There will be three Southampton players hoping to represent England this week with Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez joining Rickie Lambert in Roy Hodgson's squad. Adam Bate thinks it's deserved and anticipates more players making the trip from St Mary's to St George's in the future...
Friday 15 November 2013 08:32, UK
Current England trio might just be the tip of the iceberg at Southampton, writes Adam Bate.
Southampton's extraordinary rise through the divisions to the Premier League top three can be illustrated in many ways. But as the Saints trio of Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana prepare to link up for the first time with England this week, few things can highlight their dramatic ascent more than their whereabouts just last year as Southampton hosted Burnley in the Championship. The home side won the game 2-0 that February with Lallana heading in the opening goal. But despite the presence of Lambert and Rodriguez on the pitch, with the latter representing Burnley, it was the second goalscorer that day who took the plaudits. "Billy Sharp is going to be a massive threat in this league," said then boss Nigel Adkins after the game. Clarets boss Eddie Howe added of his own side: "I don't think any player has come out of it with much credit." That didn't stop Rodriguez completing a £6million move to St Mary's that summer as the momentum of the team's back-to-back promotions was continued with a strong showing on their return to the Premier League. Mauricio Pochettino's relentless pressing machine has since seen Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville label Southampton as the best organised side in the league. They are among the big boys on merit. Just like the trio now called up to the England squad. Lambert has already demonstrated his qualities, enjoying an encouraging start to his international career by scoring in his first two England internationals. With Andy Carroll enduring ongoing injury problems, the 31-year-old striker appears to have established himself as Roy Hodgson's No.1 target man. And now he has two club team-mates for company in the squad. "It's strange showing other people around and telling them where to go," Lambert admitted this week. Lallana's call-up had been much anticipated. "He's played a major part in Southampton's rise to the top this season," said Hodgson. "So it was quite obvious we would pick him." The 25-year-old ranks among the top 10 midfielders in the Premier League for recoveries, an indication of the ball-winning qualities honed under Pochettino. Crucially, this defensive contribution is combined with offensive abilities that have seen him complete more dribbles than the other nine men on that list. A versatile hard worker with an attacking threat, Lallana could be seen as a James Milner upgrade. Rodriguez, meanwhile, is an obvious challenger to Danny Welbeck in an advanced forward role on the flanks. "I see in Rodriguez somebody who could fill that Welbeck role," said Hodgson. "He's a wide forward rather than a midfielder or a winger. He likes to go forward and attack people with and without the ball." Like Welbeck, the Saints man is a willing worker with impressive energy levels and movement. As with Lallana, he is among the top 10 in his position for ball recoveries and provides a goal threat - having netted three times so far this season. Perhaps Hodgson's growing admiration for the developments at Southampton reflects his own ambitions for the England team. The veteran boss is in his element when building organised teams able to take on more fancied sides. Exactly what will be required in Brazil. The template is there and there could be more to come. "Adam and Jay were superb last season and especially this season," added Lambert. "But I think all the English lads in the Southampton team have done well."