Previous coaches had a wealthier pool of talent on their hands, which makes Lambert’s exclusion from a couple of friendlies as, or more, ludicrous than Matthew Le Tissier’s omission from the 1998 World Cup squad despite the latter’s stellar performances for Southampton (them again) and a hat-trick for the England B team against Russia just a month prior to the selection process. Certain managers have certain systems, but when we are so obviously short on forwards it should be based on the form of a player, particularly ones like Lambert who has been consistently good throughout an entire campaign.
It’s not just Lambert that is a victim of Hodgson’s elitist selection process. Other goal getters that have once again been overlooked include Celtic’s Gary Hooper. Now, the Scottish Premier League may be of a similar quality to the Championship, but why pick Wilfred Zaha and not Hooper – at least for the practice matches? Why not select them in the squad whether they get game time on the pitch or not? If not for the degradation of the Scottish league then why hasn’t Hooper and his team-mate, goalkeeper Fraser Forster, been picked?
As I said, Hodgson may want a consistency for the majority of the team so they get more used to playing with each other in the run-up to the World Cup, but again, we are not even close to qualifying yet, which is largely to do with those same players that he somewhat blindly places his faith in. Yes, he’s gone slightly left-field and picked Everton’s then 31 year old midfielder Leon Osman on occasion, but there hasn’t been enough alternative decisions.
Selecting Lambert for the squad shouldn’t be considered a way-out choice knowing what he has recently achieved. Also, with Hodgson complaining bitterly about Chelsea and Manchester City’s recent excursion to the United States, and how the whole trip will physically and mentally affect the players from those clubs, having Lambert on board seems an even more logical inclusion. If he’s in form, but is not going to be selected for friendlies, then when will be picked – can he be picked?
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Think World Cup, European Championship, think England missed penalties in shoot outs.
Think Ricky Lambert’s 100% penalty record.
Think better not take him to Brasil then.
Completely Agree. Not being a saints fan i cant say i have seen much of him, however, his record speaks for itself and we need to start picking some players on form. Its an absolute disgrace to think Le Tissier never got a chance……and although Lambert isn’t at his level, he offers a lot more than some of the other strikers….Goals being one of them.
For me he could offer some hold up play if we need it, compete in the air, set plays, etc….he would be a great squad player for England and im baffled at why he isn’t even looked at. From what i have seen he actually looks very strong technically and has a lot of assists as well as goals. Crazy decision!
It’s a case of the same old faces…the same uninterested, overpaid, over- valued players who do not wear the shirt with pride. Without their foreign team mates they are found lacking. Rickie has proved himself in a young team against the so called big teams…the FA need to review their policy of chosing the so called ‘best’ from a minority of clubs or we will never get further than the group stages in any tournament. When the larger clubs refuse to allow their players to play friendlies, the players fake injuries….there is no desire to represent their country…it’s seen as a burden. Rickie would bust a gut to score for his country, he at least deserves the chance.
Unlike most of the others playing in the friendlies, and even those playing in the rest of the qualifiers and going to Brazil, Rickie would see playing for England as the pinnacle of his career. This is a man who has been the highest scorer in each of the Football League divisions, and was joint top English scorer in the Premier League this season.
As has been said above, there is a lot more to Rickie Lambert than just being a target man. His best role is probably attacking midfield, the role which Rooney is supposed to play but doesn’t manage as well for England as he does for Man Utd. He will hold up the ball, create chances, beat most centre backs and full backs in the air, and score plenty of goals from open play and from free kicks and penalties. How he cannot even be considered by Hodgson beggar
Please moderators can you finish off my sentence?
…beggars belief.
It’s ironic that Hoddle didn’t pick Le Tissier because he didn’t always pull his weight – even though he was one of England’s precious-few high-skill players who could change a game in an instant; essentially, Hoddle rejected Le Tissier for showing the very same weakness that he himself exhibited his entire career.
It’s also ironic that Hodgson hasn’t even given Lambert a chance, presumably because he views him as too old to do the job – even though he’s spent a season scoring goals and providing vital link-up; essentially, Hodgson rejected Lambert for the very same reason that others ignored when appointing Hodgson himself.
With hypocrisy like that, no wonder England has been a pathetic under-achiever for most of the last 50 years, and is destined to remain one.
Come on! lets be honest Lambert’s no where good enough and never likely to be. can’t believe people are even saying it! we need class in the side not a donkey.
You must’ve stopped watching football about 10 years ago.
HAH chris you call welbeck and carroll class umm the stats prove that Lamberts better proven to be 18th best player in the prem best english peformer in the prem! And you say welbeck who scores 1 in a season with like 4 assist is and carroll who scored what 8 and 3 assist or something is better haha you people make me laugh
Any other team might want to inspire competition…Not England
We always play younger players from traditionally big sides and just hope they fulfill their potential…..I mean just look at Wes Brown at 33 years of age he is at his prime as a defender…first name on the England Team sheet