He certainly made the difference. MOTM Gerard gave one of his best latter day performances in an England shirt, but who really made the difference..? Honestly, do we think Rooney would have done better..? Danny Welbeck, through his disappointment, must have been delighted to find pinpoint passes arriving on the end of his runs, so that he could poke the ball home. He's looked twice the player since Lambert arrived. Rickie's made a difference. That's why I can easily see why talkSPORT chose him.
Great performance from Lambert. It's a shame Welbeck got that yellow card. He's been doing good for a while now for England and it worked well with him making those runs off Lambert. Hopefully whoever comes into the side on the left gives Lambert as much support.
Roy Hodgson: "Lambert did well today so whoever I may bring in will be lucky to start. We were considering Welbeck to start up front in Kiev."
More from Roy post-match... Hodgson: "He took his chance tonight and he'll be expecting to play on Tuesday." Hodgson on Sturridge: "It's not impossible and there's no reason why we should give up hope." Hodgson on Welbeck: "We were shaken, not stirred, by the yellow card." Hodgson went on to highlight the chances are less than 50-50 for Sturridge.
You can be fairly certain it's Liverpool who are stopping Sturidge playing. Pretty disgraceful how clubs have the over-ruling hand on the national squad.
He's looked impressive lately, but it's a gamble against Ukraine. I think it'll be the more defensively solid option of Milner instead.
WELL done Ricky Lambert As a neutral but also an England fan he took his chance and played really well! HOPE he starts on Tuesday too. His work rate, vision and his link up play, he deserves nothing less.
Cheers Pottermouth....The rest of the country are just realising what we have known for a few years...Rickie Lambert is a suprisingly gifted all round CF. His Touch, vision and intelligence supplement his main skill...scoring goals. He is going to Brazil and IF we need him to score a winning penalty in a shootout, then we will win.
ESPN's John Brewin: Rickie Lambert answers England's SOS call - http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/thematch/id/149?cc=5739
He was good when he started coming inside and staying there. I thought he was our worst player in the first half, but very good in the second. He's simply not a winger. I agree. Townsend's debut should have been today. Ukraine is too risky for him.
I agree Milner is the safe option. But Townsend defends well and gives you plenty of pace for the counter. I feel like Baines would be a better option than Milner on the left in front of Cole.
Suggestion seems to be that Hodgson will go with... Hart; Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Cole; Lampard, Gerrard; Walcott, Wilshere, Milner; Lambert. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see Carrick come in.
