The much Maligned Rickie Lambert this season

[WinchesterSaint]

He is our talisman, he is still the player the other teams fear most and this alone creates space for other players. We would not be the same side without him. Even a half fit Rickie Lambert is a threat.

[The9]

he was utter ****e earlier in the season, he couldn't control the ball and almost every lay off went astray. It actually took a while for some numpties to notice he was terrible and a bad word couldn't be said about him. Eventually these people noticed he was bad, but he improved long before those same sheep noticed the upturn. Oh and he has been back to his best for quite a while now.

 

He got injured just before the season started, which meant he couldn't do a full preseason. Nothing to do with Pardew's failings, everything to do with terrible bad luck and timing. He was brought back too early and he simply never got fit and this had an effect. This was then compounded by a loss of confidence and form that snowballed. He didn't shoot, didn't score and eventually offered nothing. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately we didn't have a choice so he got years to find his form. It has paid off.

 

He's not perfect. A big centre back often has him in his pocket, but he has the intelligence to shuffle across to bully the fullback instead. Take away the pens and free kicks (a lot less of them this season) and a lot more questions would have been asked this year. But his all round game is decent and his link up play is a huge part of our side. Add his defensive headers into the mix and we have a player that will be vital next season.

 

Can't say I argue with much of this, other than I think "back to his best for quite a while" is pushing it. You only have to listen to the frequency of the chants for Lambert during the course of the season to know what the majority were thinking.

 

I also think certain others have been blind to some of his failings, and a critique of when, where and in what ways he's been poor is a lot more objective than stuff like "OMG he's set up loads of goals and scores loads and is our best passer" with little relevance to context or, in some cases, reality.

 

He's a decent player, but if we're going to blame Pardew can we at LEAST decide if Lambert was too fit or too tired or what ? There are two opposing arguments every time this comes up, but seriously, that only explains the 2 goals in 11 at the start of the season.

 

Lambert was then decent and scored 4 in 5 October but suddenly in November he didn't score in 6 matches and that's supposed to be still the same problem ? That's totally illogical.

 

The really interesting thing for me is that his goalscoring spells don't even correspond to when he was playing well :

 

He was playing poorly for the games against Peterborough (a), Carlisle (h), Hartlepool (a) and Swindon (h) and scored 4 goals in those matches. I especially remember how bad his touch and short passing was against Carlisle. He then failed to score in the next three games, and he was gash at Bournemouth apart from the amazing freekick and winning the ball to cross for Barnard. Goals can mask a poor game, but as people are spouting about great passing and hold up play, EVERYTHING else he did that day was mediocre at best. But the two things he did well basically won us the game.

 

Bizarrely, during the next 3 games without scoring (Charlton twice and MK Dons) Lambert showed a marked improvement in his all-round game, and despite not scoring he's coming back to his best just as we need him most - but don't let the goals mislead you, it's just not as simple as that - especially as he's now only got 2 goals in the last 8 games and he's clearly not playing badly any more!

[Jonnyboy]

He was great on Monday

[The9]

He was great on Monday

 

Yup.

[Depressed of Shirley]

We have some fans who nothing about football. On Monday I heard some t**t say "how did Lambert get Man Of The Match?". Well, it could be that he got the penalty, scored the penalty, and crossed the freekick for Fonte to score the second.

 

It is almost as stupid as saying he was rubbish at Bournemouth apart from the goal he scored, and the one he made in our 3-1 win.

[SNSUN]

We have some fans who nothing about football. On Monday I heard some t**t say "how did Lambert get Man Of The Match?". Well, it could be that he got the penalty, scored the penalty, and crossed the freekick for Fonte to score the second.

 

It is almost as stupid as saying he was rubbish at Bournemouth apart from the goal he scored, and the one he made in our 3-1 win.

 

He was far from rubbish but imo it wasn't his best game.

 

My initial reaction was also that Lambert shouldn't have been man of the match, but only because I thought Fonte should have got it, who was exceptional.

[Window Cleaner]

He was far from rubbish but imo it wasn't his best game.

 

My initial reaction was also that Lambert shouldn't have been man of the match, but only because I thought Fonte should have got it, who was exceptional.

 

Just been watching Nigel's pre-match piece on the OS, the background video is a lot of slow motion footage from the Hartlepool game (rather well done actually).

It's pretty evident that Lambert is a yard short a few times whereas he wasn't last season. The rest of his game makes up for it though.We should however consider someone a bit quicker for next season because there are so many chances going begging because of that missing bit of oomph.Should be kept for his link up play though.

