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Pardew can be proud of Rickie's ascent to greatness (From Daily Echo)
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Pardew can be proud of Rickie's ascent to greatness
8:10am Friday 22nd February 2013 in Sport
By Gordon Simpson, Senior Sports Reporter
Rickie Lambert
Should the circumstances permit it, Alan Pardew may afford himself a small smile of satisfaction if Rickie Lambert scores his 100th Saints goal on Sunday.
Newcastle’s predicament, as one of the clubs on the periphery of the Premier League relegation battle, means generosity cannot be easily afforded at St James’ Park, but it is unlikely that Pardew would begrudge his former striker a consolation effort this weekend.
After all, Lambert has had few bigger supporters in his career than the current Magpies boss.
Pardew, who brought the forward to Saints from Bristol Rovers in August 2009, has played a central role in Lambert's incredible rise from a lower-league journeyman to the joint-top English goalscorer in the Premier League.
From the moment he signed him, Pardew was firm in his belief that Lambert could make it to the top flight.
“He’s got to take us through two divisions, and he can,” Pardew declared, while Saints were still a League 1 club.
Undaunted, he went on to make an even bolder prediction, too.
“For me, that would make him as big a legend as some of the big, big, names you’ve had here – the Mick Channons and Kevin Keegans.”
Those who watched the likes of Channon and Keegan in their pomp may baulk at such a suggestion, even now.
But there can be little doubt that, in the last ten years at least, few players have been as important to the Saints cause.
A total of 99 goals in three-and-a-half seasons is a majestic return, and makes it all the more curious that Lambert was overlooked by so many for so long.
When Saints signed him, Lambert was edging towards his 28th birthday, and had never played above the third tier.
“Plenty had talked about him, but no-one went for him,” said Pardew, who would go on to add: “The signs that I’m seeing are a player that’s undervalued and under-appreciated from outside.”
Huddersfield, for example, had been interested shortly before Lambert’s transfer to St Mary’s, but chairman Dean Hoyle summed up the reservations of his club, and perhaps others, suggesting that, at his age, Lambert would have “little or no resale value”.
Saints, thanks to Markus Liebherr’s takeover, were not constrained by such financial concerns, though. Even so, Pardew has claimed it was a “hard-sell” to convince chairman Nicola Cortese to sanction a deal.
But Cortese approved, and agreed a fee worth a little over £1m.
It was a huge sum for a League 1 side, yet Pardew was adamant that it represented a bargain.
“I felt it at the time. People probably didn’t see it that way, but he’s probably proven that is the case,” said Pardew – and that was just three-quarters of the way through Lambert’s first season at the club. He is a proper player for this football club and could have played for this club in any era in my opinion.”
It was a view endorsed by arguably the greatest Saints player of all, Matt Le Tissier, who has said: “If he stays at Saints and keeps playing and scoring the way he is, he will be up there with the number sevens of the past.”
The pressure was certainly piled on Lambert from the start, with the club handing him their most revered number – and encouraging the media to make a big deal of it.
Following Le Tissier’s retirement, in 2002, Saints had struggled to find a suitable successor to the shirt. In Lambert, however, they felt they finally had one.
The day he signed, the striker said: “What can I say, there’s only one Matt Le Tissier and I’m not going to try and emulate him.
“I’m just going to try and be as good as I can be and hopefully that’s good enough.”
It certainly has been. Pardew was clear when Lambert arrived, however, that he was not yet the finished article.
He had no desire to alter his game – “I think he’s a good age and he knows his job. He knows what he does well,” – but he challenged Lambert to overcome what had arguably been the biggest barrier to his career progressing.
“I told him that he would be a Premier League player once he got his condition, fitness and body shape right,” he said.
Lambert has never hidden from the fact he did not look after himself in the way he should have done earlier in his career.
It was an issue that others, before Saints, had attempted to resolve.
One of the biggest influences in Lambert’s career was Steve Parkin, who signed him for Rochdale when he was 23.
Parkin’s most important contribution was to turn Lambert from a midfielder into a striker, but he also recognised how crucial it was that the player improved his condition.
“The game was changing and players were getting fitter, and that’s what he had to do,” said Parkin.
“He had to restrain himself from having a beer or two too often, and make sure that he ate properly. He also had to bring his physical stature up to speed, and he did exactly that.”
The improvement continued under the guidance of Paul Trollope at Bristol Rovers, before Pardew and Saints fitness coach Nick Harvey, who Lambert has praised, got their hands on him.
“At Rovers I wasn’t as professional as I should have been when I went there,” he said. “I stepped it up a level there and I think I have stepped it up another level at Southampton.”
His record certainly bears that out. Lambert has barely missed a game through injury since his arrival at the club, making 184 appearances in total.
