Just watched the Rickie interview on saints player. "I know they'll be just as happy as I am which is why I love them so much" A lovely quote to finish the interview but he wasn't talking about his family or even his team mates, but all the Southampton supporters. It's obviously been a great and emotional day for him, but he welled up a little bit at the end of the interview. I know we're all biased but I hope England fans go and support him as they'll see a player who wants to be on that pitch wearing the three lions just as much as any of them would. I have visions of Chamberlain crossing for a Lambert winner
I have visions of Danny Welbeck getting the chance to put him through and forking it up! Will be carnage on this forum if it happens...
That was a great quote to finish on, think the fans have built up a really special relationship with Rickie these last few years - he seemed particularly touched at the "Rickie Lambert, we ****ing love you!" chant last year.
I think Lambert should have been selected 12 months ago. The team is quite interesting insofar that it includes alot of fringe players from the larger clubs. All in all, I would have dispaired of this line up had it not been for the fact that lambert got a call up. The amazing thing I feel about this club is how easy it has been for very, very mediocre players like Cleverly (Maybe one of the worst players in an England shirt since Carlton Palmer? ) and Welbeck to get in to the England team. They should have been discarded ages ago and their selection whilst Lambert was in a rich vein of form seems to demonstrate the preference of technically assured but average players as opposed to individuals who can make an impact. I don't feel that lambert is a player for the future even if he call up is both thoroughly overdue and well deserved. He does, however, fit the model for the kind of players England should be playing. Given that so many clubs are full of foreigners, I think future England mnager will need to look towards clubs like Southampton. I hope we do not go too continental and leave out too many players who have the appetite and understanding for the English game.
Was good to hear today but I think of what I've seen of him it's long over due but good for him and club
Nah, it's more like that feeling when you're trying to contain an outburst of emotion. please log in to view this image
Hodgson's such a dick, " if anyone deserves a call on merit......" . Only now they pick the best English players , not the English players from the best teams!!
Ah..Punktwatt, I think you have hit the nail on the head as to why England seem to struggle. You can be the fourth best striker playing occasionally out of of position and not scoring for Man Utd and be one of the first choices for England but be a regular in a lesser team and scoring goals regularly and not get a look in. That's not just aimed at Rickie's position but the same all round the squad. Roy pick the best English players that are playing regularly and in form not just look at the bench warms from the big four or five clubs!
In the paper review in Sky (centring on a Times article), it was said that Rickie's call up had a feel good factor and they mentioned how everyone in football has time for Lambert. Said what a great bloke he was.
If it wasn't for us finding him in the first place, you would have absolutely no idea who Rickie Lambert was. He would just be another fat midfielder, rather than a phenomenal striker
To echo the sentiments of everyone else I could not be happier for him or his family. What a day he had yesterday! Lets hope that he gets a gentle run out on Saturday and then a good amount of injury-free game time on Wednesday against the Scots. Would love for there to be a penalty... I think we know who would grab the ball!
I think that's a bit unfair. There just aren't that many world class English players, so whoever the manager picks, they're bound to fail in the eyes of our deluded supporters. And by picking Rickie, Hodgson's proved that the door is open to players from unfashionable clubs. Yet still you slag him off?
Do you only get a cap if you play during the 90, or do you get one for being called up into the squad?
You have to actually play. Whilst I don't think caps should be handed out like confetti, I'm willing to make an exception for Rickie. Get him on the pitch, Roy! He actually has a good chance as Rooney is not really fit enough to play 90 mins...but I will be seriously annoyed if Welbeck is put on instead. He had a poor season and Roy must know all he needs to know about him by now. On a side issue...has anyone seen the Mirror. Had a headline which said basically, Is Rickie Lambert the best we've got. Have no problem with a piece discussing the dearth of English strikers, but it was insulting.
