The secrets behind Lamela's fantastic form

Over his injury troubles

Lamela has been blighted by numerous injuries during his time in North London, most notably a hip injury which took nearly a year to recover from. However, after only making 33 appearances for 'Spurs' last season, Lamela is now in peak physical condition, and showing exactly the sort of form that tempted Tottenham into buying him in the first place. The Argentine has already featured 8 times for the 'Lilywhites' so far this campaign, scoring 5 goals and notching 2 assists during that time.

Backing from manager Pochettino

The Argentine has received strong backing from compatriot Mauricio Pochettino, who allowed him time off and support during a tough season for the player last year. Alongside his injury troubles, Lamela had to come to terms with his brother suffering a serious accident which left him in a wheelchair, a very stressful situation for any person to adjust to. Yet manager Pochettino has continuously shown faith in Lamela; even encouraging the club to hand the player a contract extension in the summer, which now seems to be a masterstroke, as the forward is discovering his form and a newfound sense of confidence at the start of this campaign.

Change of position

In his early days, Lamela was keen to play in a typical number 10 role, but due to his pace, was often shifted into wider positions on the pitch. However, he has been given the chance to reconnect with this inside forward role at the beginning of the season; a move that has paid dividends, as the Argentine is in the best form of his Tottenham career. Of course the absence of Eriksen and Alli at the weekend enabled the Argentine to move inside, but the link up play between Lamela and Kane that the tactical shift produced, will surely give manager Pochettino something to think about when he does have a full-strength contingent to pick from.

Reinvigorated goal-scoring form

The lack of new arrivals at Tottenham was widely condemned at the beginning of the season, particularly in the absence of any new faces in the attacking line to alleviate the goal-scoring burden off main man Harry Kane. Yet, in his eight appearances so far this campaign, Lamela has scored 5 goals, and appears to be once again showing the cool head in front of goal which saw him become the fifth highest goal scorer in his final season with AS Roma in Serie A. And so Pochettino may not need to splash out on a new striker in January, as a ready made goal-scorer is already in the midst of the Tottenham squad in the form of Argentine Erik Lamela.

Forward thinking

Not only has Lamela started well in terms of goal-scoring this campaign, he is also touching the ball twice as regularly in the opposition box this season, as well as shooting three times as often as before too. Lamela has had a far from smooth career during his six year stay in North London, but he is now emerging as one of the possible key men for Tottenham this season. Also, in light of the jaded look on some of his 'Spurs' teammates, many of whom played deep into the World Cup for their countries this summmer, Lamela could be the man to step into the attacking void should it all get too much for the likes of Eriksen, Kane, Alli, Dembele and co.