Ricky Lamberts last chance

[saint84]

I think Adkins should give Lambert until our first game in January to start scoring, if he hasn't done anything by then maybe he should get a week or 2 off to work on his game and maybe go back to basics.

 

I think although he hasn't been scoring he has tried to add more to his game and had a bit of success but not enough. He should just start shooting more and the goals and form will come but maybe a week or 2 off may help him.

[Alanh]

He's just got to keep working at it. All strikers have lean patches - look at Rooney at the moment. i believe he'll come good again, and fortunately for us he does offer more than just goals as he wins headers and sets up others with chances. Brentford wasn't his best game, but the whole team had a mare so I'm not about to write him off after that.

[Window Cleaner]

He's just got to keep working at it. All strikers have lean patches - look at Rooney at the moment. i believe he'll come good again, and fortunately for us he does offer more than just goals as he wins headers and sets up others with chances. Brentford wasn't his best game, but the whole team had a mare so I'm not about to write him off after that.

 

Can't compare him with Rooney though, Rooney hasn't been playing much of late. In fact I'm pretty sure that if you look at every striker who's played

22 odd games this season very very few would have scored less goals from open play.

[thesaint sfc]

He needs to be put on the bench. Give someone else a chance - and get him playing for his place. Some players need that.

[up and away]

He's just got to keep working at it. All strikers have lean patches - look at Rooney at the moment. i believe he'll come good again, and fortunately for us he does offer more than just goals as he wins headers and sets up others with chances. Brentford wasn't his best game, but the whole team had a mare so I'm not about to write him off after that.

 

You are right, he just has to keep working at it, we haqve little other choice at the moment. This lean patch is down to physical problems not confidence and we have little hope of an automatic spot without that 30 goal striker. We won't be selling him as no one will want him in his current state and we will want him when he comes good. That does not mean we can let this go on for much longer.

[Window Cleaner]

He needs to be put on the bench. Give someone else a chance - and get him playing for his place. Some players need that.

 

needed to be put on the bench a long time ago,bench him now and he'll just ask for an out in the window.

[saintjay77]

I dont think it is that black and white though. Ricky has been dropping deep to win the header flick on's and no-one has done anything with those flick on's. Had OC, Guly, Barnard, Lallana and even Hammond made more of the balls coming off Rickys head he would have looked allot more productive even without being on the score sheet as much.

 

Last season the ball was played up to his chest where he held it up to bring other players in. Pass it and turned to get into the box and was the right person to make the most of the balls into the box that followed. Lallana made more of the little lay offs that Ricky provided last season too.

 

Flicking the ball on has done nothing this season and defenses have lapped it up. Ricky looks cak cause he is getting no goals or assists or being helpful in setting up any meaningful chances.

 

IMO I think its down to the role he is playing this season. Is that down to him, the team or the manager though?

[Blandford saint]

All very well to drop him if we had a viable alternative - we don't. With Lee out injured and Connolly only fit for cameos, Nigel hasn't many options. I know he got criticised for not bringing on subs on Saturday, but there aren't the options on the bench that we had last season. Generally happy with Cortese, but one question I would have to ask of him is why is the attacking part of the squad weaker than last season? We're really missing Waigo's unpredictability and Antonio's power and pace.

[Appy]

Despite his poor form, i'd have him over Guly anyday.

[saint1977]

All very well to drop him if we had a viable alternative - we don't. With Lee out injured and Connolly only fit for cameos, Nigel hasn't many options. I know he got criticised for not bringing on subs on Saturday, but there aren't the options on the bench that we had last season. Generally happy with Cortese, but one question I would have to ask of him is why is the attacking part of the squad weaker than last season? We're really missing Waigo's unpredictability and Antonio's power and pace.

 

Spot on and that's why we need that pace in the window. Saying December is Rickie's last chance is a bit much IMO - he may find form in February and still be an asset. He also played an awful lot of games last season and I did think at the time with his frame that it might rebound on us and Rickie this year. We've only really had Rickie as a fit striker this year as Barnard has been injured a lot and Connolly sadly is a 20 min sub at best. Guly doesn't cut it so clearly the forward line is the key area to reinforce.

[Rory]

I rarely get to see Saints these days but watching him on Saturday was infuriating. He was far too deep and sometimes out wide.

 

What's the point of having a "goal machine" if he is rarely in a position to benefit from service. He shouldn't be creating the service, imo.

