Roberto Soldado Starved

[walworthyid]

The people saying he is poor haven't got a clue. How many chances has he had as a result of team play? Not headers from freekicks and corners, but real chances where he has been put through or a ball has been played into the box for him?

I've lost count of the amount of times he has either took up a good position and has been ignored or has moved the ball quickly looking for the return only for the ball to go back or sideways. If you notice the most obvious feature of Eriksen, Soldado and Lamela's games is that they all look to move the ball quickly when facing goal, its the rest of the team that needs to raise their level.

Yes he has missed chances, but loads of these have been half-chances or chances that have come out of the blue.

You don't become a bad striker overnight.

 

[hellava_tough]

I would have loved to see Soldado in a team with Modric and VDV

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

To think VDV and Modric had Crouch and Defoe ahead of them. Shame they didn't have Soldado. We haven't created the same chances since those pair left.

 

[Syn_13]

Found a well explained article on Bleachers report

Selfish and Ineffective Teammates Impeding Tottenham Forward Roberto Soldado
BY
ALLAN JIANG
(FEATURED COLUMNIST) ON NOVEMBER 10, 2013
1,972 reads

10

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Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur forward Roberto Soldado, the £26 million man from Valencia, will only be as good as the support provided by his teammates.

Yes, Soldado shares a portion of Spurs' inability to finish their chances—nine goals in 11 Premier League games—but he has struggled to transition from being the first option at Valencia to an afterthought at his new club.

LEAGUE ONLYPlayerShots Per Game
Valencia (2012-13)1. Soldado2.9
2. Costa2.4
3. Jonas2.3
Spurs (2013-14)
1. Townsend4.5
2. Paulinho3.3
3. Soldado2.4
4. Sigurdsson2.3
5. Chadli2.3
Soldado isn't just jostling with opposing defenders to get into an advantageous goal scoring position, but he is also being hindered more by his own teammates—the players expected to assist him in a potential 20-30-goal season for the club.

Andros Townsend and Paulinho have disregarded playing to Soldado's strengths in order to up their own status at the club.

Townsend and Paulinho are the main culprits. They not only average more shots per league game than the club's No. 9, but the duo have brought a new meaning to wastefulness, scoring a combined two league goals from 81 shots.

Soldado averages 0.3 dribbles per game, so he cannot create his own shot, a laLiverpool's Luis Suarez, who averages 3.3 dribbles per game and has scored eight goals in six league games.

Paulinho was described as a Brazilian Frank Lampard by former Argentine international Juan Riquelme.



Jamie McDonald/Getty Images


Riquelme was correct about the shooting element of Paulinho's game, but the Brazilian is far more mobile than Lampard ever was.

Paulinho's awareness is excellent, getting himself into great position to score, hence his average of 3.3 shots per league game. But unlike Lampard in his pre-deep-lying midfield position, Paulinho's efficiency has been dire, scoring once from 36 shots.

He averages 3.3 shots per league game compared to 1.3 key passes per league game, which indicates a willingness to shoot as opposed to assist.





This is why you need to cut Soldado some slack. Lacking express pace, he is a pure goal poacher who needs to be chauffeured on the pitch with one aim in mind: tapping the ball over the goal line.

But this task is complicated by the selfishness of Townsend, a take-on specialist so good he has completed 33 more dribbles than Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. Desperate to avoid another loan stint, Townsend has been playing hero ball, tearing apart opposing left-backs and then shooting with reckless abandon.

Townsend averages more shots per league game (4.5) than Daniel Sturridge (3.5) giving you an idea how self-serving the Tottenham winger is. Townsend is to Spurs what Sturridge was to Andre Villas-Boas' Chelsea.





Both Townsend and Paulinho need to be like Christian Eriksen, who created nine shots for his teammates in Spurs' 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United.

Without adequate service, Soldado will have to continue padding up his goal tally with spot-kicks (75 percent of his Premier League goals have come via penalties).

Someone find out what the odds are of Spurs being awarded 20-25 penalties this season.

For comparison's sake, Serhiy Rebrov, a big-money flop at White Hart Lane, had scored five goals in his first 11 league games.

