OPINION
It was not easy to find any positives from Tottenham’s woeful FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday, but Erik Lamela’s introduction at half time at least brought a bit of urgency to their attack, and asked some questions of the Eagles’ defence. The Argentine looked as if he wanted to take the game by the scruff of the neck, and for all he was unable to turn the tide of the match, he brought a certain amount of influence in the final third. It’s sometimes hard to see what Lamela brings to the Spurs squad, especially with the wide array of attacking options they have at their disposal when everybody is fit, but on Sunday he showed a work ethic and desire that few would ordinarily credit him with. He was far from perfect, and justified a lot of the criticisms that are usually thrown at him, occasionally looking one-footed and hesitant in possession, but more than anything, his issues looked as if they were a result of rustiness rather than a lack of quality. It may have been a dire afternoon for Spurs, but one of the very few silver linings they can take from the defeat would be knowing that Lamela is ready to be thrown into the thick of it should he ever be needed.
This is Futbol have gathered some of the best tweets below:
Lamela looking our only hope at the moment. All players are flat footed
— Ryan Matthews (@Ryan_Matt98) January 27, 2019
Lamela has been a game changer
— Zack (@ZackeryRay) January 27, 2019
Hows Lamela the best player on the pitch for us and he came on at Half Time
— Anthony (@Plesmer_) January 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/LMWalsh93/status/1089572969515532290
I feel like Lamela is the only one trying ??
— MistySea (@Miss_MonkeyFace) January 27, 2019
Lamela’s well up for this
— Tone (@prodrivetony) January 27, 2019
Crystal Palace’s defense has been good but Lamela’s presence has definitely amped up the Spurs attacks
— Andrew (@adrrn13) January 27, 2019
Lamela best player on the pitch rn everything is going through him.
— The Dark Knight (@B_Irwin14) January 27, 2019
Lucas and Lamela, so far the only positives I can take from this game.
— Anna (@annaxysports) January 27, 2019
Lamela has that "Ronaldo is mad at his Portugese teammates for letting him down" vibe today.
— Skipjack (@Skipjack0079) January 27, 2019