I liked Erik Lamela before it was cool

[Rorschach]

My opinion is that he needs to play up front, where his two greatest strengths (extreme work rate and quick feet) will be better suited, CBS don't like to be harried by players all game especially those with a bit of pace. His quick feet will allow him to draw fouls in or around the box for them to give him space thus allowing him to bring others in to play or take a shot.... Plus he can't be worse than soldado... So can someone please have a word pouch and ask him to try him there... Thanks.

Totally agree. I said something similar the other day.

 

[Hashegotthesackyet?]

But the fee isn't his fault is it? Judge the player not the fee. What's the point of holding him to being a £30m player and then going OTT and claiming that the guy can't even play football?

All fans of other teams can see his potential, they might laugh at the fee, but they appreciate there is at the very least a tidy player there with potential. Very raw, however.

Africanspurs is right, once you just remove the fact that he cost £30m from your thoughts, you can actually see the potential of the player.

He isn't losing value every game, as you full well know football doesn't work like that. His age, reputation and performances in the Europa League will be enough to keep his value around what we paid for him.

He does dribble well, its just that he tries too much. He just needs to learn to use his ability to draw a foul, or beat ONE man (not two) and release the ball quickly.

I don't blame the fee on Lamela, but the Italian Lovejoy et al, decided he was worth that value. he obviously has talent imo, and but looking at the outlay on him and Soldado, versus the return, is just a total clusterfook. Our 2 most expensive players.. only at Spurs!

 

[NWND]

I don't blame the fee on Lamela, but the Italian Lovejoy et al, decided he was worth that value. he obviously has talent imo, and but looking at the outlay on him and Soldado, versus the return, is just a total clusterfook. Our 2 most expensive players.. only at Spurs!

Well I think we all agree that spending £74m on Soldado, Paulinho and Lamela (and then a further £18m on Capoue and Chiriches) has got to go down as one of the worst transfer spends in recent times. Its a travesty that the huge outlay to replace Bale has pretty much left us with only Eriksen justifying the investment. But we desperately need to move on and importantly, salvage what we can. In Lamela & perhaps Chadli I feel there are ingredients to work with.

 

[The egyptian]

Actually, how he improved physically surprising me, as I thought that will be the problem, but he improved in this aspect without improving his game, unfortunately .

 

[DTA]

Totally agree. I said something similar the other day.

That's two of us let's start a movement

 

[africanspurs]

If there was someone worth putting in the team ahead of him I'd agree.

Really?

I want you to Categorically state now that what you are saying is that NONE of the following players can put in a better performance in ANY game than what lamela has been giving us overall

Lennon
Townsend
Chadli
Anyone else who i might have forgotten

You are saying there is NO ONE that can put in a better performance...that lamela is THE BEST player for those positions he occupies ; and is consistently and has always out performed everyone else that has taken those positions when he doesnt play there

there is no one else that we have that can put in even remotely a better peroformance

*I feel like a prosecuting lawyer..asking the same question 10 times with just different wording ...for effect :lol:

 

[africanspurs]

We're not the people running the club, making the decisions to sign young players or the ones putting them in the team - we're supporters, so a bit of patience from us and you know, actual SUPPORT wouldn't go a miss is all im saying. I don't think anyone is suggesting an unconditional place in the starting XI all season either, although i definitely think if the people in charge think the short term loss of a player in the team out of sorts is worth the long term gain of having him release his potential having adapted quicker than if he spent the season in the reserves, then we should trust their judgement.

but you dont know that this is their reasoning. It could be financially based the reason they are playing him

Also if we are going down that route, then YOU in particular...dont worry i wont say 'people' when i bring this up in future i'll call you out by name (although that would then be called digging someone out?) ...anyway, you and anyway that shares that view cant question anything about the team tactics and selection and club ops ever again.

If you definitely feel that those running the club shouldn't be questioned then i dont see how you have much manoeuvrability on a message board. that thought process (aka apotccc style) fixes you to one spot if you get what i am saying

 

[Modric THFC]

Really?

