We've lost Rickie Lambert to a muscle problem, it will keep him out of the game on Friday and possibly out of the Germany game." His Southampton teammates Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana will "play some part" against Chile.
I know now I can't have my whiskey when all 3 come on. Good to see confirmation that Lallana and Jay Rod will play some part, although that was fairly obvious anywayy.
Same here. Like Yourself and Godders, I was going to do the same. He'd better be alright when he returns.
It's not really the right game for Rickie anyway, as Chile play three centre backs and a very high pressing game. Doubling up on the flanks will be key so we can outnumber their key men Vidal and Isla, and getting behind them with pacey forwards should undo them. Rooney will probably be dropping deep and looking to play in the likes of Lallana, Rodriguez and Townsend. This probably means there's still a good chance of a goal for a Saints man, which is good. Sampaoli is probably my favourite international manager though, and his team is very disciplined. I just suspect his attacking 3-4-3 is a little too ambitious and will be caught out by the better sides (we're one of those, right?).
It is a conspiracy. I bet Wenger told Jack Wilshire to kick him hard in training. Who is going to nobble Lallana? All joking aside your question is a serious one Fran. Rickie survives our daily double training sessions unscathed but Hodgson has him for a day and he is wrecked. They are bloody irresponsible.
Well the injury doesn't seem that serious if it's possible he will play in the Germany game. No need to sue as has been suggested (probably jokingly but you never know!) anyway, since Owen signed for Newcastle for big bucks then got crippled playing for England they have had pretty hefty insurance so the clubs get compensated.
How good are Chile? I remember watching a game they were involved in a few years ago and they impressed me back then.
Probably better than most people think. They've lost one game since Sampaoli took over in December 2012. His record in all competitions is won 8, drawn 3, lost 1. They're 3rd in the South American WC qualifying, and 12th in the FIFA rankings. They play a high pressing 3-4-3 with Vidal and Isla playing a strange role on the wings, where they get back and defend like wingbacks, but actually cut inside in attack rather than just running up and down the flanks. One of the CMs tends to be very attacking and the other defensive, so the midfield becomes a bit like a diamond. The wider forwards get very wide and also chase back, and they tend to play a false 9, which would usually be Alexis Sanchez. They commit a scary amount of people forward when attacking - what Bielsa called the "enganche y tres punta" (playmaker and three forwards), and also the wingbacks all get right into the box. Obviously this all means they can be exposed on the counter and by quick forwards getting behind their high line, especially as they get tired later on (see the Colombia game which finished 3-3, despite Chile having led 3-0).
Hodgson says Rickie isn't badly injured, but only a possible for Germany. I'm sorry, Rickie, but I want you home right now!