[farawaysaint]

Just been watching Nigel's pre-match piece on the OS, the background video is a lot of slow motion footage from the Hartlepool game (rather well done actually).

It's pretty evident that Lambert is a yard short a few times whereas he wasn't last season. The rest of his game makes up for it though.We should however consider someone a bit quicker for next season because there are so many chances going begging because of that missing bit of oomph.Should be kept for his link up play though.

 

And his right boot? Where are we going to find a freekick specialist of his calibre?

[SNSUN]

Just been watching Nigel's pre-match piece on the OS, the background video is a lot of slow motion footage from the Hartlepool game (rather well done actually).

It's pretty evident that Lambert is a yard short a few times whereas he wasn't last season. The rest of his game makes up for it though.We should however consider someone a bit quicker for next season because there are so many chances going begging because of that missing bit of oomph.Should be kept for his link up play though.

 

That's why people think he can do a job playing deeper a la Mark Hughes. With little pace, but quality elsewhere, he'd be brilliant at the top of a diamond or as a deeper second striker.

[Sheaf Saint]

Rickie bigs up the defence

[Window Cleaner]

That's why people think he can do a job playing deeper a la Mark Hughes. With little pace, but quality elsewhere, he'd be brilliant at the top of a diamond or as a deeper second striker.

 

 

Which is what I advocated in my plan for next season yesterday.

[BLINK]

and I said yesterday with Teddy Sheringham

[Appy]

Anyone who slags off Lambert knows very little about Football.

[up and away]

Some of the logic on here defies belief. When you have an attacking combination of Lallana, Oxo and Guly, what do you believe is needed to compliment that? Another winger, midfielder or a striker that can get on the end of what these players provide? No other team in this league has anywhere near that quality of supply line for their striker.

 

What we really need is a striker that can take on a defence on their own and do the business. Ricky can do that, but I've only seen that clearly once this season cutting in from the left. With that type of striker it is no longer vital to have his personal feeders to bring him into the game and the balance of the team can be completely different. Those tough away games then become a lot simpler with their defence under threat and a midfield now geared to do the business. Anyone who comares Ricky to Teddy Sheringham needs their bumps felt, he never had to go into the stands to find the space but would do so on the shoulder of the last defender or tucked in behind.

 

This discussion is very similar to Morgan, looked impressive but really was not effective. In all his time has only scored 1 goal and a personal competition with Kelvin for assists. Then he had about 7 games prior to his current injury where he dominated the holding midfield role. So solid in the tackle and reading of the game, great passing without the defensive petulance which previously marred his performances. I don't care if Morgan never got another goal or assist, those sort of defensive qualities with the ability to pass would make him a keeper into the Premier. But in reality that was 7 games this season the rest of it marred with inconsistency and I just await in hope to what he provides when he gets back.

[OldNick]

Can't say I argue with much of this, other than I think "back to his best for quite a while" is pushing it. You only have to listen to the frequency of the chants for Lambert during the course of the season to know what the majority were thinking.

 

I also think certain others have been blind to some of his failings, and a critique of when, where and in what ways he's been poor is a lot more objective than stuff like "OMG he's set up loads of goals and scores loads and is our best passer" with little relevance to context or, in some cases, reality.

 

He's a decent player, but if we're going to blame Pardew can we at LEAST decide if Lambert was too fit or too tired or what ? There are two opposing arguments every time this comes up, but seriously, that only explains the 2 goals in 11 at the start of the season.

 

Lambert was then decent and scored 4 in 5 October but suddenly in November he didn't score in 6 matches and that's supposed to be still the same problem ? That's totally illogical.

 

The really interesting thing for me is that his goalscoring spells don't even correspond to when he was playing well :

 

He was playing poorly for the games against Peterborough (a), Carlisle (h), Hartlepool (a) and Swindon (h) and scored 4 goals in those matches. I especially remember how bad his touch and short passing was against Carlisle. He then failed to score in the next three games, and he was gash at Bournemouth apart from the amazing freekick and winning the ball to cross for Barnard. Goals can mask a poor game, but as people are spouting about great passing and hold up play, EVERYTHING else he did that day was mediocre at best. But the two things he did well basically won us the game.

 

Bizarrely, during the next 3 games without scoring (Charlton twice and MK Dons) Lambert showed a marked improvement in his all-round game, and despite not scoring he's coming back to his best just as we need him most - but don't let the goals mislead you, it's just not as simple as that - especially as he's now only got 2 goals in the last 8 games and he's clearly not playing badly any more!