I want you to Categorically state now that what you are saying is that NONE of the following players can put in a better performance in ANY game than what lamela has been giving us overall

Lennon
Townsend
Chadli
Anyone else who i might have forgotten

You are saying there is NO ONE that can put in a better performance...that lamela is THE BEST player for those positions he occupies ; and is consistently and has always out performed everyone else that has taken those positions when he doesnt play there

there is no one else that we have that can put in even remotely a better peroformance

*I feel like a prosecuting lawyer..asking the same question 10 times with just different wording ...for effect :lol:

I'm saying that on Sunday which people are complaining about Lamema playing and couldn't wait for him to get off, there was no one who was a better option. Chadli isnt right after coming back from injury. Lennon was out injured Townsend is Townsend.
The stuff Lennon get praised for is the stuff that when Lamela does it gets the reaction "well we didnt pay 30m for that".
If Lennon, Chadli or Townsend had some type of form then let them keep Lamela out. But Lennon had one decent game then ****ed up against Chelsea and has been 'injured' since.

 

[NWND]

I'm saying that on Sunday which people are complaining about Lamema playing and couldn't wait for him to get off, there was no one who was a better option. Chadli isnt right after coming back from injury. Lennon was out injured Townsend is Townsend.
The stuff Lennon get praised for is the stuff that when Lamela does it gets the reaction "well we didnt pay 30m for that".
If Lennon, Chadli or Townsend had some type of form then let them keep Lamela out. But Lennon had one decent game then ****ed up against Chelsea and has been 'injured' since.

plus those that say Lamela should be dropped for Lennon, Townsend or Chadli also argue that he is a waste of £30m and can't get the fee out of their heads.

If we drop Lamela, then we are effectively writing off £30m and sticking a 'solid' but ordinary player in the team in his place.

This is after 16 starts in a Spurs shirt in the league.

Or rather, why don't we keep him in the team, hope that he grows as he gets games and assess him after giving him a season or two in the team.

Right now, Lennon might look more effective, although I'd also still point to Lamela having the highest number of assists of anyone in the squad. However, I believe Lamela has a lot of room to improve, whereas Lennon will not get any better than he is right now.

 

[braineclipse]

but you dont know that this is their reasoning. It could be financially based the reason they are playing him

Also if we are going down that route, then YOU in particular...dont worry i wont say 'people' when i bring this up in future i'll call you out by name (although that would then be called digging someone out?) ...anyway, you and anyway that shares that view cant question anything about the team tactics and selection and club ops ever again.

If you definitely feel that those running the club shouldn't be questioned then i dont see how you have much manoeuvrability on a message board. that thought process (aka apotccc style) fixes you to one spot if you get what i am saying

"if"

Surely it's a valid consideration.

 

[billyiddo]

but you dont know that this is their reasoning. It could be financially based the reason they are playing him

Also if we are going down that route, then YOU in particular...dont worry i wont say 'people' when i bring this up in future i'll call you out by name (although that would then be called digging someone out?) ...anyway, you and anyway that shares that view cant question anything about the team tactics and selection and club ops ever again.

If you definitely feel that those running the club shouldn't be questioned then i dont see how you have much manoeuvrability on a message board. that thought process (aka apotccc style) fixes you to one spot if you get what i am saying

I was talking about this issue in particular rather than suggesting we never question anything management do. I suggested a reason why we might be perservering with him and IF that's the case then i think it'd make sense to trust those who see the player day in day out and have all the relevant data on him.

 

[clevelandspur]

For all of you saying he has only had 16 league starts in two years I think are conveniently glossing over the fact of why he has only that many starts. Yes he had some injuries but some of it is more than likely because our managers deem him not good enough. Based on what we have seen it isn't like they haven't looked justified not picking him last season

 

[NWND]

For all of you saying he has only had 16 league starts in two years I think are conveniently glossing over the fact of why he has only that many starts. Yes he had some injuries but some of it is more than likely because our managers deem him not good enough. Based on what we have seen it isn't like they haven't looked justified not picking him last season

16 starts in two years is primarily down to the back injury.

