Soldado, Eriksen & Lamela Have Yet to Start 1 Game Together

[TH1239]

Towards the end of the transfer window, when it became apparent that we'd be signing two of Europe's most promising young players, many had envisioned a 4-3-3 led by Eriksen on the left (where he was fantastic for Ajax), Lamela on the right (where he was sensational for Roma) and Soldado in the middle.

Yet it's nearly Christmas time, and we've yet to see these players start a single game together. Now, there may be extenuating circumstances as to why we haven't seen them lead our attacking line (i.e. Eriksen's injury), but now that all three are available, isn't it an absolute must for us to see them get a run of games together?

We spent approximately 65 million pounds on these three players, yet bizarrely, none of them played in a huge cup tie we had to win in front of our home fans. I've seen people argue that they were being rested for Southampton, which doesn't make sense to me, as Lamela and Eriksen have hardly had much game time in the last month or two. These are players who were accustomed last season to be regulars in big clubs, so the less you play them, the less you're likely to see their best when given the opportunity.

Now, in case there is anyone who believes Townsend, Lennon, and Defoe should be ahead of the above three in our league team sheets, please consider that the three of these players have contributed 1 unintentional goal (Townsend's against Villa) and 0 assists in league play this season, with the three of them combining to have played over 1900 minutes in league matches. That should tell us that the end product just hasn't been there, which again, was on full display last night. These players are still vital to our squad and with their pace (Townsend and Lennon especially) can be very useful off the bench, but for now, shouldn't they make way for Eriksen and Lamela for a spell of games? Could they possibly do worse end product wise? Even if they did, isn't it worth knowing whether the players we've spent huge money actually have the skill set to succeed with us?

It grates on me when I see people pre-judging our summer spending when we've not really seen the best of them play together. I'm not willing to concede our chances at a top 4 finish until I see Eriksen, Lamela, and Soldado get a run of league games together, and I'd like to see Adebayor mixed in with them when we play lower table sides.

 

[jezz]

Personally this was AVBs biggest mistake.
He got the back right, top marks.
Eriksen Soldado and lamela in this combination could have saved him.
Why he persisted with Townsend and Lennon is beyond me.
Turning point, Newcastle and we all know why.

 

[Spurger King]

It was all part of AVB's brilliantly intelligent plan to gradually phase in our new players and get them to adapt to the Premiership.

Worked out well for him. AVB pussyfooted around to the detriment of the team, and ultimately his own job. Really poor management that seemed like he was just trying to do the exact opposite of his approach at the chavs.

I think Eriksen created more assists than any other player in Europe last season. Lamela is incredibly highly rated in Argentina (certainly enough to get into the national team), and has already been successful in Europe. Both of these players should have been getting as many games as possible in order to get them up to speed with the Prem. Instead AVB's pathetic phasing in means that neither of them have gained much experience of English football at all.

 

[TH1239]

It was all part of AVB's brilliantly intelligent plan to gradually phase in our new players and get them to adapt to the Premiership.

Worked out well for him. AVB pussyfooted around to the detriment of the team, and ultimately his own job. Really poor management that seemed like he was just trying to do the exact opposite of his approach at the chavs.

I think Eriksen created more assists than any other player in Europe last season. Lamela is incredibly highly rated in Argentina (certainly enough to get into the national team), and has already been successful in Europe. Both of these players should have been getting as many games as possible in order to get them up to speed with the Prem. Instead AVB's pathetic phasing in means that neither of them have gained much experience of English football at all.

I recall both of us agreeing on this point several times in the past, but the key question in the interim is: Will Sherwood play them? Last night was not a positive indicator for me, as he chose to go with Holtby instead of Eriksen as a substitution and Lamela, without explanation, wasn't even on the bench. Logic dictated to me that if Sherwood was Levy's guy, the edict would've come down to play all of our expensive signings to at least see what we have in them (nevermind the resale value hits they'll take by being out of the starting line-up). But now I'm not sure if that's the case.

I actually am not confident either will play against Southampton. It's a tough fixture away from home and Sherwood is under a load of pressure already, so perhaps he'll go with Lennon, who he is more comfortable with, and Chadli, who he may view as defensively adept based on him being subbed in last night.

