What are Lambert's chances......

[Fitzhugh Fella]

of making the squad that goes to Brazil? The Echo are of the opinion that it is a shoe in but I am not so sure. Reckon it is 50/50 and very dependent on his form over the next 6 months. Interested in other's opinion on his chances.

[Saint-Armstrong]

He won't make it. Carroll will regain fitness in the New Year and will get picked alongside Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck and probably Defoe.

[Saint Charlie]

Sadly, I think he will just miss out. End of the day Rooney, Sturridge and Welbeck are definitely going if fit whilst Defoe will always be in and around and despite what we think I reckon Carroll will interest Hodgson.

 

Right now... I would say 30/70

[Hatch]

probably wont even be in the Saints squad by the end of the year

[Saint Charlie]

Also worth suggesting that his chance based on PL form according to Hodgson actually came during a very quiet period for him in a Saints shirt. Based on this season he just needs to get his head down and work to stay in our team.

[NickG]

Think its as straightforward as how well he does for the rest of the season.

Repeats last and think he will almost certainly go, even if Carroll is back.

If he struggles (general form or goals) think he is very vulnerable. Its not that unlikely that he could have a period out of our starting 11 , with Osvaldo preferred, then much will depend on Carroll.

 

In his favour he offers something different from Ox-c, Walcott, Wellbeck, Sturbridge, young, Defoe, - only Rooney links up as well.

 

Think being able to offer something different may get Lallana a chance as well. We seem to mainly go for fast wingers or solid types (milner) clearly he is not going to overtake Townsend, ox etc ..but Milner?

 

Then we may only an injury to Baines or Cole away from three in squad!

 

But most likely one at best.

[M271]

It will be between Rickie and Carroll barring injuries to other established strikers. Who of the 2 performs the best / scores most goals over the next 7 months will get the place, however I have the feeling that if things are equalish between the 2 then Roy would choose Carroll to go with his younger looking side.

 

Is the squad size for a Tournament the same as for individual games or is it larger?

[trousers]

Heart: yes

Head: no

[SaintSteve]

He won't make it. Carroll will regain fitness in the New Year and will get picked alongside Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck and probably Defoe.

 

What a load of rubbish... I believe Hodgson can easily see that Lambert has far more to offer than Carroll. It just depends on whether he wants a striker option with the skills Lambert has.

I still think his ability to hold the ball up and release Wellbeck/Rooney can be more effective than Sturridge.

[Bewildered]

I imagine he'll be given a chance to prove himself in one of the friendlies, it will be up to him to do enough to stay in the squad. Club form & playing time seems secondary to England performances in importance for Hodgson once you've broken into the squad.

[mightysaints]

The typical London press guys on 5live tonight said carol will go instead of lambert and said lambert was just a big lump of a forward. Made my blood boil when I heard Henry winter slagging off a player he obviously knows feck all about. He was even saying sterling should go who is rubbish. I am glad we have reached brazil but hope we fail miserably

[notnowcato]

His form for us needs to pick up a bit but he is decent cover for Rooney and at this point I think he has every chance of going to Brazil. Carroll just doesn't fit the system that England have adopted in recent games.

[Noodles34]

No chance.

 

unless he gets picked for the friendlies and keeps banging them in for England. The way we are playing, Lambert will be lucky to get into double figures.

[david in sweden]

of making the squad that goes to Brazil? The Echo are of the opinion that it is a shoe in but I am not so sure. Reckon it is 50/50 and very dependent on his form over the next 6 months. Interested in other's opinion on his chances.

 

 

if he gets 5 goals more than Rooney... then he might stand a chance, but he'll drop down the order now that everyone else is fit.

 

HOW on Earth does Welbeck get picked when he can't get a regular spot at MU?.....is it purely the " Rooney connection ?"

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Some pretty fair opinions but one thing I am convinced about is...... if Carroll is preferred to him then that will be a travesty.

Lambert may not be of World Cup standard (debatable) but sure as hell he is better than the Jessie from Upton Park.

[SNSUN]

I was surprised he got called up in the first place - but he did make the most of it. The trouble is it was at a time when England were short on strikers through injury, but even then I'm surprised Rickie started ahead of Defoe, and in-form players like Agbonlahor haven't been picked.