If AVB felt that he wasn't good enough, it was bizarre that he chose to give him his full league debut away to Emirates Marketing Project. Maybe AVB felt he wasn't ready and it was a two fingered salut to the 'transfer committee'? Look how your £30m signing performs away in the toughest league fixture of the season on his debut? If it was, then anyone who doubted Levy's decision to sack AVB, or that AVB has the mentality to be a top-level manager should pipe down.

Sherwood clearly didn't think Lamela wasn't good enough as he started his first league game in charge, away to Southampton, before getting the back-injury that prevented any further starts in the league.

Pochettino clearly thinks Lamela is or will become good enough.

That back-injury is worth reflecting on too. For the majority of an entire season this guy wasn't able to play any football, or train properly. So not only is he effectively enjoying a debut season in one of Europe's toughest leagues, he is also on the come-back from a very serious and lengthy injury lay-off. Yet people aren't willing to cut the guy any flak.

 

[Jurgen the German]

plus those that say Lamela should be dropped for Lennon, Townsend or Chadli also argue that he is a waste of £30m and can't get the fee out of their heads.

If we drop Lamela, then we are effectively writing off £30m and sticking a 'solid' but ordinary player in the team in his place.

This is after 16 starts in a Spurs shirt in the league.

Or rather, why don't we keep him in the team, hope that he grows as he gets games and assess him after giving him a season or two in the team.

Right now, Lennon might look more effective, although I'd also still point to Lamela having the highest number of assists of anyone in the squad. However, I believe Lamela has a lot of room to improve, whereas Lennon will not get any better than he is right now.

I keep hearing people asking to "stop bringing up the price tag" and focus on the player. It's one thing beating him with a stick because of it, but how are we realistically meant to discuss him without mentioning it? Every player we buy cost something, it's a way of measuring whether or not x player has been value for money or cost effective to use a business term. Chadli for example only cost £7m so for me, he represents good value for money so far. I have said more than once that we should keep Lamela for the length of his contract and not resort to panic selling just because he's been unimpressive so far. But there are limits. He doesn't deserve to be in the team right now, and that has nothing to do with his price tag.

All I'm trying to say is, even if you try and divorce yourself from the price tag discussion, there are times when you simply can't help but think about it.

 

[Jurgen the German]

16 starts in two years is primarily down to the back injury.

If AVB felt that he wasn't good enough, it was bizarre that he chose to give him his full league debut away to Emirates Marketing Project. Maybe AVB felt he wasn't ready and it was a two fingered salut to the 'transfer committee'? Look how your £30m signing performs away in the toughest league fixture of the season on his debut? If it was, then anyone who doubted Levy's decision to sack AVB, or that AVB has the mentality to be a top-level manager should pipe down.

Sherwood clearly didn't think Lamela wasn't good enough as he started his first league game in charge, away to Southampton, before getting the back-injury that prevented any further starts in the league.

Pochettino clearly thinks Lamela is or will become good enough.

That back-injury is worth reflecting on too. For the majority of an entire season this guy wasn't able to play any football, or train properly. So not only is he effectively enjoying a debut season in one of Europe's toughest leagues, he is also on the come-back from a very serious and lengthy injury lay-off. Yet people aren't willing to cut the guy any flak.

I was at the game that day and that thought did cross my mind at the time. Either a **** you to the committee or simply a poor selection period.

 

[clevelandspur]

16 starts in two years is primarily down to the back injury.

If AVB felt that he wasn't good enough, it was bizarre that he chose to give him his full league debut away to Emirates Marketing Project. Maybe AVB felt he wasn't ready and it was a two fingered salut to the 'transfer committee'? Look how your £30m signing performs away in the toughest league fixture of the season on his debut? If it was, then anyone who doubted Levy's decision to sack AVB, or that AVB has the mentality to be a top-level manager should pipe down.

