Player Watch Player Watch: Dominic Solanke

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

Reaching there a bit. Need way more from him for the money we paid lets be brutally honest.

Not sure I agree with this entirely; he's going to score goals, but a big factor Ange would have gone for him was his workrate; it's absolutely integral to our system – yes, he's a striker and he will need goals, but his pressing is absolutely one of the key reasons he was signed – with the idea that he would be able to facilitate others' scoring, or hold it up, get it out wide, and then in the box to finish off moves.

Have patience, goals will continue to come.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

We still need to learn exactly how he likes to receive the ball in the box and he needs to learn exactly where to be in order to capitalise most on the chances we create. This is understandable as we play a very specific way.

He already does a lot of things right but you can tell he’s still adjusting to the system. It’s still just a little mechanical. At the moment he is doing exactly the job Ange wants of him but you can tell he hasn’t fully adapted to the system in all its facets. Once he gets completely settled and knows the players around him + how they play im fairly confident the goals will start flowing.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Our attacking play is much improved on last season, and I think a large part of that is down to him. I'd take him finishing with 10-15 league goals this season as long as we keep attacking with intent.

We have far bigger concerns in the team than him not getting goals.

I would agree with that. I think it's also not helped by the lack of chances our wingers create. Whether that's the system or the players, I'm not sure (I suspect more of the latter than the former), but they're not really creative types are they?

He's fine - he's not brilliant, but he helps the way we play, creates a genuine physical presence up front, and creates chances for others.

10 to 15 goals this year, with what he also provides, would be brilliant.

 

[Yiddo100]

I think a lot of people are in denial here. Yes his work rate is great, but we DO need more from him, we signed him to score goals and he hasnt had a shot in about 4 games. The money we have spent work rate is simply not enough. Mikail Antonio works hard, and you wouldn’t lay out £65m for him.

I do agree to some extent, if he was missing chance after chance I’d be worried, the fact he’s had little if any shots over the last 3/4 games, that is much more a system thing than player problem imo.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

He runs non stop - exhausting just watching him!

You are making him out to be a modern day Forrest Gump!

 

[mil1lion]

He's essentially Lamela at centre forward. As long as the team is scoring it's fine. Nothing wrong with asking for more goals from him though. It feels at times people jump on any form of criticism. I mean people can criticise a player or manager without hating them and wanting them out.

 

[allatsea]

He's essentially Lamela at centre forward. As long as the team is scoring it's fine. Nothing wrong with asking for more goals from him though. It feels at times people jump on any form of criticism. I mean people can criticise a player or manager without hating them and wanting them out.

Who is hating him or Ange and wanting them out other than a very few very strange posters ?

 

[Hoddlegenius]

I'm convinced the goals will come - just needs better service. Aside from his intensity, he's actually quite quick and has really good feet, intelligent player, just hasn't quite clicked yet but still making a significant contribution to our overall play so I'm good with that.

 

[rabbikeane]

How many did he score in his other seasons ?

17.25 on an average over the last 4 seasons, just league goals.

 

[Mooger Fooger]

He's made us a much better side and suits the style of football we play. Goals will come, but his general play is exceptional. We will miss him whenever he's injured as Richarlison just cannot do what he does.

 

[Stamford]

I think a lot of people are in denial here. Yes his work rate is great, but we DO need more from him, we signed him to score goals and he hasnt had a shot in about 4 games. The money we have spent work rate is simply not enough. Mikail Antonio works hard, and you wouldn’t lay out £65m for him.

don't actually think this is a crazy take. I'm happy with him as he's doing an insane job for the team, but his composure in front of goal isn't great

 

[carpediem991]

I think a lot of people are in denial here. Yes his work rate is great, but we DO need more from him, we signed him to score goals and he hasnt had a shot in about 4 games. The money we have spent work rate is simply not enough. Mikail Antonio works hard, and you wouldn’t lay out £65m for him.

I think there is something in it. It has to be questioned if we have enough goals in the team. Its fine when we get Son in firing positions. Everyone else is struggling to be consistent in front of goal.

 

[mil1lion]

17.25 on an average over the last 4 seasons, just league goals.

A lot of those are Championship goals. It's a big step up for him especially with teams setting up to defend more against us. Hopefully he can start scoring soon but at least he never seems to get discouraged.

 

[Enzo]

His outside of the foot ball to put Werner clear on goal was sublime, considering the pressure all around him.

Kane plays that ball and pundits are wetting themselves.

I like him, I think he will come good, I think he already has in a way.

 

[SaiboT]

Solanke scored what? 19 goals for Bournemouth? We know he can score a lot golas if given the chances.

I get the impression that the role he’s asked to play slightly hinders him from getting in to scoring position.

It’s just been a coupe of months. He’s in a new team, at a higher level, under a new manager, and he’s already fitting in really well. Let’s have some patience.

One season wonder

 

[tommo84]

His all-round game is better than I thought it was, but he needs to develop some better chemistry with the wide players and Deki. At the moment the team isn’t creating much for him.

 

[Grey Fox]

He ran himself unto the ground last night , the players around him need to give him some proper service

 

[Trix]

He ran himself unto the ground last night , the players around him need to give him some proper service

This.

He's not getting the credit he deserves because he isn't scoring goals, but he is certainly contributing in other ways.

 

[sidford]

His goal scoring record will be thrown back at spurs fans by fans of other clubs as to how we've wasted money, he's shit etc but all that does is show why you actually need to watch players regularly before talking about them.
He has been a brilliant signing for us and it's no coincidence we have only scored 2 less than city in league, Solanke is a big part of that even if he's not actually scoring

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

He has been a brilliant signing for us

At £65m he has not been a “brilliant” signing. He has been an ok signing. And we clearly needed cover for Richi. But, surely we could have found someone to hold the ball up for less money.

For £65m, we need a goal scorer - in addition to someone holding the ball up.