Lambert

[OldNick]

Fans from other teams keep asking me why RL is not playing, and how they can't believe NA is not playing him.

I suspect RL is wondering why as well, it must question his own ability. An Everton fan said to me , perhaps NA does not believe he is a PL player. I have yet to speak to another teams fan who can understand why he is not playing.

[kpturner]

Fans from other teams keep asking me why RL is not playing, and how they can't believe NA is not playing him.

I suspect RL is wondering why as well, it must question his own ability. An Everton fan said to me , perhaps NA does not believe he is a PL player. I have yet to speak to another teams fan who can understand why he is not playing.

It would be a useful debate if RL wasn't playing - but he is (albeit not always starting). In fact, yesterday, I wouldn't say he made much of a difference when he replaced Rodriguez. Don't get me wrong, I would rather see him play than not, but if the manager sees things in training from other players that he wants to try instead, then who am I to second guess him.

[Berkshire Saint]

Wasn't that the first league game he hasn't started since the Man City game? Hardly 'not playing' really...

[Colinjb]

In the first half yesterday Rodriguez did look the part. Lambert didn't exactly make a positive impact when he came in.

[ollysaints1]

Lambert lifts the team when hes on the pitch. the players always believe we can score when hes there. I cant even imagine the mentality of the players when they see his name not in the starting 11, its a terrible mindset to start a match with. i cant imagine No goal rodriguez fills the team with confidence either.

As Nigel alyways says "we've got goals in the team" unfortunatley yesterday, Nigel, those goals were sat on the bench.

[chocco boxo]

Why does he not tell us what he see's in training, surely saying something along the lines that JRod has been on fire all week in training? would help?

[Glasgow_Saint]

Anyone that picks Guly ahead of Lambert needs mental help imho

[Saint Garrett]

Jrod looked very lively yesterday, I was impressed with him, but we have a problem in that we've spent 6m on a good player, but nowhere to play him.

[St Lej]

Anyone that picks Guly ahead of Lambert needs mental help imho

Second that!

[corky morris]

We should play 4-4-2 with RL & J Rod up front. Not on the wings with GR through the middle like at Everton. Traditional 4-4-2. Like we did to get promoted!

[Appy]

Roger will be on soon.

[Saint Garrett]

Thing is if we play 442 we'll get over run in the middle of midfield like we did Vs Wigan.

 

I'm not sure what the answer is but I don't think it's that.

[kpturner]

Anyone that picks Guly ahead of Lambert needs mental help imho

Fortunately, that was not the case - so he doesn't have to contact his shrink just yet.

[sfc4prem]

Thing is if we play 442 we'll get over run in the middle of midfield like we did Vs Wigan.

 

I'm not sure what the answer is but I don't think it's that.

 

4-2-3-1 is the way forward. Jay Rod is Lambert's replacement for the coming years.

[corky morris]

Thing is if we play 442 we'll get over run in the middle of midfield like we did Vs Wigan.

 

I'm not sure what the answer is but I don't think it's that.

 

We did not play 4-4-2 against Wigan!!!! Wigan switched to 4-4-2 & pushed the x Arsenal lad up front & we stayed 4-5-1.

I would rather we got beat 4-1 going for it & making the opposition worry about us. At the moment we are nowhere near as offensive as we were last year.

[Saint Garrett]

There is nothing wrong with 4231, and it will work, just need to cut out the mistakes.

[BadgerBadger]

He needs to play him from the off every single game and leave him on till the end, if and when injury strikes then bring on the subs. Takng him off with 10-20 mins left has cost us a possible 6 points already IMO - Man U and Fulham, both times him leaving the park has let the opposition in.....

[sammysaint]

He needs to play him from the off every single game and leave him on till the end, if and when injury strikes then bring on the subs. Takng him off with 10-20 mins left has cost us a possible 6 points already IMO - Man U and Fulham, both times him leaving the park has let the opposition in.....

 

THIS.

 

Lambo is a threat, other teams defence hate playing against him and managers make there top defender mark him, he needs to start.

[Wade Garrett]

It would be a useful debate if RL wasn't playing - but he is (albeit not always starting). In fact, yesterday, I wouldn't say he made much of a difference when he replaced Rodriguez. Don't get me wrong, I would rather see him play than not, but if the manager sees things in training from other players that he wants to try instead, then who am I to second guess him.

 

Yeah right, I expect you would have said the same thing when Branfoot dropped Le Tissier.