[Jones91]

Does no one else think he looks cross-eyed?

[derry]

Part of Lambert's problem is that he is not playing up on the last defenders, together with the wide men not getting enough crosses from the byeline. When Lambert gets the ball aimed up at him he often wins the flick on, but even though it is obvious it is going goal side, we get nobody gambling. As soon as the ball is hit up towards Lambert, the second striker and the wide man on that side should be running behind him anticipating the flick on and the two central midfielders should be busting a gut to get up in support. Instead we get everybody ball watching with little movement. The two central midfielders are the biggest problem because neither bust a gut to do anything and are comfort zone players.

 

What would I do? I'd play Fonte alongside Chaplow (Hammond if Chaplow is injured) in central midfield and bring in Martin alongside Seabourne at the back. Richardson and Dickson at fullback with Chamberlain Lambert (as far up as possible) Guly and Lallana with Bialkowski in goal. Fonte is aggressive and a leader and gets into the box, gives us three central defenders at set pieces and should be the captain. Unless we get some aggression and movement into the side we are going to struggle to win enough games until we can get some reinforcements in. Saturday was awful but the central midfield's lack of bite is the problem and unless that is changed we are in for more of the same.

[Graffito]

"As soon as the ball is hit up towards Lambert, the second striker and the wide man on that side should be running behind him anticipating the flick on and the two central midfielders should be busting a gut to get up in support."

 

So 5 players up including 2 central midfield players. I think that's a high risk game. What happens if the attack breaks down? We get hit on the break. 1 CM maybe but not two. On Saturday Hammond pushed forward second half but he's just not an attacking midfield player and was ineffective.

 

"Saturday was awful but the central midfield's lack of bite is the problem."

 

Not certain what you mean here by lack of bite. If you mean getting forward then see above. If you mean ball winning, then consider how much possession we had in the second half on Saturday. No, I think you touched on the main problem, it was on the flanks.

 

Finally, Saturday's performance suggests Fonte's needed in the back four.

[Window Cleaner]

of course it isn't his last chance his name pre-printed on the team sheet.

[Alanh]

What would I do? I'd play Fonte alongside Chaplow (Hammond if Chaplow is injured) in central midfield and bring in Martin alongside Seabourne at the back. Richardson and Dickson at fullback with Chamberlain Lambert (as far up as possible) Guly and Lallana with Bialkowski in goal. Fonte is aggressive and a leader and gets into the box, gives us three central defenders at set pieces and should be the captain. Unless we get some aggression and movement into the side we are going to struggle to win enough games until we can get some reinforcements in. Saturday was awful but the central midfield's lack of bite is the problem and unless that is changed we are in for more of the same.

Interesting strategy using Fonte in midfield. Can't say I would go with it myself as I don't think his close control is good enough for that area of the pitch, and also his partnership with any of the other three CBs is essential if our defence is to perform. The main reason we struggled on Saturday was because Jaidi and Seabourne don't work well together.

 

Agree with you on the need to get pace and movement into the side. It's been there before with this group of players, but we are missing the unpredictability of Puncheon, and Waigo. I think that Chamberlain has adequately replaced Antonio in terms of effectiveness on the pitch and goals scored.

[supersonic]

No goal in 7 games is pants at any level. It's not even as if he's creating chances and is unlucky, he's not contributing anything to the team.

[derry]

"As soon as the ball is hit up towards Lambert, the second striker and the wide man on that side should be running behind him anticipating the flick on and the two central midfielders should be busting a gut to get up in support."

 

So 5 players up including 2 central midfield players. I think that's a high risk game. What happens if the attack breaks down? We get hit on the break. 1 CM maybe but not two. On Saturday Hammond pushed forward second half but he's just not an attacking midfield player and was ineffective.

 

"Saturday was awful but the central midfield's lack of bite is the problem."

 

Not certain what you mean here by lack of bite. If you mean getting forward then see above. If you mean ball winning, then consider how much possession we had in the second half on Saturday. No, I think you touched on the main problem, it was on the flanks.

 

Finally, Saturday's performance suggests Fonte's needed in the back four.

 

You obviously don't grasp the significance of rapidly overloading the opponents defence, as it sucks attacking players back, additionally if we can't defend with the back four together with defending from the front if the ball is lost, we will never be a decent attacking team. The central midfield is slow to close down, doesn't pressurise quickly enough and when in possession lacks the drive needed to get up in attack. Lambert is overloaded and marked out of it without much support and until the the wide players get behind the defences regularly, and the strikers get support from the midfield we aren't going to score a lot of goals. Lambert is not quick or mobile so the movement and penetration to open things up has to be supplied by others. The static midfield we had on saturday is just stifleing the life out of the team.

