Friday, 20 September 2013

Lamela has to wait as the old guard state their case

WE all went to see our record new signing Erik Lamela but what we got was a master class from some of our forgotten talent.

Jermain Defoe, Sandro and Mousa Dembele all shone in another patient
and organised performance as Spurs swept unthreatening Tromso aside.

Defoe now has four goals in two European outings and must be back in contention for an England spot at the two vital October World Cup qualifiers.

The staunch competition for a Spurs starting place seems to be having the desired effect because both Defoe's instinct and his finishing were razor sharp as he put the Norwegians to the sword.

His two goals came from short through balls that left him little time to think. The first he dinked over the keeper, the second he slid calmy into the corner.

It was a welcome sight for Tottenham fans, who have become accustomed to seeing the White Hart Lane favourite opt for power above accuracy and fire countless gilt-edged opportunities straight at a keeper.

But if Defoe continues to show the sort of composure he did against Tromso then he'll be pushing Roberto Soldado every step of the way to lead the front line.

And he'll be soaring up the scoring charts in the process.

Sandro's impact on Thursday night was of a different nature, but still impossible to ignore.

For years, Spurs fans have rued the absence of a "midfield general". 

Well Sandro is that general and he's marching off to war (if you don't get that reference, then you need to do your homework).

The Brazilian has filled out since last season's injury but it has made him no less mobile.

Equal parts power and grace, the part-Spartan, part-battering ram swung around the middle of the park winning every ball and not once surrendering possession.

The fans have even taken to calling "Beaasst!" when he charges into a challenge and it is no coincidence that Spurs have not conceded this season while Sandro has been on the pitch.

Mousa Dembele, meanwhile, never charges - he glides. His close control has come on in leaps and bounds and the way he makes the ball do all the work is a fine example for younger Spurs generations. 

He has grown up a lot since his debut season last term but he still shoots from distance too often - and too inaccurately.

His possession play and movement will win him more than his fair share of starts and, if he can nail that final ball, then he can be every bit as dangerous as the rest of them.

Lamela, the man we all came to see, wasn't bad either.

The Argentine showed glimpses of wizardry, a turn of pace and got a clever assist for Defoe's opener.

He may not have raised the roof - but you sense it is only a matter of time.

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