I think we got spoilt by a younger Lambert playing in a lower division. It's rare for a centerforward to be able to dominate games, but he could. Now he is older and he was never the fastest guy around. We have to accept that his role has changed. Thankfully, we no longer need Lambert to play like he used to. Now Lallana is the player we look to to pull all the strings on offense. He and Rodriguez do all the running. It's not like we had trouble maintaining possession in either half. What we needed was someone to break the ice, and Lambert did that. I can understand the argument that Lallana was better today because he had more of a hand in more parts of the game, but saying that Lambert was poor because all he did was create and score goals is a bit like saying Boruc was poor because all he did was save shots. He has a more limited role now, and he's quite happy to provide assists for others which he does. He is still probably our best passer. You can't really judge a player like that by halves. Sometimes the goals just come in bunches like they did today. If he had gotten the goal in the first half, then two assists in the second half I don't think anyone would be judging him quite as harshly. He has 7 assists and 7 goals in 19 games started. That's very good. And he's still not a luxury player. I don't really think he's ever a liability on the pitch, he's just not the constant threat he maybe once was. I think we all wonder how much gas he has left in the tank, but for now he's still a hugely useful player for us and the rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.
The question is, were Fulham poorer, or were we better, if so why was that, is it down to Poch and a hairdryer?
Mauricio said we were set up wrongly...presumably he takes responsibility for that. He changed it for the second half...which is what you expect from a decent manager. Everyone makes mistakes...being clever is recognising it and doing something about it. The players are obviously clever enough to quickly take instruction.
You have the right to express an opinion, I don't actually see one from you about it, what did you think of Rickies performance? I promise I won't bite.
And it really didn't matter in the end. If we'd gone with Cork/Clyne in the first half, we would have been up 3-0 and he probably would have subbed in Wanyama and Chambers in the second half to get some game action anyway.
Dear oh dear. He had an understandably off pace game on return from a long term injury. Get over your prejudice, please.
Yes, I stand by Poch's decision to recall Wanyama. No, he wasn't great at all, but he is an important player for us and he needs to get up to natch fitness and sharpness as soon as possible. This was probably the best chance to give him his reintroduction to the first team. It could have gone horribly wrong, but it didn't, and to be fair to Vic, he wasn't the only player to be off his game in the first half. No harm done.
The lesson I would have drawn from today would be that Victor should have come on when/if things were settled. It felt a bit risky starting with someone probably a little off the pace when Fulham were fresh rather than when they were wilting. Worked out fine in the end, though. And he definitely got a good run out rather than just the ten minutes at the end that I would have expected. Vin
Mauricio said it was important that Wanyama got 45 mins in and that Cork needed a rest. He was pleased to have competition for the position. That may not have been what he was thinking, but tactfully said. Remember there will be a match when Cork is injured/ill and we'll be glad that Victor is coming back into the fold.
Full credit to Pochettino today. Wanyama had a mare, picked up a knock and the referee was dishing out cards to our players like candy on halloween. However it was good man management to leave the substitution until half time. But the best move was playing Lambert deeper and Pushing Jay & Adam further forward. Rickie was struggling for joy against two near 7ft centre backs so we needed to take a different route to break them down. Thats what is so great about Lambert and what sets him apart from so many strikers. He can play as a attacking midfielder because he has the passing range. Jay Rod played on the shoulders of the strikers forcing them back, Rickie dropped deep in the gap between their defence and midfield to collect the ball and Adam pushed on to give Rickie a second passing option. Two of our three goals came from this and other opportunities were created. Only a handful of strikers in the premier league would of been able to do what Rickie did today to such a standard and any criticism of his overall performance is pretty disingenuous
Prejudice: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. I take issue with this. And to everyone that is saying "now Fox has gone the idiots have to moan about Wanyama"; you honestly think Fox gave us no cause to moan?
I won`t criticise Wanyama, but Cork`s mobility suits Saints game far better. He covers the pitch, always available, and him and Davis are so good a keeping the ball. I didn`t see what the hype about him was with Celtic. Cork could do with the occasional goal, but then couldn`t Wanyama too ?
All 5 of our CMs are fantastic and for different reasons: Vic - a beast who gives better protection to the CBs; far from his peak at 22/23 Morgan - sublime passing, tackling and interceptions; far from his peak Jack - incredible engine, neat passer, always available; far from his peak Davis - sees the right pass nearly everytime, great link up play, probably playing the best football of his career; maybe at his peak JWP - great engine, reads the game well, neat passer; probably not reached puberty let alone his peak. Boy if MP can keep them happy and add a strong CB, a striker and a second very good keeper, we'll be flying. It isn't always about who plays, but who can play and we need to drop our preferences and let MP get on with it. I wouldn't have taken the same decision as MP today, but that's why he's drinking his red wine tonight having won three premier league points and I'm looking forward to MoTD having done the housework this afternoon!
Watched Sky Choice last night, some really good goals, now was the third one the result of a trick that Lambo learnt from West Ham, i.e. a hoof ball where we got lucky, or was it the best long ball pass you have seen all season?
The latter...nothing wrong with a great long ball when an opportunity is spotted. It wasn't a hopeful punt into space....this is Lambo we are talking about.