[derry]

Interesting strategy using Fonte in midfield. Can't say I would go with it myself as I don't think his close control is good enough for that area of the pitch, and also his partnership with any of the other three CBs is essential if our defence is to perform. The main reason we struggled on Saturday was because Jaidi and Seabourne don't work well together.

 

Agree with you on the need to get pace and movement into the side. It's been there before with this group of players, but we are missing the unpredictability of Puncheon, and Waigo. I think that Chamberlain has adequately replaced Antonio in terms of effectiveness on the pitch and goals scored.

 

If we can dominate and carve up the opposing defence we can destabilise the oppositions attack as Brentford did to us on Saturday. Richardson Martin Seabourne and Dickson with Fonte available if pressed would be stronger rather than weaker and certainly give us more aerial power.

[Graffito]

You obviously don't grasp the significance of rapidly overloading the opponents defence, as it sucks attacking players back, additionally if we can't defend with the back four together with defending from the front if the ball is lost, we will never be a decent attacking team. The central midfield is slow to close down, doesn't pressurise quickly enough and when in possession lacks the drive needed to get up in attack. Lambert is overloaded and marked out of it without much support and until the the wide players get behind the defences regularly, and the strikers get support from the midfield we aren't going to score a lot of goals. Lambert is not quick or mobile so the movement and penetration to open things up has to be supplied by others. The static midfield we had on saturday is just stifleing the life out of the team.

 

There's a lot I don't grasp. Perhaps you can help me understand why then, when we had Hammond and Schneiderlin in CM last year we managed to score a lot of goals. What was the difference?

[up and away]

Part of Lambert's problem is that he is not playing up on the last defenders, together with the wide men not getting enough crosses from the byeline. When Lambert gets the ball aimed up at him he often wins the flick on, but even though it is obvious it is going goal side, we get nobody gambling. As soon as the ball is hit up towards Lambert, the second striker and the wide man on that side should be running behind him anticipating the flick on and the two central midfielders should be busting a gut to get up in support. Instead we get everybody ball watching with little movement. The two central midfielders are the biggest problem because neither bust a gut to do anything and are comfort zone players.

 

What would I do? I'd play Fonte alongside Chaplow (Hammond if Chaplow is injured) in central midfield and bring in Martin alongside Seabourne at the back. Richardson and Dickson at fullback with Chamberlain Lambert (as far up as possible) Guly and Lallana with Bialkowski in goal. Fonte is aggressive and a leader and gets into the box, gives us three central defenders at set pieces and should be the captain. Unless we get some aggression and movement into the side we are going to struggle to win enough games until we can get some reinforcements in. Saturday was awful but the central midfield's lack of bite is the problem and unless that is changed we are in for more of the same.

 

Lambert's problem is that his "condition" restrains him from jumping for the ball (not a couple of half jumps), also making him very slow off the mark. He is just so easy to mark man to man that he has to drop off to find the space to be any sort of use. Well done to Ricky for adapting with his problems, but I would not start him away from home until we can get him up to speed. When Ricky starts competing effectively for headers we will all notice the difference, he is just putting in a restricted cameo performances at the moment.

 

I think playing Fonte as the defensive midfielder could change our season around, even making the defence more solid. Fonte's biggest problem is trying to cover for everyone around him, well in that position he can do exactly that, with the added back up behind him. I don't feel it would be that bad to start out away from home with Fonte, Chaplow and Hammond in midfield, just having one up front (but not Ricky at the moment). I remember Craig Brown answering how Scotland punched above their weight, "by having control of the midfield and having an extra man in midfield against the better opposition". Until we get midfield control, we will never be able to consistently use the skill we possess. Have a fully functioning forward line and that midfield of Fonte + 1 could well work, but without that pressure from the forwards, I don't feel Fonte + will be able to plug all the holes. Kelvin had a howler on Saturday, but Adkins should know if Bart is up to it. I would like to see Bart have a go, but more than happy to go with Adkins on this one.

 

We have more than enough skill and attacking threat for this league. What we do not have is midfield control to make any use of that attacking threat.

[Charlie Wayman]

Anybody who heard David Ginola's comments on MotD2 of Bale will recognise instantly the predicament that Rick Lmabert is in. He has been totally unable to vary his play enough in the face of th evry close marking that is now de rigeur for all oppo defences as a result of Rick's free-scoring habit last season.

 

He has been rumbled and as time passes it seems more and more obvious he has nowhere to go, it's either career over OR he gets his head in as a solid old-fashioned No 9 and use his brawn and power to crunch oppo CBs and yep! it's gonna cost him a few front teeth in the process but he'll also grab a few.

 

It's no recipe for a 40 goal season and if he gets only 10 all year it's still a good call, but right now the way he's playing he's going nowhere.

[derry]

There's a lot I don't grasp. Perhaps you can help me understand why then, when we had Hammond and Schneiderlin in CM last year we managed to score a lot of goals. What was the difference?

 

Waigo, Antonio, Barnard, Lallana, Lambert, Puncheon all performing.

Edited 14 December, 2010 by derry

[Graffito]

Waigo, Antonio, Barnard, Lallana, Lambert, Puncheon all performing.

 

So 4 wide players out of 6 (5 if you recognise that Barnard has performed equally well this season) were by your reckoning the difference last year when we had the same CM pairing as this. All else being equal (notably Schneiderlin and Hammond) we're back to the flanks being the problem. Seems we are in agreement Derry.

[derry]

So 4 wide players out of 6 (5 if you recognise that Barnard has performed equally well this season) were by your reckoning the difference last year when we had the same CM pairing as this. All else being equal (notably Schneiderlin and Hammond) we're back to the flanks being the problem. Seems we are in agreement Derry.

 

The central midfield was adequate with the way those players were performing. Now Barnard probably won't be seen until after the new year, Lambert has one goal from play and no gamechanging Waigo/Antonio. The central midfield is one of the problems, but to follow the Chairmans ambition of building a Championship winning side coming out of this division, we need a new goalkeeper, centre back, two central midfielders, two wide players, at least one striker and all of the outfield players need to be quick and athletic because without that we are deluding ourselves if we think the present team is going anywhere. I would see Schneiderlin, Puncheon, Mills, Wotton going with Lambert a possible but Lallana unlikely to go because we know he is happy with Adkins. Some of the above recruited in January may get us out of the division. Either way I see big changes in personnel. Interestingly the Chairman remarked that there are players that they are desperate to unload and even though we offered to pay 100% of their wages could get no takers.

[Gator]

Anybody who heard David Ginola's comments on MotD2 of Bale will recognise instantly the predicament that Rick Lmabert is in. He has been totally unable to vary his play enough in the face of th evry close marking that is now de rigeur for all oppo defences as a result of Rick's free-scoring habit last season.

 

He has been rumbled and as time passes it seems more and more obvious he has nowhere to go, it's either career over OR he gets his head in as a solid old-fashioned No 9 and use his brawn and power to crunch oppo CBs and yep! it's gonna cost him a few front teeth in the process but he'll also grab a few.

 

It's no recipe for a 40 goal season and if he gets only 10 all year it's still a good call, but right now the way he's playing he's going nowhere.

 

I Believe he is just having a difficult season as a result of a niggling injuries and different tactics being introduced. He'll adapt as all good players do.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Big changes needed in January and not all to do with Lambert. If not, then promotion will be just an outside chance IMO.

[Window Cleaner]

I Believe he is just having a difficult season as a result of a niggling injuries and different tactics being introduced. He'll adapt as all good players do.

 

Lambert is 28 going on 29, he's been playing rough and tumble lower league football for all his professional career, make do and mend

injury treatment,some might say he didn't lead a very healthy life before he came here. 57 games last season. All that has taken it's toll, no doubt he's stale and starting to go over the top,don't think it will be a very gradual descent for him.

[georgeweahscousin]

Buy Beattie buy Beattie buy Beattie

 

Not the player he once was, and the last thing we need, a lazy player.

 

Nostalgia won't turn our season around.

 

of course it isn't his last chance his name pre-printed on the team sheet.

 

Sadly I think this is part of the problem.

 

It's not even as if he's creating chances and is unlucky, he's not contributing anything to the team.

 

Don't necessarily agree with that. He has played well in games without scoring.

