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Our best striking options

6 min read
by Bradley Gibbs
Bradley Gibbs makes his début on The Fighting Cock by looking at our striking options. Who's the best player to lead our line? Who deserves to start? Adebayor, Kane or Soldado?

Over the past few weeks, a lot seems to have been said regarding the current striker situation at the Lane. Whether it be complaints over a lack of goals, or opinions being voiced about the personnel selected to start. So where are we right now, in terms of strikers? From a brief overview, we’ve got 3 recognised first team strikers, all of whom should have plenty to offer. Soldado and Adebayor are both highly experienced with good overall goal records, while Harry Kane is a talented youngster, who looks to have a real hunger for the game.

Let’s start with Adebayor. The Togo international has always divided opinions among the fans, not just at Spurs, but at pretty much every club he’s played for. Undoubtedly a highly talented individual and a more than capable goal scorer, for me personally, on his day, Ade is a player you want in the side.

However, frustratingly so, “his day” seems to be coming less and less. Obviously it’s unrealistic to expect any player to be at their best all the time, and every now and then a below par showing is only to be expected. The thing with Ade though, is that the length of time in between two of his good games, seems to be getting longer and longer.

His goal record so far this season hasn’t been up to scratch (2 in 9 starts), and while it’s unfair to judge him purely on this return from a relatively short period of time, his overall performances have been poor. Perhaps the most frustrating thing with Ade, is that I often watch him and think “is he really bothered about this game? Will he care if we win or lose?”

[linequote]Realistically though, how long can we afford to accommodate a striker, who often has a questionable desire for the game, simply on the basis that; he might turn up and put on a performance today[/linequote]

Unfortunately, these are the recurring thoughts I have when watching him play and as a fan it’s certainly not what you want to be thinking about your supposed, number 1 striker. Not only is Adebayor, one of our senior players, he’s also one of two vice captains. Surely this means he should be a leader out on the pitch, setting an example?

Frankly, right now, that just isn’t how he comes across. No question about it, all the time he’s wearing a Spurs shirt, I will continue to support Adebayor and hope that he produces for us. Realistically though, how long can we afford to accommodate a striker, who often has a questionable desire for the game, simply on the basis that; he might turn up and put on a performance today.

Moving onto Soldado. When the Spaniard first signed for the club, there was a real buzz surrounding him. For some time we’d been crying out for a real goal scoring number 9, and that’s exactly what we thought we’d bought. It’s no secret that in the year and 2 months since then, things haven’t quite panned out how we all expected.

A difficult first year for Soldado saw him net only twice from open play in the league and subsequently, he’s dropped down the pecking order. This being said, I firmly believe the player we all thought we’d signed is still there. After all, a player who scored 59 goals in 88 appearances for Valencia, can’t just have lost it.

For me, Soldado’s failure to score goals hasn’t necessarily been all his own fault. Granted he’s missed some good chances, chances you would expect a player costing £26 million to put away, but there are other factors to be considered.

[fullquote]This being said, I firmly believe the player we all thought we’d signed is still there. After all, a player who scored 59 goals in 88 appearances for Valencia, can’t just have lost it[/fullquote]

In terms of playing style, Soldado is an out and out penalty box striker, nothing more nothing less. He’s a number 9 whose role is to score goals. In his last season at Valencia, he scored 29 goals, all of which came from inside the penalty box (mainly from crosses and through balls from the wide areas). Yet, during his spell at the Lane, the Spaniard has rarely received such service.

When he does play, it is often as a sole striker in a system that plays with wide players on the wing which is opposite to their preferred foot, meaning they are frequently cutting in, thus negating the opportunity for crosses into Soldado. As a result we often see the Spaniard dropping short or pulling into the channels to receive the ball, and although his link up play in these areas is usually neat, tidy and offers more of a general contribution than Adebayor, it’s not exactly why we signed him. And It is ok saying “he’s not scoring goals”, but has he really been given the best chance to do so?

Aside from being deployed in the correct way and receiving the right service, what Roberto really needs, is a run of games. Expecting goals or a real contribution when all he gets is 8 minutes here, 12 minutes there, isn’t really a fair deal. He needs regular starts, and in fairness, having had only 5 starts in all competitions this season, he’s managed two goals and two assists. Yet on the back of any contribution he’s made, he repeatedly finds himself benched for the next game. With Adebayor likely to be heading off to the cup of nations soon, now is the perfect time begin playing Soldado on a regular basis. Of course he has to make it happen himself as well, but give him the games, let him feel wanted and Tottenham’s number 9 can produce the goals.

Elsewhere, we’ve got the 21 year old Harry Kane, who rightly so, has been the subject of much praise in recent weeks after scoring 11 goals in his last 16 starts for both club and country, has left both myself and no doubt several other supporters confused as to how a regular start in the Premier League still eludes the young striker. Quite simply, Kane is a must start. Not just because he’s scoring goals, has a tireless work ethic and a direct style of play which makes him a threat. But because, he seems to have a desire and a real passion for the club.

