Lallana

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Came off fairly early today and I wondered if there was anything in it. Certainly the change didn't harm us with Rickie coming on and scoring straight away and giving the attack more of a central focal point.

 

So is Adam simply tired after a run of games, including the Denmark international or does he have a niggle (either picked up today or already present beforehand)? Saw him leave after the game and didn't seem that happy and drove off without stopping to sign autographs for those waiting.

[doddisalegend]

It's not the first time AL has been subbed of quite early in the game by MP usually it seems to be to facilitate Gaston getting time/staying on the pitch. TBH he had a quiet game (by his standards) today and Roy was in the stands so being subbed off probably wasn't what AL wanted at all. Can't help feeling the spectre of the World cup is putting pressure on a few of our players. Lambert looked desperate to go when interviewed on MOTD tonight and Adam has gone from not even being on England radar to a pundits already on the plane choice.

[Appy]

Had a nasty cut on his knee when he went off.

[david in sweden]

Had a nasty cut on his knee when he went off.

 

YEP ! ....(TV close-up) ....saw a gash on his knee, when he sat down in the dug-out.

 

Sensible decision - no point in making things worse . He got his usual rough treatment (from some of the Norwich players). Although the substitution was fairly inspired - don't you think ?

 

IF Rickie goes to Brazil, I can see Roy leaving him on the bench for 60 minutes..... and then using him as " game-changer."

[Delboy Dave]

More importantly if you saw him drive off after the game, what car does he drive?

[ottery st mary]

He took a fair old knock early on....should have been a booking for Norwich player.

 

Struggled for a while but later I could see he was still not 100%.

 

Maybe should have come off a little earlier.

 

Adam Lallana is world class.

[Dr Who?]

More importantly if you saw him drive off after the game, what car does he drive?

 

White Porsche (ADZ 131)

[dubai_phil]

Lallana will clearly go.

 

Lambert should but who knows what stupidity lies ahead.

 

JRod must be confusing for Hodgson. Scoring regularly when other english strikers aren't, mix of goals too. But even saints fans probably wouldn't take him. Think he needs another season personally, improve a bit, show he can do it more consistently. 15 goals 2 seasons running and fair enough. Definitely deserves some caps in the qualifiers but there's no point using Lambert after the world cup, as good as he is.

 

Watching Sturridge & Wellbeck this evening there is one thing that is starting to stand out about JRod vs those two, JRod has a brain, both intellectually and in a footballing sense. He does have a chance of going. Needs more goals between now & end of season to get ahead of Wellbeck.

 

IMHO Rickie is on the plane barring injury and the only issue will be whether Adam starts in the WC or not

[doggface]

He was probably bummed about playing on the left seeing less of the ball. I was glad gaston got a start in the hole though.

[Chez]

Not so sure Adam and Ramirez play well together. They eat each others space a bit.

[david in sweden]

Expect to see all of our players going to the world cup subbed early in games

 

if they do twice as much running as the rest of the team .....? YES!

 

In Rickie's case, we know he doesn't (never has had REAL pace) but putting him on fresh after 60 mins. when the opposition is tiring is called a " tactical substitution" - expect to see it more in the future.

Edited 17 March, 2014 by david in sweden

[david in sweden]

Lallana will clearly go.

 

Lambert should but who knows what stupidity lies ahead.

 

JRod must be confusing for Hodgson. Scoring regularly when other english strikers aren't, mix of goals too. But even saints fans probably wouldn't take him. Think he needs another season personally, improve a bit, show he can do it more consistently. 15 goals 2 seasons running and fair enough. Definitely deserves some caps in the qualifiers but there's no point using Lambert after the world cup, as good as he is.

 

AL is essentially a (type-of) MLT attacking-midfileder with " licence-to-roam around ". With the departure of Lampard, and Carrick imploding, I see Adz being an England midfielder even in the NEXT World Cup.

 

A really fast, on-form striker like Sturridge is obvious, he scores a lot. BUT Jay Rod often battles it out (alone) but still manages to pick up goals late on in a game through sheer stamina.

 

(Compared to Welbeck, I'd have no doubts about who I'd choose, Roy.) Unless Andy Carroll makes a miraculous recovery of form and fitness....I can (possibly) see Rickie getting the last place.