According to newspaper reports Nigel Adkins Reading are about to launch an audacious bid for Saints leading scorer Rickie Lambert.

The first reaction of most Saints supporters would probably be to laugh this one off, however if we delve into the facts a little more then perhaps its not as far fetched as it might sound.

The facts of the situation are that although Lambert was Saints leading scorer last season, under Adkins he scored 10 times in 22 appearances, a ratio of almost 1 every 2 games, whilst under Pochettino the rate dropped to 5 in 16 games, over 1 in 3 per game. Indeed prior to his final day goal against Stoke, our number 7 hadnt found the net in the 6 previous league games, he more than anyone was probably finding that as Pochettino developed and imposed his style on the Saints side, that it didnt suit his style as much as precious formations had.

Lambert could also not fail to be unstettled by the plethora of reports linking Saints with a number of not only high profile, but high priced strikers not only from Europe but South America too, he must have been feeling that the writing was on the wall, this was the case a year ago when Saints signed Jay Rodrigues and Lambert found himself on the bench for the opening game as Saints changed from playing two forwards to just the one, he was able to fight his way back that time, however this would not be so easy when say its a Brazilian International arrived at the club, if there is one position up front available and its between Lambert and a £20 million pound striker, lets make no bones about it, the big money man will be played even if he isnt finding his form, we have seen this situation at countless other clubs.

So after a summer of Saints seemingly chasing every forward that is avaialable and at a premium cost to boot, suddenly perhaps Rickie Lambert will perhaps be considering that it might be time to move on and that if he stays he might be outstaying his welcome with the management.

There are Three aspects to this though, the first is the playing side of things, Rickie will be 32 in January, in Premier League forward terms that is old, yes there are a few that play beyond that age at the top level but the emphasis is on few, so if Saints stay Rickie will perhaps find himself marginalised and with Jay Rodriguez also chomping at the bit a new arrival might not just put him back one place in the pecking order he could actually find himself third choice striker. If Rickie wants to keep playing as a first choice striker then a move away from St Mary's might be the only way.      

Secondly there is Saints own policy towards players, in the past Saints supporters have lauded the policies of Nicola Cortese with regard to players, the general consensus and one that has proved popular amongst the fan is that the Chairman is ruthless in the transfer market, he persues a policy where he doesnt like to sign a player who might go into his 30's and have no resale value,now though and perhaps for the first time we are going to see that system properly tested, before as we have marched up the divisions players have left through natural progression, now however we have a player in his prime and due to age with his transfer value about to start plunging, is there any room for sentiment at St Mary's ? its a question that we might be about to see answered.

Thirdly though there is the financial aspect, from a club point of view I have just touched on that, approaching 32 and top scoring last season,Rickie still has a reasonable transfer value, but from Saints perspective, if they sign that big name striker they are allegedly after then Rickie could spent most of his time at best on the bench, move things forward a year if that has been the case and the price any club would be willing to pay for a near 33 year old who barely played or scored the previous term will be far far less that it would be today, but its not just the club, its the player as well, Lambert spent most of his career in the lower divisions, up until four years ago when he signed for Saints, League 1 level was the highest he had played and he hadnt got rich picking up his wages from the likes of Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers, Saints were his first big pay day and in the big bucks bracket, last season was his first, Rickie will be well off compared to most who watch him, but he isnt a player who has spent a decade picking up mega money.

That being the case this could also represent a chance for Rickie to get one last big pay day, a nice big fat signing on fee plus his wages increasing, probabaly an extension in years to what he is on at Saints, a move would make sense to him financially as well as in terms of playing games, he probably wont want to move from Saints a club where he has really become a hero, but he has a family to feed.

So although it may seem absurd that Rickie Lambert will leave St Mary's at first glance, second third and fourth glances make it less so, especially when you consider the ruthless ambition of the club, over the pasty couple of years Saints fans have accepted that it has been time for their favourites to move on as the club has leaped from 3rd tier to top, now hoever the talisman of that progression is the one that might be the next victim of the clubs rapid progress, for some that will be ahrd to accept.      

Photo: Action Images

mark99 added 10:33 - Jul 22 Yes, that's a well thought out argument. However, we have not yet secured any of our alleged striker targets yet so Rickie will not be allowed to leave. Also if he did leave we would then really need to bring in two strikers. I can see more chance of Gaston leaving. We still seem to be being linked to every midfielder in creation even though we no longer need anymore. Still, gives us all something to talk about as the big kick off day slowly draws closer.

