought we had enough about us to dispose of NUFC at home! An we did! But we came up against a Superman performance in Tim Krul! To then risk, setting the boys confidence backwards after his rightful plaudits in the Europa League game, by sending him on to win us the game with 10-15 minutes to go, when for me, we looked liked we was going to create and get a break from TK’s rabbit’s foot he must have stuffed in his socks. Then I applaude AVB for his “Smarts” Let me ask a question! 10 prem games in and we are 6 points off from dropping water filled condoms onto the teams below us! Europa League last 32! League Cup last 8!
And!I will of course admit. Have too! Without playing well! THIS SQUAD OF PLAYERS AT OUR CLUB will come through sooner rather than later and we will see a new dominating force!
18/11/2013 @ 11:33 pm
You’re right there. He should maybe have started, but after Daws took out Vlad, Erik’s coming on was all but cancelled. The last thing we need to do is give him any set backs. It’s a managerial thing. At first I was aghast that he hadn’t been brought on, but my old man set me straight by pointing out that it might have destroyed his confidence. Couldn’t disagree with that, dad or not!
Hard to believe that there are so many complaints, considering – as you point out – that we’re doing well despite only putting in mediocre performances. It baffles me how people aren’t prepared to wait a reasonable time for our squad to come together. If we were in a worse situation than in most of the previous seasons then MAYBE some of the complaints would be justified, but we’re really not, so I think the negative Normans need to STFU or GTFO.
15/11/2013 @ 3:39 am
All you silly,silly Twats that have neither the patience or the commonsense to realize that what AVB Targeted in the summer! Brought them in and will now nurture to create a force to be recond
something that will prosper to the point where will finish in the top 3 this season!
Sorry Girls, If you can’t get this into heads around that, then stay away from the lane! We can and will play our part! Emulating a belief in the players out there is key. To cunt off a player whilst he is on the pitch, for me is the equivalent of treason! Save it for the boozer! Say what you like, but come on lads, it don.t work in the 90 minutes!
I am so fucking up, positive, with the potential and possibility of our current squad that I would not for one minute considering cunting them off! An if you’s do, then, I,m convinced that most have had there ars whippet for them until in there late teens and had everything they wanted under the xmas tree so therefore can’t understand and appreciate patience! In AVB I trust! In the squad I trust! And for the first time this season, will see us with automtic CLQ! Now problem!
If you don’t have nothing positive to say, then don’t say fuck-all!
15/11/2013 @ 6:59 am
I had to read you comments twice Antony and I admit you nearly had me. First time round I thought you were being serious and you actually do rate AVB and believe he is capable of achieving something but I can now see it was all tongue-in-cheek. Made me laugh though so thank you and do write some more soon. You should do stand-up comedy as you are very good.
18/11/2013 @ 11:37 pm
I dunno, if you read the post he made above this one, you’ll see that – quite rightly – he does support AVB. It looks like he’d just had a couple more beers between posts…
19/11/2013 @ 8:01 pm
Gareth, please put a date on when you will prepared to concede that AVB and his project is a complete joke. I’m fed up with all this “give it time” nonsense. Christmas?, Easter? May?
20/11/2013 @ 1:01 pm
Hi there! I said in another post that if we’re not firing on all cylinders by the end of the Christmas run then it might be time to start thinking about a solution. I think that was maybe still a little early… So I reckon that by February AVB will have absolutely no excuses if we’re still as turgid. If the points keep coming I’ll be prepared to wait longer!
You call the application of reason “nonsense” – how many seasons have we had better starts than this one? How many when we’ve just added so many new signings? At the moment I think that it’s you behaving nonsensically. AVB could be the best thing that’s happened to our management in years and I’m happy to give him some more time. Why the rush? Are you so premature in other ‘aspects’ of your life too?
22/11/2013 @ 7:47 am
You are missing the point Gareth. Yes, we won a few early games by playing boringly negative football and a few penalties but surely football is about more than that. We go to games to be entertained as otherwise we may as well all stay at home and instead spend our time cutting out the league table to look at. Are you really suggesting that you would have forgone the likes of Hoddle, Gazza and Ginola if it meant we could have finished in 4th place? I think not. As for new players, we have added six world class ones (plus Chadli) to the squad and the fact that AV no plan B won’t let them express themselves is scandalous. Let’s not forget either that AVB joined last season when your namesake papered over his tatical naivety. It is blatantly obvious that he is not good enough so why wait and put up with yet more rubbish. No, he has to go now while we still have the players at the club and let someone else, anyone else, come in and you will see what you have been missing. As for your final comment, pathetic.