Why, why, why, Soldado?

Article by James Lingfield

During the summer, when days were longer, the sun was higher and the abysmal production of ‘I’m a celebrity’ was many hallowed months away, Spurs were beginning to assemble what many have since tipped as a team that may even trouble the men from Manchester at the top of the table. Adding to an already impressive list, including Samba-boy and midfield powerhouse Paulinho and recently named Danish Player of the Year Christian eriksen, Roberto Soldado was hailed as the icing on the cake to finally bind together an attack full of talent. However, after a hot and cold start in north London, is it really £26million pounds well spent?

Many were apprehensive that Soldado was incredibly expensive for a player at the age of 28 with numbered days of his physical peak, but he crushed many of these doubts after scoring from the spot just 29 minutes in to his spurs career in a friendly against Espanyol. He became an instant hero and the choruses of “Soldado, whoooaaah” could be heard ringing around White Hart Lane. He couldn’t have asked for a better start and even beat international teammate Fernando Torres’ debut goal time 53 times over. Luckily for AVB’s men, Soldado continued this form into the Barclays Premier League scoring the winner against both newly promoted Crystal Palace and Swansea, again coolly converting a penalty. Had Soldado finally become the clinical striker that we had longed for so many years? Could he finally be the man to take Spurs forward into Europe’s elite? Could he finally be the man to kick Spurs into the next gear for us to be title contenders?

No.

Or at least in my opinion, not so far.

I believe that Soldado is not the right man for us so far. He would have been a perfect fit for us last year. However, he has thrived on a direct style of play in La Liga and AVB’s more cautious attitude has resulted in less service into the box and consequently Soldado is looking starved of support. I do believe, though, that Soldado is his own worst enemy. After being used of being the main man at Valencia and all forward moves would be through him, Roberto’s just another cog in the machine of a multi-talented attack. He needs to be more industrious and go looking for the ball rather than expect the ball played into him with Pirlo like accuracy 2 yards out form goal. Many of you reading this may be shocked or surprised at my opinion, but failing to score in open play 13 of his 14 league starts is a fact that cannot be ignored. He is rarely making a bursting run into the penalty box beyond the last defender which normally results in a slow succession of passes around the penalty box that usually comes to nothing more than a tame long shot.

Whilst Soldado is becoming increasingly frustrated on the pitch, Jermaine Defoe is also incredibly frustrated off it. Even though he has scored 9 goals in just 8 starts, he continues to be nothing more than number two to the man from sunny Spain. Jermaine Defoe, who is a yi… oh wait, never mind, has looked sharp and lively in his very small amount of games time this season. Although his goals have come against lesser Europa League competitors, JD has looked lively and sharp all season. He is also a lot more willing to both come short to link our play up and then burst into the box, a quality that Robbie really lacks. I can appreciate AVB having faith in Soldado. His Spanish goal scoring record cannot be ignored. However, spurs are experiencing a real dip in form and we to get out of it as soon as possible.

I know Soldado has real quality and I’m sure that sooner or later it will shine through, but either Spurs need to change their style, or Robbie needs to change his. At the end of the day, Soldado's just not cutting it.

By James Lingfield

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