Ok this is another Ricky Lambert thread for which I apologise but it is a week till our next game and the whole country are talking about him. Ricky has been a saints player for four seasons now and won over our support from day one. There is no doubt he will have the channon, le tiss legendary hero status when his playing days are over. How much longer do you think he could continue playing for saints? He is 31. You could say only 31. Kevin Phillips to use an example is 40 and still playing a bit part in the premier league. Can Lambert still be a saints player in 9 years time. Where do you see his dream, his incredible journey finishing. Hi fitness has improved since he signed for us and his awareness is as good as anyone's. He seems to have the drive to continue playing as long as he can. Will he see out his career with saints or do you see him playing for anyone else. On an England note, Frank lampard is still playing at 35. Could Ricky still have another 4 years in him at international level or is here and now the pinnacle of his career. However long he continues I hope he can win a major trophy to reward his commitment.
I can see him still playing at a similar level to this at 36, as long as he has the motivation for it. You don't lose what he's got.
He will be getting the best possible advice about nutrition and training regimes. The role he plays means he isn't frantically running from box to box or sprinting on to the end of passes, so as long as he maintains his current fitness levels there is no reason why he shouldn't carry on for another 5 years. And his greatest attribute, the one that singles him out from the Andy Carrolls of this world, his footballing brain, will only get better and better.
His is a long journey to get to where he is now, as posted above he will be eating correctly and his fitness regime will keep him in top fitness level. Teddy Sherringham ,beckham ,Kevin Phillips played way beyond 31 , I think he will have at least another 4 seasons with us . And legendary status ......he already there for me with Channon, le tiss etc.
The end date for footballers when I was young was considered to be 30 with players peaking at 27. Modern training techniques and diet has extended that. Rickie could have another 4 years at the top, especially as he doesn't rely on pace. His brain gives him that extra yard. He said he would finish his career with us...I expect that to still be true.
One thing's for sure, if Rickie retires at Saints then it's going to be an emotional day at St. Mary's!
As others have mentioned it is down to Ricky's fitness.......As long as he remains fit he should be able to play a significant part in the Saints picture well into his mid thirties and possibly beyond. It was apparent with the type of finisher like Welbeck working with him, he seemed to be able to read his movements so easy. If Osvaldo and or Jayrod could only follow that example. I think he would be good with Lee too should be interesting going for ward!
Don't see why he shouldn't finish his career with both an FA Cup and World Cup winner's medals to go with his JPT one.
He doesn't have any real pace to lose, but as has been alluded to in the past, he is a "big lad" which can take a physical toll, and he didn't exactly look after himself in his early career. He's similar in style to Sheringham who played into his 40s, hopefully if he's managed well he'll last another 5 years at least, and continue to contribute at the top level, but you just never know.
I think for the younger generations (myself included), Rickie Lambert is going to be the stand-out "when I was a boy" player. Joy to watch.
The only side of his game that I can see being curtailed is the physical element...I can't see him winning the ball as much in the air as he gets older and I think we could even see him revert to his previous role as a playmaking and goalscoring midfielder, ala Scholes, as he approaches the twilight of his career...He has certainly got at least 5 years at this level, if he can avoid serious injuries, IMO.
I started watching Saints in 1979 and started going to all home games from about 1982. I have had various 'Saints Heroes' First there was Mick Channon, then Steve Moran, then Danny Wallace, then Keegan, then Matt Le Tiss. There was a huge void after MLT - He was my favourite all time Saint (That I had watched regularly)…until now. Sir Rickie is our talisman - but we are not a one man team as we were (let's face it we were) with MLT. He is humble (as MLT has been on the quite a few times I have met him), he always has time for us the fans and loves Southampton football club. MLT was a one man club, but Rickie has somehow managed to make Saints his club, without upsetting his previous clubs. All fans from his previous clubs wish him well and want him to do well for us and now England. It has been said numerous times all over this forum, SRL is a 'man of the people' - he is so grateful to be doing what he does - I honestly believe if you said to him you will have to play the next season for £30,000 a YEAR rather than a week - he would (obviously not if he has a big £2m mortgage but you know what I mean!). He is the opposite of what everything the modern footballer stands for…I mean that in a good way. Every non-saints fan I talk to (even Pompey ones!) seem so happy for him and are willing him to do well. I suppose he is our version of the 'American Dream' - anything is possible if you work hard and believe. So far, he has never let us down and always stepped up to the plate. He was awesome in League 1, the Championship, the Premiership and now for the international team. Whenever he has been asked to do a job, he has. I hope tonight he does himself proud, not for England, but himself. Anyway to get back on topic, I hope he stays fit into his 60s, because how many of you can imagine a Saints side without him?! No7
Rickie is now just 3 league goals away from equalling Martin Chivers' record of 97 for Saints, a record that he is sure to pass this season. 6 more goals and he will be only the 9th player in Saints' history to have scored 100 league goals for the club. He will join a list of club legends that include; Mick Channon, Matt Le Tissier, Terry Paine and Ron Davies. With this in mind, he is well on his way to being a true club legend.
This is honestly the last year I can see Lambert playing as a major role for Saints. You can see his stamina is no longer quite up to snuff, and if Saints have a good year, they will definitely be looking strongly at Europe in which case I can't see them not bringing in another striker. It's true that Lambert's game doesn't rely on pace, but it does rely on every last bit of pace he personally possesses so he doesn't have as much margin as you might think. We all say his strength is that he is a "complete" forward. If he were a poacher it might be different. I think he could probably be a rotation/bench player for another 2-3 years here, or a starter for a lesser Premier League Side. If he is willing to play Championship, he probably play another 5-6 years as a starter. Still-- to my mind, he is already a Saints legend if he never played another game.
