The Watchlist – Rickie Lambert
Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Mark
Rickie Lambert fitted the pre-season bargain profile perfectly. He came armed with a record that more that suggested he’d be a prime Fantasy talent; a monopoly of Southampton’s attacking output that saw him fetch 27 goals and 14 assists, an involvement in almost half of their goals as the Saints swept to automatic promotion from the Championship.
The optimism surrounding Lambert’s potential took an early jolt, only to be resurrected almost immediately. Saints’ boss Nigel Adkins tinkered with his lineup for their opening fixture at Man City, leaving Lambert straining on the leash from the subs bench. Belatedly, he made his Premier League bow as a second half sub and coolly stroked home an equaliser before the Saints eventually succumbed to a marauding City.
A disappointing blank in the 2-0 home defeat to Wigan quelled the enthusiasm but Lambert was back in the side and on the scoresheet in the St Mary’s encounter with United. Lambert couldn’t prevent another defeat but not before contributing a towering header and a smart assist in the dramatic 3-2 setback.
In short, then, Lambert has already delivered on the top flight stage against two of the so-called toughest defences. Having proven his value to Southampton and his pivotal role in their attacking ambitions, it stands to reason that Lambert will get further opportunities to flourish now that the fixture list is brightening for Adkins’ men.
While Danny Graham has, so far, failed to capitalise on Swansea’s buoyant start to the season with just one strike, Lambert has sneaked up and, in our Watchlist rankings at least, now superseded him as the budget striker option of choice. Graham still holds the advantage in terms of ownership in the Fantasy Premier League game (7.3% vs 5.8%) but that could be set to change in the coming weeks.
Sadly for Lambert, the landscape up front has now been altered, however. Dimitar Berbatov and Steven Fletcher have both shown enough to have Fantasy managers freeing up funds to slot one of that pair alongside two heavy-hitters. Suddenly the budget striker option has become unfashionable – Graham and Lambert are perhaps off the agenda.
Lambert has the talent and fixtures to overcome this. Southampton have, amongst their defensive failings, bristled with creativity and goal threat, suggesting that they will attack over their forthcoming fixtures. The arrival of Gaston Ramirez, already impressive in his Emirates cameo, only adds to their arsenal to help keep Lambert fed.
With set-pieces and penalties in his locker, the 31-year-old Lambert looks almost certain to be in profit if Adkins can turn his attacking outlook into goals. This potential could yet sway some from the allure of the mid-price prospects on offer. The home clash with Villa will be looked upon as the start of Southampton’s season and could see the Lambert bandwagon revving its engines as another differential comes good.
About The Author
“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”
Mark
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September 20 at 4:54 pm
Pratik says:
This is a great week to go with your gut instinct for a captain…..There are so many options out there who could do really well – Lambert, Michu, B.Arfa/Ba, Bale all look as great candidates.
September 20 at 4:54 pm
Soccaholic says:
But if u have Haz,Bale, and Barfa on the same team who da puck do u choose as capt :p
September 20 at 5:00 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Defoe (c) ftw!
September 20 at 5:01 pm
Berbilly Gilmore - Nuevo Gerente del Betis says:
Boyce(c)
September 20 at 6:23 pm
OwenRua says:
Ben Arfa is the most exciting player in the Prem imo, but I don’t think he is strong captain material.
September 20 at 4:55 pm
Hapless Hat-Tricks says:
Jaask
Baines – Cole – Vertonghen
Bale – Cazorla – Yaya – Kagawa – Noble
Tevez – Graham
Federici – Petric – Hangeland – Clyne
Vertonghen > Naughton
Noble > Ben Arfa
leaves 0.0m in the bank so would have to act today, so just want to make sure I’m not rushing into anything stupid.
September 20 at 4:57 pm
Andrew says:
Forward line seems weak
September 20 at 4:57 pm
Hutton dressed as Lahm AKA Yaya Banana says:
How about Petric to Ba instead?
September 20 at 4:58 pm
Soccaholic says:
Improve ur strikers!
September 20 at 5:00 pm
torres love says:
why would you want to sell vert when he has qpr at home?
kagawa >> barfa and upgrade petric.
September 20 at 5:03 pm
Hapless Hat-Tricks says:
@Torres Love. Because Naughton plays for Tottenham also, so all it’s losing is goal threat, not CS potential.