 

IF Rickie can have a good season for us, and when I say good I mean goal-scoring, playing regularly good, then he has a chance. Otherwise, sadly, there's more chance of Lallana, Shaw or Clyne surprising us by going to Brazil.

[benjii]

Clyne is our player with the greatest chance of making the squad IMO.

[vince]

I had a very interesting conversation with a West Brom scout at the start of the season, which happened after the next set of PL games after the Scotland game, where he said he had spoken to RH and RH had been very positive about Lambert (and Shaw, incidentally).

 

Whoever goes out of Rickie/Carroll, they will be there primarily to warm the bench or the beach, lets be honest. I think every Saints fan is just delighted that he had his chance and he got his goals - anything else is a bonus.

 

At least we all know the answer to the quiz questions of who was the last Englishman to score against the Jocks and who was the last team to be presented the FA Cup by the Queen!!

[Hedgehog]

Agree, Clyne (and or Shaw) more likely to be picked. Must admit for the life of me can not understand why Lampard keeps getting capped, and as for Wellbeck, what a useless player he is. Still if picking players from the top four is the norm for England managers, then if we stay where we are all season then all three, Lambert, Clyne and Shaw will have a chance.

[dubai_phil]

Clyne is our player with the greatest chance of making the squad IMO.

 

Agree with that. Whilst Smalling played well defensively, his complete lack of threat and support to Townsend down the right led to far too much workload on Baines.

 

Woy needs to find cover for Walker & see if anyone is better than Johnson, Clyne needs to get a run in one of the friendlies.

 

Lambert needs some goals & form for us BUT I get the feeling that his inclusion in the squad has brought a sense of feel good back to the fans AND the players, I sense just a slight change in attitude.

Comparing him to Carroll you can say there is not much to choose as footballers, but I get the gut feeling that Rickie is bringing something else into the squad that Carroll could never do - Enjoyment & FINALLY the feeling of England being special for a player.

We saw in SA how lame the Character of the England squad was.

Take that factor and his ability to defend from the front, he'd get the nod and would get a couple of sub appearances when plan A is not working

[shirleysfc]

I don't think he'll make the squad for next month's friendlies. Was fun while it lasted!

[Whitey Grandad]

It will be between Rickie and Carroll barring injuries to other established strikers. Who of the 2 performs the best / scores most goals over the next 7 months will get the place, however I have the feeling that if things are equalish between the 2 then Roy would choose Carroll to go with his younger looking side.

 

Is the squad size for a Tournament the same as for individual games or is it larger?

 

23-man squad.

[eelpie]

if he gets 5 goals more than Rooney... then he might stand a chance, but he'll drop down the order now that everyone else is fit.

 

HOW on Earth does Welbeck get picked when he can't get a regular spot at MU?.....is it purely the " Rooney connection ?"

 

Perhaps manure are doing badly because Welbeck is not being picked to play.

[lickierambert]

It's worth reiterating that in the next 7 months some players who would make that 23 will get injured, it happens every time. 7 months ago Andros Townsend was a lower league loanee who had a few decent performances for a terrible PL side. Now he is an automatic squad member and 1-3 on to make the plane. Yet none of this would have happened had Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain been fit. With reference to Lambert I think he needs to hit double figures in the PL. It's one of him/Defoe/Carroll/Agbonlahor etc to go.

[Saint_clark]

I doubt Lambert will have had a better motivation in his entire career than he has now for the rest of this season. Surpass last seasons goal tally, and Roy cannot justify leaving him out IMO.

[Scudamore]

Heart: yes

Head: no

 

Hodgson is England manager. Not a bloody surgeon.

[Monkou]

If he takes 5 strikers then he should get the last place. No way is he behind Defoe.

[hutch]

In my opinion it's up to Rickie. He's not at the top of his game this season so far, but if he get's up to last season's levels he has a chance.

 

The bookies, however, see it differently. Oddschecker has 4 strikers odds-on with all the bookies (Rooney, Welbeck, Sturridge & Walcott). Rickie is currently the shortest price of all the others, ahead of Defoe & Carroll.

 

Interestingly they have 4 Saints players in their list of 92 candidates, Lambert, Shaw & Lallana as you would expect, but they also have Jack Cork at 25/1 and no odds for Clyne.

