Roberto Soldado has been something of a disappointment since his big-money summer move from Valencia. The Spanish international striker has scored nine goals in seventeen appearances in all competitions, which doesn't sound bad on the surface, but the fact is that five of those came against poor opposition in Europe (including three in one game), while the four Premier League goals were all penalties apart from one. However, not all of the blame can be laid upon Soldado himself - not by a long shot. Soldado has been played as a lone striker - something that doesn't play to his strengths at all - and the style of play that the rest of his team have been told to perform also hasn't done him any favours. Soldado needs the ball to his feet, through the middle, and he needs a partner who is better at holding the ball up than he is. Sadly, in addition to being played up top on his own, Spurs have also been rushing to the wings on nearly every attack and either failing to cross the ball to him or hitting it towards his head - which isn't one of his strong points, given that he's only won around one seventh of his headed duels. If the new manager wants goals - which, of course, he will - Tottenham's star striker needs to be fed in a way that plays to his strengths and provided with a regular partner.