[linequote]Kane is not a big money signing with a big reputation, he’s a local lad who has had to graft his way through the youth sides[/linequote]

When Kane plays, he’s exactly what a fan wants to see, his body language and the manner in which he plays reflects the fact that, he wants the ball, he wants to score goals and he wants to win. Watching Kane leaves me thinking the exact opposite to when watching Adebayor, I know his heart is in it and that’s exactly what you want to see. He’s not a big money signing with a big reputation, he’s a local lad who has had to graft his way through the youth sides. This is something fans can easily recognise and relate to. He’s also proven – aside from his willing attitude and strong work rate – that he’s a capable finisher who can score goals with either foot.

For Spurs right now, this should make him a regular starter in both the league and in Europe. It has also become apparent that on their few outings together, Kane and Soldado seem to work fairly well together and given the chance, could potentially assemble a strong partnership. For Kane, playing just behind a number 9 like Soldado seems perfect. While having the support of a second striker seems just as ideal for the Spaniard.

As fans of the club, whoever walks out onto the pitch should be supported and embraced; however, considering Adebayor’s overall performances this season have been poor and given the fact he is set to be absent for a period anyway, Now would be the perfect time to give Kane the chance to build on his promising European form and give Soldado the regularity he so desperately needs.

All views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Fighting Cock. We offer a platform for fans to commit their views to text and voice their thoughts. Football is a passionate game and as long as the views stay within the parameters of what is acceptable, we encourage people to write, get involved and share their thoughts on the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.

Bradley Gibbs

5 Comments

  1. Eriksons hair transplant
    02/11/2014 @ 11:37 am

    I agree with most things you wrote. However I believe Soldado’s link up play and creativity deserves more credit than you gave. Ade out, that’s a no brainier. With Kane up front I’m thinking Erikson , Soldado’s and Lamela would work well in behind him. I think the 4 of them would have the intelligence to switch and change around keeping the defences guessing. With Yedlin or Walker providing pace and width on the right soon and Rose for the left width I believe we’d be in biz. At times Soldado’s one two’s and through balls have been sublime. As you say, give him a run of games and the returns will come. Another great article from you guys. Thanks. And of course COYFS!

    • TinnySoldado
      06/11/2014 @ 12:26 am

      YES! For once someone giving Soldado some credit! He’s technically brilliant and he always picks the right pass. Give the man some starts and he will start slotting them in! Have faith Yidsssss

      CMON ROBERTOOOOO

  2. Nanty
    02/11/2014 @ 2:19 pm

    Good article Bradley.

    Ade’s third choice for me on current form, although I’d like to see 2, maybe even three up front.

    We bought Soldado but don’t play a style that’s going to create many chances in the box. That’s where I get confused about our scouting/buying set up.

    Hate to say it but if Soldado had gone to Arse, he’d probably be bagging hatfuls of goals.

  3. Eddie
    03/11/2014 @ 4:24 pm

    I tend to agree with Nanty that a good run of games with Kane and Soldado is the way to go,bearing in mind Ade going off to the ACN soon.But service is crucial and whoever are the wide men they have to put in the crosses or slip the through balls in.It ain’t rocket science.
    Also it is imperative we sign another striker.Firstly we have to accept we can’t compete for the top players both in terms of prices paid and salaries offered.As Southampton and Swansea and dare I say it,West Ham for example have shown,it is possible to find quality at reasonable prices.
    A suggestion I would make is Jonathan Soriano who is currently playing for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.It’s only Austria I hear you say,but just check out his scoring record over the last 2 or 3 seasons.I think you would agree it’s not too shabby.I reckon we could get him for comparatively little money and would like to think we could provide better service than he gets in Salzburg.

  4. pete
    03/11/2014 @ 5:22 pm

    Adey and Soldado are obviously having a tough time, not helped by a team that lacks width and therefore makes it harder for the strikers, Kane is scoring for fun atm and has got to start in the next league game, adey and soldado against partizan might be good for both to get a few goals and bit of confidence.

    Personally I think part of the problem is the balance of the team, for me Lamela, Erikson, soldado and Whoever can’t all play in the team together, for me it’s two of the 3 of even 1 of the 3, surrounded by a big 9 in either Adey or Kane with some pace and handwork from the likes of Townsend, maybe lennon if he gets his head back in the game and fit.

    Lloris

    Naughton Kaboul Super Yan Rose
    Mason Capoue
    Erikson/lamela
    Townsend Chadil
    Kane

    arguments about the defence and midfield aside, I believe the above team would allow Kane and a playmaker to thrive with two wingers who will bring quality and width to the team.

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