Soler

[Massive Attack]

Now he's had time to get a feel of the Premier League, I now want to see Soler step up and deliver on his promise and be a leader having Captained Valencia before.

This is the same Midfielder who has scored a hat-trick against Real Madrid that included the likes of Modric, Ramos, Varane, Vinicius, Courtois.

Or when he played in a Cup Final for Valencia to beat Barelona in the Copa del Rey including Messi, Pique and Busquets. 

He ain't a mug player but he just isn't showing any of it yet. 

 

[Lato]

My MOTM last night

[Russ of the BML]

He's no Berkovic is he..
Because that's what we needed.


 

Fuck me. If only we had Berkovic again. 

[Massive Attack]

Mustard tonight. I did say, once he got settled...

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

He's no Berkovic is he..
Because that's what we needed.

 

[dealcanvey]

Players coming in on loan or frees from abroad rarely set the world alight. 

Have to ask why he is being loaned out in the first place. They always take ages to get up to speed. 

Not seen much from him to suggest he’s going to come good especially with those around him also playing badly. 

[Manuel]

I've never given much credence to what players may have done in other countries, unless they are bonafide top players. The PL is a different animal. A few questioned this signing at the the time, but this site has a history of putting up a raft of excuses for players not performing.

IMO he's shit and more worried about his hair than anything else. I very much doubt I will be proved wrong. Send him back to gay Pari.

[Massive Attack]

He’s tidy enough. But can’t see him getting enough time here to adapt to the pace

I get that feeling too, especially on a loan and if rhe manager gets the boot anytime soon. 

[collyrob]

He’s tidy enough. But can’t see him getting enough time here to adapt to the pace

[Sir Alf]

The Premiership is acdifferent proposition fir a mot of players. Many take a season or more to adapt, get up to the pace and intensity and some never adapt.  Problem for Soler, like all the new incoming players us we are a team struggling, playing a slow build up that just doesnt work in this league.  He could prove to be a good player but cannot see it happening at West Ham under the current head coach and his tactics and squad he has to execute his tactical approach. A mismatch unfortunately.  

Just watched Liverpool steam roller Leverkusen 4-0  ( 2 defeats in 60). The pace, strength and intensity 2nd half, they looked like West Ham unable to cope with the movement, strength and speed.  

All the Liverpool bench gets into our starting 11 let alone the players on the pitch. Light years ahead but as much as I hate to say it, the type of football and players we woukd love to see at our gaff.  

[Massive Attack]

I was judging his corners at which you claimed he was particularly proficient. With 10 against 11 it's a more critical element but I dont think his inability to find anyone in black had anything to do with our lack of personnel 

And you're entitled to judge him on that 2nd half display taking corners if that's all the proof you need about his corner taking ability. I personally wouldn't but each to their own, I'll base it on years of doing it instead.

You seem to be affording your favourites way too much latitude and I fear your unerringly positive predisposition towards the average  Carlos Soler and the abject Julen Lopetegui will make you look a bit foolish in time 

 

 

So be it. If you think a 27yo Centre Mid who's either scored or set-up 87 goals for either Valencia, PSG or Spain and winning 4 trophies during his career to date is average, then fair enough. 

[Mex Martillo]

Done nothing really. Certainly needs to step up if he wants to continue to get time on the pitch. I have more hope of Paqueta finding his form.

[stubbo-admin]

Because he hadn't had a pre-season and wasn't match fit.  Had time off after the Euros, then the signing process. So basically was weeks behind the other squad members.

You absolutely sure that's the only reason? He was in the first 4 squads of the season... came on between 61 and 73 mins in 3 and  started the 4th. 

Well that pattern fits with a player building up match fitness post the start of the season. "Absolutely certain"? I mean I've not sat down with the bloke and asked him, so we're all guessing on that front. 

[onsideman]

I was judging his corners at which you claimed he was particularly proficient. With 10 against 11 it's a more critical element but I dont think his inability to find anyone in black had anything to do with our lack of personnel 

And you're entitled to judge him on that 2nd half display taking corners if that's all the proof you need about his corner taking ability. I personally wouldn't but each to their own, I'll base it on years of doing it instead.

You seem to be affording your favourites way too much latitude and I fear your unerringly positive predisposition towards the average  Carlos Soler and the abject Julen Lopetegui will make you look a bit foolish in time 

[Massive Attack]

I was judging his corners at which you claimed he was particularly proficient. With 10 against 11 it's a more critical element but I dont think his inability to find anyone in black had anything to do with our lack of personnel 

And you're entitled to judge him on that 2nd half display taking corners if that's all the proof you need about his corner taking ability. I personally wouldn't but each to their own, I'll base it on years of doing it instead.