After Pardew was sacked in August 2010 – a decision that disappointed Lambert – the striker continued to thrive under Nigel Adkins.
Having helped lead the club out of League 1, his 31 goals last season were an essential contribution in Saints’ promotion to the Premier League.
So far this term, he has 11 and has even made a strong case for an England call-up, albeit one that has been ignored so far.
“I am so proud of him,” said Pardew earlier this season. “I always said Rickie could be a Premier League player and he is proving it.”
Pardew’s faith in Lambert may come back to haunt him on Sunday, however, as the striker goes in search of his Saints century, against Newcastle.
Should he reach it, he will become only the tenth post-war Saint to hit the 100-goals mark.
In a season of struggle, the Magpies hardly need further misery heaped on them, but should Lambert make their position in the table even more precarious, Pardew will find it hard to hold it against him.
“He is a lovely, humble, smashing lad,” he said, illustrating the genuine affection that exists between the pair.
There are certainly two Rickie Lamberts. The devastating predator who prowls and roars around the pitch, and the softly-spoken, engaging, gentle giant off it. There is a supreme level of self-confidence in Lambert, but not a hint of ego. He is a down-to-earth family man who seems genuinely privileged to conduct the job that he does.
“Not just as a player, but as a character and a person, he deserves the fans to shout his name every week,” said Pardew.
And shout it they do.
Pardew will be hoping the cries aren’t too loud this Sunday, of course.
But, should he find the back of the net and bring up his ton, the Newcastle boss may well be one of the first to congratulate him after the final whistle has blown.
Comments(33)
St.Yorkie
says...
8:29am Fri 22 Feb 13
Rickie Lambert is worthy of the No.7 shirt and will always be remembered by Saints fans for his contribution.
I'd love to see him get his chance at International level...but somehow I don't think he will.
Don't usually have much time for Scoucers - but I have to make an exception to "our" Rickie.
costa gaz
says...
8:38am Fri 22 Feb 13
Good footballer, has taken to the EPL like a duck to water.
JohnItaly
says...
9:10am Fri 22 Feb 13
ChilcoSaint
says...
10:35am Fri 22 Feb 13
Good article by the way, I particularly liked the paragraph contrasting the two Rickie Lamberts. Hopefully the devastating predator will be the one that turns up at St. James Park.
Mush On The Beach
says...
10:50am Fri 22 Feb 13
Chilco, I think the hat-trick comes at St Marys against Liverpool, get down the bookies now.
milton road
says...
12:53pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Rickie is the best goal scorer since Matt.
The most prolific in a short space of time since Ron Davies, who scored 73 goals in two seasons at top level for Saints,made it to 90 in three. So that is no mean compliment.
For playing mentality he reminds me of Nick Holmes who just rolled his sleeves up and got on with it always giving his best.
Which put together makes him one @ell of a player.
Mush On The Beach
says...
1:44pm Fri 22 Feb 13
milton road wrote:Good stats Milton.
Last player to score a hat trick against Liverpool was Matt Le Tis.
Rickie is the best goal scorer since Matt.
The most prolific in a short space of time since Ron Davies, who scored 73 goals in two seasons at top level for Saints,made it to 90 in three. So that is no mean compliment.
For playing mentality he reminds me of Nick Holmes who just rolled his sleeves up and got on with it always giving his best.
Which put together makes him one @ell of a player.
The bet to always get on with Saints is a 3-1 win, it’s paid handsomely over the last few years. Multiply that with a Rickie hat-rick against the Scousers and you have a free weekend on the beer.
SouthamptonLegend
says...
1:48pm Fri 22 Feb 13
costa gaz wrote:Do me a favour!!!!!!!!
Sometimes you can see a bit of Le Tiss in Lambert, the way he hits his pens and free kicks, uncanny at times.
Good footballer, has taken to the EPL like a duck to water.
I haven't seen Lambert do this yet...
http://youtu.be/DuIX
5iB16GI
Dave Juson
says...
3:34pm Fri 22 Feb 13
And I speak as someone quick to criticise the Echo's Saints coverage and in a bad mood with a particularly horrid cold.
RedArmy1
says...
4:01pm Fri 22 Feb 13
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.
RED ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRMY.
WE RULE THE SOUTH. COYR.
Confucious
says...
4:06pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Dave Juson wrote:My missus said I looked absolutely dreadful when I got up this morning, but I'm fine. She's says that every day.
This is a good article -- well worth putting on file.
And I speak as someone quick to criticise the Echo's Saints coverage and in a bad mood with a particularly horrid cold.
SFCOLDBOY
says...
4:09pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Well Done.
It can only benefit the Echo,long term, to continue to show this positivity toward the Saints.
Remember,life is generally pretty hard for most people.
Supporting your football team is a way of lifting this pressure at the weekend.
COYS.
p.s.
The last sentence applies more to the Saints than Pompey.