[Saint_clark]

The central midfield was adequate with the way those players were performing. Now Barnard probably won't be seen until after the new year, Lambert has one goal from play and no gamechanging Waigo/Antonio. The central midfield is one of the problems, but to follow the Chairmans ambition of building a Championship winning side coming out of this division, we need a new goalkeeper, centre back, two central midfielders, two wide players, at least one striker and all of the outfield players need to be quick and athletic because without that we are deluding ourselves if we think the present team is going anywhere. I would see Schneiderlin, Puncheon, Mills, Wotton going with Lambert a possible but Lallana unlikely to go because we know he is happy with Adkins. Some of the above recruited in January may get us out of the division. Either way I see big changes in personnel. Interestingly the Chairman remarked that there are players that they are desperate to unload and even though we offered to pay 100% of their wages could get no takers.

 

 

Yes, but he's referring to the likes of Forecast and Pulis, I don't think any of us are surprised no-one wanted them.

[Super_Uwe]

Not the player he once was, and the last thing we need, a lazy player.

 

Nostalgia won't turn our season around.

 

Disagree with you there. Admittedly Beattie has suffered badly from injuries since joining Rangers, but if he was even 80% fit he could make a huge difference in League One. Look at David Connolly; he'd done nothing really for a few years before joining us, and although he's not been on the pitch anywhere near as often as we'd like, when he does play his quality shines through. Beattie is a talisman and is just the sort of player we could do with right now to give the team a boost.

 

And as for nostalgia, I can't see what harm it would do. It would certainly give the crowd a lift and he's well-known for being vocal one in the dressing room.

 

Can't see it happening though but I'd be delighted if he came back, even on a short-term loan.

[Junction 9]

Question is, how long into this season do wait for Lambert to come good? It's a big gamble as we're fat approaching half way through.

If we came 7th or 8th and lack of goals was the primary reason then it would have been seen as a poor decision. The club comes first, get a quality striker in in the window and drop Lambert. His heart isn't here anymore if you ask me.

[Window Cleaner]

Question is, how long into this season do wait for Lambert to come good? It's a big gamble as we're fat approaching half way through.

If we came 7th or 8th and lack of goals was the primary reason then it would have been seen as a poor decision. The club comes first, get a quality striker in in the window and drop Lambert. His heart isn't here anymore if you ask me.

 

A while back NA said in one of his interviews that he wasn't afraid to drop Rickie Lambert but as he hasn't that means one of 2 things

a) he thinks he's doing an OK job even though we have difficulty scoring most of the time.

b) he can't drop him even if he wanted to.

 

Take you pick according to your beliefs.As we didn't sign a loan striker even though we knew Barny was struggling it's a bit of a conundrum.

[Viking Warrior]

So if some of the more negative posters get their way and Rickie is dropped who will you turn your attention to next

kelvin. Instead of being negative can you not get behind the players for a change?

[Alanh]

If we can dominate and carve up the opposing defence we can destabilise the oppositions attack as Brentford did to us on Saturday. Richardson Martin Seabourne and Dickson with Fonte available if pressed would be stronger rather than weaker and certainly give us more aerial power.

 

Agree that carving up the opp defence is needed but for me that will happen with pace on the flanks and late runs into the box from central midfielders. Still not convinced that Fonte in midfield helps that happen. I think he is essential to the stability of our defence as any partnership with him seems to work and any without him doesn't.

[kpturner]

Interestingly the Chairman remarked that there are players that they are desperate to unload and even though we offered to pay 100% of their wages could get no takers.

 

Presumably if we are offering to pay their wages we are talking about loaning them out.....

 

Yes, but he's referring to the likes of Forecast and Pulis, I don't think any of us are surprised no-one wanted them.

 

Pulis is on loan to Stockport ?

[Window Cleaner]

Presumably if we are offering to pay their wages we are talking about loaning them out.....

 

 

 

Pulis is on loan to Stockport ?

 

 

 

Still it's a very strange statement isn't it, if we're willing to pay the salaries then I'd imagine that every one of our players would find

a use somewhere or other albeit it at a much lower level for some of them.Then again I do think Mr C does make strange statements

from time to time, like the one he made back last summer about AP.

[Junction 9]

So if some of the more negative posters get their way and Rickie is dropped who will you turn your attention to next

kelvin. Instead of being negative can you not get behind the players for a change?

 

A great theory in an ideal world, but how far do you take it? I have heard nothing but support for Rickie at St Mary's.

Are you telling me a player who is getting paid good money by our club can under perform week after week with no reprisals? And any criticsm whatsoever is labelled as being negative? 6 league goals (some pens) cannot go on if we want promotion.