Every footballer has a dip in form, that doesnt mean he's gash. i even suspect you have your bad spells. He still in his bad run of form had the brain and skill that helped the team. Im amazed posters like you and Chez who normally are very supportive are aiming criticism. IMO I didn't believe RL was that commanding in the air last season, and pointed out close season not to expect him to score 30 goals again this as it was not going to happen.

[Saint_clark]

Just been watching Nigel's pre-match piece on the OS, the background video is a lot of slow motion footage from the Hartlepool game (rather well done actually).

It's pretty evident that Lambert is a yard short a few times whereas he wasn't last season. The rest of his game makes up for it though.We should however consider someone a bit quicker for next season because there are so many chances going begging because of that missing bit of oomph.Should be kept for his link up play though.

 

Grant Holt is almost identical to Lambert, he's done OK.

[The9]

We have some fans who nothing about football. On Monday I heard some t**t say "how did Lambert get Man Of The Match?". Well, it could be that he got the penalty, scored the penalty, and crossed the freekick for Fonte to score the second.

 

It is almost as stupid as saying he was rubbish at Bournemouth apart from the goal he scored, and the one he made in our 3-1 win.

 

So, we've established that he wasn't very good at all at Bournemouth for about 92 and a half minutes, and did that in the other 2. Were you there ?

[Window Cleaner]

Grant Holt is almost identical to Lambert, he's done OK.

 

Not saying he won't do OK, I'm saying we should get someone ...well like Simeon Jackson to buzz around the box and make the most of a lot of the work Lambert does

[Thedelldays]

Not saying he won't do OK, I'm saying we should get someone ...well like Simeon Jackson to buzz around the box and make the most of a lot of the work Lambert does

 

someone like lee barnard would do that

[Window Cleaner]

someone like lee barnard would do that

 

If you say so, lacks pace and presence as far as I'm concerned, dives too much when staying on his feet might be a better option.Might change with a full interseason's rest and a full pre-season though.

[Depressed of Shirley]

So, we've established that he wasn't very good at all at Bournemouth for about 92 and a half minutes, and did that in the other 2. Were you there ?

 

I was there.

 

I suspect you are the kind of person who continually said that MLT was too fat, lazy, and that the odd hat trick was a fluke.

[Thedelldays]

If you say so, lacks pace and presence as far as I'm concerned, dives too much when staying on his feet might be a better option.Might change with a full interseason's rest and a full pre-season though.

 

you say simeone jackson....he was nearly booted out of norwich but he could not get a move in jan..

 

came good though.

 

CMS.....he would do a job....

[BLINK]

Lambert is very good at bringing people into the game, by dropping deep he allows more space in behind as he is always marked tightly and he has a good eye for a pass, he doesn't have great pace. I am not sure why I "need my bumps" testing to compare him to a sheringham type of player......

[up and away]

Grant Holt is almost identical to Lambert, he's done OK.

 

The differences between Holt and Ricky are such that it would be Brighton having to make do with the second automatic promotion spot, the differences are huge. When you have a striker who can create things for themselves and favourite for any one on one with a defender, whether in the air or on the ground, that is massive to what we have at present.

 

Ricky could become that player, has done some very similar things in the past, but is nowhere near that level this season. Whether he can come good like Fuller we will have to wait and see, but could easily be another season yet. With Holt you don't need to distort the balance of the side in providing so much to make the player effective, he can do most off his own back. Then you find that the midfield is not totally unbalanced in providing that service you end up with a team that has far less weaknesses that we have shown throughout this season.

[Thedelldays]

i thought lambert was brilliant on monday

[View From The Top]

i thought lambert was brilliant on monday

 

Didn't score a hatful though Jamie and according to the morons what inhabit these boards, that's not good enough.

 

Along with AL and Fonte, he'd be one of the 1st names on my team sheet for every game.

[hypochondriac]

Lambert is very good at bringing people into the game, by dropping deep he allows more space in behind as he is always marked tightly and he has a good eye for a pass, he doesn't have great pace. I am not sure why I "need my bumps" testing to compare him to a sheringham type of player......

 

I'm curious, how many games have you been to this year to form this opinion?

[OldNick]

So, we've established that he wasn't very good at all at Bournemouth for about 92 and a half minutes, and did that in the other 2. Were you there ?

I can't get your train of thought on this occasion. Do we care how well a forward does if he contributes what RL did at B'mouth? LB is far by the most overrated of our forwards IMO, he will not be a CCC standard forward

[whelk]

Could there be a ban on comments like 'you clearly know nothing about football'

So childish people getting upset when someone disagrees - FFS it is a forum you'd have nothing to talk about if you all agreed.

