What makes you a good player, is also having good players around you. And RL certainly has that. He has improved tremendously since his arrival! I like to think he is similar to Grant Holt. He could go from playing League 1 to Prem within a few years. He is similar, he does so much more for the team than scoring goals and is an excellent asset to have. Perfect role model for any young forwards out there!
He is on his way to becoming a Saints legend. When we get to the Premier League he will be one. I am beginning to believe his song...but what will we sing once we're there? "He took us to the Premier League, Rickie, Rickie!"? All sounds very past tense. Maybe we'll sing: "He stands at nearly 6" 3, Rickie, Rickie, He's the best striker in the Premier League, Rickie, Rickie!" Anyway who cares. Lambo is a great, great player and seems an all round top bloke. I hope he does score loads in the Premier League (for us of course), as he deserves it. Thank you Bristol Rovers for him - at the time £1m seemed a lot for a league one player, now I feel we've had you over. It seems he is like fine wine, he gets better with age - and more valuable. No7
For those that compare Rickie to Grant Holt, did you know that they once played together as a strike pairing..? Rochdale, League Two wasn't it..? On the subject of players improving with better players around them - only players that are good enough can do that. Players that aren't good enough don't improve and get transferred out, eventually.
I have to disagree about the comparisons between Lambert and Holt. Lambert doesn't go in for tackles too often and he certainly doesn't get booked every other game like Holt does. Also, Holt is a lot more overweight and slower than Lambert in my opinion. I actually think Lambert is a far better all round player, he's certainly reads the game better and is far more versatile.
I have to agree about Rickie improving with age, he will never be blessed with electric pace, but then neither were Shearer and Sheringham. He has great technical ability and is superb in the air and is strong on the ball. Alan Pardew said after the Pompey game that Rickie could play in the Premier League and I agree with him. He will score goals at any level because of his superb technique and quick football brain.
Holt is good at going down softly and making it look convincing if you're looking for something Holt is clearly better at! I haven't seen enough of Holt recently to comment on his weight, but he was fat in L1. Norwich were fit last season and they scored a lot of late goals, so Paul Lambert must have a pretty good fitness programme down there.
That day back in August when we bought him seems like such a long time ago. Already established himself as a fans' favourite and well on his way to becoming a Saints legend.
Nice little pieces on the BBC Sport website and the OS on Lambert's 400th career start tonight: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15338165.stm http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2485085,00.html
Many thanks for all of your comments. We knew he was special when he was with us and now he seems to have gone up another level. I'd love to see him in the Premier League (with you), proving all those doubters wrong.
