Andy Carroll pulls out of squad.. Lambert in?

[Scoobysaint]

It was a decent sentiment, but unfortunately flawed, Rickie isnt good enough.

 

Much like the norwich fans clamoured for Holt last year...

 

He may not be good enough but I feel that being the top English scorer in the Premier League entitles him to a place in the squad at least. Many said RL wouldn't be good enough for the Prem but he is. Now many say he wont be good enough at international, I would love him to get the opportunity to prove doubters wrong.

[Smirking_Saint]

He may not be good enough but I feel that being the top English scorer in the Premier League entitles him to a place in the squad at least. Many said RL wouldn't be good enough for the Prem but he is. Now many say he wont be good enough at international, I would love him to get the opportunity to prove doubters wrong.

 

Because he doesnt fit the system ? Even with Saints I dont think he is mobile enough and personally dont think he will be our first choice next year.

[Olallana]

As a Swede I wonder if english media is proud and happy that they drove Sven off the job, at least back then there was some spirit in the team and not only the same old players all the time whatever form they´re in........

[Scoobysaint]

Because he doesnt fit the system ? Even with Saints I dont think he is mobile enough and personally dont think he will be our first choice next year.

Maybe he is not the most mobile but he is a proven goalscorer. As for the system..... I am not sure that there is one judging by the absolute ****e we are producing tonight. Utter dross!

[Smirking_Saint]

Maybe he is not the most mobile but he is a proven goalscorer. As for the system..... I am not sure that there is one judging by the absolute ****e we are producing tonight. Utter dross!

 

He isnt proven though, he has had a decent season and was actually pretty poor towards the end. You could have said Beats was a proven goalscorer, but he went to a team playing a different system and was terrible (he just had a good season).

 

The system is poor, Hosgson is a dinosaur tactically, that isnt because of the players or selection, but because he hasnt got a clue.

 

The players from Saints Id have in the England set up ? Cork and clyne

[kpturner]

Is it my eyes, or is the picture for this Brazil/England game a bit fuzzy?

[The Kraken]

The players from Saints Id have in the England set up ? Cork and clyne

I'm definitely a member of the Jack Cork fan club, but I wouldn't have picked him on the basis of his finish to the season. He was excellent with Schneiderlin up to the last 6 or 7 games but faded pretty badly (perhaps the Olympics and his injury caught up with him). I can't even make a case for Clyne over Johnson and Walker right now. As for Lambert, great for us but wouldn't really be at home as the main striker in a top 8 Premier League side, let alone a top 8 international side playing against one of the best sides in the world.

[Smirking_Saint]

I'm definitely a member of the Jack Cork fan club, but I wouldn't have picked him on the basis of his finish to the season. He was excellent with Schneiderlin up to the last 6 or 7 games but faded pretty badly (perhaps the Olympics and his injury caught up with him). I can't even make a case for Clyne over Johnson and Walker right now. As for Lambert, great for us but wouldn't really be at home as the main striker in a top 8 Premier League side, let alone a top 8 international side playing against one of the best sides in the world.

 

Walker is my number 1 RB, johnson is ok, had a great Euros but he makes a few too many mistakes for me. Cork is a great little player and would be perfect in one of Englands two DM berths along with a seasoned ball player.

 

Lambert isnt an answer for England and for me if we are aiming for top half pl status he isnt the answer for saints

[wild-saint]

Walker is my number 1 RB, johnson is ok, had a great Euros but he makes a few too many mistakes for me. Cork is a great little player and would be perfect in one of Englands two DM berths along with a seasoned ball player.

 

Lambert isnt an answer for England and for me if we are aiming for top half pl status he isnt the answer for saints

 

ok we get it, you dont rate lambert

[The Kraken]

ok we get it, you dont rate lambert

Not sure what's quite so wrong about saying Lambert isn't the right choice for England and/or a side looking to break the PL top ten. It's got nothing to do with not rating him, just recognising his limits.

[Wrensup]

I posted this on the England vs brazil thread but thought its more appropriate here.

 

'I see Fred as a Brazilian lambert, obviously way better though. Essentially what I'm getting at is Fred isnt the most mobile, has a good touch, finish and vision all traits we tend to agree lambert has. Also he's only a year and a bit younger than rickie. So if phil scolari thinks that sort of player is effective at 'international' level then why doesn't woy think similar?'

 

Just a thought, and before anyone may have a go... Yes I know Fred is a class above ha!

