Time To Stick By Lambert.

[Appy]

I beleive as i sure many do that he will come good, his link up play today was excellent, he won nearly every ball in the air.

 

I agree he has looked sluggish this season, but there has been improvment of late, he fits into our system far better than Guly, he is a constant threat, whether its with his head, foot, a penalty or a free kick.

 

 

He will come good soon, his partnership with Barnard is working really well at the moment.

[Gemmel]

He won fook all in air and is not interested........ He won eveything in the air????????????

Drugs are illegal

[SparkySaint]

His perfectly timed through ball put Barnard in for our first goal. Well done Rickie, I believe in you

[scott_saints]

Probably our most important player, even when off form.

[shurlock]

He won quite a bit in the air without needing to jump - peterboro are shocking defensively - go figure.

[Ewell]

You don't change a winning team.

[Nexstar]

He won fook all in air and is not interested........ He won eveything in the air????????????

Drugs are illegal

 

He played very well yesterday.

[surrey1saint]

Although he hasn't got his scoring boots on at moment,he was excellent yesterday.Held the ball up well.

 

The goals will come.

[Chez]

I have slated him for being so**** in the air this season, but he was much much better today, probably his best game in terms if headers won and direction or flick ins. However his first touch and passing was still well below what we have come to expect of him. He badly needs a goal or two from open play to boost his confidence and then perhaps we will see the SUPER Ricky again. If not Craig Davies looks a talent.

[Dalek2003]

If we keep winning, then it is OK to keep Lambert in until he gets over his lean spell. Obviously our manager thinks that Lambert is worth starting. We know that a striker thrives on confidence. Lambert is one belter away from his old self surely !

[Colinjb]

He was a lot better yesterday, still not firing on all cylinders but getting there. He deserved at least one goal for his endeavour.

 

Even the best have lean spells. I believe in him.

[dronskisaint]

He will come good...it's just confidence & you don't gain that on the bench....still our most important forward if not player (Lallana)

[View From The Top]

Although he hasn't got his scoring boots on at moment,he was excellent yesterday.Held the ball up well.

 

The goals will come.

 

His link up play was top draw yesterday.

 

In the 2nd half he laid off the ball well, went on to take up excellent positions only for the ball into him to be poor or knocked away by some desperate defending.

 

He won nearly everything in the air, kept two defenders engaged giving space to others and drew plenty of free kicks.

 

He was 100% better than last week.

[fanimal]

Plus he has had a knee and hip injury, so well done Sir Ricky!

[damers]

He would win more headers if he jumped for the ball, he would probably also win more free kicks...

[up and away]

He will come good...it's just confidence & you don't gain that on the bench....still our most important forward if not player (Lallana)

 

I don't think it is confidence any more and the Ricky we see now, may be with us for a while. He looked bubbling with confidence for some of his play, so I really don't figure how that does not extend.

 

One very noticeable thing is that he does not jump, indicating that the problem lies with his knees and would also make you slower off the mark. This just looks so reminiscent of Fuller and that took another season + after he left us to get sorted out. As I have said previously, he still has a good contribution to the team, just don't expect the goal machine we had last season.

 

The question that then arises, "can we do without that goal machine we had last season?". Very difficult one to answer and I would not put money on an automatic spot without it. What Adkins said and did when converting to 451 (433) against Carlisle made a lot of sense and something I believe we need to do more of away from home. In those situations I would far prefer to go with Guly who I believe has the potential with a run, to be that player.

 

The Ricky problem needs to be fixed either by being fully fit, be selective in the games he is used, getting in another player or developing another member of the to do a job. What we see with Ricky at the present will deliver games like Saturday, but go awol on other occasions.

[ottery st mary]

First name on the team sheet..His mere presence..He is a God..

 

Ever improving fitness will bring a glut of goals starting with two on Tuesday.

[barney]

im really starting to question whether or not he wants to be here anymore

[Saints foreva]

He was one of the better players today. Lallana and Oxo's service to him is very poor, don't really expect him to score like he was last season with such ****e service.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Lambert has not looked arsed for several games now - in fact ever since his mate got the sack. Frankly it's time for him to move on as the amount of effort he puts in is terrible and 2nd rate. And the Northam singing that Rickie Lambert is "Saints goal machine" is pretty sad. The only reason he's playing is because we have no-one else other than Do Prado and at least puts in a shift.

[St Marco]

Lambert is the corner stone of the team and the system. We look to him to get the flick ons, the nod downs and to obviously score goals. To be fair to him he put more energy in then he has recently but his whole body language and attitude looks wrong. I honestly think that is in some part affecting the team. There was a cross that Lallana did and the Lambert of last year would of got on the end of it and probably scored. He didn't go for it and walked back. Lallana looked across at him and shook his head. It makes me think that maybe the rest of the team are getting slightly frustrated with him now.

 

I honestly do think that if everybody was fit then he should be dropped with Barnard and Conolly starting. Maybe some time out of the team will do him some good. And more importantly us.

But while people are injured we don't have much choice.