 

But in case you think the bookies know what they are doing, I'm sure you will notice that they have Lambert at a shorter price than Alex Chamberlain to make the squad.

[OldNick]

Heart: yes

Head: no

++1

[OldNick]

I feel that all along Hodgson has only played RL due to the lack of options. Was he not on Soccer Sunday last season saying that players like RL were the past not the future. The heat in Brazil is best suited to younger players. I really hope RL does go but Hodgson will go for a younger player if RL does not hist form. AL may have a better chance as he has brightened up in the last couple of games and seems to have found a spark

[rooney]

Henry Winter from DT projects that Carroll will go instead of Rickie. Whilst I admire Henry as a journalist ,I cannot really see how he feels Andy Carroll is a better player than Rickie. Never in a thousand years imo. Rickie though, just has to keep scoring regularly over the next 6 months and he will be there.

[Saint_clark]

I feel that all along Hodgson has only played RL due to the lack of options. Was he not on Soccer Sunday last season saying that players like RL were the past not the future. The heat in Brazil is best suited to younger players. I really hope RL does go but Hodgson will go for a younger player if RL does not hist form. AL may have a better chance as he has brightened up in the last couple of games and seems to have found a spark

 

Cole 32, Gerrard 33, Carrick 32, Lampard 35...

[Dan83]

Anyone actually considered what the World Cup 23 would be? It's suddenly gotten quite competitive, other than at CB.

 

I can't see Clyne getting in. Johnson and Walker are shoe-ins, and if one gets injured then it's more likely they'll use Smalling/Jones as cover than have another specialist RB in my opinion. As for Shaw, Baines and Cole are in, and then there are Gibbs and Bertrand who will probably come into consideration ahead of Shaw for this World Cup. Not saying Gibbs or Bertrand are better players though!

 

As for Lambert, I really think he is the closest thing to Rooney we have so I think he will go. Defoe won't go... unless he moves on in January to somewhere he'll be playing every week. Just don't think he fits with modern day formations - unless he learns to play wide.

[jasoneuelllfanclub]

I think Lambert is a better player than Carroll but I suspect Carroll will end up scoring more goals come end of the season if they both stay fit. Carroll suits WHU direct style, not sure Lambert really suits Pochettino's tactics. Lambert doing a lot of the dog work and not seeing many chances come his way.

 

I would love Rickie to go as the target man option for England, but taking off my Saints tinted glasses England play better when they have mobility upfront and out wide. Having said that great option to have to come off the bench late on if chasing the game. Baines and Townsend do whip in decent crosses and that would suit Rickie. Something he is not getting at Saints. Saints play very narrow which is not helping his game.

[benjii]

Anyone actually considered what the World Cup 23 would be? It's suddenly gotten quite competitive, other than at CB.

 

I can't see Clyne getting in. Johnson and Walker are shoe-ins, and if one gets injured then it's more likely they'll use Smalling/Jones as cover than have another specialist RB in my opinion. As for Shaw, Baines and Cole are in, and then there are Gibbs and Bertrand who will probably come into consideration ahead of Shaw for this World Cup. Not saying Gibbs or Bertrand are better players though!

 

As for Lambert, I really think he is the closest thing to Rooney we have so I think he will go. Defoe won't go... unless he moves on in January to somewhere he'll be playing every week. Just don't think he fits with modern day formations - unless he learns to play wide.

 

Why would Walker and Johnson be shoe-ins? Walker was rubbish in the previous set of qualifiers and Johnson has been shown time and again to be inadequate at tournament-level. Right back is a position where you don't really need so much time to gel (in the way forwards, centre backs or centre mids do) so the best candidate, come the summer, should be able to slot straight in.

 

I quite rate Smalling (over Jones anyway) and his versatility should see him in the squad but I think Clyne is a better right back.

 

If England scouts watch our games then if Clyne doesn't get a chance in the friendlies they are doing something seriously wrong IMO.

 

I agree re Shaw. He isn't better than Cole or Baines yet so there's no reason why he should go (unless there are injuries).

 

As for Lambert; he will need to start playing better as he is really in the squad based on last year's performances, rather than this year's so far.