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Zambucco added 10:52 - Jul 22 Thanks Nick, you article makes a lot of sense. I was all for thinking, no Rickie now he's had the taste he will want to stay and to improve on last season. But as you point out, he didn't do so well in the goals tally under Poch, but his work rate and playmaking improved. So I agree he probably is looking around, and with Jayrod improving out of all my expectations, to be a top striker, and the possible introduction of another 'top' striker. I'm sure he would look at the financial implications and his family responsibilities, and consider a move just up the road, to rejoin a manager who gave him the big chance. He would again shine in the Championship, he would soon become a hero at Reading. Bottom line, I'd like to see him stay and have one last (or 2 or 3) hurrah in the Prem!

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brady100 added 11:09 - Jul 22 Some interesting points Nick however Rickie has only recently signed a new contract, and I still belive he has a lot to give the team.. its not just the goals he scores but his link up play and aura. Having a bigger squad and perhaps adding another quality striker could also be a good thing for Rickie with fewer games and less pressure. I also don't think we should read to much into his scoing record under Poch, having watched most of the games only the post, bar or goalkeeping brilliance denied him from adding another 2 or 3 at least to his total. I think this debate could be settled depending on whether Saints bring in a player in the mold of Damiao or a player like Osvaldo who is more similar to Rickie in terms of his strength, hold up play and aerial ability.

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slynch added 11:23 - Jul 22 OINK, OINK, FLAP, FLAP, OINK, OINK, FLAP, FLAP, OINK!
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IanRC added 11:36 - Jul 22 Unless Poch is a much worse manager than I think, this will not fly. What you ignore is the creative force that Lambert is in relation to the other players around him. He is one of the football smartest centre forwards playing today and, if he were to go, expect a sharp decline in the impact of those who play around him. By all means bring in someone younger who is ambitious to proceed but for now we need Lambert.

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Fordy added 12:11 - Jul 22 I can see it happening. Adkins likes Lambert, Reading have a lot of money, so there is no problem from that point of view. It all comes down to whether Poch sees SRL as being part of his plans. The doubts are that Lambert isn't your typical Poch "pressing" player and how well he really plays with Jayrod. They kind of found a solution last year with Rickie dropping deeper but I'm not sure that's the greatest solution particularly with other players already playing in that area (Lallana, Gaston). So it all comes down to Poch and I can see him saying yes to a move.

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simmo400 added 13:01 - Jul 22 Makes and creates chances for other team members. Goals scored dosent always reflect his presence on the pitch. Holds up play and can often find the killer pas/cross. Would be a big miss.
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BlackRod added 18:07 - Jul 22 Rickie's age is the key factor. If the head rules the heart he should leave now and pick up some money from the transfer and an increase in wages. This time next year that opportunity will be gone. In my view he ranks alongside LeTiss In terms of his contribution to the club, but there's no room for sentimentality in football. The squad that took us through two promotions - players with commitment who obviously enjoyed playing together - is being taken apart to make way for a team of mercenaries who may or may not be any better. The writing is on the wall for SRL.

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richardmdcooper added 18:46 - Jul 22 Good article. Am sure Rickie would like the chance to work with Sir Nige again but don't think he'd be willing to drop down a division having worked so hard to get to the top. He's still premiership class for another year or two hopefully and I hope we don't sell him or start marginalising him - he's definitely in the top ten saints heroes of all time in my opinion

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mattlegod added 22:21 - Jul 22 Link up play, hold up play, ASSISTS, and pens = 4 things in addition to his goal scoring tally and ability that are key. Other than that i agree with everything Brady 100 says..
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CovSaint added 14:50 - Jul 23 More here: http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/readingfc/articles/2013/07/22/91468-read
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Whatsforpud added 17:15 - Jul 23 If Lambert's game relied on speed, his age might now be a problem for him. However, it doesn't. He has quick feet and good control, and is able provide for quicker players around him. Up to now, it has been the norm for him to play most minutes of most games, but maybe he will be used more sparingly in the future. Difficult though, to find a like-for-like replacement.

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aceofthebase added 07:57 - Jul 25 He can't score many goals while he takes up positions on the wings. Is that a POX tactic? No wonder he is not so sharp in front of goal. But perhaps it is time for new blood
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