Lambert is more than good enough for England considering his all-round play. Goals, chances created, aerials won etc. Even more so considering England look best with 4-2-3-1. It makes sense to play Rooney in his best position at CAM/free role and then the best striker (Lambert) at striker.
I never get so joyful, regarding football, as when Rickie scores. I don't quite know why, but he brings out a similar emotion in me that MLT used to do. Matty used to do half a dozen bits of magic, per match, and get totally overlooked, unless he scored. It didn't matter if he pinged an inch perfect 60 yard pass or dribbled around one player twice, just because he could. He was only recognised properly if he scored another wonder goal, and that used to rankle with me so much, because we knew he was easily the most skillful UK player of his generation. Rickie is under-appreciated because he still gets compared to bustling players like Holt, and now even Carroll. These are players who rely on their strength rather than their skill [yes, two good goals yesterday by Carroll]. Compared to them, Rickie has touch and finesse in bucketfuls. We know how good he is. Others, who should know better, still don't recognise it, and the evidence is so stark it's blinding. Give him a go, even if it is just the one cap. He wouldn't let England down.
I have a different emotion when Rickie scores than with Le Tiss. Loved Matty and he scored wonderful goals, but I'm always so pleased for Lambo. He just deserves to be happy. He looks so hang dog if he doesn't score.
How Defoe can get picked ahead of Lambert is unbelievable ! Same old, same old, I really though Roy Hodgeson would grow a pair. Got more chance with the under 21's than that crowd.
Could see Rickie getting a call-up in the summer; with important World Cup qualifying matches in the autumn, Hodgson is likely going to throw everything at the wall during those friendlies to try to find something that works. Cork's a bit less likely, simply because he's not terribly flashy...the national team seems to favour DCMs who crunch everything in sight. Clyne is a distinct possibility, though.
Any manager, whether club or national, should pick the best players available & especially those that are in form. Rickie's stats speak for themselves - highest English goalscorer in the PL, never missed a penalty, god knows how many assists & by all accounts, now very fit (thanks Nige). Remember all the stories that ran along the lines of .... " Lambert can score at will in League One, but he'll find the step up to the Championship too much" and then more of the same a year later when we got back in the PL. What more does the guy have to do? His goal from the free kick yesterday was sublime - as good as anything Beckham has scored. His all round game is good - apart from the goals he scores (seemingly at will), he's strong & holds the ball up so well (reminiscent of Mark Hughes in his prime), his crosses are good. IMHO he is a better footballer than the sainted Shearer. Pick him Roy - he deserves it!
Excuse me. Nice words but don't de-value his contribution with a mere very good player comparison. At least say, as the commentator said on MOTD.. Worthy of Matt Le Tissier. And it was.
I wouldn't say that Lambert is just a blue-collar type of player. But I do think there are players better than him when they are on their game. Rooney is nearly unstoppable at times, but whenever a big tournament comes up the tabloids start poking around in his disastrous personal life and his game suffers. There are other players better at certain things. Carroll is probably better in the air but without the same desire and also tends to lose focus. The thing with Lambert is that he can finish, hold up the ball, pass, head, take free kicks, play semi-decent defense. But what is truly great about Lambert is that he uses those tools so wisely and his desire and mental approach means he's consistent from game to game. That's the other level to his game that people miss. Not just that he has more tools than people think, but the way he goes about using them. He's whatever you need him to be whenever you need it and you count on him to figure out a way to contribute on any given day. There's not another striker in England who is so reliable. I could see him not starting every game perhaps, but I can't see how you wouldn't want a guy like that on your bench.
MOD2 conclusion, Ricky plays for an unfashionable club, is too slow and is no good with one on ones (based on the Liverpool game apparently).
That's very negative and one-sided. They didn't say that at all. Those were merely the points against him. They were easily outweighed by the many good points, so they said why not give him a go..?
Yeah I just watched that. I love that Rickie is terrible at one on ones based on one time that he should have done better.... it's not like Van Persie, Suarez or Rooney have ever fluffed their lines in a one on one... Rickie's game doesn't need pace, he's not that sort of player, his quick footballing brain means it doesn't matter. Not every player has to be quick. Also, because Holt and Graham have had poor second seasons in the PL, it's not worth giving Lambert a chance until he has had two good seasons.
What was telling from the clips of Lambert creating great chances was how many we missed! It must be nice for Lambert to get such positive coverage from the national media. This weekends mini campaign for international recognition is not from a few rose tinted Southampton fans on an Internet forum. People are beginning to take notice of a man who performs so consistently
Savage was ripped to pieces on the radio as he prefers Carroll to Lambert and most fans and the other commentator didn't. However on MoD he seem to say give him a chance.
Lambert is far too slow for England, just like that either striker who was too slow and never did anything for England; what's his name.... Sheringham, that's him . (Slaps head)
Get real. He's not going to play for England, its nothing to do with bias against us or any other nonsense. If he was 10 years younger woy would have called him up regardless of who he played for.
One telling stat is that he has scored or contributed in 43.9% of Saints goals. Inject this guy with formaldehyde...he must be preserved. One point they made is that players often have one good season...look at him after his second (Savage)....why not play a guy on form if qualification matches are all important (as they are). In an ideal world, you recruit youngsters and build for the future, but you have to qualify first.
Woy Lord Duckhunter That reminds me of Only Fools and Horses and the cwying song I also think you are Wong LD because Ricky is like a good Wine and matured with age and most certainly Knowledge. I am a great believer that England should have replaced Roy after the Euros with a young manager and got rid of nearly all the old brigade players and started with fresh young blood that could grow together But as long as Roy picks players like Ferdinand then Ricky has a chance at a cap.
