Scout Reports

Scout Report – Roland Lamah

Michael Laudrup has plundered the Spanish market once again in his first move of the January transfer window. The Swansea boss has snapped up 25-year-old Belgian international midfielder Roland Lamah on an 18-month loan from La Liga club Osasuna, with the option to make the deal permanent at any point:

Lamah was unavailable for last night’s FA Cup replay at Arsenal but has been registered in time for the Swans’ home game against Stoke on Saturday as Laudrup looks to bolster his squad in light of the hectic winter schedule. The new boy was keen to praise his club’s style of play and, in a similar scenario to last summer’s acquisitions, admitted the Dane was a key factor in his decision to move to the Premier League:

“The team want to keep the ball and pass it, which is the strength of the players here. I think that style is best for me, so I’m delighted to join Swansea on loan. I really like the Premier League. I think you get more space to play, and that’s good for attacking players like myself. The team are doing very well in the league and the cups also, so it’s a great time to arrive at Swansea. And, of course, Michael Laudrup is in charge so I’m looking forward to playing and learning under him.”

The Statistics

Lamah has picked up plenty experience across the continent, playing in four top divisions already. The Ivory Coast-born player move to Belgium at the age of 15 and made his debut for lower league club Vise in 2003-04 before being snapped up by Anderlecht the following season. Afforded just six appearances for the club, he then move to Dutch outfit Roda and, in his most successful campaign so far, returned 11 goals and five assists from 32 appearances, helping the club to ninth spot in the Eredivisie before moving to France to ply his trade for Le Mans.

Over three full seasons, Lamah produced 10 goals and 11 assists in 92 league matches and was picked up by Osasuna in the summer of 2011. His time in La Liga proved less successful, though, with 45 games harvesting three goals and a trio of assists before Laudrup made his move earlier this week. The winger has represented Belgium at every youth level from U19 to U21, scoring seven times in 20 appearances, and has also turned out for the senior side five times.

The Prospects

Although many reports have listed the new boy as a winger, Laudrup considers him more versatile and reckons he is capable of slotting in behind the striker as well as on the flanks:

“He is a player we had already watched before the season started. He is a player who is not a forward but who can play behind the striker in all three roles. He has a lot of individual quality, he is quite strong and has good quality one against one as well as a good shot. He has not played that much this season..,but I think that he will have a chance here and I am looking forward to working with him. He is a player that can be very useful for us.”

While the signing is good news for Swansea, it’s set to increase competition for places in the Swans’ attacking midfield areas – thus making rotation more of an issue, with Michu almost certainly the one exception. The left-footed Lamah is equally adept on either wing and will vie for a starting berth along with Pablo Hernandez, Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer, affording Laudrup the chance to utilise his squad more effectively. The Belgian could also be utilised in “the hole”, affording Michu the chance to play as the lone forward – Laudrup seems to be unconvinced over Danny Graham’s ability to effectively lead the line.

As the Swans slowly evolve under the new regime, it may well be that the likes of Dyer and Routledge are edged towards the periphery as the Dane continues to make his own stamp on the squad. While Michu’s place as the obvious Swansea Fantasy midfield candidate is not in doubt, Lamah’s arrival nevertheless dents the potential of decent mid-price candidates – Hernandez and Routledge, for example, have averaged 4.1 points per game, with the former producing attacking returns in six of his last 10 league games. With Lamah (who should come in around 5.0 – 6.0 in FPL) added to the mix, it doesn’t bode well for consistency of starts on the flanks as Laudrup attempts to clinch a place in the Capital One Cup final and looks to cements a top half finish in what has been a hugely impressive debut season in the Premier League thus far.

Further Reference

Roland Lamah Wikipedia
Roland Lamah Statistics

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1,079 Comments Post a Comment
  1. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Regarding Lukas Podolski for the DGW.

    Podolski's minutes played per game started:
    63 71 81 73 71 66 84 64 70 80 76 79 68 66 90 78 81... 57 56.