September 20 at 5:00 pm
Soccaholic says:
how abt verto to WBA defender and use thr rest to either upgrade petric to ba or Kagwa to Ben Arfa amd the rest for Petric to Lukaku/Berba if u have money in the bank
September 20 at 5:03 pm
Hapless Hat-Tricks says:
I can do Petric > Ba, which could let me do Vertonghen > 5.7m defender instead. It has been this conundrum that’s been bugging me all day.
September 20 at 6:36 pm
athevroy says:
I would STRONGLY recommend keeping Vertonghen. I am looking at a way to get him IN my squad this week!
September 20 at 4:57 pm
Home Run Baker says:
Any Scouts on? The cricket talk is becoming a problem.
September 20 at 4:58 pm
Conrad. - Michu @ Santi's Sleigh! says:
September 20 at 4:58 pm
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
+1
Fantasy cricket. Two words that should never go together.
September 20 at 4:59 pm
Optimus says:
i hate cricket dont understand it but the cricket chat doesnt bother me especially when folk have to listen to my sh*t daily
September 20 at 5:00 pm
LeBron says:
I agree. I hate cricket but don’t mind people discussing it on here.
September 20 at 5:00 pm
Home Run Baker says:
September 20 at 5:00 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
Cheers
September 20 at 4:59 pm
meerlight says:
Yeah, we want more RMT and RMWCT’s
September 20 at 5:01 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
How about a RMT20CWCT??
September 20 at 4:59 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
Why? Just ignore the post.
There a lot more sh*t posted here than just cricket
September 20 at 5:00 pm
LeBron says:
True
September 20 at 4:59 pm
kaz says:
-i don’t see any football matches going on
-the talk will only last for an hour or two
-not much to discuss regarding footy right now. It would have eclipsed all the cricket talk otherwise
September 20 at 4:59 pm
Hutton dressed as Lahm AKA Yaya Banana says:
^this
September 20 at 5:00 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
+1
September 20 at 5:02 pm
kaz says:
haha traitor !
September 20 at 5:03 pm
Berbilly Gilmore - Nuevo Gerente del Betis says:
September 20 at 5:00 pm
Bemba Da says:
how on earth can people play it?
September 20 at 5:03 pm
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
You rub the ball really hard against your crotch till it gets warm, then throw it….
September 20 at 5:03 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
Hoping that you’ll find some swing(ers)
September 20 at 5:03 pm
CABAYE4 says:
We’re not causing anyone a problem, if you don’t want to read it then don’t, ignore it and move on to the next post.
Also it’s not like we’re doing it at a busy time like during PL games or just before a deadline, it’s not as if we’re dominating the forum and making the pages move too quickly either.
September 20 at 5:05 pm
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
This all makes sense. But it’s cricket: the sporting equivalent of Marmite.
September 20 at 5:04 pm
Leif Erikson-Formerly of Larry Murphy fame. says:
They’re words.. ignore them. So bitchy.
September 20 at 6:04 pm
Jack Frost says:
the cricket talk is fine and actually a change of pace from the incessant RMT’s, It’s easy to jump over if you dislike. I think we need a bit more tolerance.
When it gets around 10% of all comments on a daily basis, then give them a place to go.. this linear format without separate “cafes” makes the need for some accommodation.
This tourney is over in two weeks according to one of the posters. I enjoyed the side discussions on the Rugby World Cup last year and learned something about that game playing fantasy.
September 20 at 4:58 pm
Bemba Da says:
Anyone know if falcao playing tonight?
September 20 at 5:00 pm
Give The Todd Some Love says:
Yeah, someone said he hadn’t travelled yesterday
September 20 at 5:00 pm
Bemba Da says:
I have read no reports of anything about this, it seems strange
maybe he is lying?
September 20 at 5:01 pm
fredwestham says:
I don’t think he is in the squad…
September 20 at 5:03 pm
Take what you "CANTONA!" Give Nothing Back.. says:
http://sports.terra.com/soccer.....aRCRD.html
September 20 at 4:58 pm
WinThe2ndHalf says:
This is my current team:
Foster Federici
Hangeland Lescott Williams Demel Clyne
Larsson Michu Cazorla Yaya Toure Hazard
Torres Tevez Pogrebnyak
Im thinking of replacing Pog, Lescott and Larsson. I would have 19.5m to spend. 1.8m in bank. No FTs.
What would you recommend?
September 20 at 5:08 pm
1874FC says:
for those three players, buy in Benteke, Baines and Kacacacacaanakakakalicicicic leaving you with over a million..but that’s -12 points so do nothing until next week.
September 20 at 5:19 pm
WinThe2ndHalf says:
Thanks.
