Erik Lamela Wins His Tottenham ‘Spurs’ In August

Erik Lamela has won his Tottenham ‘Spurs’ for his performances in the five Premier League and Europa League games played during the month of August.

Erik Lamela topped the HotspurHQ poll to earn his Tottenham ‘Spurs’ for his contribution in Spurs opening games of the season. Tottenham played 3 league matches and 2 European games although Lamela made only a brief but vital appearance in one of the Europa League games.

The HotspurHQ ‘Spurs’ awards for August are based on performances in the five games played. After each match the readers of our blog voted for the player who has been deserving of his ‘Spurs’. Ten players have been placed in the top three on at least one occasion – the player with the highest % votes cast in each match receives 3 points, second gets two and 3rd claims 1 point.

Erik Lamela: 1st

After a disappointing first season at White Hart Lane, Erik Lamela was determined to put the problems of last season behind him. He undertook a rigorous training programme throughout the summer and has returned a much fitter and confident player. He has started all three Premier League games and had a major contribution in Spurs Europa League win in Cyprus. Coming on as a 70th minute substitute, Spurs had been trailing since the 25th minute but within 4 minutes Lamela had created Spurs first goal for Roberto Soldado. Minutes later he was again the provider as Harry Kane scored the winning goal.

Lamela topped the readers’ poll for his contribution against Limassol and also in the 4-goal win over Queen’s Park Rangers when he created Spurs second goal for Eric Dier and the third for Nacer Chadli. He also topped the poll in the home defeat by Liverpool where he worked very hard but was constantly frustrated by the close attendance of the visiting defenders.

Lamela’s form at the start of the season has been very encouraging and suggests good things lie ahead for the player this season and it has earned him a recall to the Argentine international squad.

After each match the readers of our blog voted for the player who has been deserving of his ‘Spurs’. Seven players have been placed in the top three on at least one occasion – the player with the highest % votes cast in each match receives 3 points, second gets two and 3rd claims 1 point.

Erik Lamela v Liverpool [Photo: Alan Hill]

Harry Kane: 2nd

Harry Kane has been given his opportunity in the Europa League games and has worked hard for the team. He also made an appearance as a substitute in the first two league games. He came on in the final 10 minutes at Upton Park and in added time it was his pass which set up Eric Dier for his debut winning goal. In both matches against Limassol he was Tottenham’s most dangerous attacking player until the introduction of Lamela. Even with Spurs a goal down, he battled away forcing the Limassol goalkeeper to make a number of saves before eventually scoring the winner. In that match he finished 2nd in the poll behind the inspirational Lamela.

In the return game he missed an early penalty but showed character to continue testing the keeper and put Spurs ahead just before the interval. In that match he was voted the top performer by Spurs fans.

Eric Dier: 3rd

Eric Dier made a sensational start to his Tottenham career by scoring in both of his opening Premier League matches. The late winner came against West Ham when he found himself in a centre-frward position and ran on to meet Kane’s pass, take the ball round the goalkeeper and place it into an empty net. He was the HotspurHQ readers’ Man of the Match at Upton Park and with a header goal from a Lamela corner to put Spurs two goals ahead against QPR, he finished 3rd in that match.

Life was more difficult for him against Liverpool when playing in the unfamiliar position of right-back but he has made an excellent start to life in English football.

An Honourable Mention

West Ham (a):

In the opening game against at Upton Park, Hugo Lloris was second in the poll when once again his saves kept Spurs in a position to take advantage of Dier’s late winner. Etienne Capoue who impressed in midfield was third.

Limassol (a):

Roberto Soldado scored the equalising goal which put him 3rd behind Lamela and Kane.

QPR (h):

Nacer Chadli’s two goals put him into second place.

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Limassol (h):

Two returning players impressed in the home Europa League match. Sandro, in his last Tottenham appearance was voted second by readers for his all-round performance while Paulinho was third.

Liverpool (h):

Emmanuel Adebayor was second in the poll with Lloris in 3rd place.

Thanks for your views in the post-match polls, please continue to vote throughout the season – the HotspurHQ poll appears on the morning after each game – your views are greatly appreciated.