    Last two games were after festive fixture pileup and after a draining FA Cup draw against Swansea.

    In conclusion...

    Is he usually subbed off? Yes.
    Is he usually subbed off at this magical 60 minute figure? No.

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    1. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Correct, all we know is he is yet to play a full 90

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      1. Andrew
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Bar one game.

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    2. Dogba
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      This confirms my suspicision. I thought it was weird he was subbed off before 60 two matches in a row, then all of a sudden everyone was expecting him to play only 5x. minutes.

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    3. Viper
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      He only came on around the 70 minute mark vs. Swansea though so 'a draining FA Cup draw against Swansea' can't be the excuse for those minutes.

      He will easily, barring injury, get at the very least, 140 minutes over the 2 games..

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Fair enough, given he didn't play against Swansea last night maybe he's just tired. Hopefully being saved for DGW 😉

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    4. Stefan Schnoor
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      in fairness he came on as a sub for the last 20 minutes in the cup game away to Swansea.

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    5. JUSTBLAZE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      So what are you saying with this game time stats?

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Those two lines. Basically, the gametime worries aren't serious from the record.

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  2. kroky
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Suarez and tevez or
    Sturridge and aguero??

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    1. KingBrenny
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Danny og Sergio.

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  3. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else think DeGea/Bunn combo is a good cheap combo to WC with?

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    1. JUSTBLAZE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Don't bother with 2nd keepers. I get the cheapest one possible and never had a problem and do decent every season.

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      1. drunken_mess
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        agree, nothing worse than having a cleanie on the bench and u save 0.3

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  4. drunken_mess
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Was just looking up some Podolski stats, have to share this. . .

    Weaknesses: His inability to perform to a consistently high standard on the domestic scene is a real concern and he lacks the out-and-out brilliance and unique quality of a Fernando Torres or Cristiano Ronaldo.

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    1. Just Ruud
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Fernando who? 😀

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    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Strengths: Sure starter, explosive and most importantly, on penalties atm. he's due.

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      1. Crouch Potato!
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Would not call Podolksi explosive, looks short of pace for PL. Was poor in the Euros also.

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        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          yeah..looks short of pace in the Arsenal shirt. but certainly an explosive player before the Euros. his experience is massive. he scored a peno pre-season, and i think 1 direct freekick before this, right? so here's hoping another double-digit performance.

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      2. drunken_mess
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        plays on the LW, if he played as the main forward i would get him straight away. getting him in for a hit and prob take him out for another hit. . . think it is not worth it

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        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          it's true that he's not the main forward.. but if afro's on DGW, would you get him? that's my thinking. plus, i remember Arsenal looked dangerous earlier in the season with Gibbs, Pod bombing from the left flank. As a Gooner, i can only hope for a repeat performance.

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        2. Manamongst
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          this...finally-

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    3. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Torres has an unique quality, he is crap!

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  5. Crouch Potato!
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Fernandes and Remy play FIFA 13 😉

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  6. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    greetings, everyone.

    any news on O'Brien? if he's not going to get any minutes, i have to play bassong at anfield. gulp!

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      NEW POST.

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    2. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      hoping for a Bassong goal, then

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  7. Putherover
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    WC question, which is better

    A) - RVP/Sturridge & Cazorla (0.2m in bank)
    B) - Rooney/Suarez & Walcott (nothing in bank)

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    1. Sebastian Rooks
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      id bet sturridge wont be far behind suarez on points till the end of the season. Id put my house on him being better value at the very least so I would go with RVP, Sturridge and Walcott m9

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    2. ndc323
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      A definitely.

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  8. martin_oke
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Question : Naughton or Fabio or Hill for long term cheap defender?

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    1. ndc323
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Naughton for me.

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  9. Roonani
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone thinking Rogers might bench Suarez against Norwich for his comments ?

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    1. ndc323
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Nope.

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  10. ndc323
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Sterling or Ba.........?

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