BracknellSaint
says...
4:13pm Fri 22 Feb 13
So, probably not his missus he (allegedly) had a thing for then, clearly...
Still intriguing to me , all those whispers..
CB FRY LIVES
says...
5:03pm Fri 22 Feb 13
SaintinCanada
says...
5:26pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Rickie to open the scoring!
Confucious
says...
6:34pm Fri 22 Feb 13
SaintinCanada wrote:Strange - Lawrenson talks cr@p all the time and yet always has a face like the "before" picture in a constipation tablet commercial.
I see on BBC sports that Lawro has predicted a 2-0 win for the Toon. Judging by his past predictions regarding our beloved Saints, I am glad to see his latest forecast.
Rickie to open the scoring!
Tirau Dan
says...
7:45pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Monsieur Morgan Spider Schniederlin most tackles in the premier league.. our Gandalf Wizard Thou Shall Not Pass with the ball.
Feeling Cocky - Saints by 3 goals COYR Saints are coming for you lot up north...
slugger
says...
7:51pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
8:11pm Fri 22 Feb 13
slugger wrote:An inspiration to all pie lovers.
Rickie should be proud of himself above all , it's him that's put in all the hard work to turn himself into a top top prem player , greatest respect to him .
Malcy
says...
8:42pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Baddesley Bill
says...
9:26pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:I definately second that! :O)
slugger wrote:An inspiration to all pie lovers.
Rickie should be proud of himself above all , it's him that's put in all the hard work to turn himself into a top top prem player , greatest respect to him .
Dave Juson
says...
9:35pm Fri 22 Feb 13
CB FRY LIVES wrote:George O'Brien never got a look in after Saints' elevation to Division One because Ted Bates used him as part-exchange in the deal to bring David Webb to The Dell from Leyton Orient in March 1966.
It was a great bit of business by Pardew buying Rickie from Bristol Rovers.If i remember correctly he made his debut for the Saints v Northampton in the league cup.could be wrong but he has gone from strength to strength.As good a signing for the saints as when Ted Bates signed George O'brien from leeds.George should have played for scotland but in those days saints were unfashionable.Ricky should play for england but saints are still regarded as unfashionable.Both George and Rickie started off with saints in the third tier of english football,helped get saints promoted from that level and then helped the club reach the top flight.there the comparisons end as George with his dodgy knees never got a look in when we got in to the top flight for the 1966-67 season.Rickie should carve out a glorious career at the very top.hopefully he will go on and emulate the great saints dragon RON DAVIES.
I recall that there was a great wailing and gnashing of teeth about Southampton as a result, and many claimed that Ted would never been forgiven. But he was. Footy fans -- even outraged Saints' footy fans -- have short memories.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:02pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Dave Juson wrote:We do.
CB FRY LIVES wrote:George O'Brien never got a look in after Saints' elevation to Division One because Ted Bates used him as part-exchange in the deal to bring David Webb to The Dell from Leyton Orient in March 1966.
It was a great bit of business by Pardew buying Rickie from Bristol Rovers.If i remember correctly he made his debut for the Saints v Northampton in the league cup.could be wrong but he has gone from strength to strength.As good a signing for the saints as when Ted Bates signed George O'brien from leeds.George should have played for scotland but in those days saints were unfashionable.Ricky should play for england but saints are still regarded as unfashionable.Both George and Rickie started off with saints in the third tier of english football,helped get saints promoted from that level and then helped the club reach the top flight.there the comparisons end as George with his dodgy knees never got a look in when we got in to the top flight for the 1966-67 season.Rickie should carve out a glorious career at the very top.hopefully he will go on and emulate the great saints dragon RON DAVIES.
I recall that there was a great wailing and gnashing of teeth about Southampton as a result, and many claimed that Ted would never been forgiven. But he was. Footy fans -- even outraged Saints' footy fans -- have short memories.
slugger
says...
10:24pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Who gives a stuff about distant history ? .... the future is all .
Dave Juson wrote:We do.
CB FRY LIVES wrote:George O'Brien never got a look in after Saints' elevation to Division One because Ted Bates used him as part-exchange in the deal to bring David Webb to The Dell from Leyton Orient in March 1966.
It was a great bit of business by Pardew buying Rickie from Bristol Rovers.If i remember correctly he made his debut for the Saints v Northampton in the league cup.could be wrong but he has gone from strength to strength.As good a signing for the saints as when Ted Bates signed George O'brien from leeds.George should have played for scotland but in those days saints were unfashionable.Ricky should play for england but saints are still regarded as unfashionable.Both George and Rickie started off with saints in the third tier of english football,helped get saints promoted from that level and then helped the club reach the top flight.there the comparisons end as George with his dodgy knees never got a look in when we got in to the top flight for the 1966-67 season.Rickie should carve out a glorious career at the very top.hopefully he will go on and emulate the great saints dragon RON DAVIES.