[onsideman]

I was judging his corners at which you claimed he was particularly proficient. With 10 against 11 it's a more critical element but I dont think his inability to find anyone in black had anything to do with our lack of personnel 

[Massive Attack]

He's also good on Corners Alf, which we desperately need a good one as Bowen is wank at taking them. Oh yeah and the occasional screamer from distance against top quality opposition but yeah, he's shit really 

 

He took a bunch of corners from the right on Saturday... most were either headed clear or claimed with no danger, although I remember one coming back to him before he hit the first man  with his follow up

I wouldn't be selecting him on that basis

I'm not sure coming off the bench with the Team already down a man in a hopeless situation is quite the game to judge him on properly. Pretty much every player was a pile of dogshit. 

[onsideman]

Because he hadn't had a pre-season and wasn't match fit.  Had time off after the Euros, then the signing process. So basically was weeks behind the other squad members.

You absolutely sure that's the only reason? He was in the first 4 squads of the season... came on between 61 and 73 mins in 3 and  started the 4th. 

[onsideman]

He's also good on Corners Alf, which we desperately need a good one as Bowen is wank at taking them. Oh yeah and the occasional screamer from distance against top quality opposition but yeah, he's shit really 
 

He took a bunch of corners from the right on Saturday... most were either headed clear or claimed with no danger, although I remember one coming back to him before he hit the first man  with his follow up

I wouldn't be selecting him on that basis

[Massive Attack]

He's also good on Corners Alf, which we desperately need a good one as Bowen is wank at taking them. Oh yeah and the occasional screamer from distance against top quality opposition but yeah, he's shit really...

[stubbo-admin]

Yeah, I was referring to stubbo's comments on Fullkrug. 

Discussing Soler is a waste of time imho 

Because he hadn't had a pre-season and wasn't match fit.  Had time off after the Euros, then the signing process. So basically was weeks behind the other squad members.

[Massive Attack]

What was he at Valencia? An attacking no 10?  Paqueta’s role this season? 




 

 

 

Anywhere in central midfield, attacking or wide midfield. Quite versatile anywhere in Midfield but not a holding midfielder type. Generally a box to box centre mid though is where he's done a lot of his best work. Below illustrates it best.. 

[onsideman]

Yeah, I was referring to stubbo's comments on Fullkrug. 

Discussing Soler is a waste of time imho 

[Sir Alf]

Soler could rekindle his form of a few years back or he could be the next Delli Ali or danny Drinkwater or whatever his name was?  They had 3 - 4 seasons of looking really good players in the teams they were at and with the players alongside them and tactical approach. So how much was it their individual talent or did they just make the wrong moves or was it injuries? I suppose Mason Mount would be another in this category. 

Soler regaining his form in a confused, struggling team seems unlikely especially since he only plays 45 mins max in unfamiliar positions? What was he at Valencia? An attacking no 10?  Paqueta’s role this season? 

 

[onsideman]

Can’t believe Soler and Rodriguez were Steidten signings…

Obviously Lopetegui…

You Lopetegui clearly pushed hard for Soler.

I don't think there is such a thing as a "Steidten" signing...just players that were identified by the team of analysts/scouts, and players identified by 'others' (Sullivan/Lopetegui).

The one I would suggest is different to that is Füllkrug, who I expect Lopetegi described the profile he wanted (which say what you like, was not a Duran profile...much more likely a Scammacca/Haller profile given the build up style), it happened late in the window once the Goblin Chief had said he wouldn't pay for Duran, and Steidten knew someone with that profile in Fullkrug. 

Obviously the deal negotiated for him was garbage, BUT the player profile is in keeping with the way Lopetegui sets the team up....good with back to goal, good hold up, good at bringing in the wide players, good on crosses in the air.

He's a good profile for Lopetegui's football, and I can see why in a pinch right at the end he was seen as a 'i can get this deal done quickly' type when Duran went cold.

If, as you say, he fits Lopetegui's ideal striker profile then why did he only get a handful of minutes when he was actually fit, with the manager choosing to play Antonio or Bowen through the middle instead? Makes no sense

[stubbo-admin]

Can’t believe Soler and Rodriguez were Steidten signings…

Obviously Lopetegui…

You Lopetegui clearly pushed hard for Soler.

I don't think there is such a thing as a "Steidten" signing...just players that were identified by the team of analysts/scouts, and players identified by 'others' (Sullivan/Lopetegui).

The one I would suggest is different to that is Füllkrug, who I expect Lopetegi described the profile he wanted (which say what you like, was not a Duran profile...much more likely a Scammacca/Haller profile given the build up style), it happened late in the window once the Goblin Chief had said he wouldn't pay for Duran, and Steidten knew someone with that profile in Fullkrug. 

Obviously the deal negotiated for him was garbage, BUT the player profile is in keeping with the way Lopetegui sets the team up....good with back to goal, good hold up, good at bringing in the wide players, good on crosses in the air.

He's a good profile for Lopetegui's football, and I can see why in a pinch right at the end he was seen as a 'i can get this deal done quickly' type when Duran went cold.