Lambert - "It's me OR Carroll"

[Batman]

obviously.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2581305/Rickie-Lambert-determined-ahead-Andy-Carroll-place-Roy-Hodgsons-World-Cup-squad.html

[Monk]

Start with a perfect hat trick today then Rickie.

[EBS1980]

I know Rickie hasn't had a great season scoring wise. But what has Carroll done this season to even be considered??

[Batman]

I know Rickie hasn't had a great season scoring wise. But what has Carroll done this season to even be considered??

 

played for england at a major competition and did well

far more mobile (when fit) and is actually a target man

 

lambert is way off the pace on that front

[Saint_Tony]

Carroll's total contribution this season is about 2 assists, a red card, and a lot of time spent off the football pitch. If he does something over the next few games fair enough. Although many on here seem to think Rickie is useless and past it now, I still think at this moment he deserves to go. A few more goals needed to cement his place though

[SaintSteve]

Its clear that Lambert has had to adjust to MPs fluid offensive unit which has resulted in him not being in the goal scoring positions of previous seasons. However, Lallana and Rodriguez have benefited with a better goals return.

I still think Hodgson will take Lambert over Carroll, but he may not take either and use Wellbeck as a striking option from the bench.

[OldNick]

played for england at a major competition and did well

far more mobile (when fit) and is actually a target man

 

lambert is way off the pace on that front

it's because he is playing a more deeper role

[Batman]

it's because he is playing a more deeper role

 

well, he is then playing for position with rooney, lallana, OxO. He will go to the world cup to offer 'something different'

he wont go by being a no. 10

[Giordano]

Rickie will go to Brazil barring injury and /or a dramatic loss of form. Why? Because

1.he is a better footballer than Carroll.

2. He's playing the kind of football that will help England out there ie passing football.

3. He's scored and scoring unlike Carroll.

4. Everybody loves him and most people think that a big guy with a pony tail looks a bit odd unless you are zlatan. :-)

5 very likely he will have at least Adam there to pass to him and vice versa if they on same time - being in same wavelength could count for something at the death out there.

6.rickie always scores penalties.

7. Rickie is great.

Those are the main reasons.

[Barry the Badger]

I kid has developed his game to become extremely selfless. His work has allowed the likes of J Rod and Lallana to get more opportunities but in doing so he's sacrificed the number he gets himself.

 

The fact that a player tactically taking one for the team has caused a portion of our fanbase to decide he's now rubbish frustrates me immensely. It doesn't help that he's at an age where fans seem to look for any excuse to declare that a player is too old and losing their legs.

[nta786]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11096/9213628/rickie-lambert-qa

 

This is by far, a better article. Have a read

[davefizzy14]

Rickie will go to Brazil barring injury and /or a dramatic loss of form. Why? Because

1.he is a better footballer than Carroll.

2. He's playing the kind of football that will help England out there ie passing football.

3. He's scored and scoring unlike Carroll.

4. Everybody loves him and most people think that a big guy with a pony tail looks a bit odd unless you are zlatan. :-)

5 very likely he will have at least Adam there to pass to him and vice versa if they on same time - being in same wavelength could count for something at the death out there.

6.rickie always scores penalties.

7. Rickie is great.

Those are the main reasons.

 

Yeah fully agree with you mate. IMO Rickie will definately be on that plane

[TheCholulaKid]

IThe fact that a player tactically taking one for the team has caused a portion of our fanbase to decide he's now rubbish frustrates me immensely. It doesn't help that he's at an age where fans seem to look for any excuse to declare that a player is too old and losing their legs.

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much, mate. Most fans' sum total of football knowledge is goals=good. Fortunately the manager seems to know what he's doing.

[lifeintheslowlane]

I kid has developed his game to become extremely selfless. His work has allowed the likes of J Rod and Lallana to get more opportunities but in doing so he's sacrificed the number he gets himself.

 

The fact that a player tactically taking one for the team has caused a portion of our fanbase to decide he's now rubbish frustrates me immensely. It doesn't help that he's at an age where fans seem to look for any excuse to declare that a player is too old and losing their legs.

 

Exactly my thoughts...thanks for letting me use them

[forever a red and white]

needs to be scoring in games like today to really nail down his place, a few goals will hopefully bring his confidence back!

[s0108787]

The trouble with rickie is he's misplacing passes all over the place, looking ponderous on the ball and getting dispossessed. I love rickie, but his form has been poor - whether he's playing a different role or not, he's been making more mistakes than we are used to seeing from him. I hope he goes to the world cup, but he needs to step it up.

