Players half-term report - part 2

Lamela - Shown glimpses of promise, and obviously has plenty of talent, but he's struggled to adapt to the hustle and bustle of the Prem, and can look very lightweight at times. Got the added baggage of the big transfer fee, as well as adapting to a new country, league and language. Needs to be given more playing time to prove himself. Should still come good.

Chadli - Has looked decent on occasions, and gives us good balance when he plays out on the left, but, a bit like Siggy, seems to go missing too much in games and doesn't stamp his authority as much as he should. Chipped in with the odd useful goal in the Europa, but it seems he's going to have to settle for being an impact sub for now.

Siggy - Always pops up with crucial goals, and capable of scoring the odd blockbuster, but is too often a frustrating and anonymous presence. Shouldn't be a starter, but a very option to have on the bench.

Dembele - a joy to watch when he's in full flow, gliding past people and shrugging players off. When he's on his game, we usually win. His form's been patchy this season. AVB's rotation policy didn't help, and he had some truly shocking games - home to Newcastle especially - but he's starting to build a good partnership with Bentaleb and his key defensive work is often overlooked. Needs to release the ball quicker and score more goals.

Sandro - The Beast has been in and out of the side due to injury. When he's on it, he's one of the best midfield destroyers there is, but his distribution is questionable at best. Scored a fabulous solo goal against United, and would be in my midfield two alongside Dembele if everyone was fit.

Paulinho - Shown flashes of absolute brilliance, the sikly Brazilian has scored some crucial goals and provided some crucial assists, but hasn't yet bedded in fully. When he returns from injury, he could be a key driving force for us in the second half of the season if he performs consistently.

Capoue - Has struggled at times, especially when playing at centre-back, and has been injured too much to form a proper assessment. I'm informed by people who saw him play in France that he'll come good, but he's yet to convince me. Always looks like he's gonna fall over his own feet.

Holtby - big improvement on last season, and for a few games he was our most effective player.. Capable of defence-splitting passes and spectacular strikes on goal, he's also a fighter and a scrapper, and I think it'd be a mistake if Sherwood were to discard him. Maybe not first XI material, but a match-changing option from the bench.

Eriksen - Started like a house on fire, then went off the boil, then got injured, and has now come back a new player under Sherwood, who's really getting the best out of him. Playing off the left ala Modric, he's having increasing influence on games and is scoring some vital goals. A lovely player to watch, too. At 11m (?) could yet prove to be our best piece of business all summer.

Bentaleb - Has looked very promising in his first few games. Definitely one for the future, and makes you question why we spent so much on midfielders when we had a gem in our U21 team.

Soldado - A penalty-taking genius, he really struggled with AVB's system, with a lack of support and a lack of chances. Has looked a different player with Ade alongside him - their link-up play is excellent. His vision and passing and assisting have been on the money, and his goalscoring record's not that bad for a striker in his first season in a new league, but he needs to start being more clinical and putting away some of the chances he's being given.

Ade - Brought back in from the wilderness by Sherwood, Ade has looked like a man on a mission. He's surprised me with just how good he's been since his return, and he does make a huge difference to how we play. His link up play has never been in doubt, it's his attitude and his ability to go missing in games when he's not feeling up for it. His recent goals have been invaluable, and the key to Adebayor is to keep him happy, to not guarantee him his place in the first team, because then he becomes complacent and lazy. Needs to maintain his mini-revival if we're to get 4th.

Defoe - Tottenham legend, sad to see him leaving, although the timing's probably right. Still think he could do a job for most clubs outside the top 7 in the Prem, so his talents may be slightly wasted in the much less competitive MLS, but a good last payday for a very loyal servant. Never quite as good as he should have been, in my opinion, and not the natural goalscorer he's made out to be - if he was, he'd have scored 20 goals a season at some point. But will be much missed at the Lane.