[kpturner]

I posted this on the England vs brazil thread but thought its more appropriate here.

 

'I see Fred as a Brazilian lambert, obviously way better though. Essentially what I'm getting at is Fred isnt the most mobile, has a good touch, finish and vision all traits we tend to agree lambert has. Also he's only a year and a bit younger than rickie. So if phil scolari thinks that sort of player is effective at 'international' level then why doesn't woy think similar?'

 

Just a thought, and before anyone may have a go... Yes I know Fred is a class above ha!

 

You have answered your own question!

[Wrensup]

You have answered your own question!

 

But he's the best we got... Our talent pool isnt as good as good as theirs , so our equivalent player I would say is lambert?

[kpturner]

But he's the best we got... Our talent pool isnt as good as good as theirs , so our equivalent player I would say is lambert?

 

Saints - yes, England - no

[Smirking_Saint]

But he's the best we got... Our talent pool isnt as good as good as theirs , so our equivalent player I would say is lambert?

 

Fred is a lot more mobile than lambert

[Wrensup]

In the carrol over lambert camp I presume?

[Sour Mash]

In the carrol over lambert camp I presume?

He thinks Welbeck is a much better player than Lambert, that probably tells you all you need to know.

[Wrensup]

He thinks Welbeck is a much better player than Lambert, that probably tells you all you need to know.

 

Arh yes I see now thanks haha, I forgot that it's athleticism is the most important aspect to a football player

[Smirking_Saint]

He thinks Welbeck is a much better player than Lambert, that probably tells you all you need to know.

 

Not that I have ever read a decent arguement on anything for you ? Which says all you need to know, you dont have to agree with me BTW, I couldnt give a toss. Just come back in two years and say sorry

 

As for Carroll, I know its popular to hate him (aswell as Welbeck) I like to make my own opinion up though. No I wouldnt want Carroll instead of Lambert, could he work for Saints ? Yes, is he a better option for England then Lambert Definately.

 

Diferent players suit different systems, Lambert suits ours, but not Englands. I also see Lambert playing as an attacking midfielder for us next year BTW.

[kpturner]

He thinks Welbeck is a much better player than Lambert, that probably tells you all you need to know.

 

Who does?

[Smirking_Saint]

Who does?

 

I rate Welbeck, think he will be a v good player, I think that he is a decent player ATM. Apparantly somewhere I said he was miles better than Lambert, Ive not managed to find out where yet.

[kpturner]

In the carrol over lambert camp I presume?

 

Not sure who that question is aimed at, but personally I would like to think that a top quality international team would have better striking options than either of them.

[The9]

I posted this on the England vs brazil thread but thought its more appropriate here.

 

'I see Fred as a Brazilian lambert, obviously way better though. Essentially what I'm getting at is Fred isnt the most mobile, has a good touch, finish and vision all traits we tend to agree lambert has. Also he's only a year and a bit younger than rickie. So if phil scolari thinks that sort of player is effective at 'international' level then why doesn't woy think similar?'

 

Just a thought, and before anyone may have a go... Yes I know Fred is a class above ha!

 

Is it because Fred has Hulk and Neymar and the like actually creating stuff ?

[tajjuk]

Not that I have ever read a decent arguement on anything for you ? Which says all you need to know, you dont have to agree with me BTW, I couldnt give a toss. Just come back in two years and say sorry

 

As for Carroll, I know its popular to hate him (aswell as Welbeck) I like to make my own opinion up though. No I wouldnt want Carroll instead of Lambert, could he work for Saints ? Yes, is he a better option for England then Lambert Definately.

 

Diferent players suit different systems, Lambert suits ours, but not Englands. I also see Lambert playing as an attacking midfielder for us next year BTW.

 

I've not seena good argument from you that Wellbeck is better than Lambert, Caroll neither. Two years from now is irrelevant considering the England team flounders from one average performance to another and needs improvement now.

 

Quite simply based on this season which is a decent amount to judge a player Lambert has been vastly superior to both Wellbeck and Caroll, I reckon he will be next year as well. Lambert is goalscorer, both Wellbeck and Carroll have consistently proven they are not.

 

Give it two years and Wellbeck will be struggling at some mid table premier league team.

[Smirking_Saint]

I've not seena good argument from you that Wellbeck is better than Lambert, Caroll neither. Two years from now is irrelevant considering the England team flounders from one average performance to another and needs improvement now.