[Wade Garrett]

The trouble with rickie is he's misplacing passes all over the place, looking ponderous on the ball and getting dispossessed. I love rickie, but his form has been poor - whether he's playing a different role or not, he's been making more mistakes than we are used to seeing from him. I hope he goes to the world cup, but he needs to step it up.

 

Agreed. His current form is poor, but he has the ability to bounce back.

[SaintRichmond]

I know Rickie hasn't had a great season scoring wise. But what has Carroll done this season to even be considered??[/QUOTE]

 

Not a lot, but I wouldn't bet ANY money on Lambert going to Brazil in preference to Carroll

 

Big Sam will talk the £50M man to the W.C................... (W.C. whatever interpretation you wish )

[Cabrone]

Do you feel confident you can still contribute goals playing that way?

 

"Obviously I am. Like I said, I want to score more. I am disappointed with my goals tally this season so that is something I want to address in the remaining games."

 

Do you think that is going to be an important aspect in you pushing for a place in the World Cup squad?

 

"I think so. It is not everything, like I said, but it is the most important thing for a striker to score goals. I do not think I will be getting judged purely on my goals but it will help if I score quite a few between now and the end of the season."

 

Ricky knows exactly what he needs to do to get on that plane so let's hope he bags a load between now and end of season.

[ottery st mary]

Starting today Sir Mr Lambert of Southampton....a couple of goals.

 

Flurry to the end of the season and on the flight to Rio.

 

You are the man SRL.

 

you too Jay Rod .......goals from you and you make up the Saints foursome on that journey.

 

Saints 4-0 or even 5-0 pleeeeese.

 

COYS:):)

[Appy]

Rodriguez deserves to go more than either of them.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

played for england at a major competition and did well

far more mobile (when fit) and is actually a target man

 

lambert is way off the pace on that front

 

Sorry but that bit is ****** mate...he is very clumsy and in know way any more mobile

[Roger]

Rodriguez deserves to go more than either of them.

 

Bizarre comment.

[doddisalegend]

TBH if either of them go they won't get much playing time apart from a last 10 minute gamble if we look like going out of the WC. Sturridge (deserved) and Rooney (not so much) will be the main strikers. Personally I can't see why Roy wouldn't take Lambert a) he did his bit in the qualifiers when there was no one else b) when Roy got to see him with the England squad he seemed impressed c) the few England appearance he has made he has done what Roy has asked of him and stepped up straight away with goals and assists (something Jrod failed to do, harsh I know bit I reckon that's how Roy will see it). d) Carroll has done nothing to warrant a place and it would be much easier for Roy to take RL who is already integrated with the current crop of players.

[Appy]

Bizarre comment.

 

Why?

 

He has scored more than both of them and is on better form, what is bizarre about that?

[Didcot Saint]

If that useless pikey donkey goes to the World Cup over a more intelligent and more gifted player than Rickie, then it just goes to prove how far behind the rest of the world our national side is.

[Batman]

If that useless pikey donkey goes to the World Cup over a more intelligent and more gifted player than Rickie, then it just goes to prove how far behind the rest of the world our national side is.

 

That I would agree with.

I just feel lambert needs to get on the score sheet more to cement his spot

[Saint Charlie]

Lambert clearly struggling with confidence. Think the England stuff has affected his club game, he was playing with freedom before and just enjoying being a PL footballer.

[Window Cleaner]

That I would agree with.

I just feel lambert needs to get on the score sheet more to cement his spot

 

 

I feel that he needs to stop making awful passes like he did last week. Just destroys everything we attempt,either by making an awful pass or not being where he should be when he should be. Looked over last week's game again yesterday evening, he was rank, absolutely rank.

[doddisalegend]

Lambert clearly struggling with confidence. Think the England stuff has affected his club game, he was playing with freedom before and just enjoying being a PL footballer.

 

In fairness he probably never thought he'd play for England let alone be part of a WC squad. At his age this would be the final icing on a career that a few years ago looked likely to be built on lower league football. I could see why he would be distracted by England he has one chance at the WC and I reckon he wants desperately (and who wouldn't).

[Saint_Tony]

Fact is the scoring charts for English players show Sturridge, Rooney, J Rod Lambert and Welbeck as top scorers. If less than 4 out of 5 of them go, maybe Carlton Cole or Peter Crouch?

[Ex Lion Tamer]

I love Rickie as much as anyone but if Carroll can stay fit then I think he will bang in the goals for WHM and book his place. Rickie is out of form and needs to start making more of an impact.

 

I fear age is catching up with him though - we saw it with Grant Holt in his second Premier League season too.

 

Sturridge

Rooney

Welbeck

Carroll

 

Would be my strikers, assuming Carroll puts a run of games together.