I recall that there was a great wailing and gnashing of teeth about Southampton as a result, and many claimed that Ted would never been forgiven. But he was. Footy fans -- even outraged Saints' footy fans -- have short memories.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:27pm Fri 22 Feb 13
slugger wrote:Unless you're a skunt :)
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Who gives a stuff about distant history ? .... the future is all .
Dave Juson wrote:We do.
CB FRY LIVES wrote:George O'Brien never got a look in after Saints' elevation to Division One because Ted Bates used him as part-exchange in the deal to bring David Webb to The Dell from Leyton Orient in March 1966.
It was a great bit of business by Pardew buying Rickie from Bristol Rovers.If i remember correctly he made his debut for the Saints v Northampton in the league cup.could be wrong but he has gone from strength to strength.As good a signing for the saints as when Ted Bates signed George O'brien from leeds.George should have played for scotland but in those days saints were unfashionable.Ricky should play for england but saints are still regarded as unfashionable.Both George and Rickie started off with saints in the third tier of english football,helped get saints promoted from that level and then helped the club reach the top flight.there the comparisons end as George with his dodgy knees never got a look in when we got in to the top flight for the 1966-67 season.Rickie should carve out a glorious career at the very top.hopefully he will go on and emulate the great saints dragon RON DAVIES.
I recall that there was a great wailing and gnashing of teeth about Southampton as a result, and many claimed that Ted would never been forgiven. But he was. Footy fans -- even outraged Saints' footy fans -- have short memories.
Rising_Son
says...
10:29pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Dave Juson wrote:If I remember correctly, he had had a bad knee injury and hadn't played for some time. I loved the guy, he was brilliant, but I think his high level' playing days were over.
CB FRY LIVES wrote:George O'Brien never got a look in after Saints' elevation to Division One because Ted Bates used him as part-exchange in the deal to bring David Webb to The Dell from Leyton Orient in March 1966.
It was a great bit of business by Pardew buying Rickie from Bristol Rovers.If i remember correctly he made his debut for the Saints v Northampton in the league cup.could be wrong but he has gone from strength to strength.As good a signing for the saints as when Ted Bates signed George O'brien from leeds.George should have played for scotland but in those days saints were unfashionable.Ricky should play for england but saints are still regarded as unfashionable.Both George and Rickie started off with saints in the third tier of english football,helped get saints promoted from that level and then helped the club reach the top flight.there the comparisons end as George with his dodgy knees never got a look in when we got in to the top flight for the 1966-67 season.Rickie should carve out a glorious career at the very top.hopefully he will go on and emulate the great saints dragon RON DAVIES.
I recall that there was a great wailing and gnashing of teeth about Southampton as a result, and many claimed that Ted would never been forgiven. But he was. Footy fans -- even outraged Saints' footy fans -- have short memories.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:42pm Fri 22 Feb 13
slugger
says...
10:46pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:If that happens we could then put another nail in QPR's coffin ..... nothing against QPR but ..... I love to see 'onest 'arry twitch !
A win on Sunday would really see us look well on the way to safety. We're already 10 points ahead of QPR, increase that and they'll never catch us. Then pick two more off.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:54pm Fri 22 Feb 13
slugger wrote:I love it when he has one of those almost continuous ones. Great entertainment.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:If that happens we could then put another nail in QPR's coffin ..... nothing against QPR but ..... I love to see 'onest 'arry twitch !
A win on Sunday would really see us look well on the way to safety. We're already 10 points ahead of QPR, increase that and they'll never catch us. Then pick two more off.
slugger
says...
11:07pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:We were in Le mans last year when we heard that Twitchy had been sacked by Spurs ......... Out came the Champagne and the best impromtu party ever took place .... happy days .
slugger wrote:I love it when he has one of those almost continuous ones. Great entertainment.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:If that happens we could then put another nail in QPR's coffin ..... nothing against QPR but ..... I love to see 'onest 'arry twitch !
A win on Sunday would really see us look well on the way to safety. We're already 10 points ahead of QPR, increase that and they'll never catch us. Then pick two more off.
insane saint
says...
1:24am Sat 23 Feb 13
SFCOLDBOY
says...
8:09am Sat 23 Feb 13
insane saint wrote:WHAT TIME OF NIGHT DO YOU CALL THIS???????? (1.24 am).
right boring lot on the blue end i offer advice and they throw it in your face. oh well cant help some people
Your mother is appalled that you were doing missionary work at that time of night.
Quote--
"Don't come down to us saying you are tired.
Boys of his age should be in bed by 8.30."
Still mummies boy!
Heart is in the right place though, cos he tries to help the more missfortunate among us.
franiow says...
8:24am Fri 22 Feb 13