 

Quite simply based on this season which is a decent amount to judge a player Lambert has been vastly superior to both Wellbeck and Caroll, I reckon he will be next year as well. Lambert is goalscorer, both Wellbeck and Carroll have consistently proven they are not.

 

Give it two years and Wellbeck will be struggling at some mid table premier league team.

 

Welbeck is decent enough, good first touch, decent technically, athletic and has a decent work rate. Its not all about goald either. A few times when he has played for England he has looked v good and against Real for Utd he was the best player on the pitch.

 

Carroll is what you see is what you get, he is mobile, good in the air and a battering ram. Technically he isnt great but he is good enough, he causes enough problems. Kenny did his best to destroy the lads career but I think he is coming good now. Will give England a different, albeit boring, options.

 

Lambert really isnt the answer, yes he scores goals, he was our set piece taker, he was also our focal point for a while. Esp for England though he isnt dynamic enough, ok, he drops back and plays people in, well, England have players capable of that from midfield, so he will be occupying the spaces that other players sit in naturally. The end of the season showed me he is good enough for lower PL but no more. He just hasnt got the legs, and for that reason he doesnt fit England. Holt scored goals last year, but he didnt fit England either.

 

If you really think that Lambert is the answer for a top 10 side or even worse a top 10 international side your deluded

[wild-saint]

Welbeck is decent enough, good first touch, decent technically, athletic and has a decent work rate. Its not all about goald either. A few times when he has played for England he has looked v good and against Real for Utd he was the best player on the pitch.

 

Carroll is what you see is what you get, he is mobile, good in the air and a battering ram. Technically he isnt great but he is good enough, he causes enough problems. Kenny did his best to destroy the lads career but I think he is coming good now. Will give England a different, albeit boring, options.

 

Lambert really isnt the answer, yes he scores goals, he was our set piece taker, he was also our focal point for a while. Esp for England though he isnt dynamic enough, ok, he drops back and plays people in, well, England have players capable of that from midfield, so he will be occupying the spaces that other players sit in naturally. The end of the season showed me he is good enough for lower PL but no more. He just hasnt got the legs, and for that reason he doesnt fit England. Holt scored goals last year, but he didnt fit England either.

If you really think that Lambert is the answer for a top 10 side or even worse a top 10 international side your deluded

 

we were 4 points from being a top ten side. Insert cork and shaw into the side for the first 10 games and also add in a decent CB pairing and IMO we would have easily been a top 10 side. Lambert isnt the reason we only finished 14th the poor defence is the key. look at his goals, assists and general play its quitre clear he is far better than you give credit for.

 

Our goals scored column was decent our goals conceded column was poor and that is the key to our finish.

 

Put Manures CB pairing into our side I think we would have finished far far higher.

[CWD]

I will never be one of those people who claims that Rickie will fail at a higher level, as these people have consistently been proved wrong over the last few seasons.

 

However, Clyne is the player who should be in squad. What irritates me is that Hodgson was at the Saints Liverpool game, where Johnson was appalling and Clyne excellent, yet the squad announced a few weeks later was the same old faces again. What is the point of attending games if you aren't gonna pick players on form?

[Sour Mash]

we were 4 points from being a top ten side. Insert cork and shaw into the side for the first 10 games and also add in a decent CB pairing and IMO we would have easily been a top 10 side. Lambert isnt the reason we only finished 14th the poor defence is the key. look at his goals, assists and general play its quitre clear he is far better than you give credit for.

 

Our goals scored column was decent our goals conceded column was poor and that is the key to our finish.

 

Put Manures CB pairing into our side I think we would have finished far far higher.

It's mad isn't it. Lambert was the 7th highest scorer in one of the toughest leagues in the world last season, that speaks for itself.

[tajjuk]

Welbeck is decent enough, good first touch, decent technically, athletic and has a decent work rate. Its not all about goald either. A few times when he has played for England he has looked v good and against Real for Utd he was the best player on the pitch.

 

Carroll is what you see is what you get, he is mobile, good in the air and a battering ram. Technically he isnt great but he is good enough, he causes enough problems. Kenny did his best to destroy the lads career but I think he is coming good now. Will give England a different, albeit boring, options.

 

Lambert really isnt the answer, yes he scores goals, he was our set piece taker, he was also our focal point for a while. Esp for England though he isnt dynamic enough, ok, he drops back and plays people in, well, England have players capable of that from midfield, so he will be occupying the spaces that other players sit in naturally. The end of the season showed me he is good enough for lower PL but no more. He just hasnt got the legs, and for that reason he doesnt fit England. Holt scored goals last year, but he didnt fit England either.