 

It looks pretty obvious that they have fallen out. I doubt Ricky was too pleased after the Fulham game when Adkins said he should have taken him off sooner. Dropping Lambert to the bench was a bloody stupid thing to do, whatever way you look at it.

[SuperMikey]

Rickie's hardly an athlete, and he's looked tired well before he's been subbed in a few games. The game plan yesterday involved a mobile forward who can cope aerially, and Jay Rod fits the bill there.

 

I can understand that people are miffed that Rickie isn't on the pitch for 90 minutes, but there are tactical and physical limitations to that.

[kpturner]

Yeah right, I expect you would have said the same thing when Branfoot dropped Le Tissier.

 

It looks pretty obvious that they have fallen out. I doubt Ricky was too pleased after the Fulham game when Adkins said he should have taken him off sooner. Dropping Lambert to the bench was a bloody stupid thing to do, whatever way you look at it.

How the hell do you know that? Pure and utter baseless speculation. When I see your qualifications in football coaching, then I will respect your opinion over what Adkins should and should not do. Before the game they handed the team sheet around the tables in the hospitality suite. I was surprised to see his name on the bench, and a bit dismayed. However, I was prepared to see how the first half panned out before judging it. We played well, and so did Rodriguez. We didn't lose because Lamber did not start. We lost because of defensive calamities. When Lambert came on, he was less effective that Rodriguez (who did at least set up our only goal).

[Wade Garrett]

How the hell do you know that? Pure and utter baseless speculation. When I see your qualifications in football coaching, then I will respect your opinion over what Adkins should and should not do. Before the game they handed the team sheet around the tables in the hospitality suite. I was surprised to see his name on the bench, and a bit dismayed. However, I was prepared to see how the first half panned out before judging it. We played well, and so did Rodriguez. We didn't lose because Lamber did not start. We lost because of defensive calamities. When Lambert came on, he was less effective that Rodriguez (who did at least set up our only goal).

 

You don't know me, and I couldn't give 2 sh*ts whether you respect me or not. And it's not pure and utter baseless speculation either.

 

Stick to your prawn sandwiches.

[Wade Garrett]

I find it utterly incredible that people are trying to justify our best player being left out and subbed all the time.

 

Face facts, it's a f*ck up.

[kpturner]

You don't know me, and I couldn't give 2 sh*ts whether you respect me or not. And it's not pure and utter baseless speculation either.

 

Stick to your prawn sandwiches.

Yes it is pure and utter baseless speculation....and it was fish and chips thanks. Now go and collect your toys and get back in your pram.

[Dig Dig]

Lambert lifts the team when hes on the pitch. the players always believe we can score when hes there. I cant even imagine the mentality of the players when they see his name not in the starting 11, its a terrible mindset to start a match with. i cant imagine No goal rodriguez fills the team with confidence either.

As Nigel alyways says "we've got goals in the team" unfortunatley yesterday, Nigel, those goals were sat on the bench.

 

The players need to change their mentality then and make things happen themselves. We can't simply not play just because Lambert doesn't.

[Wade Garrett]

Yes it is pure and utter baseless speculation....and it was fish and chips thanks. Now go and collect your toys and get back in your pram.

 

I could call you a bit of a c*nt for your recent postings but I will rise above it.

 

Great put down line though, very witty and original.

[Didcot Saint]

I find it utterly incredible that people are trying to justify our best player being left out and subbed all the time.

 

Face facts, it's a f*ck up.

 

Spot on that man.

[kpturner]

I could call you a bit of a c*nt for your recent postings but I will rise above it.

Well you clearly haven't risen above it, or you wouldn't have written that. I don't agree with you, therefore I am a c*nt. Nice one.

Which part of the ground were you in yesterday by the way? What was your opinion of Rodriguez in the first half? Did we lose that game because Lambert started on the bench? If so, why?

[Wade Garrett]

Well you clearly haven't risen above it, or you wouldn't have written that. I don't agree with you, therefore I am a c*nt. Nice one.

Which part of the ground were you in yesterday by the way? What was your opinion of Rodriguez in the first half? Did we lose that game because Lambert started on the bench? If so, why?

 

You strike me as a bit of a whiner.

[sfc4prem]

You strike me as a bit of a whiner.

 

You strike me as a know-it-all.

[kpturner]

You strike me as a bit of a whiner.

Oh the irony!