Tottenham fans will be hoping Soldado isn't the next Rebrov just like Soldado is hoping Townsend will slide in a through-ball rather than shooting.

Interesting article and a good find mate. It's very telling that between Townsend and Paulinho they've scored only 2 goals in a whopping 81 shots. So wasteful it's untrue.

Eriksen stat is intriguing. 9 chances created today. We need to feed the striker like that.

My old man is old fashioned when it comes to football. He's of the opinion that onlt the striker has the right to score goals and everyone should play to that striker. As much as it's not always going to be that way, I do think that we need to be looking to make the striker the focal point of all the goal chances.

 

[Syn_13]

The thing about townsend is that he's too predictable,he will cut in n shoot everyone knows that by now.I want chadli on the left a proper winger who can cross,shoot,take free kicks n defend during set pieces

If Lamela doesn't score then atleast his build up play is miles better than townsend which helps the team to create more chances.Also his runs in the penalty box is crucial,that set up goal against Cardiff is proof of that.If Soldado can't get service with the likes of Chadli Eriksen n Lamela behind him then thats it for me

I haven't seen a lot of Chadli but I've liked what I've seen. I would be tempted to try out a trio of Eriksen, Holtby and Lamela. A lot of creativity and teamwork in that trio.

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

The trouble is as a lone forward you've got to have a bit more than just finishing off chances. I've always liked Soldado as a player but we badly miss some physicality in the final third, Ericksen and Sig are lightweight too add that to Townsend and others continually making poor choices and it's no wonder that we're struggling.

 

[bubble07]

Was he in a 4-5-1 formation with Valencia?

 

[Strikeb4ck]

^ Yes, he's been a lone striker his whole career, if that's what you mean.

Problem is not Bobby. If we give him chances he'll bury most of them. His one clear cut chance all season was at Villa and he finished that one clinically. Would like to see him played in front of one of these setups.

Eriksen - Holtby - Lamela
Paulinho - Sandro/Capoue

Chadli - Eriksen - Lamela
Holtby - Sandro/Capoue

Townsend - Eriksen - Lamela
Holtby - Sandro/Capoue

 

[amathews3416]

Top strikers don't miss free headers. I have enough sample size to know this guy is not going to cut it in the Premier League. Next please, preferably Ade.

 

[Flashspur]

The problem is........wait for it...........AVB. The manager has to take responsibility. He has to organise to his teams strengths not try to squeeze everyone into his bloody master plan........what ever that is.

If you have a great striker why are you not playing to his strengths? And why are you allowing players like Paulinho and Townsend to waste opportunities like they are week in week out?

 

[Flashspur]

interesting Telegraph article says more of the same about Soldado. We arent the only ones seeing this.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...er-Roberto-Soldados-contrasting-fortunes.html

Two accomplished finishers experienced contrasting fortunes at White Hart Lane on Sunday, as they have over the past couple of months.
In terms of style, both come alive in front of goal and prefer to take only a couple of touches at most. Neither is overly fussed in dropping off and getting involved in the build-up. Historically, these strikers have done their best work in the penalty box.
Roberto Soldado, however, is not having much joy there of late. As Tottenham Hotspur ’s lone forward, he is finding life tough, with very few chances coming his way.
Loïc Rémy, in contrast, is thriving. In scoring his seventh league goal in as many games the Frenchman not only proved the matchwinner here but showed what a shrewd move it was by Newcastle United to sign him on a season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers.
Rémy’s goals had already helped to secure victories against Hull City, Cardiff City and Chelsea before this clinical strike did the business in north London.
It says a lot for his temperament that Rémy had just missed a great chance to open the scoring when Yoan Gouffran slid him through for another pop. This time, however, the front-runner did everything right, timing his diagonal run perfectly to lose Vlad Chiriches before skating around Brad Friedel to slot home coolly.
At moments like that you appreciate Rémy’s talent, his natural instinct in tight situations. He rarely panics under pressure, the decision-making and strike invariably sound.
That would normally apply to Soldado as well if a lack of service had not dulled his sharpness. Spurs, quite simply, are not doing enough to get the most from their £26 million signing. Having only scored once in general play to add to his three penalties, the former Valencia man is suffering from his team’s lack of creativity.
You only have to look at the man’s record in Spain to see his pedigree and where his strengths lie. Every single one of his 24 goals last season in La Liga came from inside the box. His old team-mates were clearly setting up chances in a way that is proving beyond the present lot.
Under the circumstances, Soldado continues to work extremely hard and has actually enjoyed some success in creating chances for others. Not so much this time though. The striker, in fact, may have notched himself early on if a header from a corner could have been kept down. Shortly afterwards, a clever backward header stretched the heroic Tim Krul.
Other than that, the forward was quickly smothered by Newcastle’s centre-halves whenever the ball came into the box. As a result, a feeling persists that the 28-year-old is not suited to playing up front on his own. Though he did link the play pretty well on occasions with some neat touches, Andre Villas-Boas must see the problem. I am sure Soldado would like company to take some of the strain.
To illustrate the point, Rémy had that on Sunday in the form of Shola Ameobi and it definitely helped in creating some space. His manager, Alan Pardew, seems to realise that now, having gone with the same shape against Chelsea last week.
The results have been startling, the kind that can mark a turning point in a team’s season.
With Papiss Cissé having lost his way after a fantastic start on Tyneside, and with Hatem Ben Arfa deemed not trustworthy enough to play in big games, Rémy is carrying the goal threat in impressive style.
If he carries on like this, Newcastle, I am sure, will have some serious competition when it comes to trying to sign him on a permanent basis.

