No thank you from Rodriguez to the Saints fans or the club for sticking by him after his injury plagued seasons.
Excellent from start to finish. I remember some stupid, stupid commentator reckoning that Rickie's driven pass around the last Fulham defender out to JayRod on the wing was a 'hopeful punt'. What a prick.! Anyone with a minute amount of sight could see that Rickie looked up before curling the ball into Jay's path where he barely had to break his stride. Then Jay did his own little look up and placed the ball into the far corner. It was arguably one of the goals of the season, yet I don't think it was even mentioned by the football media at the end of the day, let alone the end of the season. But we knew.
I think several came to accept his ability to score goals, but most had no idea that he was a provider and passer of real quality.
Add talisman to that aswell. And while we're here, perhaps the most likeable footballer ever to have slipped the shirt on.
My favourite Rickie pass, there is another video replay somewhere from behind our goal showing the look-up and perfect bend into his path. Second favourite was an outside of the boot right channel pass (to Morgan I think) with the perfect amount of backspin - but didn't result in a goal so footage lost forever...
"They've brought Lambert on so they'll be going more direct now....." FFS!!! He was a quality, clever footballer who was best with the ball on the deck. He just happened to be able to bullet a header in too!
I couldn't find a video of just that goal vs Fulham, but here are all of Rickie's goals and assists from 2013-14. I still think a little piece of my Saints heart died when Rickie went to Scumbagpool. The pass against Fulham is at 2:13 by the way!
I am glad he went to Liverpool in a weird way. He was a boyhood Liverpool fan and that, along with goal/cap for England, really did complete the fairytale. Obviously I'd have loved him to retire at saints but for him to achieve that must have been incredible so I am pleased for him. I'm sure as kid he dreamed of playing for Liverpool and England and he can retire saying he did just that. Fair play to him.
My fave JRod goals were against Palace away, and Reading away - both basically 50-50`s with the keeper, but he wanted it more, and risked a clattering. Thanks and good luck Jay.