Sherwood clearly didn't think Lamela wasn't good enough as he started his first league game in charge, away to Southampton, before getting the back-injury that prevented any further starts in the league.

Pochettino clearly thinks Lamela is or will become good enough.

That back-injury is worth reflecting on too. For the majority of an entire season this guy wasn't able to play any football, or train properly. So not only is he effectively enjoying a debut season in one of Europe's toughest leagues, he is also on the come-back from a very serious and lengthy injury lay-off. Yet people aren't willing to cut the guy any flak.

I didn't think the back injury occured until 2014? He was playing in other comps. And yes I think that was AVB's purpose and he was right to get sacked

 

[Modric THFC]

16 starts in two years is primarily down to the back injury.

If AVB felt that he wasn't good enough, it was bizarre that he chose to give him his full league debut away to Emirates Marketing Project. Maybe AVB felt he wasn't ready and it was a two fingered salut to the 'transfer committee'? Look how your £30m signing performs away in the toughest league fixture of the season on his debut? If it was, then anyone who doubted Levy's decision to sack AVB, or that AVB has the mentality to be a top-level manager should pipe down.

Sherwood clearly didn't think Lamela wasn't good enough as he started his first league game in charge, away to Southampton, before getting the back-injury that prevented any further starts in the league.

Pochettino clearly thinks Lamela is or will become good enough.

That back-injury is worth reflecting on too. For the majority of an entire season this guy wasn't able to play any football, or train properly. So not only is he effectively enjoying a debut season in one of Europe's toughest leagues, he is also on the come-back from a very serious and lengthy injury lay-off. Yet people aren't willing to cut the guy any flak.

Of course AVB didn't play him. He didn't play in to his pointless possession at all costs tactic. Sherwood and Poch have played him pretty much whenever he was fit.

 

[africanspurs]

I'm saying that on Sunday which people are complaining about Lamema playing and couldn't wait for him to get off, there was no one who was a better option. Chadli isnt right after coming back from injury. Lennon was out injured Townsend is Townsend.
The stuff Lennon get praised for is the stuff that when Lamela does it gets the reaction "well we didnt pay 30m for that".
If Lennon, Chadli or Townsend had some type of form then let them keep Lamela out. But Lennon had one decent game then ****ed up against Chelsea and has been 'injured' since.

lennon beats his man at will so much that his reputation commands a double team
In isolation lennon can beat his man to the byline at will
lennon , contrary to popular opinion, can deliver an end product as a winger at full pelt attacking a full back
Lennon in isolation nearly always forces his man to back off him all the way into the box
lennon naturally extends the pitch and stretches the field simply by being on it as the manual says "lennon is on the pitch , we are at risk of x y and z"

which of these can lamela do?

if lennon ****ed up against chelsea then by that tough standard, your entitled to have these standards, lamela has ****ed up much more times than lennon and is just a **** up full stop in comparison.

you could be right that there is more to the injury than meets the eye though

edit:- you have only ever seen on decent game from lennon recently?

 

[africanspurs]

plus those that say Lamela should be dropped for Lennon, Townsend or Chadli also argue that he is a waste of £30m and can't get the fee out of their heads.

If we drop Lamela, then we are effectively writing off £30m and sticking a 'solid' but ordinary player in the team in his place.

This is after 16 starts in a Spurs shirt in the league.

Or rather, why don't we keep him in the team, hope that he grows as he gets games and assess him after giving him a season or two in the team.

Right now, Lennon might look more effective, although I'd also still point to Lamela having the highest number of assists of anyone in the squad. However, I believe Lamela has a lot of room to improve, whereas Lennon will not get any better than he is right now.

do you advocate playing him regardless of performance?

 

[africanspurs]

"if"

Surely it's a valid consideration.

It is. But when you go by that, surely you have to always skew to that direction? how you can say that about one thing and not the next? what makes one thing in the club different from the other in that topic (the one of the professional knows best. which ironically is true HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA)