Lambert as he takes free kicks and penalties. He is a very different player, holds up the ball well and is unselfish...he will be top scorer this season and provide assists for Jay.
I, too, think that Lambert will be a bit part player and will only start about 20-25 games next season. He'll still be penalty taker though, just like when Holt (bad comparison!) didn't start, but was still penalty taker when he was on the pitch. Lambert for more goals, but Rodriguez for more non-set piece goals. My prediction: Osvaldo 12 (if we get him) Lambert: 9 Rodriguez: 7 Ramirez: 6 Lallana: 5
Top scorer and top assists last year from Ricki, he is hard to drop. I am at the stage now that if we did not add another player (would love Banega though) I would not be too bothered, our team now is good enough for mid table. Maybe even get the chance to play some of the youngsters, Seager scored 2 yesterday after coming on for the last 15 minutes so he may be the one pushing for the spot later in the season.
Not the end of the world if we don't sign anyone else...I think we are a decent side who play exciting football. Willing to bet though, that if we don't, we will sign someone in January.
I'll have to go with Lambert. Although Rodriguez started making some incredible runs later in the season his finishing is somewhat suspect. He needs to be calmer in front of goal. The best finisher I've ever seen was Tiss. He was brilliant because he just made everything look so simple. No need to blast it in if a 'pass' would do.
Lambert all day for me as things stand, I expect a few of our players to increase their scoring rate, Adam, Gaston and JRod the prime candidates to add a few to their tallies and I expect Wanyama to bring more goals to the party than Cork did. Although I would say even though Jay's finishing is sometimes questioned if he continued his rate under Poche in the games he started, he'd be grabbing about 10-12 goals and assists each which would be excellent, he certainly hit a purple patch however so would be a tough task to keep that rate all season.
Not sure if reported elsewhere, but, according to the Bleacher Report, Rickie was the best value for money striker in the PL. His fifteen goals came at a cost of £65,000/goal based on his transfer fee. Probably also value for money based on his wages.
Nice to be able to add Osvaldo into this equation now. If frankimus does not mind, I pose the following question... Who will score more goals? - Lambert, Rodriguez or Osvaldo?
According to Jose Fonte baby it's Osvaldo [nice bit of time travel there, JFb], but I think it'll be Rickie. It won't be J-Rod.
Good piece from the EPL Index - Osvaldo vs Lambert vs Rodriguez: http://www.eplindex.com/epl-news/37397/osvaldo-15m-switch-southampton-osvaldo-lambert-rodriguez.html
Osvaldo: 11 goals Lambert: 13 goals Rodriguez: 8 goals Ramirez: 5 goals Lallana: 5 goals Mayuka: 2 goals
Osvaldo 14 goals Lambert 14 goals J-Rod 14 goals Ramirez 14 goals Cork 0 goals Okay in all seriousness I think Lambert will just edge it with Osvaldo close behind. All depends whether Lambert gets played just behind Osvaldo or they form a partnership up top.
I think Lambert will get more goals definitely now that JRod will get less game time. I also think it is a given that Lambert will play 'up top' and Osvaldo will be taking the Rodriguez role.
Shaw will score 3 or 4 this year I'd say judging by last weekend.... Lambert 11, Osvaldo 9, Rod 7.....with the goals more evenly spread this season
