Why Andre Villas-Boas Needs to Bench Paulinho for Lewis Holtby
Tottenham Hotspur super sub Lewis Holtby's match-winning goal against Fulham in a 2-1 win away at Craven Cottage sends a clear message to Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas—bench Paulinho for Holtby.
Continuing to keep Paulinho on the field is not a good idea for Villas-Boas.
Don't hesitate to comment below with your views on this matter.
Paulinho Needs to Spend an Extended Period on the Bench
1 of 3
Paulinho's brilliant footwork in the box created a goal-scoring chance for himself, which, in reality, was an open goal as Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg had already committed to one side.
So, what happened next? Paulinho smashed the ball into the crowd.
He now has scored one league goal from 41 shots.
Paulinho averages more shots per league game (2.9) than players such as Karim Benzema (2.8; eight goals), Arjen Robben (2.8; six goals) and Giovani dos Santos (2.6; six goals).
In the first half, Paulinho failed to score or create a goal in the deep-lying forward role and was shuffled back into midfield in the second half once Lewis Holtby came on.
"Paulinho and I were combining well, he is a dangerous player when he runs in from the flanks," Roberto Soldado said on Monday, via Giuseppe Muro at The London Evening Standard. "We have demonstrated that we are a dangerous combination."
What Soldado really meant to say: "Andre Villas-Boas, please don't drop me."
Three days later, Soldado spent the entire game against Fulham on the bench.
This is the fate that should await Paulinho, whose shooting is getting progressively worse.
Lewis Holtby Deserves to Start
2 of 3
"Lewis always comes in with a positive attitude," Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas said, via Sky Sports. "He brings his desire and ambition into the game."
If not for Lewis Holtby rising to the occasion, the English media would be attacking Villas-Boas' integrity, his competence and his human values at this very moment.
Villas-Boas must reward Holtby by giving him a run as the starting No. 10.
Who makes way?
Paulinho.
Paulinho Will Bounce Back
3 of 3
Whenever adversity threatens to derail Paulinho's footballing career, he has demonstrated mental fortitude to overcome setbacks.
He could have quit football after being racially vilified during his first spell in Europe, per ESPN FC.
But, he didn't.
Instead, he went back to Brazil, started from the bottom and worked his way up, which led to a contract with Corinthians.
He started on the bench or was subbed out in nine of his first 10 league games for Corinthians.
Two years later, he was celebrating the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup final win over Chelsea.
Now at Tottenham Hotspur, his shooting is becoming a running joke.
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas needs to bench Paulinho, which tells the Brazilian to be pass-first from now on or improve his finishing.
This is a wake-up call to Paulinho, and trust him to bounce back in style as he has done throughout his career.
Statistics via WhoScored, FFT Stats Zone, Squawka and Transfermarkt.
Google+: +allanjiang
Twitter: @allanjiangLIVE
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
