A mild apology for the Tabloid esq title to this thread. As part of the Saints player drip feed of player interviews, we have one today from Sir Rickie. He praises Nicola for his vision and drive, sets Norwich and Swansea as examples of what we can acheive next season but the most interesting question was about his own international desires. At 30 and about to embark on his 1st season in the top flight I don't think anyone would have been surprised to hear him dismiss this ambition as folly, but the answer which came back was a yes and more importantly a yes with belief and desire behind it. I think he must be looking at his former team mate Grant Holt and believe that he has the ability to perform at the highest level of the game. I feel a little sorry for Lambert as the timing for him is not fantastic. The void in the England strike force is now with Rooneys suspension, Bents injury and indifferent seasons from Defoe and Crouch, but being cynical even if he had smashed 20+ goals in the premier league this season, playing for little old Saints would of still got him overlooked. Still from a Saints perspective this is a player who seemed happy to roam the bottom two leagues for his career, but after signing was given a vision from Nicola, Confidence from Adkins, coaches & facilities to make him the best he can be and now he thinks he can play for England
Roy Hodgson strikes me as the kind of manager capable of looking beyond the big clubs for talent. But yeah, it's probably all come too late for Ricky. What an inspirational story that premiership football has happened for him at all though. Proof that you should never give up in life.
I have been banging on the drum for ages that he should be called up for Euro 2012. Let's take into consideration the other possibilities. Baring injury, then the two certainties are Rooney (talent and form) and Crouch (form and vastly under-rated). As for the other contenders - Bent (injured and lacking match practice), Defoe and Surridge (too much time on the subs bench and how much do they give to a team), Wellbeck (still a novice) and then there is Holt. I wouldn't mind betting that Carlton Cole could come in to the equation as well. I would pick players who are currently in form and have much to contribute to the team play on and off the field so my four are Rooney, Crouch, Lambert, and either Holt, Cole or Wellbeck! As for other contenders I hope Victor Moses is included as he has far more variety to his game than the likes of Lennon and Theo!!
Form really should be key and on that basis, Lambert should definitely get a look in. He won't, but he should. You are completely right about Moses though. He's a beast!
I hope Roy marks a change in the way England think, this tournament will be too soon, but after that, no excuses.
Holt would be in line before Lambert. For me Lambert is far the better player but Holt has done it for a season in the prem so deserves to be before him. I dont see either getting a chance. Just like always we will see a new manager.....same old story. Same players, same promise .....nothing delivered. I don't expect us to win the tornament but would love us to play football for a change. I got hammered in suggesting Holloway should be considered for the job as he gets teams playing football. I like Hodgeson and hope he proves me wrong but I would be suprised if anything changes. At least with Holloway you can see the passion and I love his talks after the game...quality!
Im almost positive Moses has already elected to play for nigeria sadly . I had a dream last night that I met roy and asked him if he'd give lambert a try and he said "that would be very difficult" in reply I said "comon just give him a go at stupid old belgium" which shocked me somewhat as I think belgium have a lot of talent but no team spirit very much like England! However roy mumbled something positive after that which made me wake up in a bid to tell my dad about what had just happened, only once I stood up realising I wasn't fully clothed did I realise it was a dream!
Hmm...if Lambert wants to play for England, he's gonna need to have an amazing season next year (we're talking better than Holt), and then probably carry it on the year after. I'm sure after the Euros Roy will be wanting to try out some young players ready for 2014, against some of the cakewalk opposition in our group (all of them). It's a 100-1 shot for me.
I can't see Lambert ever getting called up to the England squad personally, if he was 2/3 years younger maybe but now now
I admire his desire but do think it unlikely. However the pool of players in the top flight is hardly brimming Rooney Sturridge Welbeck Defoe Carroll Holt Crouch Zamora
I cannot imagine Lambert even being considered. I think eventually, it would be his lack of pace and the fact that he is totally unproven beyond the Championship. That said when we played against Norwich in Division 1, Lambert was way better than Holt and Lambert has subsequently improved as a player. Maybe Holt has as well. Anyway, I can't see either of them going. Actually the way Carroll has played the last couple of weeks he must be in with a shout (obviously completely disregarding how awful he has been the rest of the year). I wouldn't take Rooney. Given that he misses half the games, it can't give any other strikers much confidence knowing that he will be in as soon as he is eligible. However, I'm sure he will go, Hodgson would get slaughtered by the press if he didn't take him.
I would like to see Hodgson drop this so called "golden generation" once and for all. Lampard, Terry, Cole and Gerard et all have failed us too often. Why give them yet another chance in the euros? They will not be at the next world cup, so lets start planning for the future. This is exactly what germany did at the last world cup.
I agree with some but there are few better left back than Askley Cole in the World and as far as I can think of competition is lacking for this place. Lampard has been in form too but I would ditch the other two. If Hodgson took some on merit and ejected others I would be very happy.
I was just thinking. If Rickie ever does get into an England squad, having eyed it, do we hail him, for being selected..?
You have to admire the belief and confidence. It is unlikely but he is in the form and shape of his life. Were he to get called up, what a difference it would make to the interest levels in the international game for us Saints fans!