[hypochondriac]

He was one of the better players today. Lallana and Oxo's service to him is very poor, don't really expect him to score like he was last season with such ****e service.

 

I utterly utterly disagree.

[Wade Garrett]

His effort today was a disgrace. If he doesn't want to be here it would be better all round if he went.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

His effort today was a disgrace. If he doesn't want to be here it would be better all round if he went.

 

This.

 

I can tolerate quite a lot in a footballer - mistakes, poor form, even a inherent lack of ability on occasion, just as long as they give their all for the cause. But want I can't abide is seeing one of our players run around for 70 minutes doing the very least he can possibly get away with.

It seems abundantly clear to me that the real reason Ricky Lambert has become as poor a striker as he manifestly is this season is because he just doesn't want to play for this club anymore. I find this unacceptable.

In all honesty I'd rather see Connolly or some kid from the reserves turn out for us - at least they might actually give a damn.

[kpturner]

But want I can't abide is seeing one of our players run around for 70 minutes doing the very least he can possibly get away with

Way of beam IMHO. I agree that he seems totally ineffective ATM, but to say he is doing "the very least he can get away" with is just not true. I cannot explain his lack of contribution because I am no expert (that is why I sit in the stands and not on the bench) but I reckon I can tell if a player is trying or not, and I think he is trying.

[astrasri]

until the 2nd goal went in Rickie played well today, holding the ball well and playing others in with flicks and passes. He has always played the ball into spaces, missing our players for the opposition to pick up, but when scoring in every game that gets overlooked. After their 2nd today his positive contribution deteriorated - he was injured in the last game and NA suggested post match that his injury was playing up. Maybe the game plan was to get 1 or 2 goals up then sub him with DC, but because that went tits - up he was forced to keep Rickie on because we insisted on playing high balls from the back and with 3 tall defenders a small forward line would be more ineffective. This was proved when DC came on - what happened, we carried on with the long high balls from the back with even less danger than when Rickie was on.

I don't believe that Rickie should be played at all costs, when replacements are available they should be brought in for several positions, but I do not believe that RL does not want to play for this club any more.

[aintforever]

I take this is an old thread, Lambert was shocking today.

[kpturner]

I take this is an old thread, Lambert was shocking today.

 

The post have dates on them - HTH

[pele]

Thought Rickie was alright considering how poor the rest of the team were

[Roger]

Thought Rickie was alright considering how poor the rest of the team were

I thought he was our best player today. However our own fans love jumping on our best player when hes down so what do they expect? He is blatantly injured but today especially first half was good. Lallana however escapes criticism when today he was very poor. He ran into trouble all day. He is very annoying at times. I dont think newcastle would be stupid enough to go for lallana, for me he is nowhere near prmier league class

[Appy]

I take this is an old thread, Lambert was shocking today.

 

It is, even i am losing patience now.

[doddisalegend]

This.

 

I can tolerate quite a lot in a footballer - mistakes, poor form, even a inherent lack of ability on occasion, just as long as they give their all for the cause. But want I can't abide is seeing one of our players run around for 70 minutes doing the very least he can possibly get away with.

It seems abundantly clear to me that the real reason Ricky Lambert has become as poor a striker as he manifestly is this season is because he just doesn't want to play for this club anymore. I find this unacceptable.

In all honesty I'd rather see Connolly or some kid from the reserves turn out for us - at least they might actually give a damn.

 

 

That could have summed up the whole 11 (maybe not Guly who least ran a couple of times) today not just rickie. Having said that even though I've been a fan of Lambert I think it's time to admit he's not doing a job this season it's time to try someone else.

[Appy]

Lambert was poor today but Guly was a whole hell of dreadful.

[doddisalegend]

Lambert was poor today but Guly was a whole hell of dreadful.

 

oh he's not a very good footballer. Today at least in the first half he had some energy, made some runs and tried a couple of tackles thats more than most of the team tried to do. Personally for me Guly is a poor mans Papa.

[Appy]

oh he's not a very good footballer. Today at least in the first half he had some energy, made some runs and tried a couple of tackles thats more than most of the team tried to do. Personally for me Guly is a poor mans Papa.

 

To be honest, Paula Radcliffe could go out there and show some energy, if we are going to get promoted we need better options than him.

[doddisalegend]

To be honest, Paula Radcliffe could go out there and show some energy, if we are going to get promoted we need better options than him.

 

Well I suppose Paula stopping to take a slash on the halfway line mid game might have beem more fun than the football serverd up today.

[Chez]

don't agree that Lamert is not trying, he is just not good at present.

[FarehamRed]

I think we've done the decent thing and allowed him to carry on playing through a barren spell in the hope that he'll come back into form. That's not working - he seems to be getting worst not better - so I do think the time has come to take him out of team, let him have a break, and hopefully he'll come back firing on all cylinders later in the season. For RL's sake as much as anything else.

[Nexstar]

Agreed, I have also pretty much had it with Lambert starting every game. Sure he was amazing last season and we all hoped after a poor start that by sticking by him he would come good again.

 

That hasn't happened, and at the end of the day if a defender doesn't defend well consistently up to this point they have to be dropped.