[rick1976.4.38]

its not cos lambert didnt play we lost but probably doesnt help.

we lost cos our defence isnt premiership standard.

secondly our third gk this season after 8 games cant help either

keep the faith all of you,long way to go yet

coys

[Wade Garrett]

The argument that Adkins knows best and shouldn't be questioned is a load of cock and bull.

 

Why can't his decisions be questioned. Were we wrong to question Branfoot when Matty was dropped? Or should we just have accepted it because he saw more of the players on the training pitch? Maybe for the sake of stability, we should have stuck with Branfoot, Jones or Gray 'for the sake of stability', even though we probably would have got relegated in every case.

[Wade Garrett]

You strike me as a know-it-all.

 

Just someone with an opinion. Still thanks for taking the time to post.

[BadgerBadger]

Rickie's hardly an athlete, and he's looked tired well before he's been subbed in a few games. The game plan yesterday involved a mobile forward who can cope aerially, and Jay Rod fits the bill there.

 

I can understand that people are miffed that Rickie isn't on the pitch for 90 minutes, but there are tactical and physical limitations to that.

 

Disagree with the tiredness factor, Rickie just needs to stay up top and that draws the defence to mark him which keeps the teams pushing us back, plus he makes defence nervous - he's got an eye for a pass, freekick and a pen, bring on Mayuka to run around............

[kpturner]

The argument that Adkins knows best and shouldn't be questioned is a load of cock and bull.

 

Why can't his decisions be questioned. Were we wrong to question Branfoot when Matty was dropped? Or should we just have accepted it because he saw more of the players on the training pitch? Maybe for the sake of stability, we should have stuck with Branfoot, Jones or Gray 'for the sake of stability', even though we probably would have got relegated in every case.

Who said he shouldn't be questioned? From my perspective, I think I clearly stated that I was dismayed to see him left out. I also said I would rather see him playing than not. However, I was just prepared to cut Adkins some slack until I had seen how the game panned out. As it turned out, and there are others on the dissection thread how concur, the omission of Lambert was not the reason we lost this game. We looked pretty good in the 1st half without him to honest, and did not look any more effective when he came on. If I thought that his omission was the reason we got stuffed, then I would be moaning like hell about it. I wasn't lauding Adkins for taking Lambert off against Man Utd for example - quite the opposite.

 

You are stating as fact that Adkins has left him out of the starting line-up because they have fallen out. Why?

Does Pardew leave Demba Ba out because they have fallen out, or because he has a different game plan for different opposition?

[Ian the Red]

Ricky Lambert is our best player by far, our only real threat and the only player who will score consistently in this league. We were crap against Man City for 60 mins and lucky not to be 5 0 down by the time RL came on changed the game for us. Taking RL off against Manure cost us at least a point and against Fulham probably a win. He is key for us without him we are simply not good enough. There is not another manager, pundit or many fans that will agree with NA team selection or subs. NA must learn from this and not repeat them.

[derry]

Lambert needs support. 433/451 doesn't mean we can't play two strikers together, ideally play three, Lambert and Mayuka with Rodriguez.

[scotty]

The argument that Adkins knows best and shouldn't be questioned is a load of cock and bull.

 

Why can't his decisions be questioned. Were we wrong to question Branfoot when Matty was dropped? Or should we just have accepted it because he saw more of the players on the training pitch? Maybe for the sake of stability, we should have stuck with Branfoot, Jones or Gray 'for the sake of stability', even though we probably would have got relegated in every case.

 

Thats the most ludicrous comparison I've ever heard. Branfoot was an utter disaster from day one, Adkins took us from the bottom of L1 to the prem in 2 seasons. He's had a grand total of 8 games in the prem so far.

[buctootim]

Anyone that picks Guly ahead of Lambert needs mental help imho

 

Guly was playing on the left wing. Anybody who thinks Lambert can do that needs mental help imo.

[SuperMikey]

Disagree with the tiredness factor, Rickie just needs to stay up top and that draws the defence to mark him which keeps the teams pushing us back, plus he makes defence nervous - he's got an eye for a pass, freekick and a pen, bring on Mayuka to run around............

 

 

 

We both know he's not just a target man up top. He drifts all over the place and covers a lot of ground. Thing is he's not our only striker and we need different players for different situations.

 

Agree about Mayuka though, think he'd be quality playing off Rickie/Jay.

[Pilchards]

If West Ham stick three players on Lambert to keep him quiet then it means the rest of our players have more options to stretch their back line surely?

 

Bring on our two speedy wingers who will tear them a new arsehole!

 

What we don't have any?