 

For me Lambert isn't mobile enough for Championship. I love him of course but it is a fickle old game. Also think so many football fans are sheep and follow commentators or what their mates say. Also you have the phoneys who like to be contrary for the teh benefit of their ego. Look at Carrick getting praise after a good game in Schalke. " poor games and opinion will change back

I was moaning about Rickie at H/T at MK Dons game and look what a fool he made me feel - i wasn't told i knew nothing about football tho!

 

Also the initial post saying he had more attempts, shots etc - pointless stat as if he his playing centre forward and has most appearances that would clearly be expected - what other player is expected to have beaten him on that stat? Barnard, Guly, Connolly?

[Thedelldays]

if gary taylor fletcher can do well enough in the NPC and play in the prem, I think sir rickie can

[The9]

I can't get your train of thought on this occasion. Do we care how well a forward does if he contributes what RL did at B'mouth? LB is far by the most overrated of our forwards IMO, he will not be a CCC standard forward

 

I'm saying that if he hadn't been pants for the rest of the match he might have contributed more.

 

I'm also amused that people don't seem to be able to differentiate between scoring goals and playing well, especially when it's not the goalscoring that is the issue, and he's often done that despite not having much impact other than that and when otherwise playing poorly.

 

Doesn't matter anyway, he's well past his latest run of poor touches and giving the ball away cheaply.

[OldNick]

I'm saying that if he hadn't been pants for the rest of the match he might have contributed more.

 

I'm also amused that people don't seem to be able to differentiate between scoring goals and playing well, especially when it's not the goalscoring that is the issue, and he's often done that despite not having much impact other than that and when otherwise playing poorly.

 

Doesn't matter anyway, he's well past his latest run of poor touches and giving the ball away cheaply.

He set high standards early here, and I felt he was not as dominant in the air as people made out last season. In the main he was dominated by the centre backs but his football brain and all round ability set him apart. he also had a purple patch of scoring some great goals.

I feel he is not a natural centre forward as he doe not make the runs to get into a normal c/f position but likes to create as much as score.

I for 1 am thnakful he is our player and know if he was at another club in our league would be baying ofr us to get him.

We are lucky to have players like him JF and KD , as they are stand out players much like AL

[Window Cleaner]

He set high standards early here, and I felt he was not as dominant in the air as people made out last season. In the main he was dominated by the centre backs but his football brain and all round ability set him apart. he also had a purple patch of scoring some great goals.

I feel he is not a natural centre forward as he doe not make the runs to get into a normal c/f position but likes to create as much as score.

I for 1 am thnakful he is our player and know if he was at another club in our league would be baying ofr us to get him.

We are lucky to have players like him JF and KD , as they are stand out players much like AL

 

 

What I reproach him of late is something you can see more easily from the full 90s on Saintsplayer and the extended highlights from different angles than you probably could from most places in the stands. The number of balls played across the face of goal that he just doesn't get to. If you had the misfortune to watch any of Barca-Real the other day you'll have noticed Messi's first goal, an inocous ball across the goal that he make a superhuman effort to get a touch on, Lambert would have been a yard or 2 short if he'd been in the same starting position as Messi.Take Monday's game,as I've said NA's piece has for background action from that game, the number of crosses that RL was a yard short on is simply staggering and to be honest there are a couple you'd have to say he might have got for a tap in if he'd made a bit more effort.Take Fonté's goal, a real effort to get his head on the ball,would Ricky have got it if the roles had been reversed? who knows.

 

He's been doing a great job for us of late but he's not a point striker any more.

[Saint_clark]

Did you honestly just say that the reason you have your doubts is because he isn't as good as Messi?

[Window Cleaner]

Did you honestly just say that the reason you have your doubts is because he isn't as good as Messi?

 

no of course not, what I'm trying to say is that someone with a bit more athleticism might get on the end of balls that go begging across the face of goal and

turn horrible stalemates where we have 50 chances and no goals into 1-0 wins.

[Chez]

no of course not, what I'm trying to say is that someone with a bit more athleticism might get on the end of balls that go begging across the face of goal and

turn horrible stalemates where we have 50 chances and no goals into 1-0 wins.

 

not just to do with a lack of athleticism, he simply does not try very hard to get into the danger area. He prefers to hold back and wait for the drop down or pull back. He'd get more goals is he got right into the six yard box, but it's just not his instinct.

[View From The Top]

So, to conclude. Lambert isn't as good as Messi and isn't a fox in the box type of striker.

[The9]

not just to do with a lack of athleticism, he simply does not try very hard to get into the danger area. He prefers to hold back and wait for the drop down or pull back. He'd get more goals is he got right into the six yard box, but it's just not his instinct.

