killer fan Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Who thinks lambert will be on the bench a lot next season he's gone down hill quite a bit after the west ham game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Depends who we sign. If we don't sign another striker I can't see JRod displacing him just yet. If we sign a top striker, then yes, his chances will be more limited. Probably for the best at this level, he's looked very tired and slow in the past few games, and his movement was almost non-existent today. The one time he did choose to move himself resulted in a great shot and save from the keeper. I imagine the end of the season can't come soon enough for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchen_dan Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 You can see defenders have worked him out and know his game. Top strikers will find a way to best this and get an advantage but Rickie just doesn't look like doing that. Holt suffered the same end of last season and this season. Same with Cisse. We need a 15+ goal striker to compliment Rickie next season and give the lad a rest when he needs it as he has looked knackered of late. People forget he will be 32 at the end of next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Was going mental at the midfield for their shocking service all game. Hasn't looked as good - in fact, none of the team have - since the captaincy went back to Lallana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Lambert seems to have been isolated a lot by opposing defenses in recent games. He is our dangerman, our hold up player. Not just a striker but he brings others into the game and makes the entire attack tick. It has served to give Jay Rodriguez and others extra room going forward if the opposition switch off but due to the quality of opposition we play this isn't faultless. Take today. Lambert had very little clear chances but still managed to get a shot away and be a general nuisance. He is not indespensable, and I believe that tactically dropping him at times can have merit (West Ham away for instance, ok we were hammered but looked far more dangerous in the first half before utterly imploding in the second.) but he offers so much that it is a hard sell. If we can bring in some genuine playmakers who can sit behind the strikers/forwards then yes, his place will be under threat (The player I believe Ramirez can develop into....) but having a link player as high up the pitch as Rickie arguably will be the best thing for Poch's playing style. Press high, have the creativity high. Bring in a better quality of player and our dependence on him will lessen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Personally feel Lambert would be better playing in the hole with a natural finisher who has more pace an mobility in front of him. Rodriguez hasn't been consistent enough. His technical ability on the ball is better than anyone else in the team IMO and he prefers to drop deep. He will still be an important player for us next year but we have to have better Striker options so we aren't as reliant on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Who? Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 As a whole, since the win at Reading, our whole attacking cutting edge as been on the beach. This is up to the coaching and management to keep it going. We have been playing ok, and take a look at the stats of our game again today, we look the better team. We have more than shown what we can do, and sir lambert still has a huge future with us, for at least a couple of seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Is it just me that gets a bit frustrated with how much RL drops deeps and pushes out wide; often putting in crosses himself rather than looking to be on the end of them? Now I know that's part of the game for a CF; sometimes drop out wide and let another player move into your space, its all good movement. But it seems as if Rickie has either decided or is being instructed to drop off as opposed to working on the shoulder of the defender and getting in behind them. It kinds of makes us a bit more predictable; and very much limits the amount of clear-cut opportunities that Lambert is going to get in a game. When he is in those positions he has the touch and skill to get a shot off. I just feel as if he's not in the box as much as a striker should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Who? Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Personally feel Lambert would be better playing in the hole with a natural finisher who has more pace an mobility in front of him. Rodriguez hasn't been consistent enough. His technical ability on the ball is better than anyone else in the team IMO and he prefers to drop deep. He will still be an important player for us next year but we have to have better Striker options so we aren't as reliant on him. As strikers lose pace and move into the twilight of their career, they tend to play in the hole a bit more. Lets face it, with lambert it is not all about the finishing, his all round play is premier league. I hear he had a great game today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Saints Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Should be given the armband next season IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 I hear he had a great game today? Not his finest, but given that he was dealing with being man marked by two very physical centre backs and had very poor service this isn't surprising. He gave his all and played a part in a valuable point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Not his finest, but given that he was dealing with being man marked by two very physical centre backs and had very poor service this isn't surprising. He gave his all and played a part in a valuable point. This is an important point. He draws attention away from others, who then have a better chance of scoring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Is it just me that gets a bit frustrated with how much RL drops deeps and pushes out wide; often putting in crosses himself rather than looking to be on the end of them? Now I know that's part of the game for a CF; sometimes drop out wide and let another player move into your space, its all good movement. But it seems as if Rickie has either decided or is being instructed to drop off as opposed to working