September 20 at 9:02 pm
leroy8888 says:
If u are going to WC, I’d also do hangeland to hughes. No difference between the two and save0.5m
September 20 at 4:59 pm
Give The Todd Some Love says:
Anyone care to rate my Europa League team? My knowledge of Europe is pretty limited, so telling me XYZ won’t play would be really helpful here!
Courtois, Ricardo
Kadlec, Carragher, Nagatomo (Kone, Naughton)
Michel, Schurrle, Hernanes, Hamsik (Marveaux)
Cavani (C), Cacau, Llorente
1.0 in bank
And I don’t have Falcao because someone said he hasn’t travelled?
September 20 at 5:00 pm
bdwhite91 says:
Courtois isn’t starting.
September 20 at 5:02 pm
Give The Todd Some Love says:
Crap. Any suggested replacement?
September 20 at 5:03 pm
Meinhoff says:
Cavani and Hamsik will not play, Llorente and Cacau probably won’t start…
September 20 at 5:05 pm
Give The Todd Some Love says:
Oh dear
September 20 at 5:07 pm
chuiku2 - Join my UCL Fantasy Mini-League Code: 167750-421493 says:
http://www.clubatleticodemadrid.com/index_EN.php
Yes Falcao seems to have stayed at home…
September 20 at 4:59 pm
LeBron says:
Count?
September 20 at 5:04 pm
Berbilly Gilmore - Nuevo Gerente del Betis says:
1,2,3,4,5…. till when?
September 20 at 5:06 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Hey this is not a Maths class.
September 20 at 5:08 pm
Berbilly Gilmore - Nuevo Gerente del Betis says:
But he told me to count!
September 20 at 5:09 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
You’ll be under moderation soon for violating the sole purpose of this forum!
September 20 at 5:10 pm
LeBron says:
LMAO
September 20 at 5:13 pm
Berbilly Gilmore - Nuevo Gerente del Betis says:
NO!!!! I WILL NOT STOP!!!!
September 20 at 5:14 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Neither will I …
Amla ftw!
September 20 at 5:08 pm
LeBron says:
Agree. Put that naughty boy in his place!
September 20 at 5:08 pm
LeBron says:
Right, since you are here I shall ask you
Here is my team:
http://fantasy.premierleague.c.....history/4/
Would like to get a replacement for Lambert next week if he doesn’t score this week.
Got no funds unfortunately
Thinking of ditching RVP or Tevez if one of them doesn’t perform possibly. Thoughts?
September 20 at 5:09 pm
LeBron says:
Please guys share your thoughts. I got a flu and the last thing I need is another bad week from my team this week
September 20 at 5:13 pm
Berbilly Gilmore - Nuevo Gerente del Betis says:
Try and hold out until Rooney’s back, then go RVP –> Rooney and Lambert –> Whoever tickles your fancy.
September 20 at 5:00 pm
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
Who’s joining me in captaining the “Hatem Bomb” this weekend?
Not playing tonight, so surely guaranteed 90 mins at home to Norwich. He’s gonna explode!!
September 20 at 5:02 pm
bdwhite91 says:
me.
September 20 at 5:02 pm
LeBron says:
Go with your gut mate!
September 20 at 5:04 pm
fredwestham says:
I would if I had him…
September 20 at 5:06 pm
In Like Flynn says:
Bombs often do.
September 20 at 5:01 pm
1874FC says:
Looking to get a second Arsenal player in after they have played mci and CHE. So for GW7.
I already have Podolski
A Cazorla
B Gibbs
C Vermaelen
September 20 at 5:01 pm
Stinkfly says:
I’ve seen a few people worried about Ivanovic being rested on the weekend?
Surely Chelsea will want his aerial presence in the side vs Stoke, and then the new RB guy can play in the league cup in midweek.
September 20 at 5:05 pm
In Like Flynn says:
Seems reasonable to me.
September 20 at 5:06 pm
Stinkfly says:
I’m a reasonable kind of guy, when I want to be
September 20 at 5:02 pm
BoomBoomShacktheroom says:
Hows this looking for the weekend? Got 0 FT left and 0.1 mill in the bank
Any recommendations on changes I should make?
Foster
ACole Clyne Demel
Bale Kagawa Yaya Dyer
Tevez RVP(c) Berbatov
Federici; Noble, Zabaleta , Cuellar
Any opinions would be helpful… I need to pick up some points!
September 20 at 5:02 pm
Stinkfly says:
Tough one between Zabaleta and Clyne.
Other than that, looks fine.