 

[Flashspur]

I am wondering why you wouldn't try Lamela just behind Soldado. Its worth a try. Move Eriksen a little deeper.

.....................Soldado
.......................................Lamela
...Chadli..........Eriksen............Townsend
.....................Sandro..................

 

[Flashspur]

or.....

move Eriksen to the left

.....................Soldado
.......................................Lamela
...Eriksen.........Paulinho............Townsend
.....................Sandro..................

 

[SlunkSoma]

It feels a bit harsh criticising him, in many ways he faces the same challenges as all out new players. Unfortunately we didn't buy a 28yo thinking he'd need a season to bed in.

He did get chances yesterday. Unlucky with the header Krul saved, but could have done better with the other two.

 

[SlunkSoma]

Want to see Lamela behind Soldado. They can communicate, for a start

 

[Kendall]

He's a really poor footballer.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

He's a really poor footballer.

Is this the level you've sunk to now? Well done

 

[Kendall]

Is this the level you've sunk to now? Well done

It's not the level I have sunk to, it's the level Soldado has sunk to. I didn't think it before because I felt he was simply starved, but that Newcastle defence was all over the place, they were in no way as well organised as say Sheriff or Hull, and yet Soldado looked lost/lazy/poor with his touch. I really haven't seen anything of note from him. Before I felt it was a case of him just being the wrong man for the system, but now he's actually looking a really poor player.

If you have seen something else from Soldado, then well done on your incredible vision, because nobody else has out side of our fanbase.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

It's not the level I have sunk to, it's the level Soldado has sunk to. I didn't think it before because I felt he was simply starved, but that Newcastle defence was all over the place, they were in no way as well organised as say Sheriff or Hull, and yet Soldado looked lost/lazy/poor with his touch. I really haven't seen anything of note from him. Before I felt it was a case of him just being the wrong man for the system, but now he's actually looking a really poor player.

If you have seen something else from Soldado, then well done on your incredible vision, because nobody else has out side of our fanbase.

Thank you. At least that's an opinion rather than the one line crap you've been offering up lately. I used to think you were a decent poster but the last few games, when the heat has been on, I thought you were starved of ideas. You've been lazy/poor with your posts and we've seen nothing of note from you. Having said all that, i'll call more lazy bullshit 'You've seen nothing of note from him'......my arse. You try posting without a keyboard. See how far that gets you.

We have an excellent striker on our hands and its down to AVB to get him working properly. In fact, we've an excellent squad. There's nothing wrong with the individual parts, we have a lot of very very good players, it's the whole that needs sorting out.

 

[WestBelfast Spurs]

Bejesus OP that's what I want to see got it spot on until Rose comes back then switch Verts to CB, on paper we should be spanking teams but its played on grass not paper

take it one step further away from home drop Pauly put in Capoue