MX23RW : Saturday, July 6 21:27:28| >> :120:12013:12013:

Robbie Fowler: 'Rickie Lambert should start against Italy'

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler believes that Rickie Lambert should start for England in their opening match of the World Cup against Italy.

Robbie Fowler has said that he would like to see new Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert start for England in their opening match of the World Cup against Italy.

Roy Hodgson is expected to start with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge for the Three Lions' Group D opener in Manaus on Saturday.

However, former Liverpool and England forward Fowler believes that Lambert should also play alongside the pair.

"I'm old school. I want to win games playing exciting football and getting people off their feet. Roy as a manager in the past has not been like that and I can't see him changing," he told talkSPORT.

"It looks like he is going to play Rooney down the middle. I would have Lambert as the focal point and Rooney and Sturridge playing off him. That is the way I would go.

"Lambert gives England other options. Everyone wants to drop off and get the ball and there is no one behind the defenders. At least Rickie Lambert would stay up and the ball will stick - and that will give other players a chance to get forward."

Lambert has scored three goals in six England appearances.

ID:158999: cacheID:158999:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2542:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England manager Roy Hodgson looks on at the start of the international friendly football match between England and Scotland on August 14, 2013
Read Next:
Who should start for England against Italy?
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Tuesday, July 9
 
8pm
Semi-Finals
Spain
vs.
France
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!