Edited 15 March, 2014 by Ex Lion Tamer

[Ohio Saint]

Oh dear. Hodgson at St. Mary's, and Lambo on the bench.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Oh dear. Hodgson at St. Mary's, and Lambo on the bench.

 

And Carroll just scored for WHU

[Glasgow_Saint]

Lambert looked good when he came on, took his goal very well. Hope Roy didnt leave too early

[tajjuk]

Goal, assist, hit the target with his other shot and showed his general all round play and clever movement.

 

Hopefully a few more goals from him in the last few weeks (think he is double figures now) will secure his place.

 

He's a far more accomplished player than Carroll and over the last two seasons has done more than Carroll has done 4 or 5 seasons.

 

I don't think Jay Rod is competing with him either, he won't be playing up front for England he'll be vying for that wide left position which he should get over Wellbeck but Wellbeck will get cos he plays for Man Utd.

[ericofarabia]

Superb cushioned set up for Jay Rod as well.

[Saint Garrett]

He always responds well when he starts on the bench. Great finish and looked better all round today.

[Ohio Saint]

Today was all good for Rickie. Hodgson won't be looking for him as a starter for England anyway.......so.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

A great performance, he dominated Norwich when he came on.

 

However, I still feel he needs to do it against more of the bigger teams to prove he's worth taking to the World Cup. It's worth noting that his goals and assists this season have been against:

 

WBA, CPL, FUL, HUL, AVL, TOT, CAR, FUL (again), STK, NOR, Scotland, Moldova

[Toadhall Saint]

Thought he. Was the main difference when he came on.

[S-Clarke]

He did all the right things when he came on, good passes, good movement, a good goal! (great touch!).

[Toadhall Saint]

He did all the right things when he came on, good passes, good movement, a good goal! (great touch!).

 

His vision is just great - comes with age and not being as mobile ( which is no critisme of SRL)

[S-Clarke]

His vision is just great - comes with age and not being as mobile ( which is no critisme of SRL)

 

He's able to take a step back from play and watch all the movement in front of him, it's easy to forget that he was actually an AMC by trade before converting into a striker.

 

I much prefer Lambert dropping off and feeding the movement of Jay, as opposed to Jay being isolated up top on his own - he had a great game himself, but I just think he looks a bit lost when he's up there on his own.

[Toadhall Saint]

He's able to take a step back from play and watch all the movement in front of him, it's easy to forget that he was actually an AMC by trade before converting into a striker.

 

I much prefer Lambert dropping off and feeding the movement of Jay, as opposed to Jay being isolated up top on his own - he had a great game himself, but I just think he looks a bit lost when he's up there on his own.

 

Feed the young legs - doesn't work all the time ( he's not platini in his hey day) but good to watch all the same.

[Minsk]

A great performance, he dominated Norwich when he came on.

 

However, I still feel he needs to do it against more of the bigger teams to prove he's worth taking to the World Cup. It's worth noting that his goals and assists this season have been against:

 

WBA, CPL, FUL, HUL, AVL, TOT, CAR, FUL (again), STK, NOR, Scotland, Moldova

 

Indeed, Rickie has scored more goals this season than Carroll has in the past two together. Oh, and this season, Carroll has scored against....... Stoke (Full Stop).

 

Shall we compare assists next? It's difficult to compare all-round play with stats; but, just for a giggle, please tell us how Carroll's all-round team play is better than Rickie's.

[Saints foreva]

Thought he was fantastic when he came on.

[St Chalet]

I think the future for Lambert is an impact sub for us. He is very useful when chasing or trying to close out a game. Let the young legs run around for 60 minutes and he can come on and do his thing.

 

He would have been overall more effective this season if Osvaldo had played more and taken some of the strain.

[St Chalet]

Oh, and back to topic.

 

"4-4, World Cup Final penalty shoot out. Germany miss their and up steps ........ For England"

 

if you could choose any player in England to fill that space it would be Lambert.

[doddisalegend]

I think the future for Lambert is an impact sub for us. He is very useful when chasing or trying to close out a game. Let the young legs run around for 60 minutes and he can come on and do his thing.

 

He would have been overall more effective this season if Osvaldo had played more and taken some of the strain.

 

I think today showed that unless we get another player to take up Rickiy's role we need to play him all the time , not as a Sub, we don't have another player who holds up play and lets others join the attack the way Ricky does without him up top we look a poorer side. Osvaldo wasn't that player and neither is Jrod those type of players need to feed of the service Ricky provides. I think a lot of people need to stop obsessing about SRL lack of speed and the fact he isn't scoring every game and see how he is integral to how the team plays.