Article: Hull V Saints match thread Southampton FC, Football

two good ones now though. Big improvement on Danny Graham.

 

We've scored 5 goals in the last two games. Rickie has scored two, assisted two & though he does not get statistical credit, his run across Begovic caused the Davis goal. Though admittedly a couple of years ago he would probably have scored five & assisted three in two games. Buck your ideas up Lambert!

 

He's still got goals in him for sure and he can still pick out a pass. But other then his superb free-kick he wasn't a threat at all yesterday and that is becoming increasingly common. He can't jump and was dominated by Shawcross in the air. He's still a starter for us, but he is becoming less effective in our overall play.

 

I know I've seen people refer to it, but what exactly is the problem with Lambert's back? Is it something that can be fixed with surgery after the World Cup? I guess he is playing on with a problem because surgery would ruin his chances? Lambert's headed goals are one of his big strengths - but I can't see him scoring any of those now. I'm not sure that, broken, Lambert will really merit a place in Brazil. As a target man, I hate to say it, I think Carroll is better.

 

My gran plays better football than Graham and she has been dead, best part of 20 years

 

If Rickie is ineffective, can we have two of him, please? I think he looks more himself than he did a few weeks back...I put this down to the threat of a West Ham move being lifted (financially it may have made sense for him, but pretty sure his heart is here). Feeling needed again now Dani has gone has probably made a difference as well.

 

We can always find out where you live, you know

 

It makes me sad to say it. Yet he hasn't threatened from a corner, or dominated a centre back in the air, for months. Carroll, on the other hand, is seriously difficult to defend against.

 

Is there any truth about this back problem? I've not seen or heard anything other than the odd post on here.

 

Not banned, he isn't. WHU really could have done without him going missing for a moment's stupidity now. Wouldn't want that in Brazil. I really hope that Rickie hits a bit of real form and sorts his back out...he really deserves to go to Brazil. Pity they don't allow pinch hitters in football...how great he would be for free kicks and penalties.

 

I'm sure I read or heard that he has to have a lot of treatment to keep him mobile...probably true of a lot of older players. He's a big guy and his spine has probably had a lot of wear during his career.

 

Even Crouch is better than Carroll.

 

Think he's back in training, but is unlikely to travel to an away match.

 

As a target man, yes. Which is why this debate is so pointless as Lambert isn't a target man. He never really was albeit we kind of forced him into that role. He is basically a midfielder who happens to be, when fit, a very good header of the ball.

 

Last year Rickie bullied every defender with his aerial ability and strength. If there isn't a back problem, then what is going on??? Sad because Rickie is a few years younger than me... Which makes me feel old.

 

But I don't think England need him for that.

I love Rickie and want him to go. But I also am stupid enough to want England to do well - so Lambert needs to totally deserve it.

 

Lambert offers a lot more than Carroll but if Roy just wants a target man then maybe he won't get the nod.

 

I seem to remember in our championship season there were rumours about Fonte being played on injections week in week out as we had such shallow depth at centre back, and I distinctly remember him having a poor season where he consistently looked off the pace, but after a decent season where he hasn't played every week, he's come in and been sensational this season. The way Lambert's playing now somewhat reminds me of that time, as you can see all the skills that made him a great player are still there, but the way he moves doesn't look quite right and he really doesn't look as sharp as he used to, and I think (without any real evidence whatsoever) that Lambert has been playing with an injury for a lot of this season

 

I'd heard it was a hip problem, which in turn was causing a problem with his back.