PLAYER WATCH: Soldado

[mano-obe]

I was so pleased for him the other day. You could tell by his celebrations he was thrilled to get on the scoresheet. I think the media have been on his back about not scoring from open play but he really started and finished that goal. He done 4-5 back heels in the match which all went to a player and looked lively throughout. If only a few chances fell to him more often I bet he would score a whole lot more.

Hopefully that goal will give him bags of confidence!

 

[Strikeb4ck]

I thought he was outstanding on Sunday. Brilliant touches whenever he got the chance, his first touch seems incredible, wether it's controlling the ball or passing it first time to a teammate. His movement is also miles beyond Defoe's, he knows what he's doing out there. It's all slowly starting to click.

But yes, very pleased for him. Excellent finish too.

 

[Monkey Bastard Hands]

He'll only get better. Once we start to integrate the likes of Lamela into the team to provide more creative options I think he'll flourish and will easily bag 20 goals for us. I think Holtby was key on Sunday too and I hope he starts the next game.

 

[mill]

The only problem soldado has is the we aren't creating many chances for him. His play's been very good but he thrives on chances and he's not getting many atm

 

[Shea]

The only problem soldado has is the we aren't creating many chances for him. His play's been very good but he thrives on chances and he's not getting many atm

I agree completely

I think it was crazy to drop him against West Ham - if it had been him through one on one against West Ham he'd have calmly slotted it home as he did on Sunday and we would have been 1-0 up and it would have been a completely different game.

West Ham would have been forced to change their play and could no longer sit deep and hit us on the counter....instead we had Defoe up top who did what he generally does and hit it straight at the keeper and hoped for the best

 

[Donki]

Still think he will be outstanding for us, were not even 10 games in, he is going to nee time to adapt but his all round play and goal on Sunday was incredible. Hope he gets a few more in the coming weeks.

 

[guy]

Yep very happy for bobby, hopefully holtby continues in the league too, he really is vital for creating goal scoring opportunities at the moment

 

[dontcallme]

Some strikers rely on their physicality. These strikers make a quicker impact as they create chances for themselves.

Soldado will not create much for himself. He is an intelligent player who can link up well with others and will rely on others to pick out his runs.

I was so happy for him, and us, when he scored against Villa. He's already shown me he has ability and a cool finish. If he can gain an understanding with our players and if they can feed him chances we'll have a very good striker on our hands.

 

[Spurger King]

Never been worried about him, and I very much doubt he's ever been concerned either. Having said that, I was praying he'd score on sunday just to shut up the critics.

He's a natural finisher, and has proven himself over and over at the highest levels. His conversion rates last season were incredible. Once we sort out our midfield (hopefully with Eriksen, lamela, and Townsend behind him) he'll do very well.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Never been worried about him, and I very much doubt he's ever been concerned either. Having said that, I was praying he'd score on sunday just to shut up the critics.

He's a natural finisher, and has proven himself over and over at the highest levels. His conversion rates last season were incredible. Once we sort out our midfield (hopefully with Eriksen, lamela, and Townsend behind him) he'll do very well.

That will never happen. Ever.

Ever, ever, ever, ever, ever.

Spoiler

Ever

 

[Shea]

I've said it many times before - but its worth remembering that he's not played in the cup games where we've been more free scoring. If he'd been involved in those he'd probably have between 10-12 goals by now and be much more settled and confident

I don't really have a problem with him being rested and kept fresh although I think it would have speeded up his settling in process and I certainly disagree with the logic behind Defoe playing his way in front of Solado because of his cup exploits (as had Soldado played those games I am certain he'd have netted at least as many) and it cost us against West Ham in my opinion

He will settle soon enough I am sure - quality is what counts. Once he is used to the build up play of our team and they are used to his runs he will score as we all expected him too.

I wish he wouldn't go to the line sometimes - on Sunday he was occupying space where Townsend was running when he really should have been looking to get in to the box to get on the end of whatever Andros would go on to create - but this is all part of our new attacking set up gelling and learning each others play etc

Once things click with the attacking talent now at our disposal (not to mention the solid spine we have to support them behind) we will look very good and start smashing teams as we all feel we should be doing

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I've said it many times before - but its worth remembering that he's not played in the cup games where we've been more free scoring. If he'd been involved in those he'd probably have between 10-12 goals by now and be much more settled and confident

Exactly this. People were banging on about the form of Defoe because he'd been scoring two a game in the cups, but Soldado had scored two himself in the one cup game he was picked for...

 

[Kendall]

Great finish, but he's just boring and doesn't do enough for me. He's too much of an old fashioned striker.

 

[Legend10]

Great finish, but he's just boring and doesn't do enough for me. He's too much of an old fashioned striker.

Boring? Lol what does that mean haha

 

[Kendall]

Boring? Lol what does that mean haha

That he bores me.

 

[Legend10]

That he bores me.

I have no idea why but that and the original post made me laugh out loud.

 

[Kendall]

I have no idea why but that and the original post made me laugh out loud.

Let's put it this way:

When I watch Suarez and Sturridge, they're exciting. When I watch van Persie and Rooney, they're exciting. When I watch Aguero and Negredo, they're exciting. When I watch Lukaku, he's exciting. When I watch Benteke, he's exciting. When I watch Berbatov, he's exciting. Hell, even when I watch Giroud and Torres, they're sometimes exciting!

When I watch Soldado, a bit like when I watch Frazier Campbell, he's boring.

 

[Spurger King]

To be fair the whole team is boring these days. Struggled to stay awake during that first half on Sunday.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

The most pointless criticism of a striker ever. Finally been proved that it is unfounded to criticise his ability and believe that Defoe should start so moves on to arguing we should have a juggling clown or fire eater up front instead of Soldado as they would interest him more.

On the other hand, you could just enjoy Soldados quality and read a book or something for entertainment? Or do you still prefer the idea of Soldado sky diving into WHL, playing and then maybe do a bit of break dancing for your entertainment at half time?

 

[dontcallme]

I've said it many times before - but its worth remembering that he's not played in the cup games where we've been more free scoring. If he'd been involved in those he'd probably have between 10-12 goals by now and be much more settled and confident

I don't really have a problem with him being rested and kept fresh although I think it would have speeded up his settling in process and I certainly disagree with the logic behind Defoe playing his way in front of Solado because of his cup exploits (as had Soldado played those games I am certain he'd have netted at least as many) and it cost us against West Ham in my opinion

He will settle soon enough I am sure - quality is what counts. Once he is used to the build up play of our team and they are used to his runs he will score as we all expected him too.

I wish he wouldn't go to the line sometimes - on Sunday he was occupying space where Townsend was running when he really should have been looking to get in to the box to get on the end of whatever Andros would go on to create - but this is all part of our new attacking set up gelling and learning each others play etc

Once things click with the attacking talent now at our disposal (not to mention the solid spine we have to support them behind) we will look very good and start smashing teams as we all feel we should be doing

You're right. When he hasn't played we've been free-scoring. Get rid