on the shoulder of the defender and getting in behind them. It kinds of makes us a bit more predictable; and very much limits the amount of clear-cut opportunities that Lambert is going to get in a game. When he is in those positions he has the touch and skill to get a shot off. I just feel as if he's not in the box as much as a striker should be. I wouldn't say it's bad thing Lambert does those things providing that we have players working the space and able to get into positions to finish moves off. Lambert would be much more effective for us if we could get a quality option up top. His touch, passing and ability to work in tight situations is superb. Imagine that lobbed ball over to Clyne last week being latched onto by a quality striker. That ball cane from deep and was absolute quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 I think we've lost a bit of the cutting edge we had under Adkin's since MP took over. That said, we have dominated far more games but haven't been able to fashion that many openings in some of them. I think a bit of pace upfront would help that, perhaps switching Rodriguez for Lambert positionally (though having Rickie centrally, as opposed to wide) might be an option. That said, he's a good crosser of the ball, though he'd probably be the slowest winger/inside forward in the Prem if we did that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollysaints1 Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 He's not gone downhill, he's just tired. He's been absolutely sensational not only this season but for the past 4 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 I wouldn't say it's bad thing Lambert does those things providing that we have players working the space and able to get into positions to finish moves off. Lambert would be much more effective for us if we could get a quality option up top. His touch, passing and ability to work in tight situations is superb. Imagine that lobbed ball over to Clyne last week being latched onto by a quality striker. That ball cane from deep and was absolute quality. Agreed he should be doing it as part of his game; its just the extent that he does it that I find concerning. His touch and awareness are brilliant, and his crossing typically very good. But he's also a brilliant aerial threat from crosses, yet we never seem to do that with him any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Agreed he should be doing it as part of his game; its just the extent that he does it that I find concerning. His touch and awareness are brilliant, and his crossing typically very good. But he's also a brilliant aerial threat from crosses, yet we never seem to do that with him any more. you want lambert on the end of his crosses. like I said, I think he is either carrying a knock or just fuk'd. a few times today, he never ran for the ball when it was played into space and had Cueller etc all over him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 That said, he's a good crosser of the ball, though he'd probably be the slowest winger/inside forward in the Prem if we did that! How about Rickie on indirect free-kicks/corners? Best dead-ball player we have, and thanks to his reputation he is marked out on most of the ones we have currently (not that the deliveries are good enough to find him.....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 He just looks knackered. Nothing wrong with his touch or football brain, just ******ed IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Agreed he should be doing it as part of his game; its just the extent that he does it that I find concerning. His touch and awareness are brilliant, and his crossing typically very good. But he's also a brilliant aerial threat from crosses, yet we never seem to do that with him any more. I think with the other 3 AM's around him not really on song at the moment has left him doing more and more recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 you want lambert on the end of his crosses. like I said, I think he is either carrying a knock or just fuk'd. a few times today, he never ran for the ball when it was played into space and had Cueller etc all over him There was one where he thought he was offside (he wasn't) and didn't bother chasing at all. Another when he was offside but instead of stopping play and letting our players get back he just stood there and let Sunderland hit on the break. Something not quite right, I reckon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 We haven't been able to rest him at all. The physical way he plays means he would benefit from it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 How about Rickie on indirect free-kicks/corners? Best dead-ball player we have, and thanks to his reputation he is marked out on most of the ones we have currently (not that the deliveries are good enough to find him.....) Our dead ball situations have been woeful with lallana and Gaston the worst culprits. The only bloke who looks like delivering a decent ball is Fox. We don't play with wingers that get by the full back and whip it in early, we cant deliver a dead ball, and people wonder why Lambert isn't knocking a few more in. Have our centre halves scored this season, have they even got a header on target? We're not Barca, we should be getting more goals from set pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfc4prem Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 The lad's knackered. Need to buy a top striker in the summer, and sell Mayuka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 We haven't been able to rest him at all. The physical way he plays means he would benefit from it! Said the other week that he hadn't trained the week before the game due to a knock. Wonder if perhaps he is nursing this through to the end of the season as well as being generally knackered. Talk of him and an England call up is badly timed in my view. If Woy was to select him for a trial,it would probably be for some end of season meaninlkess tour( so as not to upset the big four by taking their players), and RL would not get a rest. Ideally, RL should have a summer rest, then come back for a 25 goal season August onwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 That miss from 6 yards today Gone backward under pinocchio imho.... So has Lallana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Is there any player that some