 

So the only problem that leaves us is who to go upfront. Guly was awful yesterday and Connolly is supposedly still coming back from injury. Who knows when Barnard will be back so we're looking at Guly and Connolly/Doble/Chamberlain.

 

We need a striker in january

[eelpie]

I beleive as i sure many do that he will come good ..

 

I agree he has looked sluggish this season, but there has been improvment of late, he fits into our system far better than Guly, he is a constant threat, whether its with his head, foot, a penalty or a free kick. He will come good soon, his partnership with Barnard is working really well at the moment.

 

The stats don't support you.

Time for Rickie to rebuild his career from the Reserves, not in the first team. His lethargy and lack of confidence is contagious.

 

Both he (and the injured Barnard) are not going to be of use to us in this important part of the season. We now have three forwards including Connolly not fit for purpose. We cannot expect a 17 year old on his own beside an erratic Guly upfront to get us promotion

Without replacements we are f***ed

[Window Cleaner]

1 goal from open play in 23 games, that says RL is dump this season.Nothing else matters.

Anyone who cannot see this and babbles on about contribution,penalty technique, past achievements is just a fool.That includes the manager.

[Smirking_Saint]

He is not even jumping for the ball, nor getting himself in any goalscoring positions.

 

We need a new striker in Jan, for the moment we just have nobody to replace him.

[Berkshire Saint]

until the 2nd goal went in Rickie played well today, holding the ball well and playing others in with flicks and passes. He has always played the ball into spaces, missing our players for the opposition to pick up, but when scoring in every game that gets overlooked. After their 2nd today his positive contribution deteriorated - he was injured in the last game and NA suggested post match that his injury was playing up. Maybe the game plan was to get 1 or 2 goals up then sub him with DC, but because that went tits - up he was forced to keep Rickie on because we insisted on playing high balls from the back and with 3 tall defenders a small forward line would be more ineffective. This was proved when DC came on - what happened, we carried on with the long high balls from the back with even less danger than when Rickie was on.

I don't believe that Rickie should be played at all costs, when replacements are available they should be brought in for several positions, but I do not believe that RL does not want to play for this club any more.

 

 

That's pretty much how I saw it today as well.

[Appy]

The stats don't support you.

Time for Rickie to rebuild his career from the Reserves, not in the first team. His lethargy and lack of confidence is contagious.

 

Both he (and the injured Barnard) are not going to be of use to us in this important part of the season. We now have three forwards including Connolly not fit for purpose. We cannot expect a 17 year old on his own beside an erratic Guly upfront to get us promotion

Without replacements we are f***ed

 

Maybe if you read my more recent posts on this thread you would see even i am losing patience with him now.

[Bailey]

Lambert was a lot better against Brentford yesterday.

 

His overall game was much improved. He linked up well with Guly and won almost all of his headers.

 

The main problem was that he and Guly had nothing to feed on yesterday, but in terms of his individual performance, it was an improvement, that's f'sure.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Lambert was a lot better against Brentford yesterday.

 

His overall game was much improved. He linked up well with Guly and won almost all of his headers.

 

The main problem was that he and Guly had nothing to feed on yesterday, but in terms of his individual performance, it was an improvement, that's f'sure.

 

For pity's sake, what are you on?!? Lambert was totally gash yesterday and 19,000 Saints fans would agree with that I feel sure. He doesn't jump for the ball, he doesn't run for the ball, he doesn't run into space off the ball, he doesn't look fit, he doesn't look interested, the only time he looks remotedly likely to score or even do something constructive is when he's taking a deadball freekick on goal or a pen. If a CCC team came long with a good swap striker with money deal I would snap their arms off. Lambert in his current form is a liability.

[Thedelldays]

lambert tried yesterday..

 

he is just shyt

[ringwood]

RL was ok for the first 15 mins or so, after that like the rest of the team he might just as well of not been there, biggest miss for me though a fit partner for RL, think he's lost interest and that it really is time to rest him, unfortunately we have no replacement, we moved JP out of the club on loan when yesterday would of been an ideal game for him to spark, RL won't perform until there is someone close to him to to take advantage of the knockdowns, why should he try and win the ball when theres no other player close to him to take advantage?

[dan17]

Lambert was a lot better against Brentford yesterday.

 

His overall game was much improved. He linked up well with Guly and won almost all of his headers.

 

The main problem was that he and Guly had nothing to feed on yesterday, but in terms of his individual performance, it was an improvement, that's f'sure.

 

Yep agree with this. Definately an improvement but I realise it seems a bizzarre comment after yesterdays debacle.

[Bailey]

Yep agree with this. Definitely an improvement but I realise it seems a bizarre comment after yesterdays debacle.

 

Glad someone else saw the positives in Lambert's performance yesterday.

 

I'll be the first to admit that he's struggled this season, especially in comparison to the last campaign, but yesterday, his hold-up play and overall game was better than in recent weeks.

 

I think the enforced break due to the weather will do Rickie the world of good, especially ahead of the busy Christmas schedule. Hopefully we'll start to see Lambert improve in front of goal over the coming games too.