Not as lazy a player as Jones, but in essence much the same threat up front. Both good in the air and both can hold the ball up, but that's about all. Both Jones and Lambert have scored goals in their careers - the point maybe that the best was in the past. Do both these players highlight our lack of flair, pace and guile up front as well as our ambition to the extent that we're no better off now than a year ago?
I think that under estimates Lambert's vision. He's quality at bringing others into play, KWJ very often couldn't see a team mate 10 yards from him. The problem is we didn't have anyone anywhere near him for his link play to be a threat. The crippling lack of pace in the whole side was shown up horribly by our complete inability to get near him. Whats more worrying for me is we've looked terrible as an attacking force pretty much every game. Trollope doesn't have a solution. Please don't tell me it's because our players are ****. They lost 2 games at home last season and were on the edge of the playoffs. The division is better this time around but we haven't suddenly become the worst squad in the division. Trollope and his inability to set us up as an attacking or defensive side is the issue. If we were solid and lacking cutting edge I'd see the plan. If we were scoring loads but conceding loads I'd be ok. As it is we're toothless, clueless and porous at the back. That's the sign of a team that's going down and it's why we're where we deserve to be in the table. To go slightly back on topic, I thought Lambert and Amos were the only (slight) plus points on another very disappointing day. I had something to do Saturday morning so couldn't make the early kickoff. I found myself regretting bothering watching us rather than the usual disappointment I'd feel missing a home game.
Lambert every time. At least he looks interested. His goals will come as he's hit the woodwork a few times and been on the end of a couple good saves. Though he must be wondering what shower has he joined. Trollope is panicking. Changes of formation. Changes of players. Players out of position. The players confidence is shot. Ralls, Connolly, pills, Noone all shadows of their former selves. Back to basics and a settled side with players in their correct positions.
I worry we're seeing a bit of the old pal's act again. It didn't work last season when Slade brought in "old mate" Revell and he had Scott Young forced on him as assistant. This time we've got Trollope and he's brought in old pals Lennie and Lambert. They say never to go back and I think that's what we've done again hoping to recapture former times - unfortunately it's probably half a doze years out of date. I agree Lambert brings more to the game than Jones, but mobility is not his strongest point and that's exactly what we lack. I see a torrid time ahead if Trollope pursues his preferred systems with the players we have on board. I did suggest playing Harris off Lambert and reverting to 4-4-2. I think that's the safer bet rather than trying to do things Trollope's way without the players to do it.
I agree with the 4-4-2 or possibly 4-2-3-1 I highlighted the need for a quick front man (it wasn't hard to see) but as we don't we have to get some pace into the side. Harris is the obvious contender, I don't have a clue if he can play through the middle but he couldn't do much worse if not 4-4-2 with Gong/Immers alongside Lambert would at least mean there was someone to play with for Lambert when we knocked it up to him. Regardless Harris should start, Noone is very easy to drop on current form. The issue with 4-4-2 is how to fit Whits into it imo. If we played a 3 behind Lambert we could get 3 from Pilks, Harris, Noone, Immers and Whits into attack. Ralls and Gunnar would be a decent shield. The downside is the formation normally needs attacking full backs but it'd be worth a try with Richards and Pelts.
I can understand your train of thought Sparks and possibly Lambert sees us as his final payday. However he is far and away better than KWJ in terms of control, vision and movement - albeit the latter not being with any speed. The main difference is that with KWJ we created clear chances for him to put away. That has not yet happened for Lambert. You are quite right in pointing out the lack of pace in both thought and movement of those who should be around him is a major concern. There must have been at least 6 occasions on Saturday when Lambert won good air ball only for, Pilks in particular, to be nowhere close or going in the wrong direction. This is a teamwork and intelligence issue. Immers hasn't started the season well but ranks highly in both factors. I would like to see him playing up with Lambert and hope the extra yard his vision gives can make up for his lack of pace. Harris has the pace but I'm not sure about his brain power and vision. I would take him as a Plan B though.
Stevo/Bluey/remote - I put the "Lambert = Kenwyne?" thread title up as a discussion point, I didn't actually believe it. It was meant more of type/style of play rather than comparing the individuals. Whoever was up there at the moment would struggle with those around them and the way they are being deployed by our manager.
We are far worse off than a year ago. Lambert isnt the problem and wont be the reason we get relegated. It will be the fault of a clueless board appointing yet another hopeless manager. Probably the worst choice yet. Apart from Norwich we havent played a team who will be top 6 yet..... and we are bottom. In fact we may have played 2 of the sides who will be relegated with us. Trollope and Lennie f in Lawrence.!!!!!!!!! What a mess.
Based on your game against Norwich it would appear Lambert has much more to offer than KJ - as long as he gets the service (tricky part I know). He was very unlucky that game, hitting the woodwork twice having got well clear of his marker(s). Sort out the service to him (ugly long ball stuff if needs must) and you guys will pull away from the threat of relegation I am sure.
Without doubt the worst choice yet. At least Ole (the only other contender) sent a side out to try to score.
Lambert NEEDS the right deliveries to get goals, we currently don't have anyone who can provide the service to him.
Spot on, give Rickie diagonal balls to the far post where he is pulling on the full backs and he will wreak havoc. You also need players that are on the same wavelength, maybe you should've bought Lallana too!...
I mentioned on another thread that during the Leeds match the commentator mentioned Lambert had not scored from open play since Jan 15 (I may be wrong). He does some nice stuff, but if I was the Manager I would be trying to get a young, hungry lad from the lower divisions and persist with him for at least 10 games rather than a has been/still wannabe after his last paycheque. Look at Spurs getting Alli for 5 mill, there must be ****loads out there just waiting and never getting the chance. Having said that, I am now writing a letter to Huw telling him his scouts are ****e lol.
From what we can gather, Lambert took a substantial wage cut to come here but it's not like he really needs the money anyway. I can't see many goals from him this season after recent performances, but hope i'm proven wrong. We tried young lads from lower leagues in Doyle, even Gonongbe and Zohore (from foreign countries), all 3 completely useless. I do see your logic and sometimes it pays off, but for Cardiff our gambles never seem to pay off.