 

[ItsBoris]

I recall both of us agreeing on this point several times in the past, but the key question in the interim is: Will Sherwood play them? Last night was not a positive indicator for me, as he chose to go with Holtby instead of Eriksen as a substitution and Lamela, without explanation, wasn't even on the bench. Logic dictated to me that if Sherwood was Levy's guy, the edict would've come down to play all of our expensive signings to at least see what we have in them (nevermind the resale value hits they'll take by being out of the starting line-up). But now I'm not sure if that's the case.

I actually am not confident either will play against Southampton. It's a tough fixture away from home and Sherwood is under a load of pressure already, so perhaps he'll go with Lennon, who he is more comfortable with, and Chadli, who he may view as defensively adept based on him being subbed in last night.

Imo we were probably resting them for the Southampton game.

I'd be surprised actually if Lamela, Eriksen, and Soldado don't start against Southampton.

 

[Spurger King]

I recall both of us agreeing on this point several times in the past, but the key question in the interim is: Will Sherwood play them? Last night was not a positive indicator for me, as he chose to go with Holtby instead of Eriksen as a substitution and Lamela, without explanation, wasn't even on the bench. Logic dictated to me that if Sherwood was Levy's guy, the edict would've come down to play all of our expensive signings to at least see what we have in them (nevermind the resale value hits they'll take by being out of the starting line-up). But now I'm not sure if that's the case.

I actually am not confident either will play against Southampton. It's a tough fixture away from home and Sherwood is under a load of pressure already, so perhaps he'll go with Lennon, who he is more comfortable with, and Chadli, who he may view as defensively adept based on him being subbed in last night.

I'm hopeful about Eriksen and Lamela starting on Sunday. Less hopeful about Soldado starting ahead of Defoe, which will be infuriating as he'd do great alongside Ade IMO.

Ultimately Sherwood's close relationship with Levy will mean that the big money signings are more likely to get games now. Levy will be pissed off seeing his investments rotting on the bench, and with Sherwood at the helm, Levy's influence over the team is probably greater than ever.

 

[walworthyid]

This is one of the things that has angered me the most this season. Why did avb not play them? We have REAL quality in our squad and although some of us may have moaned a bit we would all have been far happier seeing our team evolve into something special even if the results didn't always come.
The thought of soldado, holtby, eriksen, Lamela and an on form Ade playing in the same team is very exciting. I only hope we will get the chance to see it. We certainly won't under Tim.

 

[muppetman]

I'd be surprised if Sherwood plays all 3. Soldado should play and Gylfi was so awful last night that surely Eriksen will get the nod but not convinced Lamela will play. Thought I read somewhere today that he was injured for last nights game?

I agree they should play, I agree that AVB shot himself in the foot by not integrating Lamela into the team more quickly but then I don't get to see Lamela every day in training so maybe he wasn't ready?

Eriksen was injured and Soldado has played a reasonable amount of minutes just not had any service, although AVB looked like he was dropping the inverted wingers so I though that was about to improve.

 

[Gedson100]

It is so patently obvious that Lamela and Eriksen are our most naturally skilful & talented footballers, are the two guys who have the potential to be World Class and that if we are to get the best out of our £26m Defoe upgrade we need such players behind him and providing for him.

Put as plainly as 'they never started one match together' really hammers home the point of what Andre didn't do and why every week the teamsheet was released & I greeted it with mild disappointment.

If Sherwood wants to buy back a smidgen of the grace he lost yesterday, the first thing he needs to do (and might have to thanks to Townsend's injury & Defoe's shiteness) is pick these 3.

 

[TH1239]

Imo we were probably resting them for the Southampton game.

I'd be surprised actually if Lamela, Eriksen, and Soldado don't start against Southampton.

Why did Lamela and Eriksen need to be rested though? Have they been playing a large number of matches recently, like Paulinho has? Danny Rose got game time last night, presumably to keep him sharp to start on the weekend, so why didn't Eriksen or Lamela for that matter?

I know many people laughed at the speculative Goal.com piece regarding Sherwood potentially relying on a "British Core," but it wouldn't really surprise me if that's the case. The only thing that gives me hope is that Levy will say after last night, we need to ditch that strategy, and get our best players onto the pitch at once.

 

[Blake Griffin]

all three should start every game for the rest of the season.

 

[walworthyid]

Imo we were probably resting them for the Southampton game.

I'd be surprised actually if Lamela, Eriksen, and Soldado don't start against Southampton.