September 20 at 9:04 pm
leroy8888 says:
Agrees, Zabs , clyne, fed, noble or even yaya. The others are good
September 20 at 5:02 pm
Liastro_3109 says:
Playing my wildcard…what do these changes look like?
Out: Federici, Ivanovic, Zabaleta, Williams, Noble, Graham.
In: Begovic, Baines, Davies, Gunter, Santi Cazorla, Berbatov.
September 20 at 5:03 pm
fredwestham says:
Looks solid to me
September 20 at 5:08 pm
1874FC says:
+1
September 20 at 9:03 pm
leroy8888 says:
Excellent. Good use of your wc
September 20 at 5:03 pm
Maximerized- Feel Free To Join This FPL League @ 401-764. FPL League "Only" For Indian Posters- 401-53820. UCL League- 1209439-421151 says:
Athletico-
Sergio Asenjo, Domingo Cisma, Sílvio, Cata Díaz, Miranda, Mario Suárez(C), Raúl García, Cristian Rodríguez, Emre Belözoğlu, Adrián López, Diego Costa
September 20 at 5:07 pm
CABAYE4 says:
Emre
Never quite fulfilled his full potential with us but a top player on his day, was disappointed when we let him go.
And he’ll never be forgotten for this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsXJ913kx4c
September 20 at 5:04 pm
MartinUnreal says:
Anyone think getting Ben Davies is worth the gamble? I’m thinking of getting him for Swansea’s next 3 games (sto RDG WIG) so I can afford things elsewhere. The other options would be Gorkss/Nelsen/McCartney(already have 2 wham)
yay or nay?
September 20 at 5:05 pm
Stinkfly says:
If you’re gonna do it, it’s now or never really given the fixtures.
September 20 at 6:16 pm
Yash:FlopFPLPlayer says:
Already have him in.. So Yay!
September 20 at 5:04 pm
CoYi says:
I hope Berba pulls a hammy
September 20 at 5:07 pm
In Like Flynn says:
Not nice.
September 20 at 5:08 pm
Sporting ABG says:
Come On You Idiots!
September 20 at 9:05 pm
leroy8888 says:
Boo
September 20 at 5:04 pm
Bemba Da says:
no cavani
September 20 at 5:05 pm
Maximerized- Feel Free To Join This FPL League @ 401-764. FPL League "Only" For Indian Posters- 401-53820. UCL League- 1209439-421151 says:
Barton starts for Marseille.
September 20 at 5:06 pm
Natster | The Shuffling says:
New post.
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....vi-garcia/
September 20 at 5:09 pm
The Beard says:
Raheem Sterling (17) is the father of 3 kids
and they are not triplets or twins.
September 20 at 5:11 pm
Leif Erikson-Formerly of Larry Murphy fame. says:
Eh? I heard he had one kid….
September 20 at 5:22 pm
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
Great ball control obviously. When he shoots he scores!
September 20 at 5:14 pm
In Lambert we trust says:
Presume there is no chance McCarthy will start for West Ham this weekend?
I am really struggling for defenders now that Carlos is out and also have the Friedal selection dilemma. Throw in no Hazard and this could really be a long weekend!
September 20 at 5:16 pm
crystalpalaceRus says:
Lambert or Defoe……hmmmmmmmmmm
September 20 at 9:06 pm
leroy8888 says:
Defoe if Adebayor is injured
September 20 at 5:20 pm
Ricky smokes lets go says:
hows my team looking for the weekend
foster
demel – rangel – saylor
michu – haz [c] – caz – pienaar
rvp – tevez – berbatov [v]
begovic – maloney – hangeland – cuellar
thinking about playing maloney maybe instead of caz and playing hangeland instead of rangel , thoughts?
September 20 at 5:24 pm
Liastro_3109 says:
A. Baines + Gunter
B. Distin + Rafael
September 20 at 5:36 pm
bdwhite91 says:
After searching frantically on twitter…
Asenjo
Kadlec Aronica Williamson
Bale Sneijder Arango Hernanes
Etoo Di Natale Cassano
Goryainov Carragher Rosales Simao
Still don’t know if everyone will play, but oh well.
September 20 at 7:04 pm
Pennywise says:
RMT if you please
Foster
Demel, Baines, Williams
Dyer, Santi, Hazard(c), Michu
Berba, Tevez, RVP(v)
Subs: Jaask, Duff, Jenkinson, Cuellar
September 20 at 7:11 pm
hrunny7 says:
it starts off badly then it gets worse and less said about the attack the better! na its ok
September 20 at 9:07 pm
leroy8888 says:
Good except for jenkinson will not start once Sagna comes back in a week or two