[hypochondriac]

A great theory in an ideal world, but how far do you take it? I have heard nothing but support for Rickie at St Mary's.

Are you telling me a player who is getting paid good money by our club can under perform week after week with no reprisals? And any criticsm whatsoever is labelled as being negative? 6 league goals (some pens) cannot go on if we want promotion.

 

For the first time there were a few boos when he was subbed on Saturday. If he doesn't find form soon then the tide will turn.

[Deppo]

Buy Beattie buy Beattie buy Beattie

 

I'm pretty sure I remember Beattie going 6 months wihout scoring once.

 

Does no one else think he looks cross-eyed?

 

I think this is the heart of the matter and I'm surprised no-one has picked up on it. I noticed Rickie's eyes just as this season started and they were cross eyed. They weren't like this last year. There's lots of photo's to back this up. I think something has happened to him, maybe a collision of heads or something in training? Has anyone seen or heard any reports of Rickie being in a car crash? I don't think he can see straight anymore and it's affacted not only his ability to hit the target but his confidence when shooting. Is there anyone on here who is cross eyed? Is there anything that can be done about it?

[Window Cleaner]

I'm pretty sure I remember Beattie going 6 months wihout scoring once.

 

 

 

I think this is the heart of the matter and I'm surprised no-one has picked up on it. I noticed Rickie's eyes just as this season started and they were cross eyed. They weren't like this last year.

 

Perhaps he's a ringer and we sold the original to Real Madrid back in the summer for 90 million £

[Viking Warrior]

Junction 9

 

while his tally so far has not be good I credit you with that how ever he has been involved with a lot more assist this season especially as he is opening and taking defenders with him allowing they others more openings to put the ball in the back of the net.

Drogba is also going through a lean spell as well and was releved to have scored at the we

[ghq]

I'm pretty sure I remember Beattie going 6 months wihout scoring once.

 

 

 

I think this is the heart of the matter and I'm surprised no-one has picked up on it. I noticed Rickie's eyes just as this season started and they were cross eyed. They weren't like this last year. There's lots of photo's to back this up. I think something has happened to him, maybe a collision of heads or something in training? Has anyone seen or heard any reports of Rickie being in a car crash? I don't think he can see straight anymore and it's affacted not only his ability to hit the target but his confidence when shooting. Is there anyone on here who is cross eyed? Is there anything that can be done about it?

 

There was the old story of the vet that corrected the Champion Bull that went cross eyed before the Smithfield Show, but I'm not sure Ricky would appreciate the rubber hose up his "khyber".

[Deppo]

There was the old story of the vet that corrected the Champion Bull that went cross eyed before the Smithfield Show, but I'm not sure Ricky would appreciate the rubber hose up his "khyber".

 

You should keep that quiet or there'll be all sorts of premiership stars claiming to be cross eyed, the dirty little buggers.

[Deano6]

Junction 9

 

while his tally so far has not be good I credit you with that how ever he has been involved with a lot more assist this season especially as he is opening and taking defenders with him allowing they others more openings to put the ball in the back of the net.

Drogba is also going through a lean spell as well and was releved to have scored at the we

 

Drogba's been recovering from Malaria to be fair to him!

[Window Cleaner]

Drogba's been recovering from Malaria to be fair to him!

 

And then some. If Lambert had scored 6 open play goals from 14 league starts we wouldn't have much to moan about, trouble is he's scored 1 from 19

[Smirking_Saint]

He is not contributing anything to the team at the moment, nothing, nada.

 

IMO he is dropping deep as he is being dominated by defences ATM, he is unfit and out of confidence and i think that continually playing him is damaging him even more. When you have it in your head that you can't compete and so feel you can't score it stays there until you have time out of the side to get your head and any other issues sorted.

 

A big problem may be that he has gone from being a very big fish in a small pond to the talisman of a team that has been made favourites, before he could play with little pressure on top of him and now he has bucketfulls.

 

Either way he is not good enough right now, i am not a fan of instant choices to the teamsheet, nor do i think that fan favourites should necerssarily be first name on the team sheet. Lambert is not playing well enough, he doesn't seem to want the ball and when he has it attempts to offload to quickly. He doesn't seem to WANT to get into scoring positions and when he is he doesn't want the ball, this to me says he is out of confidence completely.

 

We need replacements in January that let him know he is not irreplaceable.