Based on current form alone, never mind his achievements in previous seasons albeit in lower leagues, Rickie must surely merit a place in the next England squad. Look what he brings to the team when he plays. A strong physical presence, intelligence, movement, sublime passing ablilty ( re: the pass to put Puncheon in for the third goal) an abilty to bury a penalty, hunger and desire to improve. What of the other contenders? Welbeck, very promising at this stage, speedier but is he likely to score any more than Rickie? Defoe is red hot at the moment so merits a place in any England squad at present, Rooney (is going to lack match fitness),Sturridge (gets very little game time) Andy Carroll (where was he yesterday afternoon?) Darren Bent (speedier and good finisher but lacks Rickie's class IMO). If anyone else has a differing opinion please go ahead and discuss.
Nope, couldn't agree more. I think he has been good enough the last two seasons, all he needed was to prove it at a higher level to silence the doubters. He is a world class striker without a doubt for me.
You usually take 4 strikers on international break so it's really a question of is he playing like one of the top 4 english strikers. Yes, yes he is. For me it's Rooney, Defoe, Lambert and Welbeck. However I think Welbeck's place should be up for grabs as he hasn't played amazingly and the dive the other week was shocking.
Yep, that's the current 4 for me as well. On a different note, how do you feel about Cleverly? I'm not so sure he deserves all the hype that surrounds him, but I guess we will see. If Fergie thinks he's destined for big things, I suppose he must have something about him.
Last time out I felt for Adam Lallana having to sit on the bench and watch Cleverley fail, when he could have done so much better himself. I think Adam deserves a chance as well as Rickie.
I think he deserves it for sure, but so do a lot of strikers. Rooney and Defoe have to be guaranteed a place, then it would be 2 out of Welbeck, Sturridge, Crouch, Carroll, Bent, Holt and Lambert. I think Lambert is surely a better player than Carroll, Bent and Holt, and Sturridge doesn't play much. I wouldn't blame Hodgson for picking Crouch though.
If Lambert continues with 4 goals in every 5 games it will be impossible for Hodgson to ignore him. I'm sure Pearce will have told him about Lambert's performance yesterday.
He's good and we do need creativity, but If he didn't play for United he wouldn't be a regular starter, at best a last ten minutes "gaining experience" player. Think he's a stop gap for the return of Wilshere at the minute. On the same note if Sterling didn't play for Liverpool he'd be nowhere near the squad.
Yeah that's how I feel. I only brought it up because I had an arguement in the pub last night with a Manchester United fan, (in Hampshire of course) who claimed that Cleverly is much better than Wilshere... Needless to say I pretty much just turned and walked off without replying.
Sir Rickie has proved himself at every level. He has got better and better each season, and has shown commitment, versatility and determination beyond your average premiership player. He deserves his chance, and if given it he would never let England down.
I really don't think Ricky has been overhyped by us saints fans either, he really is that good. IMHO He's consistently proved the doubters wrong, in every league he's played with us and deserves at least a good run in one match.
PS: reallity checking in - Unfortunately even if he's the highest scoring English player in the PL at the end of the season he'd still probably be lucky to get a small walk on role for England- as far as I remember, Beatie didn't get more that that when he held that honour, and age wasn't an issue for him (still shouldn't be for Ricky).
Leave Rooney out he doesn't play well for England. We don't need him. I'd pick Lambert, Defoe, Holt and Crouch.
+1 to that. Rooney Is a good club striker, I can't deny that but the way I see it, we're just talking about giving Rickey one chance to prove himself where Rooney's messed up plenty and yet still gets a regular slot when he's fit.
Once again, last night on MOTD, they couldn't help but make the comparison between Holt and Lambert. OK, ok, they both play for teams who have come through from League One the fastest way possible, and they are both strikers, but there the comparison ends. Holt is a bulldozer of a player, very effective in what he does, but it is limited. Rickie is a much more complete and cultured footballer. He has two very good feet, the right one being a bloody gem. A footballing brain that is super quick, and vision you'd expect of a midfielder. Indeed, Lawrenson mentioned that Rickie made a pass worthy of a midfielder. And guess what..? Rickie has played as a midfielder, in his career. Do your research, pundits..!
I believe crouch is in that strange media named world called the international wilderness after refusing to join the England camp as a reserve for the last window. Bent didn't exactly get good service yesterday and is a good finisher. Think Lambert deserves a call up to the squad. He doesn't have to be a starter, but Hodgson should take a closer look in training.
Yep Hodgson has said Crouch is out of contention after refusing to be standby. Rooney is definite. People who can't see that he is key to England are either blind or (diplomatic head) have a different opinion to me That may be the problem though because whilst many see Lambert as this big target man he is more similar to Rooney in terms of linking play and being part of a multi person attacking move. I'm sure Hodgson would notice that to play Rickie at International Level would mean that an out and out striker also would be needed. So don't think Lambert will play while Rooney is available unless we are moving to a Spain style 'no attackers' strategy
