Lambert

[Hoggins]

Where does the managerial change leave him? Wondering now if the constant rumours of him leaving/other clubs being interested had some wider significance all along?

[Thedelldays]

probably the same when pardew left and many were sure he would leave....lambert will continue to play for us for the forseeable...

[beatlesaint]

If we let him go this transfer window we will be relegated without a shadow of a doubt.

I cannot even believe it is being considered but a lot of people have "heard" things so who knows ?

[Window Cleaner]

Where does the managerial change leave him? Wondering now if the constant rumours of him leaving/other clubs being interested had some wider significance all along?

 

depends exactly who was trying to push him out of the door, if you believe rumours that is. Was it Adkins to make room for JRod or was it NC to make room for a different kind of football. I guess if he goes anywhere at any time soon we'll know.

[Colinjb]

Our leading goalscorer. He will still be key, at the very least until the summer.

[Lord Duckhunter]

You never know, look at the way Adam's and the Arsenal back 4 got a new lease of life when AW came along.

 

Maybe MP's methods will prolong his career.

[Saint Charlie]

MP used Osvaldo - a targetman - to great success at Espanyol. I don't get why people assume RL will be affected. In fact Argentina themselves have had loads of successful bigger strikers. I am sure he will value Lambert.

 

I also saw someone comment that "De Ridder will probably get a run of games now then" and wondered what warped logic they had made to come to this conclusion.

[Neef]

My worry for Lambert is related to Pochettino's style of play. He admires Biesla at Bilbao who aggressively presses for near 90 mins. Is Lambert suited for that? Adkins benched him against Chelsea so as to conserve his energy and use him when we were chasing the game.

[Saint Garrett]

Certainly be interesting to see what happens with him after all the rumours that we've tried to get rid of him multiple times. Sounds crazy though. If Cortese gets rid of Adkins and Lambert, then fans will be hunting him down !

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

My worry for Lambert is related to Pochettino's style of play. He admires Biesla at Bilbao who aggressively presses for near 90 mins. Is Lambert suited for that? Adkins benched him against Chelsea so as to conserve his energy and use him when we were chasing the game.

 

Yes, but remember who plays up front for Bielsa...

[shurlock]

depends exactly who was trying to push him out of the door, if you believe rumours that is. Was it Adkins to make room for JRod or was it NC to make room for a different kind of football. I guess if he goes anywhere at any time soon we'll know.

 

Agree- still unclear where the occasional hesitation on Lambert came from. Still remember Lambert's early struggles under NA and NA's experimentation with different options e.g playing Forte furthest forward. Always struck me that NA dating back to his days at Scunny liked more mobile strikers.

Or possibly it's Cortese -and another parochial example of his belief that foreign is best and that a 'big-boned' (euphemistically speaking), 30 something scouser is an anachronism in the brave new world of the 'southampton way'.

For me, this is one of the more intriguing subplots of the management change.

[Neef]

Yes, but remember who plays up front for Bielsa...

 

True but he seems more energetic than Lambert whenever Ive watched him. Im just hoping Pochettino doesn't try and change too much now, hopefully leaves it to the summer.

[Window Cleaner]

Agree- still unclear where the occasional hesitation on Lambert came from. Still remember Lambert's early struggles under NA and NA's experimentation with different options e.g playing Forte furthest forward. Always struck me that NA dating back to his days at Scunny liked more mobile strikers.

Or possibly it's Cortese -and another parochial example of his belief that foreign is best and that a 'big-boned' (euphemistically speaking), 30 something scouser is an anachronism in the brave new world of the 'southampton way'.

For me, this is one of the more intriguing subplots of the management change.

 

Or it could just be a "get 'em while they're hot, they're lovely" Wengerian philosophy is at work at SFC.

[Dig Dig]

Maybe he'll turn to Lee Barnard to aggressively press the oppo back line?

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

True but he seems more energetic than Lambert whenever Ive watched him. Im just hoping Pochettino doesn't try and change too much now, hopefully leaves it to the summer.

 

He is more energetic, it'll be interesting to see what happens.

[Saint Charlie]

Maybe he'll turn to Lee Barnard to aggressively press the oppo back line?

 

He is close to joining Mansfield Town on loan which suprised me. Apparantly they have a bit of cash - he will score bucketloads at that level.

Edited 21 January, 2013 by Saint Charlie

[saint-crinny]

Yes MP has a reputation for playing pressing football, which Rickie may struggle with. He also has a reputation for prefering technically gifted players, of which Lambert is one of our best.

 

If MP can't see that in the first few training sessions, and in the "research" he has been doing over the past few weeks, you have to worry.

 

Sure Lambert will be here until the summer at the least (although after our recent decent form, i would have said the same about Nigel)

[ibizasaint]

My worry for Lambert is related to Pochettino's style of play. He admires Biesla at Bilbao who aggressively presses for near 90 mins. Is Lambert suited for that? Adkins benched him against Chelsea so as to conserve his energy and use him when we were chasing the game.

