Fair enough. I would argue that that's because JRod was playing more as a CF, so the ball was aimed at him more. Unless I am just massively blinkered by my love for Rickie...
I do not understand the thread, Lambert was replaced by Guly who played well- so the sub was tactically correct. Or is the poster saying JRod should have come off and for Guly and move Rickie up front ?. It is a squad game and NA has shown he is not affraid of replacing Lallana and Lanbbert if he wants to change something.
The actual point of this thread wasn't really to do with yesterday's game but it seems on here posters will read a thread then decide to ignore the point of it.
Hi all. New to this but I constantly read all the comments and always interested in what people say. To me watching the game yestrday the one substituition that should have happened was lallana coming off. There is no doubt about his ability going forward but we become to exposed down the left when he comes in to the middle. Controversial I know but even the best left back in the world cannot defrnd two v one!
Yesterday Lambert was playing a much deeper role, pretty much in midfield meaning he had to run about quite a bit more, meaning he was more tired than Rodriguez, to me it seemed perfectly logical to sub him, and perfectly logical to sub him for Guly as he was the best option on the bench for this role. I personally agree with Adkins substitutions.
Ok Kitch, don't just post this, bring us back to your point. This is how debates go, so relax a little and post a comment that talks about your original point. I thought I posted related to your OP, but maybe not. What is your point? Concern over Rickie's future because he was substituted and you have read into one Adkins interview that he isn't happy with Rickie any more? (not digging, just trying to get back on your topic)
Because he seems to think he can only play 60 minutes and he is concerned about the amount of goals we are conceding and when he try's to correct this its always lambert that is sacrificed.
Football is a squad game and Lambert not playing every minute does not mean he is out of favour. Nigel has to carefully manage him to make sure we get the best out of him all season. I do agree that he might be used off the bench in the second half sometimes, that's not the same as him being dropped. But I hope no one is writing off Rodriguez yet who will be really good for us (honest). I am guessing that Nigel did not sub Lambert for Guly in order to win any popularity contests Anyway, sorry to do the old Holt-Lambert comparison again (I think there is a very small amount of merit in it) but last year Holt started 20 and came off the bench 11 times. As our Norwich supporting poster pointed out, Holt does get subbed a lot and probably for similar reasons - to try and do something different up front, drop a man deeper, he is tired and not as effective, and so on. Oh and finally welcome to dunners.
For what it's worth here's my take... Adkins still has a lot to learn, you can see what his thinking with the subs was but when you are replacing players like Lambert with Guly you are effectively reducing our aerial and attacking threat and inviting pressure. He should have put Lambert up top to give Hangeland more problems and replaced Rodriguez with Mayuka to give pace and support to Rickie. We should have defended from the front by going for the second. Adkins was far too worried about conceding when he need not have been. He will have had his mind on previous games but he didn't read the pattern of play in the game well. Fulham offered nothing until the subs were made and we effectively invited the pressure which led to the abysmal panicked defensive display. From the start we had several players playing out of position including our key players, Lallana and Lambert. Most teams can live with one but two or three makes for a disjointed side. It should have been Lambert up top with Punch and Lallana in support with Morgan, Davis and Ward-Prowse in midfield. Chaplow should have replaced Richardson. I believe Adkins is over-thinking things trying to get that clean sheet when he needs to get players in the right positions first. I hope and expect Adkins to learn quickly and naturally I appreciate that hindsight is a wonderful thing. Adkins is just learning the hard way!
And apologies to Saint Kitch... I'm way off subject with my previous post. I think Lamberts future is safe.
Lambert's career may be prolonged by using him sparingly rather than run him into the ground. It's not just physical...there is a psychological side to it. Anyone can keep playing when the side is winning constantly and he's scoring freely...different matter when chasing the game and defending as well.
I totally agree with the Jrod comment I think he will be a great signing and i was really happy Nige got him. As for the holt stats interesting to read that. I'd like to know how Norwich got on in the games where he started on the bench as not as good as lambert he was their talisman last season so on that score you can compare them.