fan on this forum has not had a pop at today. ? Get behind the players you tossers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsland Red Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 He just looks knackered. Nothing wrong with his touch or football brain, just ******ed IMHO. Exactly this, the man has lived up to his song and been our talisman for four seasons. Have a big rest over the sumer Rickie, your talisman role is done. Come back refreshed, and enjoy playing in hopefully the best squad we have yet seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 The lad's knackered. Need to buy a top striker in the summer, and sell Mayuka. Need to 2 or 3 strikers in the summer, whether or not we sell Mayuka. Cannot go through a whole season with 2 recognised strikers (Lambert & Mayuka). Guly is now used as a midfielder, lose Lambert or JRod and we are fecked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpweySaint Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 I think others have made the points. He's tired, defences know our game a little better and he's being asked to do a lot for the team. Would not write him off anytime soon but will be interesting to see how we use him next year, no question he can fit into the way MP plays but not sure he can close down for ninety mins week in week out , hopefully we'l have options next year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alain Perrin Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Just off scoring form a little. Not surprising given the higher tempo game he's being expected to play under Poch. Anyone who thinks we should drop him needs there head checking, he contributes more to the side than just goals. I don't think he's been worked out, he's got more guile than a Grant Holt, but we do need someone to take the pressure off next season so he's not needed for every 90 minutes. Sent from my RM-821_eu_euro1_276 using Board Express Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaSaint Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 He seems to do a lot more running in support of the high press so I wouldn't be too surprised if the season is staring to take its toll on him. I love his control, his touches and layoffs, his awareness and his free kicks, but the fact of the matter is that our chance-conversion ratio has slipped badly in the last month or two. This has caused us to draw or lose games that we were in a position to win. That fact alone must place the Rickie/Rodriguez partnership in question. Pochettino has a dilemma up front and it will be interesting to see how he addresses it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 He would be good in the hole but don't think he could cope with the physical and defensive demands - we saw quite early how MP opted for caution, replacing Rarimez with Davis. Its clearly helped make us difficult to beat, albeit less expansive. Can't see him changing things too drastically next season. For all the flack Lambert is getting - he was OK today, an improvement on the Swansea/WBA games, Jrod's recent form has been just as worrying. If Lallana and Jrod aren't firing on all cylinders, its unfair to single out Lambert, not least because he's get more attention from defenders if others don't provide a credible threat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Lambert is good for two things - dead ball FK's from just outside the area or pens. That's it nowadays it seems. His goal scoring ability from open play has pretty much dried up and withered unfortunately. Is that him or the system being played? Either way, I think MP has some serious thinking to do in the summer - no sentiment allowed - we need a younger more agile alternative. If J-Rod is that man, then we need a young bullish striker to 'replace' J-Rod. I predict that trying to shoe-horn Lambert into the 1st team next season could do more harm than good in fact. Lallana needs to hand back the armband too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonjoe Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 Not good enough for the next level. We need a pacey mobile striker. He's more suited to a West Ham style team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedgehog Posted 12 May, 2013 Share Posted 12 May, 2013 I am a fan of Rickies, but unfortunately I hear all the same being said about him now, which us as Saints and England fans used to read or hear all the time about Emile Heskey. Every player has his time, now whether he has been carrying an injury towards the end of this season, then he will be of use next year, but I don't think he will be number 1 choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjay7 Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 Love Lambo the same as most but agree looks nakerd and a good half yard of the pace, which is the difference between a clear cut chance in this division). Still a real pest and i can see him being a massive asset next year but will come off the bench a bit more . IMHO a perfect time to bring in a quality striker, maybe an international who needs time to adapt and learn - someone that stretches defences as well and can hold up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAY-Z Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 Is it just me that gets a bit frustrated with how much RL drops deeps and pushes out wide; often putting in crosses himself rather than looking to be on the end of them? Now I know that's part of the game for a CF; sometimes drop out wide and let another player move into your space, its all good movement. But it seems as if Rickie has either decided or is being instructed to drop off as opposed to working on the shoulder of the defender and getting in behind them. It kinds of makes us a bit more predictable; and very much limits the amount of clear-cut opportunities that Lambert is going to get in a game. When he is in those positions he has the touch and skill to get a shot off. I just feel as if he's not in the box as much as a striker should be. I mentioned this a few games ago, I think the problme is more so with the fcat that the 3 players in behind him don't all work the oppositiopn defenders enough. As it stands most defenders now double team Lambert when he is in the box as they know the 3 attacking mids don't get into dangerous positions enough so Lambert is always left isolated. To get some space he drifts wide, which wouldn't be a problem if the attacking mids then got in his place in the box but they don't, so there are never enough options for him to pick out. Bottom line to get more goals and to get more out of Lambert we need better performing players in the 3 attacking mids Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suomi Saint Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 Lambert still has the quality; it's the way we are playing at the moment that is the problem. Give the guy a break! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 Lambert still has the quality; it's the way we are playing at the moment that is the problem. Give the guy a break! The way we play is here to stay as long as Nicola is in charge and Poch is the manager. If Lambert cannot find a way to adapt to this new style while his teammates can, it will be a necessity to drop him to the bench. As a comparison, JRod has come on leaps and bounds under Poch. Lallana is another player that needs to find his way but in a different way - he has bags of potential/skill etc., but he is lacking the quality in the final third now. You can only squeeze so much out of a given player - if they've peaked there's nowhere to go for them but back to the bench. My feeling is the following first team regulars are struggling now... Lambert; Lallana; Fonte; Hooveilt; Cork. That's almost half the 1st team. To move to the next level, all of them need to be replaced with 20%+ better players. Others like Fox are already providing adequate cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alain Perrin Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 Nutters Sent from my RM-821_eu_euro1_276 using Board Express Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 The way we play is here to stay as long as Nicola is in charge and Poch is the manager. If Lambert cannot find a way to adapt to this new style while his teammates can, it will be a necessity to drop him to the bench. As a comparison, JRod has come on leaps and bounds under Poch. Lallana is another player that needs to find his way but in a different way - he has bags of potential/skill etc., but he is lacking the quality in the final third now. You can only squeeze so much out of a given player - if they've peaked there's nowhere to go for them but back to the bench. My feeling is the following first team regulars are struggling now... Lambert; Lallana; Fonte; Hooveilt; Cork. That's almost half the 1st team. To move to the next level, all of them need to be replaced with 20%+ better players. Others like Fox are already providing adequate cover. Eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bourne Valley Saint Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 I can't believe what some of you are writing. We've played 37 games of the highest intensity that I can ever recall and thanks to Rickie's efforts we're going to get another crack at it next season. He is a class act who can hold the ball up for other players (it's not his fault if there a limited options for him to pass to), score opportunist goals, take top class free kicks and has a 100% conversion rate for penalties. He'd be the first name on my team sheet every time. He's probably exhausted after a long, hard season being kicked, pushed and bashed by the best defenders in the land. He's still the top English scorer in the Premiership and hopefully he'll add to his tally next week and we can give him the rousing end of season send off that he fully deserves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 F ucking hell Lambert is one of the best players we've had in years yet every season when he goes through a bit of a dry patch (as most strikers do) we get the same old s hit about him not being up to it or lacking pace. The guy is still our top scorer (top scoring Englishman in the PL even) and he must be pretty high up there in the assits deperatment to. Almost all our best attacking football involves Rickie at some point. As for all this we need a top striker crap we're saints for ****s sake who exactly do people think were are going to sign RVP? take a look at the PL top scorers table which players above Lambert do you think would sign for saints? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/top-scorers Benteke is the only one even slightly in our ranage and he is pretty much likely to move to one of the big clubs IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 Great ball to Ward-Prowse to set up our goal BTW (unless my eyes deceived from from up in the gods ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 He's still the top English scorer in the Premiership Not anymore he's not. Lambert has been excellent for us and will have a big role to play next year, but I still think we need an alternative option upfront, plus he's not getting any younger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 F ucking hell Lambert is one of the best players we've had in years yet every season when he goes through a bit of a dry patch (as most strikers do) we get the same old s hit about him not being up to it or lacking pace. The guy is still our top scorer (top scoring Englishman in the PL even) Frank Lampard says hi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tajjuk Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 I think he's probably just tired. He's played a part in all 37 games so far this season in one of the highest tempo leagues in the world where you come up against beasts like Huth and Samba who push, pull, shove and kick the crap out of you. He's also only not played the full 90 minutes in 9 of those games. Simply we have relied on him too much this year and that is now showing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 Who thinks lambert will be on the bench a lot next season he's gone down hill quite a bit after the west ham game I think I know what you sre suggesting..... ..but if he comes back from pre-season and is " super-fit" he may carry on from where he left off....OR .. he will eventually turn into a super-sub (type Kevin Phillips) who always seems to score when he came off the bench at Blackpool / Palace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 13 May, 2013 Share Posted 13 May, 2013 We'll see what happens. Any talk at this stage is just speculation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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