 

 

Bilbao play with Llorente up front, who is like a not so good version of Lambert.

[saint_sinner]

we must not lose Lambert this window or we are doomed!

[Graffito]

I fear Lambert's days may be numbered due to the way in which Po likes his teams to play. Would be a sad day when he goes to be replaced by a runner.

[mini_me]

I have heard a rumour today, supposedly from within the club, that we have accepted a bid from Newcastle. Potentially suicidal if true.

[Hoggins]

I'd probably be more upset about us getting rid of Lambert than sacking Adkins... which is saying something!

[Georgie]

I have heard a rumour today, supposedly from within the club, that we have accepted a bid from Newcastle. Potentially suicidal if true.

 

If true, that would be abosultely mental. It's one thing getting rid of him, but to sell to a relegation rival? Would be madness

[Window Cleaner]

I have heard a rumour today, supposedly from within the club, that we have accepted a bid from Newcastle. Potentially suicidal if true.

 

maybe but they're trying desperately to sign a striker from Bordeaux right now. Gouffran, out of contract in June, a million will get it done but Toon have only offered about half of that. Yanga Mbiwa is up there today so with the 8 million that he'll cost them and Debuchy at 6 million they've spent a bit already.

[Thedelldays]

We won't sell lambert.

[badgerx16]

We won't sell lambert.

 

To do that on top of the managerial change would probably see NC waking up next to a horse's head.

[pangy]

If NC got rid of SRL in Jan there would be people outside St Mary's calling for his head,people would be outside the stadium crying like when Robbie left Take That.

[Itchen_block4]

depends exactly who was trying to push him out of the door, if you believe rumours that is. Was it Adkins to make room for JRod or was it NC to make room for a different kind of football. I guess if he goes anywhere at any time soon we'll know.

 

Cortese knows **** all about football and isn't the one making those kinds of decisions. Cortese brought in Reed and made him a director, effectively on the same level as him, to be his football brain, as chairmen don't have a great reputation for doing things properly when they try to get involved in structuring a football club.

 

As for Lambert, Pochettino knnws a bit about tactics and will move things around to get him in while he's still here. All this talk of Lambert going elsewhere, I think may have had more to do with Adkins than some people might like to think. Lambert isn't that quick, but that's not really an issue since the average centre half is hardly Usain Bolt. He's just a real team player, which is great in a 442, but a lone striker needs to be selfish to leave the play behind and look for gaps. It's frustrating when Lambert comes short and there's no one ahead of him. Adkins clearly recognised this, but as some smart arse will point out, he's too influential to leave out and Adkins recognised that too. It wasn't Le Tiss retiring that sent us down in 2005. In some ways it made us a better team, it'a no coincidence that Strachan's 02/03 team was one of our best.

[musesaint]

Lambert will not be sold

 

Calm down

[Colbury]

Hopefully Lambert sees his career out with us. Hard to imagine going to watch Saints without Lambert playing for us. Would hate to see him playing for anyone else.

[Lets B Avenue]

people would be outside the stadium crying like when Robbie left Take That.

 

Roger will be on "suicide watch".

[Amazing Hangover]

Way, way too good for that - saw them loose 4-1 to Cambridge recently

 

Barnard That Is.

Edited 21 January, 2013 by Amazing Hangover

[Convict Colony]

Hate to say it but anyone who says we shouldn't sell Ricky at the end of year is missing the point. The highest value we will ever achieve for a +30yr old player will be this season. He will be worked out 2nd season and his game does not fit how we need to play and his value will decline. No player is bigger than Southampton and with Jay and Mayauka we have 2 pacey forwards we can rotate when one is off form and they can improve as they are young, something Ricky isn't. He will be a legend but all clubs get rid of legends just think Roy Keane for 1

[scotty]

Hate to say it but anyone who says we shouldn't sell Ricky at the end of year is missing the point. The highest value we will ever achieve for a +30yr old player will be this season. He will be worked out 2nd season and his game does not fit how we need to play and his value will decline. No player is bigger than Southampton and with Jay and Mayauka we have 2 pacey forwards we can rotate when one is off form and they can improve as they are young, something Ricky isn't. He will be a legend but all clubs get rid of legends just think Roy Keane for 1

 

I'd rather not. Cant afford another computer screen at the moment.

[Convict Colony]

Hahahhaa fair play but I reckon fergie would give his left bollock for a Roy Keane now in his ****ty midfield. Am gonna watch the game tonight in a small mining town in the kalahari is this a record ?

[scotty]

Hahahhaa fair play but I reckon fergie would give his left bollock for a Roy Keane now in his ****ty midfield. Am gonna watch the game tonight in a small mining town in the kalahari is this a record ?