[Lord Duckhunter]

If Lambert ends this season like he's ended the last two, I really can't see it. He's looked whacked come April time, maybe Osvaldo will take some of the workload and this will help. If people are honest he's not setting the world alight in a saints shirt, but seems to have impressed woy with his attitude. Gut feeling , he won't take Carroll or Rickie, reckon it'll be Rooney, wellbeck and sturridge with Defoe. I suspect woy will want Walcott, aoc & Townsend and to accommodate all 3 he'll leave a forward out. Couple of injuries and he may get in, but he needs a big year.

[corky morris]

London journo favouring a West Ham player?? Never!!! Cant believe that!!! Same as they always have. Personally dont think he will go. I thought swapping Sturridge for Lambert on Tuesday was the obvious substitution, but it wasnt to be.

[Giordano]

I think Rickie will be sacrificed to let someone else younger in.

 

UNLESS - one or more of the current key three strikers (Rooney, Welbeck, Sturridge) has a serious injury. If so, and SRL stays fit and scoring, he's got as much chance as anyone else and probably slightly more because of his contribution and impact in the matches he has played in already recently for Roy, who will value that as much as league form. He never let his manager down and he both scored and made goals. I'd say Roy is old school in that regard. I also think he will make a judgement on his squad morale and the squad PR out there. Having a Rickie Lambert in your team is very good for that - especially the PR side of things. We don't want any of that "I'm bored" rubbish coming out of the World Cup camp like last time which just made them look like a bunch of prima donnas.

[alpine_saint]

Non-existent without a long string of injuries.

[OldNick]

Cole 32, Gerrard 33, Carrick 32, Lampard 35...

I realise that, but they are established players, players on the fringes will be under the microscope more.If it is touch and go who to take I feel the age thing may make a difference,especially when they are talking being ready for the Euros in 2 years time

[RonManager]

[Window Cleaner]

Think we'll know more when the group for the Chile and Germany international friendlies in November is announced. If he's still in then I think he may have some sort of chance for next summer.

[krissyboy31]

I think it's a straight fight between Rickie and Carroll. I think we'll take 4 out and out strikers; Rooney, Sturbridge, Wellbeck and one of Lambert or Carroll. If we are take 5, then it will be the same equation with Defoe added.

[L1Minus10]

Tuesday's team would have been better with him in it instead of Sturridge. That said, it's a straight choice between him and Carroll I reckon. Hodgson knows Lambert is a better footballer. I'd say it's 60/40 at the moment

[Whitey Grandad]

Sam Cunningham in The Mail today:

 

'WHICH WILDCARD WOULD YOU PUT IN THE SQUAD?

 

-->

 

LUKE SHAW

 

Pick a first choice of Baines and Cole, then send the Southampton left back as back-up. He's the future on that flank for England and the tournament experience will boost his confidence and get him ready for when he's a regular in the national team.'

[aintforever]

I'm sorry but that is a dumb idea, left back is the one position where England have two top quality players, why would he bring a third? Would only make sense if he was considering playing Baines at Left midfield.

 

As for Lambert, I think the ball is firmly in his court - if he plays as well as last year i think he will go.

Edited 17 October, 2013 by aintforever

[CB Fry]

Sam Cunningham in The Mail today:

 

'WHICH WILDCARD WOULD YOU PUT IN THE SQUAD?

 

-->

 

LUKE SHAW

 

Pick a first choice of Baines and Cole, then send the Southampton left back as back-up. He's the future on that flank for England and the tournament experience will boost his confidence and get him ready for when he's a regular in the national team.'

 

Would be just pointless to take Shaw. No need for three left backs in a WC squad.

 

I think the Theo-in-Germany theory of "sitting next to Stevie Gerrard on a plane will do wonders for his development" is rather over egged. Pick the blimmin squad for the tournament we're actually in.

Edited 17 October, 2013 by CB Fry

[david in sweden]

Cole 32, Gerrard 33, Carrick 32, Lampard 35...

 

....and Rickie will only be 32 .....so why not ?

[Leicestersaint]

Once he hits 25 goals for the season before Easter he should be OK.

[norwaysaint]

I know he's not in the reckoning at all, but I really see Clyne as the saints player that England most need at the moment. LB is Baines for the next few years, but there is no stand out RB at the moment. I think Clyne could do a great job.

 

Lambert? I love the bloke, but I really don't think it'll happen. As others have said, we can't even be sure he'll be our first choice by next summer.