WARNOCK FRUSTATED AGAIN AS STRIKER NOT FIT AGAIN

The former Liverpool striker was all set to replace Zohore for Cardiff City,but once again Lamberts fitness stopped him playing

Ricky Lambert currently on £25,000 a week plus and still has one year left on his contract.

By Chrish Wathan

Saturday 15th April 2017


Neil Warnock has admitted his frustration over striker Rickie Lambert after revealing he had to rip up plans to give Kenneth Zohore a rest because the ex-England striker's fitness issues flared up mid-game.

Lambert, 35, has missed the majority of Warnock's reign because of injury problems, with a back complaint something that has kept him out of contention for most of 2017.

He has since recovered, though Warnock has opted to keep faith with Danish youngster Zohore — who has impressed since breaking into the team in December.

Yet Warnock has been mindful of Zohore's weariness and was pondering giving the 23-year-old a breather during the clash with Sheffield Wednesday — only to be told Lambert wasn't fit to go on.

“Kenneth looked shattered, but apparently Lambert at half-time wasn't feeling good, his back wasn't feeling good so we didn't have much option,” Warnock revealed after the 1-0 defeat.

Lambert arrived at Cardiff in a high-profile move from West Brom on August transfer deadline day, but has failed to live up to the hype that surrounded his £3m switch.

He is thought to be among the squad's top-earners — with a year still to run on his contract — and there had already been question marks over his future at Cardiff City Stadium with Warnock keen to trim his wage budget to help fund fees for new summer arrivals.

Lambert has made 16 Championship appearances this season but has not started a league game since the start of December. He has not played at all since January 8.

With little time left in the current campaign, Warnock was asked if the situation surrounding Lambert's situation was frustrating, and he admitted: “It is frustrating me. You put him on the bench to do a job but the physio said he didn't feel right in the second-half. We can't risk anything like that.

“But we have four games left, three after Monday, I can't wait for the summer.”

Cardiff face Nottingham Forest on Monday, with Warnock confident Zohore will be fit to start once more, saying: “He'll be alright, he'll be flying by then.”

3m????? I thought he was free. Or is that how much his contract will cost?

3m????? I thought he was free. Or is that how much his contract will cost?

That's his wages for the 2 years I believe

Zohore is guna get injured soon if he keeps getting run into the ground, he needs a break.

What's wrong with these players,I'm tired ???,what after playing 90 mins of football,try working 60 hours a week on a building site,then you ll know what being tired is all about

Not only a waste of money but a waste of space.

Put Meite on the bench and give him 30 minutes every game from now to the end of the season.

3m????? I thought he was free. Or is that how much his contract will cost?

That's his wages for the 2 years I believe

Correct, it's at least that.

Very strange ,sits on the bench for an hour then decides hes not fit to go on.

3m????? I thought he was free. Or is that how much his contract will cost?

That's his wages for the 2 years I believe

Correct, it's at least that.

The only positive I can think of is at least we are not paying him too much in appearance money

Very strange ,sits on the bench for an hour then decides hes not fit to go on.

Fully agree these stories don't add up somehow. If I was the manager and Lambert pulled another sickie at half-time I would have been a lot more than frustrated it would been more like giving him a chin injury to add to his woes.

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

Might be the case

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

I thought it was 2 years with option for third

Yes it is two years with an option of a further year. What a waste of resources. Hopefully they can put him out to pasture. I said after he played a few games he was well past his sell by date!

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

I thought it was 2 years with option for third

Seems like I was clutching at straws then. So the option, if he is able to take it up, could make him almost 38 by the time he leaves! Will they never learn.

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

I've always maintained from the beginning Lambert had a two year contract and how much money we have wasted.

Very strange ,sits on the bench for an hour then decides hes not fit to go on.

Pulled an arse muscle when he dropped his wallet at half time and bent to pick it up.

Nobody can tell how it will pan out but huge gamble trying to please fans on deadline day, surely in future if no signings are to be made this deal can be one that is pointed out why they didn't panic buy. Said it from the off his legs had gone, but didn't realise everything else had as well. In all fairness he wants to play but he's done.

They are probably trying to get to a position where he has to retire and get an insurance payout before the end of his contract

Thought he didn't care. He wasn't playing him anyway..

Very strange ,sits on the bench for an hour then decides hes not fit to go on.

Pulled an arse muscle when he dropped his wallet at half time and bent to pick it up.

Haha fact

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

When he signed I definitely remember it being reported that the second year was dependent on a number of appearances this season.

However, so many sources have now said it was 2 years with a third as an option. Also even if it was one year with a second year option surely he hasn't got anywhere near the triggering figure and could play these last few without compromising the club?

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

When he signed I definitely remember it being reported that the second year was dependent on a number of appearances this season.

However, so many sources have now said it was 2 years with a third as an option. Also even if it was one year with a second year option surely he hasn't got anywhere near the triggering figure and could play these last few without compromising the club?

it says 2 years here
http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/art ... 84352.aspx
and he has 17 apps this season so far believe it or not.

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

When he signed I definitely remember it being reported that the second year was dependent on a number of appearances this season.

However, so many sources have now said it was 2 years with a third as an option. Also even if it was one year with a second year option surely he hasn't got anywhere near the triggering figure and could play these last few without compromising the club?

it says 2 years here
http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/art ... 84352.aspx
and he has 17 apps this season so far believe it or not.

It was reported as 20 games on here at the time. You would assume that it was 20 games for us but he he's played a total of 19 so far including the 2 for West Brom. Could it be that we let through in the paperwork ? Regardless of that it was a ridiculous clause to agree to. Its all about brinkmanship with Lambert now, he'll be expecting a full pay out on next years contract. We shouldn't release him to earn elsewhere without him taking a substantial cut. There's no saving to be had for us in letting him go now. If he wants out then take a cut. I bet his agent is already lining up his next pay day.

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

When he signed I definitely remember it being reported that the second year was dependent on a number of appearances this season.

However, so many sources have now said it was 2 years with a third as an option. Also even if it was one year with a second year option surely he hasn't got anywhere near the triggering figure and could play these last few without compromising the club?

it says 2 years here
http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/art ... 84352.aspx
and he has 17 apps this season so far believe it or not.

17? I'm stunned it's that many

Pulis/West brom tucked us up big-time, palming their shite onto us.

I seem to remember someone saying that his contract was for one year with him having an option to renew for a second on same wages only if he played a number of games -25 rings a bell. Does anyone else recall this or did I dream it? If its true it would tie in with Warnocks reluctance to play him a few weeks ago despite Lambert saying he was fit and now he can no longer get to that 25, his reluctance to get off the bench.

When he signed I definitely remember it being reported that the second year was dependent on a number of appearances this season.

However, so many sources have now said it was 2 years with a third as an option. Also even if it was one year with a second year option surely he hasn't got anywhere near the triggering figure and could play these last few without compromising the club?

it says 2 years here
http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/art ... 84352.aspx
and he has 17 apps this season so far believe it or not.

17? I'm stunned it's that many

read your post so i thought id look expecting it to be about half that.
i was stunned too.

They are probably trying to get to a position where he has to retire and get an insurance payout before the end of his contract

That is where i am on this....One for the lawyers

They are probably trying to get to a position where he has to retire and get an insurance payout before the end of his contract

That is where i am on this....One for the lawyers

i said this a few months back and got shot down. but i still think its the obvious solution.