 

If you really think that Lambert is the answer for a top 10 side or even worse a top 10 international side your deluded

 

England are not a top 10 international side.

 

Is Lambert good enough for top 10? Easily for WBA, Swansea and West Ham. For those above, he could certainly do a role for the likes of Arsenal and Spurs who are looking for a striker exactly like him, imagine him dropping deep playing in the likes of Bale. This is a guy who was in the top 7 or 8 players in the league for most chances created, up there with the likes of Mata and Silva. He then scored 15 goals, can take set pieces, can score headers, hold up the ball, can shoot from distance.

 

It entirely depends how you use him, England have a limited pool of players and need to use the best available, not follow some pre-ordained 'style', there are not enough good players to do that. The World Cup is a year away, take your best players, Lambert this season has been one of the best English strikers so deserves a chance. Wellbeck and Carroll do not.

 

Mobility isn't the bee and end all and that shows with England, lots of pace, no thought. Lambert's game has never relied on his legs, it's about his brain and he has an excellent footballing brain coupled with good technique. One of the best players at the Euros was Pirlo, no pace, no 'legs' as you put it but ran the game against England despite us having a much more mobile midfield.

 

A lot of people for a long time criticised the inclusion of Heskey in the England team but as was pointed out by Sven at the time he brought balance to the England team, held up the ball, brought others into play etc. To an extent he was correct, however when the chances inevitably came Heskey's way to score goals or to create something, he fluffed it time and time again. Lambert could play that Heskey role but better, with the confidence that when the ball was at his feet he could find a pass or a cross or get his shots on target and score goals.

 

Wellbeck is in the team as striker, plenty of players work hard and are quick, our own Jay Rodriguez does both of those things and has managed to score more goals in a worst team, I don't see clamour to get him into the England team. Quite simply on current form and ability Wellbeck should be no where near the England team. he's technically poor, the mental side of his game is poor and he doesn't score goals.

 

As I said in the previous post in a few years time he'll be struggling at a mid table team.

Edited 3 June, 2013 by tajjuk

[Dig Dig]

The same people who said he wouldn't step up to the Championship and then said he wouldn't step up to the Prem are now saying he can't step up to Intl games. It's no surprise. If he got a chance, I'm sure he would prove them wrong but maybe I am just deluded.

[The9]

The same people who said he wouldn't step up to the Championship and then said he wouldn't step up to the Prem are now saying he can't step up to Intl games. It's no surprise. If he got a chance, I'm sure he would prove them wrong but maybe I am just deluded.

 

I try very hard not to comment on this subject generally, but I do think there's a level of delusion around the people who think Lambert would seamlessly slot into an England team without having to change the whole style of their play to accommodate him - his position is admittedly almost that of Rooney (though not where Rooney played against Brazil) but he's in no way a better player than Rooney, and the relative lack of mobility means everyone around him would have to amend their game for him to be effective.

 

The other thing, is he's now 31, which is pretty late for an international debut especially when there are plenty of kids with a much more significant potential impact over a longer period who need to be given the chance to sink or swim.

 

I honestly don't think Hodgson thinks England have the remotest hope in 2014 (maybe a bit after the result in Brazil) and is picking a side with the intent of achieving something in the Euros in 2016. Lambert will be 34/35 by then.

[Turkish]

England are not a top 10 international side.

 

Is Lambert good enough for top 10? Easily for WBA, Swansea and West Ham. For those above, he could certainly do a role for the likes of Arsenal and Spurs who are looking for a striker exactly like him, imagine him dropping deep playing in the likes of Bale. This is a guy who was in the top 7 or 8 players in the league for most chances created, up there with the likes of Mata and Silva. He then scored 15 goals, can take set pieces, can score headers, hold up the ball, can shoot from distance.

 

It entirely depends how you use him, England have a limited pool of players and need to use the best available, not follow some pre-ordained 'style', there are not enough good players to do that. The World Cup is a year away, take your best players, Lambert this season has been one of the best English strikers so deserves a chance. Wellbeck and Carroll do not.

 

Mobility isn't the bee and end all and that shows with England, lots of pace, no thought. Lambert's game has never relied on his legs, it's about his brain and he has an excellent footballing brain coupled with good technique. One of the best players at the Euros was Pirlo, no pace, no 'legs' as you put it but ran the game against England despite us having a much more mobile midfield.

