Lambert

[JustMike]

Has come in for some stick from some sections this season but just wanted to say how well I thought he did v Bournemouth, especially chasing down and cross for LB goal. Keep it up Rickie!

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Notice his cross for Barnard's goal was with his left foot as well- good stuff.

[JonnyLove]

When Lambert play's the whole team seems to play together. Problem is more often than not he hasn't played (I mean actually be bothered to get stuck in, jump or even have a shot. Instead of just standing there like a lemon)

[wild-saint]

When Lambert play's the whole team seems to play together. Problem is more often than not he hasn't played (I mean actually be bothered to get stuck in, jump or even have a shot. Instead of just standing there like a lemon)

 

Thes effinh harsh if you ask me.

[up and away]

I have come to the conclusion that Ricky is just too slow to be effective and blunts our attacks with our style of play. He does a lot of good things but we have been desperate for someone to lead the line, scoring goals against the run of play. Ricky has been so much better since February, but he should have been dropped a long time before that, especially away from home. Ricky and Lee have to do the business for us otherwise we don't have that great a chance. What was extraordinary about Saturday, that was Rick's first decent free kick all season.

 

Ricky has to find space without wandering out to the wings or back to midfield. Sheringham showed how it could be done without pace, Ricky has to learn that or just be a supporting player. We need a goal scorer more than we need a provider and why would you want to go out on the wings taking work from Lallana or Oxo? Just does not make sense to me. I don't argue that he does some very good things, but his primary role has to be in the position to score goals.

 

If we ever get a penalty, I m very happy Ricky is on that pitch, but in reality you would only put about a 2 goal adavantage on Ricky taking them for the number we have had this season. I am not suggesting we get rid of Ricky because I completely agree he does some very useful things, but I definitely would want another main goal scorer to lead the line should we make the Championship.

[Colinjb]

It was always difficult after last year because he set himself such a high target to aspire to.

 

He is playing a different role now and has to contribute to the team in more ways other then finding space in between the centre backs and scoring. We are no longer the one dimensional 'get it to Rickie' team that we at times were under Pardew and are all the better for it. If it means he doesn't look to be as prolific, fine, we now have more then plan A and thank heavens for that!

[The9]

It's just a shame that he's only able to chase those kind of efforts down once a match.

 

As for

 

"We are no longer the one dimensional 'get it to Rickie' team that we at times were under Pardew and are all the better for it. If it means he doesn't look to be as prolific, fine, we now have more then plan A and thank heavens for that! "

 

Well, no, when Guly doesn't play we're often a one-dimensional long ball team that doesn't even bother aiming for Rickie any more. We do seem to be still getting results most of the time though so I'm not too disappointed yet. Lallana absolutely dragged us through Saturday.

 

I've lost count of the number of times a ball should be coming into the box and he's not there to put it in.

[Colinjb]

Well, no, when Guly doesn't play we're often a one-dimensional long ball team that doesn't even bother aiming for Rickie any more.

 

Not Rickie's fault to be fair. And it just shows, we are playing a differing way. It can be no mistake that since Adkins took over he has chased the ball down along the wings more, thus he is no longer right in front of the goal as he used to be and doesn't have as many opportunities to stick the ball in, he is now being used as a more rounded attacking footballer.....

 

....And he is still on 16 league goals for the season.

Edited 14 March, 2011 by Colinjb

[Appy]

Since mid December he has started getting somewhere back to his best, much more of a team player this season.

[trousers]

officialsaints: Rickie Lambert has been picked in the @football_league npower League One Team of the Week. Full story here -> http://bit.ly/g4Zdqg #saintsfc

[Mr Saints]

He's been superb recently.

[woodsaint]

Last season was always going to be hard for ricky to repeat, but 16 goals in the league so far this season with plenty of games left to go is a fantastic return yet again. Could still catch CMS for league one top goalscorer for what i believe would be the third season running. We are lucky to have a player of his quality. Well done pardew.

[Bailey]

Not as prolific as last season, but then realistically it was always going to be tough to replicate form like that.

 

After a slow start for whatever reason(s), he's gradually improved and is much more of a team player now too.

 

If we were to get promoted, he's more than capable of doing a job in the Champ.

 

If we were to sign Mackail-Smith in the summer, and with Barnard in reserve, we'd have a strike force to be reckoned with!

[Saint_clark]

Player injured in pre-season/start of season not playing at his best until he fully recovers shock horror.

[Andy_Porter]

How many has he scored from open play this season? I'm far too lazy to work it out was just interested.

 

Not knocking him just wondering, he's our talisman but there must be a reason why he's not hitting the highs from last season.

[mcjwills]

Not as prolific as last season, but then realistically it was always going to be tough to replicate form like that.

 

After a slow start for whatever reason(s), he's gradually improved and is much more of a team player now too.

 

If we were to get promoted, he's more than capable of doing a job in the Champ.

 

If we were to sign Mackail-Smith in the summer, and with Barnard in reserve, we'd have a strike force to be reckoned with!

 

One of the advantages this year after last year, is we are getting goals from all the team, not just Rickie, This year goals are coming from all areas of the pitch.

[dubai_phil]

May not have "enough pace" may not have scored as many goals as last year, but that moment when he chased down the lost cause, got the ball back off the defender and put a precision cross onto LB's head for the equaliser was actually REALLY clever and determined and skilled football.

 

I've only seen a couple of games live this year (so far) but I felt RL was playing a different role, sort of like a L1 Alan Shearer rather than a poacher.

 

But next year? having to choose bewteen RL, CMS, LB & Guly in the NPC next year would be quality

 

 

IMHO

[Golden Balls]

He suffered a lot after returning from injury otherwise he'd be well in to the 20s for goals this season. We don't look as good without him

[sfc1971]

His form has returned since Barney has gotten a starting place I think they may have a private bet who can score the most.

Plus Guly being injured may have been a blessing I do hope when he returns to fitness NA dosnt put him straight back in ahead of Barney.

[pingwing]

At the united game he showed he's not just a typical striker, in that game he had the ability to find the wide positions as a forward (Barnard was able to do the same and the only flaw to the plan was trying to play Lallana though the middle of the two where he's not best suited).

 

His goal against Huddersfield at home was amazing, should be up for goal of the season this year (well in L1) no one will turn and strike like that.

 

Him and Barnard have a really good to watch partnership but he also plays well with Guly (when everyone knows what's going we do play well with Guly but thats a different topic). It's just a shame the start of the season was ruined by the training thing or so I heard.

 

The best line was the bloke standing behind me at Walsall "Lambert could play in the prem if he had some pace" which sums him up well

[rooney]

His lay offs and assists have been superb this year.