I won't get into the question of announcing Player of the Season when there is still almost a quarter of the season remaining, instead this update is to recognise the achievement of Southampton's Goal Machine.
Lambert was named on the shortlist alongside Cardiff's Peter Whittingham, and fellow Saint Adam Lallana. To many Saints fans, Lallana was perhaps the more likely one to get the nod - indeed Rickie himself acknowledged this in his acceptance speech. Lallana has risen through the ranks, first emerging during the ill-fated Championship relegation battles; and over the past couple of years in particular he has established himself as one of the most exciting talents that the club has produced.
Back in January 2011, and then again last summer, many of the country's biggest clubs were sniffing around the Saints yet again, and it was Arsenal who secured the signature of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. At the time, whilst it was plain to see that the Ox was going to be a great player, I won't have been alone in being quietly pleased that no-one seemed to realise that Lallana was an even more important player for the Saints. As far as I am aware he has never been linked with a move away - financial security and an upturn in on the pitch fortunes has perhaps made it easier for the club to ignore any enquiries for their brighter talents.
Lallana is certainly one of the brightest, his contribution from midfield has played a huge part in the dangerous, dynamic and fluid style that Nigel Adkins has advocated; and it's his link-up and understanding with Lambert that makes the pair of them worthy of the recognition.
The big man from Merseyside got the nod however, and I expect Lambert has received this award due to his outstanding goalscoring record - it's easy to notice the guy who tops the scoring charts season after season. This is the first time he has played at this level and he has taken to it with ease, having cut his teeth in the lower leagues and gradually stepped up at the right time in his development. With over 20 league goals and 10 games still to play, for sure Rickie Lambert deserves this award. It's not just the goals that he brings to the team, however - his all-round play is exceptional. He possesses a deftness of touch and a vision for the killer pass that one would not normally expect from a traditional Number Nine that, in physique, aerial ability, and scoring rate, Lambert seems to represent.
Check his back though - Lambert wears the 7 shirt of Matthew Le Tissier, and that should be enough of a clue as to his role and importance to the team. Lambert delivers the best dead ball in the Southampton squad, he plays the link-up role better than anyone I've seen for us in a long time, and he knows how to hold on to the ball and when to release it for maximum effect. Of course, this is all in addition to his lethality in front of goal - first and foremost, the man knows how to find the back of the net. Time and again over the past 3 seasons he has delivered the goods with crucial goals to fire the Saints towards their dream of a return to the Premier League.
If Southampton do hang on over the final stages of the season and clinch back-to-back promotions, I expect there will be many interested parties looking on to see how Lambert fares at the highest level. Given the impressive performances this season from the likes of Grant Holt, Steve Morison and Danny Graham, I see no reason why Lambert could not continue his fantastic form and provide a goal threat for the Saints even against the defences of the Premier League. Indeed there could even be an argument for giving him a go with the England set-up, I fail to believe there is anything that Andy Carroll can do which Lambert can't.
This is all getting ahead of ourselves though, for now Lambert should be applauded for a well-deserved accolade; and a few more goals this season couldn't hurt. Congratulations Rickie, now finish the job!
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