 

A lot of people for a long time criticised the inclusion of Heskey in the England team but as was pointed out by Sven at the time he brought balance to the England team, held up the ball, brought others into play etc. To an extent he was correct, however when the chances inevitably came Heskey's way to score goals or to create something, he fluffed it time and time again. Lambert could play that Heskey role but better, with the confidence that when the ball was at his feet he could find a pass or a cross or get his shots on target and score goals.

 

Wellbeck is in the team as striker, plenty of players work hard and are quick, our own Jay Rodriguez does both of those things and has managed to score more goals in a worst team, I don't see clamour to get him into the England team. Quite simply on current form and ability Wellbeck should be no where near the England team. he's technically poor, the mental side of his game is poor and he doesn't score goals.

 

As I said in the previous post in a few years time he'll be struggling at a mid table team.

 

You think Lambert is better than Lukaku?

[The9]

You think Lambert is better than Lukaku?

 

Lukaku plays for Chelsea, Turks.

[Turkish]

Lukaku plays for Chelsea, Turks.

 

Yeah i know that, however he was part of the WBA squad that finished 8th. Do people think they'd have finished 8th without him? TAjjuk said only yesterday that we'd have been relegated if we had Carroll up front instead of Lambert.

[The9]

Yeah i know that, however he was part of the WBA squad that finished 8th. Do people think they'd have finished 8th without him? TAjjuk said only yesterday that we'd have been relegated if we had Carroll up front instead of Lambert.

 

I think he was suggesting a Lukakuless West Brom with Lambert instead would still have finished top 10. I can't disagree with that, given that Saints with Lukaku probably would have finished at least 7th.

 

[Dig Dig]

I try very hard not to comment on this subject generally, but I do think there's a level of delusion around the people who think Lambert would seamlessly slot into an England team without having to change the whole style of their play to accommodate him - his position is admittedly almost that of Rooney (though not where Rooney played against Brazil) but he's in no way a better player than Rooney, and the relative lack of mobility means everyone around him would have to amend their game for him to be effective.

 

The other thing, is he's now 31, which is pretty late for an international debut especially when there are plenty of kids with a much more significant potential impact over a longer period who need to be given the chance to sink or swim.

 

I honestly don't think Hodgson thinks England have the remotest hope in 2014 (maybe a bit after the result in Brazil) and is picking a side with the intent of achieving something in the Euros in 2016. Lambert will be 34/35 by then.

 

It's fine to have a difference of opinion but why does this particular subject mean that you either think he can't play for England or you are delusional ?(or bordering on as you call it?). Didn't you say that Billy Sharp would start more prem games than Lambert this season, so if you want to talk about delusion...... ; )

 

At the end of the day, Lambert is a very technically gifted player who is fitter now at the age of 31 then is has been throughout his career. He is technically excellent and his lack of mobility hasn't prevented him from being pivitol to us this season, in the toughest league in the world.

 

People keep talking about Englands style of play but ultimately we can't keep the ball at Intl level and are technically exposed by teams lower down the food chain even if we manage to scrape some wins. Lambert holds the ball up well and can bring others with mobility into play far better than the likes of Carroll who is currently the target man option for when England what a change from 3 headless chickens running around all over the place.

 

With England, it constantly feels like we are looking to the future, we have been for last decade at least but he seem to be regressing if anything. Our policy is to wait to until a top 6 club plays a youngster a few times, pick them and then continue to pick them no matter what.

[Turkish]

I think he was suggesting a Lukakuless West Brom with Lambert instead would still have finished top 10. I can't disagree with that, given that Saints with Lukaku probably would have finished at least 7th.

 

 

it's very difficult to say, but i dont think they would have. without Lukaku their striking options are Shane Long, Peter Odemwignye (LOL) and markus Rosenburg (0 goals in 24 games) I dont think theyd have finished top half without him. Nor do i think Saints would have been relegated with andy Carroll instead of Lambert.

[Dig Dig]

it's very difficult to say, but i dont think they would have. without Lukaku their striking options are Shane Long, Peter Odemwignye (LOL) and markus Rosenburg (0 goals in 24 games) I dont think theyd have finished top half without him. Nor do i think Saints would have been relegated with andy Carroll instead of Lambert.

 

We could have been, Lambert was involved in a high percentage of all our goals scored this season, it was really evident when watching the youtube clip of all our goals.

