Lambert is an experienced 4th striking option that should be used against certain opposition, in certain situations. It is too early to give up on both of them.
Yes. Lambert of last season scored a goal every 3 games against the same defences, theres no reason he couldn't have done the same here this season used sparingly, in 10 or so starts to give Sturridge / Balotelli rest - especially against the mid table sides he typically scored against like Hull, West Brom, Swansea, Stoke, etc.
I also don't get the widespread hatred of Borini, the lad is a very hard worker, the sort of player that teams need from the bench to give an option up front who will run all day or play on the wing. Very reminiscent of Kuyt for me and well worth a squad spot imo. Should probably have been used a lot more in away Champions League ties.
For me, those 2 aren't the problem, it's obvious that the problem is the lack of Sturridge and the completely ineffectual Balotelli. Maybe hard-working Borini alongside Balotelli would have been worth an extended try, who knows ?