 

He does this so much that I've even suggested it might be tactical, not that I've ever heard of it before.

 

Nice to see another one who can't take a sensible discussion up there, claiming we're being critical "because he's not Messi". Read and debate the actual point or please just don't bother, eh ?

[View From The Top]

He does this so much that I've even suggested it might be tactical, not that I've ever heard of it before.

 

Nice to see another one who can't take a sensible discussion up there, claiming we're being critical "because he's not Messi". Read and debate the actual point or please just don't bother, eh ?

 

F**k off you pompous c**t. You seem to think it's only your over inflated pompous opinion that counts. Well tough sh*t, it isn't.

[Chez]

Messi isn't a fox in the box himself, the point made above was that he got into that danger area and it paid dividend. Maybe Lambert should do that a little more often? He's a midfielder turned striker and for me that explains why he often doesn't bust a gut to get in the six yard box. A natural striker just does that all the time. A midfielder holds back and waits for the cut back or poor clearance.

 

I don't think asking this question is a serious criticism of Lambert. Besides, why can't Saints fans point out our strikers failings as well as praise their strengths? None of our players are world beaters and beyond criticism. They could all improve.

 

I like him a lot by the way. I personally feel that a goal in a game does not mean the striker has had a good game. You could lose the ball all day costing your team several goals and then score a pen you haven't earned. Would that mean you had a good game?

[The Cat]

I think it's taken him a while to get used to the role and formation he is playing in under Adkins, but now he seems more comfortable in it and is performing well. He is definitely playing deeper than last season and is subsequently struggling to get into the box in time to meet the sort of crosses he was nodding in for fun under Pardew.

 

He is such a crucial player for us. Even if he doesn't appear to be playing well at times, he is still having a big influence on the game and causing the other team problems.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Didn't score a hatful though Jamie and according to the morons what inhabit these boards, that's not good enough.

 

Along with AL and Fonte, he'd be one of the 1st names on my team sheet for every game.

 

This.

[OldNick]

not just to do with a lack of athleticism, he simply does not try very hard to get into the danger area. He prefers to hold back and wait for the drop down or pull back. He'd get more goals is he got right into the six yard box, but it's just not his instinct.

but surely that criticism should be pointed at LB as he is a supposed goal poacher. He is the quick mobile player to get those, but because he shows ' passion' Lol all the rest is forgotten

[Roger]

but surely that criticism should be pointed at LB as he is a supposed goal poacher. He is the quick mobile player to get those, but because he shows ' passion' Lol all the rest is forgotten

 

I would say that ricky is one of our most important players if not the most important. He never gets in any trouble with refs and his passing skills are better than all if not only morgan. I would like to see him furthur forward but he has so much to his game.

[doggface]

Agree with Roger, Lambert is one of our key men:- Lallana, Fonte and Lambert are our key players, take anyone of them out and they cannot be replaced. Would you fancy playing Brentford today without Rickie??

Just look at his appearence, assits and goalscoring record for us. Also take into account his injuries most of the season he just gets on and plays and does not make a fuss.

You wouldn't ask Le Tissier to tackle back, Makalele to score 20 goals and season would you?

Players should play to their strengths like RL does.

[Roger]

Didn't score a hatful though Jamie and according to the morons what inhabit these boards, that's not good enough.

 

Along with AL and Fonte, he'd be one of the 1st names on my team sheet for every game.

 

I thought second half he was superb. I was frustrated that we didnt pass the ball to him lots of times when he took up a great position. That is the other thing with ricky he is so unselfish.

[Roger]

I'm saying that if he hadn't been pants for the rest of the match he might have contributed more.

 

I'm also amused that people don't seem to be able to differentiate between scoring goals and playing well, especially when it's not the goalscoring that is the issue, and he's often done that despite not having much impact other than that and when otherwise playing poorly.

 

Doesn't matter anyway, he's well past his latest run of poor touches and giving the ball away cheaply.

 

I think ricky is pretty good mate actually. If you want something to moan about moan about the centre midfield not being able to boss a game. I think that is our problem. I would have a lot more concerns about chaplow and hammond next season in chamionship if we go up. Stephens has looked poor too. Think morgan is good enough but maybe not the rest.

[doddisalegend]

Good to see Lambert step up with two more vital goals today to make it 21 for the season........

[saints-cris]

Good to see Lambert step up with two more vital goals today to make it 21 for the season........

 

And 50 league goals for us now.

[richie]

He's scored 20 plus so far this season in all comps.

 

end of discussion.