Likewise. It's great to see him coming back into form. He's completely proved my fear wrong that it was the start of a steep, unfixable decline too.
I've never been in doubt of Rickie's form, and I began to look closer at his performances as a result of people having them. Since Poch came in he's been asked to play a deeper, more flexible role. He hasn't been the target man since Adkins was around, and even he started to play Rickie a little deeper. But Poch plays him within a group which moves around all the time, and for Rickie it has taken some adjusting, as he's not as mobile as the rest. Yes, his form dipped a little mid season, but nothing major to worry about. Goals are still a big part of his game, but these days they are not the be-all and end-all. His assists and killer passes say just as much about his form. Of course, if Roy wants him to be the target man for England this summer, then he'll slot back into a well worn groove.
Yeah, I still think a striker should be top of the transfer list, because despite this current form Rickie did have about 12 months of disappointing performances, but his recent form has been a big relief.
No one is beyond criticism but one thing that has frustrated me this season is the speculation about Rickie's form. He has adapted his game really well this year. Like any player he has had dips in form but over the course of the season he has been very, very good.
he's been decent, to say he's been very very good is a bit of a stretch (that doesn't mean I don't love him though).
I think people forget how much Lambert creates. Secondly, he is nothing like the player he was last year because our system has changed. He doesn't get so many back post headers and there are fewer occasions when he is facing the opposition playing towards their goal - a real strength of his. I think he complements Rodriguez well and both would be poorer on their own.
Lambert vs Jay on chances created: Lambert 49 (31 games,) Jay 20 (32 games) Carroll (just for a laugh) 6 (8 games) So thats: Rickie 1.58 chances created per game Jay 0.625 chances created per game Carroll 0.75 chances created per game. So Rickie comes first for Brazil because his goals and assists are very good and chances created are incredile. Jay comes second because his goal tally is awesome Carroll comes last because everything is average (or below average)
He's also looking more mobile...he'll never be anything approaching fast, but he's moving pretty well. Perhaps the injury woes have cleared up somewhat; heh, might not hurt that our attacking patterns have shifted, which means fewer balls played in the air in congestion (and thus fewer times where he's trying to jump with a defender draped on his back).
Anyone who watches Rickie can see where he is best suited to play, in that advanced midfield role anywhere across the pitch. His strength and skill is such that he can hold the ball up until someone runs into space, and then he can find them. He was doing that all afternoon against Newcastle, as Schad says it was a joy to see him moving freely again. When was the last time Rickie beat the offside trap? Well he did it twice on Saturday, albeit against a poor back line, and both times a goal was scored. Nowadays, since Jay has come into goal scoring form, he is more of an advanced Morgan Schneiderlin than a striker, although he is obviously capable of scoring great goals as well. He is overdue a goal from a free kick, maybe on Saturday?
A little thing but I also admired the way JRod froze as the ball crossed for Rickie's goal. He was offside, knew it and didn't want to look active in any way.
He was offside and in the way when Adam shaped to shoot as well, and managed to move aside in time to be inactive.
One advantage of Lambo, Lala and Jay Rod is that having played together for so long, they understand each other's game. That could be a big advantage if rooney and Sturridge play for seventy then get swapped out for Lambo and J-Rod for the last twenty minutes.
Never thought I would see rickie break an offside trap and 'sprint' 20 metres clear of the nearest defender. Jay had to keep stopping so he would stay behind Rickie though
A Bump and update The statistical records have been reported a little more than I expected. So far only one of the listed records has gone and that was most goals which took a lot longer than expected. 8th is likely to be confirmed this afternoon. I thought clean sheets would be a tough ask, but we're on the brink of that and still cling to equal best defensive record for a season
[video=youtube_share;6QFt1ZeDftk]http://youtu.be/6QFt1ZeDftk[/video] Points Total, most wins and most clean sheets all broken today A lucky goal, but we earned it
So given that we've basically locked up the goal difference one, all we need is a clean sheet against United and we've beaten or tied every single one of our team records?
We're also a final day win away from another fairly important milestone: the best PL season of a South Coast side. Pompey's high-water mark was 57 points and a +8 GD in '07/'08...beat Man U and we'll exceed them in both categories.
