Are the current crop of England's strikers really better than Lambert? I mean, take his goal scoring form for Southampton over the last three years compared to those that have been selected aside from Rooney. I know that people will shout me down and say, well none his goals were scored against Premier League teams so they count for nothing. But it takes more than an average player to be knocking them in so consistently and contributing to a team effort so effectively in other areas aswell. That has of course been recognised with his nomination for Championship player of the season, but that is still not good enough in terms of getting anywhere near the national side. Add to that the fact he's 30 years old means that he carries a lot more football experience than the majority of England's strikers. He's had nearly a decade more footballing than the likes of Wellbeck and Sturidge, even if it has been in the lower leagues, he is still far more experienced. And finally, he is simply an excellent player. People are always banging on about how the modern day stiker needs to have more strings to his bow rather than be just a goal machine. Lambert has many strings to his bow, he can head accurately, he can pass well, his first touch is excellent and his vision is superb. He has one of the most powerful and accurate shots I have ever seen aswell. In my opinion, he is better than Campbell, Strurridge and Wellbeck regardless of what anyone else thinks. He also makes £35 million Carrol and £24 million Bent look like horrendously over-rated and over-priced players. In summary, he should be in the England squad ! please log in to view this image
Pretty much sums it up. No doubt in my mind he's better than the likes of Frazier Campbell, but **** that.
not that ever did MLT any favours in getting into squads for tournaments that we eventually lost on pens!
Honestly I think Grant Holt is ahead of him in the queue, but I agree he could do a job, and Jay Bothroyd got a cap so frankly so can Rickie. Realistically though, his age and lack of top-flight experience are likely to count against him.
Well if we get up and he has a year in the Premier League, like Holt he will have a chance. Holt is a more powerful player whereas Lambert has better technique which would be more suitable for international football.
Vote for Lambert!! He has more votes than Carroll at the minute!! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...kers-should-England-start-Euro-2012-with.html
For all my prejudice I'd much rather have Porkie than pony up front. But I reckon Grant Holt is better than both. Proven it in the top flight as well.
That is because Holt has spent 6 months in the PL. The day that Rickie sets foot onto a Premier League pitch, is the day the FA start to consider him. Yes, Rickie is worthy of a shout, right now. No goalscorer can be as consistent, and prolifically so, as he and not have something special about them. On a purely selfish note though, no, I don't want him anywhere near being considered for selection. I don't want his attention turned in any direction other than where it's pointing right now. Next season we can have another think. I would remind you lot though that a certain prolific PL striker, James Beattie, who was playing out of his skin, for Saints, got one cap for England.
Mind you, the same article points to a Mr Rickie Lambert as an outside candidate for selection. Tbh, I think they put him in there to fill out the column inches. Having said that, there's no doubt Pearce has seen him play, going on the amount of times he's watched Saints [albeit to view Lallana], this season.
And was awful! I think those who write off Lambert as a potential Premiership/International striker ignore one very important factor. Rickie is a skilled player, with a kick like a mule especially of a dead ball, who relies more on brain than brawn. He is often described as "the big man up front" but he is so much more than this. He has vision, he is comfortable on the ball, his first touch is good and he is an excellent passer of the ball. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't do a Terry Paine and secures a place in midfield in the future. But England striker? I hope not, it's been the kiss of death for many a player in the past few years.
Pearce will have noted all these players while scouting for the U21s. It would be refreshing for the England first team to be less exclusive to players with big club reputations.