I wouldn't. Defoe, Lennon and siggy are more likely I'm afraid.
I would like to see
Lloris

Walker Dawson Chiriches Rose

Lamela sandro holtby/dembele Eriksen

Ade
Soldado

It may look lightweight but that would produce proper football and an attacking threat. Can you imagine the little triangles around the edge of the box that lot would produce? Ball players win matches not positions.

 

[Gedson100]

Why did Lamela and Eriksen need to be rested though? Have they been playing a large number of matches recently, like Paulinho has? Danny Rose got game time last night, presumably to keep him sharp to start on the weekend, so why didn't Eriksen or Lamela for that matter?

I know many people laughed at the speculative Goal.com piece regarding Sherwood potentially relying on a "British Core," but it wouldn't really surprise me if that's the case. The only thing that gives me hope is that Levy will say after last night, we need to ditch that strategy, and get our best players onto the pitch at once.

I am clinging to the vain hope that last night was an experiment to deign who of our also rans could cut the mustard.

That he removed Rose & Adebayor to protect their fitness at least offers hope that the good players that missed last night were being protected similarly.

 

[carpediem991]

That three guys have to play together and week in week out.


-------------------Sandro-----------------------
-----Lamela---Eriksen---Adebayor--Holtby--------
-----------------Soldado-------------------------

All rotating and passing around a bit and not forgetting to work at the back....this can only be awesome but its a matter of time.

 

[RuskyM]

There is a reason I was so excited for Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela & Roberto Soldado playing together and it's frankly the only thing I'm holding in hope at the moment.

And if we get Frank the Farmer to see it through? Then we might be having roast turkey again this Christmas.

 

[bobbof]

Just imagine what a trio of Eriksen, Lamela and Holtby would be like, behind Soldado. Give those three a run, and we'll have a team capable of scoring against anyone. And we could potentially have them for many years to come.

 

[ItsBoris]

I wouldn't. Defoe, Lennon and siggy are more likely I'm afraid.
I would like to see
Lloris

Walker Dawson Chiriches Rose

Lamela sandro holtby/dembele Eriksen

Ade
Soldado

It may look lightweight but that would produce proper football and an attacking threat. Can you imagine the little triangles around the edge of the box that lot would produce? Ball players win matches not positions.

Away at Southampton I think it might be asking for trouble to play a 4-4-2. I'd prefer if we played a midfield of Sandro, Holtby, and Eriksen, and then a front 3 of Lamela, Soldado, and one other (Chadli?).

 

[ItsBoris]

Why did Lamela and Eriksen need to be rested though? Have they been playing a large number of matches recently, like Paulinho has? Danny Rose got game time last night, presumably to keep him sharp to start on the weekend, so why didn't Eriksen or Lamela for that matter?

I know many people laughed at the speculative Goal.com piece regarding Sherwood potentially relying on a "British Core," but it wouldn't really surprise me if that's the case. The only thing that gives me hope is that Levy will say after last night, we need to ditch that strategy, and get our best players onto the pitch at once.

I guess we'll just have to see. No point speculating.

 

[only1waddle]

I think JJ alluded to Eriksen being a favourite of TS, and he was certainly a Levy pick so expect to see him Sunday. I would imagine Levy is pretty fucked off with not seeing these 3 together.

When you consider our front line against wet spam in the league was this

Defoe
Sigurdsson Eriksen Townsend
Paulinho Dembele

And it really should of been


Eriksen Soldado Lamela
Dembele Paulinho Holtby​

 

[Gedson100]

Away at Southampton I think it might be asking for trouble to play a 4-4-2. I'd prefer if we played a midfield of Sandro, Holtby, and Eriksen, and then a front 3 of Lamela, Soldado, and one other (Chadli?).

I do agree that 4-4-2 seems suicidal & archaic but I got to thinking that the personnel were the problem last night.

Change Sigurdsson/Dembele into Paulinho/Sandro or Dembele/Capoue or Eriksen/ Sandro or Paulinho/Eriksen & suddenly things look brighter.

Similarly change Townsend into Lamela and Defoe into Soldado and the smiles start to return.

Maybe stick Eriksen in a VDV mask & play him off Adebayor & Arry's army can win the lot?

The 'English core' is what I fear, not the formation [but yeah, S'ton playing a very effective version of 4-2-3-1 would be hard to bet against if we're out there with 4-4-2]

Argh. My brain.

Anyone remember last week? It seemed such a simpler time.