I wouldn't be so sure. The guy is at the tail-end of his career. If they doubled his salary he'd be mad not to take it for a couple or three years - he'll not be earning like this ever again. In our world, it'd be like someone turning up when you're 62 and offering loads more cash if you work for them for three years before retirement. Would you really be sensible to turn that down? Vin
Rickie did say in his recent interview that having children changed your view on life. He said that he isn't motivated by money, but you have to secure the future of your children. West Ham pay silly money, so the decision might become difficult if he realised that he didn't feature so much in Mauricio's plans. Having said that, I can't see why we would get rid of a striker when we only have 3 and he gets to play/start every week. I think/hope that this is all just a rumour. though the summer may be a different issue.
One statement from KUMB that made my morning: "I don't care what he costs or what he is paid , I just think there is a great story in there , the whole Lambert thing .Proper English footballer who has worked his way to the top ." Suggests that WHU are "the top" and we're not. Wise words from a supporter of a team propping up the Premiership.
Thats not what the poster means. He isn't saying worked his way to the top as in West Ham, he is meaning working his way to the Prem and then England. I can't see this happening at all. Rickie is still our best striker. May have been different if Dani had hit the ground running or even slowly got better but he hasn't yet and no new signing is going to have a guarantee that he will be able to. For that reason I can't see the club letting Rickie go before the season ends and other alternatives have shown that we aren't going to lose what Rickie gives us. I don't agree that he has been off form at all, just that he is playing a different role that MP has told him to play which means he doesn't score as many goals. He isn't a CF any more in this system, he is one of 4 attackers and is expected to create, assist as well as score goals. If he did go to West Ham and if Downing and Jarvis got the ball into him you would see he isn't off form at all, just that in our system we don't have a 'lone striker'. We have an attacking unit.
Missed most of it, but they were discussing this on Sky. Merson thought it could be good business for the club and for Rickie himself (moneywise), but Tiss said he couldn't see it and would be amazed if it happened. Good old, Matty....hope he's right.
What will the hammers fans call us if Rickie left? Lambert Utd no longer!!!! Their fans are deluded anyway. A few think Carroll is actually a better player than Rickie. Others are saying they should get Rio Ferdinand back. I suppose both would bring their average age down though. Would love BFS to take them down where they can still harp on about being a 'big club' in the championship. Might not be so lucky this time round
With an open goal in front of him, Rickie would just throw himself on the ground screaming that he just couldn't do it (unless he was really pissed off)
BBC Solent's Adam Blackmore: "West Ham and Lambert - #saintsfc have not valued Lambert at 8M as suggested. #whufc are trying to buy him on cheap, which won't happen. But if someone pays 8M for him, I think #saintsfc would have to consider that good money for Lambert - an amount which could help replace him. I think selling Lambert mid-season when he's got such a good relationship with other #saintsfc players on & off pitch would be bad for team"
Adam Blackmore: "I'm told that Lambert's agent may be using Hammers interest as a tool for an improved deal."
He's seven months removed from signing an improved contract...I certainly hope they aren't going to push that too hard, otherwise I'd be much more open to the possibility of selling him.
Sounds like his agent's earning his salary then. Frankly I'd be disappointed if I were Lambert and my agent wasn't trying to get me a better deal.
Take it all with a pinch of Salt. West Ham are old masters at doing this, especially with their connections with the london tabloids and Allardyces well known agent tricks. Would be madness to sell Rickie. We need good players a lot more than we need money.
Makes no sense unless a striking ace was available now...and I think we would have heard if we were linked to someone. We know how good Lambert is...how could we part with him in this window?