[Sour Mash]

Just seen on the ESPN twitter, Lambert was 4th in Europe for most chances created in open play, only behind Hamsik, Suarez and David Silva..........but according to this forum he's worse than Carroll and Welbeck.

[Dig Dig]

Just seen on the ESPN twitter, Lambert was 4th in Europe for most chances created in open play, only behind Hamsik, Suarez and David Silva..........but according to this forum he's worse than Carroll and Welbeck.

 

Yea but Welbeck was good against Real Madrid when he was used to follow Alonso around for the whole game, such was Fergusons faith in him as a striker.

[Smirking_Saint]

Just seen on the ESPN twitter, Lambert was 4th in Europe for most chances created in open play, only behind Hamsik, Suarez and David Silva..........but according to this forum he's worse than Carroll and Welbeck.

 

FWIW as an attacking midfielder I think he would be very good, countless times towards the end of the season though we had the ball out wide with nobody central, this is the point I am trying to make, Lambert had a decent season for us, and is a good player.

 

Regardless of that he isnt the right player for England, yes he drops into decent positions etc, as does Rooney who is more mobile and a better player.

 

I commented on Welbeck as I tjink he will be a better player than Lambert moving forward and is a better player in regards a striker for England.

[The9]

It's fine to have a difference of opinion but why does this particular subject mean that you either think he can't play for England or you are delusional ?(or bordering on as you call it?). Didn't you say that Billy Sharp would start more prem games than Lambert this season, so if you want to talk about delusion...... ; )

 

At the end of the day, Lambert is a very technically gifted player who is fitter now at the age of 31 then is has been throughout his career. He is technically excellent and his lack of mobility hasn't prevented him from being pivitol to us this season, in the toughest league in the world.

 

People keep talking about Englands style of play but ultimately we can't keep the ball at Intl level and are technically exposed by teams lower down the food chain even if we manage to scrape some wins. Lambert holds the ball up well and can bring others with mobility into play far better than the likes of Carroll who is currently the target man option for when England what a change from 3 headless chickens running around all over the place.

 

With England, it constantly feels like we are looking to the future, we have been for last decade at least but he seem to be regressing if anything. Our policy is to wait to until a top 6 club plays a youngster a few times, pick them and then continue to pick them no matter what.

 

I didn't say he couldn't do a job, I said it was delusional to think he could slot in seamlessly without affecting the way the other players would have to play. You can't just take players with specific skill sets which limit what they can do (in Lambert's case, pace is the main issue) and drop them into another system and expect the same results, and it makes even less sense when the player currently nearest to the role he'd be expected to play is significantly more accomplished than he is.

 

I actually said Sharp would score more goals, as I was anticipating a long term injury to Lambert, truth be told. As it is he didn't get injured all season and we shuttled the rapidly improving Sharp off rather unexpectedly after only 4 months playing for Saints. Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, took me until the second week of August to retract it too...

 

He's fitter now than previously, but his chances of staying fit at his age are rapidly decreasing, even with sports science extending players' careers. "Toughest league" is a very broad comparison I wouldn't be comfortable making, but it's completely different to the demands of tournament international football anyway, and in that sense is irrelevant. For every 60 minutes at home against Vidic and Ferdinand, or half hour besting Kompany in Manchester, there's a 90 minutes doing nothing against Ramis and Caldwell, or Vermaelen and Mertesacker.

 

I'm not sure how style of play is relevant to general lack of passing ability, or how Lambert would necessarily improve that.

 

For an alternative to the usual style it's a direct comparison with Carroll : I think in terms of pulling down high balls and finding a teammate that Lambert and Carroll are much of a muchness, shooting they're similar on accuracy and power, whilst Lambert has the edge on taking freekicks, Carroll on headers on goal and in terms of pace, mobility and agility, and Lambert has better vision and long passing ability. Carroll is of course much younger and is highly likely to offer more from after the World Cup onwards. He also plays up front as a conventional target man, which Lambert doesn't, and I think that's the key - Hodgson wants a front man, not a false nine / hole player, he's already got Rooney for that.

 

If England are regressing, it's due to the respective quality of the players being produced, not the way they're being used, which seemed to be the problem the 10 years previously. Owen, Beckham, Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, A Cole, Ferdinand and Terry were all better players in the 2002-2006 period than their respective replacements are now.

 

I agree with you relating to the policy being flawed, but integrating the likes of Cork and Clyne into the setup and the system are the solution there, not players who probably won't be playing international football in 2 years' time no matter what.