 

I think it probably is!! Nice one, enjoy the game

[Itchen_block4]

Hate to say it but anyone who says we shouldn't sell Ricky at the end of year is missing the point. The highest value we will ever achieve for a +30yr old player will be this season. He will be worked out 2nd season and his game does not fit how we need to play and his value will decline. No player is bigger than Southampton and with Jay and Mayauka we have 2 pacey forwards we can rotate when one is off form and they can improve as they are young, something Ricky isn't. He will be a legend but all clubs get rid of legends just think Roy Keane for 1

 

Lambert's monetary value isn't huge anyway, so I doubt we'd be that worried about the money. Going back to Le Tiss, he kept us up year on year, but he also held us back by becoming too big and marginalising everyone else. The teams immediately after Le Tiss retired were some of the best for years and it was poor management/lack of investment that let that go. We have other players who are all capable. I sometimes get the feeling that our team is Lambert plus 10 others and I don't think that is healthy for the equilibrium of the team. After a bit of time getting used to life without Lambert, I do think we could really catch fire with a team of players roughly equal in the influence stakes. You're right in sayig that we should let Lambert go at the end of the season. It's one of those tough decisions between sentiment and progress that football is full of. It takes balls to make those decisions, but good managers make them. SAF has made loads of them in his time at Man U and got most of them right. I'm guessing that now, he just wants to win the league, so he can retire on a high and leave the poor sod in charge next with the thankless task of purging all the old farts.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Starting and captain.

[Lazlo78]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4790217/Rickie-Lamberts-wants-to-finish-career-at-Southampton.html

[Thedelldays]

The idea of lambert moving on at the end of the season is utterly insane

 

He is awesome and clearly able to keep this up for another 2 seasons IMO

Edited 12 February, 2013 by Thedelldays

[ottery st mary]

Class act who improves with age.

 

Even more to come from a very good footballer.

[Olallana]

What!!!

 

I thought he was very unhappy when Adkins left and that he would leave to anywhere Adkins end up....

 

My source?

This board.....

[ericofarabia]

Great choice of Captain as well.

 

Lets face it, the captain doesn't do much with tactics on the pitch, it's more motivational and setting an example - things that SRL excels at.

 

If SRL runs up to you fists clenched, teeth bared like a mad dog and extolling you to get fecking stuck into the opposition and rip them a new one, then i suggest you'd do just that !!

 

Top top man. Love him to bits.

[saints-cris]

Serious man love for this guy

[The9]

Whilst I've come around to Lambert's ability to fit into a pressing game, actually press a bit, and the benefits it offers him in receiving the ball high up the pitch and near the opposition's goal, if we're genuinely going to push onto achieve Cortese's vision I can't see Pochettino putting up with the diminishing returns he'll get as Lambert ages and becomes more injury-prone. He's proving to be remarkably resilient for a player in his 30s at the moment.

[corsacar saint]

Agree entirely with the sentiments of ericofabia.

[pingwing]

Sign him up sign him up!

[DanW]

I want to name my next pet after him. I love Lambert.

[CanadaSaint]

His touch (with head, chest and both feet) and vision are absolutely tremendous, and he has that special ability to make it look as though he has all kinds of time. But we've always known those things.

 

I was really impressed that he was still pushing-hard in the 90th minute against City. Either he's become fitter (and/or better motivated) under Pochettino, or Adkins was arguably taking him off too early on the occasions when he subbed him.

 

The way he plays, and the way he's playing, I can see him still in the PL and still contributing in 6-8 years time.

[tajjuk]

Whilst I've come around to Lambert's ability to fit into a pressing game, actually press a bit, and the benefits it offers him in receiving the ball high up the pitch and near the opposition's goal, if we're genuinely going to push onto achieve Cortese's vision I can't see Pochettino putting up with the diminishing returns he'll get as Lambert ages and becomes more injury-prone. He's proving to be remarkably resilient for a player in his 30s at the moment.

 

 

Well aside from examples like Giggs, Scholes, Pirlo, Sherringham, Phillips, etc. all still playing on into the their late 30's which must be due to modern physio techniques, training and nutrition, all of which Rickie can benefit from.

 

He's also got the fact that he's only really been regularly playing football since he was about 20 and unlike many modern footballers an early career in the lower leagues has seen him average about 43 games a season, a lot less than the 60+ some players have played with Internationals, Champions League etc. Lambert has played 567 career games, in comparison Rooney at just 27 has played 546. Plus you add in the regular end of season breaks he gets unlike those who go to international tournaments. He's a bit of a late bloomer both abitlity wise and by his own admission professionalism wise, so I don't think he's going to burn out physically, plus he doesn't have any pace as it is.

 

I think there are a fair few miles in his legs yet.

Edited 12 February, 2013 by tajjuk