[Lord Duckhunter]

Do people really think the result would have been different,would our centre halfs defended correctly,would we start tackling instead of running beside people. Nigel had a game plan to use rl as an impact player , had we defended right it may have worked.it wasn't the forward line that aas wrong . Had jrod missed a few people may have a point,but he did a pretty decent job . We are in the top flight and Lambert is a massive reason for that, but he is not that good that he's undropable.

[Colinjb]

Do people really think the result would have been different,would our centre halfs defended correctly,would we start tackling instead of running beside people. Nigel had a game plan to use rl as an impact player , had we defended right it may have worked.it wasn't the forward line that aas wrong . Had jrod missed a few people may have a point,but he did a pretty decent job . We are in the top flight and Lambert is a massive reason for that, but he is not that good that he's undropable.

 

Can't disagree.

[Wade Garrett]

Thats the most ludicrous comparison I've ever heard. Branfoot was an utter disaster from day one, Adkins took us from the bottom of L1 to the prem in 2 seasons. He's had a grand total of 8 games in the prem so far.

 

The point was, should we be able to question the manager or bow to his better judgement. I'm not sure it is a ludicrous comparison though.

[LostBoys]

Lambert carried more threat than JRod or Guly (who did not have a bad game) but unfortunately missed his header at a crucial time.

[Thedelldays]

I am stunned that people actually think dropping lambert is in any way a good idea

 

J rod looked ok but had zero goal threat.

 

Has he had a shot on target all season?

 

Also, on lambert... When we go into a game needing to score at least 2 to get a point... When would it be ever a good idea to drop your top scorer and someone who sets ups a fair few clear cut chances???

 

Just cannot believe it

Edited 22 October, 2012 by Thedelldays

[CB Fry]

Do people really think the result would have been different,would our centre halfs defended correctly,would we start tackling instead of running beside people. Nigel had a game plan to use rl as an impact player , had we defended right it may have worked.it wasn't the forward line that aas wrong ..

 

 

 

Sorry, that was and is an appalling "game plan".

 

RL would have contributed to the defensive performance you are bemoaning.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Well you clearly haven't risen above it, or you wouldn't have written that. I don't agree with you, therefore I am a c*nt. Nice one.

Which part of the ground were you in yesterday by the way? What was your opinion of Rodriguez in the first half? Did we lose that game because Lambert started on the bench? If so, why?

 

 

I was there and imo we lost the match at 2pm when the team was announced. So many West Ham fans were smiling all over their faces. One told me they were "terrified" of Lambert.

And Wade is right Lambert was dropped for disciplinary reasons after falling out with NA post the Fulham game. Not knocking JayRod by the way - I am sure he will come good and he did OK on Saturday but RL is a talismanic figure and we simply cannpt afford to leave him out.

[david in sweden]

....of course BUT....whether Rickie was being disciplined, lost form or broke a leg.....Rodriguez is the player we've bought to " eventually " replace him...whenever that is ?

He hasn't looked the part so far, but playing left wing isn't the best formation to use your " would-be " CF either..you have to try him out sometime and can't leave him on the bench for another 3 months.

As both teams were Championship sides last season it was the ideal game to give Jay Rod that outing. ...rather than say wait until we visit Chelsea or MU.

 

Saturday was the " best /worst example " I've seen of " a game of two halves "..... that I've witnessed in ages. Psychology has a lot to do with tactics, and although it didn't bring goals this time, having Guly and JayRod moving around the front line wasn't what the Wham defence were expecting, and when we had possession ....looked most likely to score and I could see us nicking a goal in the 2nd half..........

...until the 46th minute that is. Although our CBs " took care " of Andy Carroll very well in the first 45 mins..and pleased with their own efforts ....they went to sleep at the start of the second.

Then....the game was lost after 2 minutes of recklessness and poor marking. Even Big Sam admitted he thought Wham were outplayed in the first 45.

 

Introducing Lambert in the second half would have given headaches to a tiring Wham defence, and had his free kick been a foot lower we might have been back in the game...whereas had Rickie been treated in the way that Jos and Jose handled Carroll in the first 45........ he might not have survived the whole game.

 

Discipline or tactics ? ......doesn't matter, I still think it wasn't such a bad move......and as everyone is obviously alerted to the RL danger...trying out an alternative strike force is absolutely necessary..especailly as NA is always being accused of lacking a " Plan B ". We can't afford to continue with the luxury of being a one-man strike force for a whole season in this League, and must give others a chance to perform.

Edited 22 October, 2012 by david in sweden