Southampton Star Hits Thirty

Three second half efforts against MK Dons showed a different side to his game. 'It means a lot,' he smiled. 'You don't score many hat-tricks in your career so I treasure each one that I score, and to get my first one for Southampton is brilliant.'

The first Goal came from a brave looping header as he was jumping with a defender and the Dons goalie. The second came from the penalty spot courtesy of a fierce drive.

The best of the lot was the third. A long kick from Kelvin Davis was chested down by him and he then blasted the ball over and beyond the Dons keeper with a magnificent long chip from all of 35 yards.

Rickie explained to the OS how he hadn't been on top of his game in the first half.But he said how you can be really on top of your game and not even get a shot.

He also said that this was the very first time that he had scored so many in a season. 'It's the first time I've ever scored thirty in a season so it's going well for me and hopefully there's some more to come.'

Lambert also spoke highly of his manager, Alan Pardew. He was pleased that Alan Pardew has such confidence in him even when things are not going well. To hear that his manager was telling us all how we had a real number 7 again made him feel good.

'It's brilliant for the manager to say that. It just shows how much confidence he's got in me. I'll be made up if I can get anywhere near those kind of players.'

Before leaving Rickie expressed his sorrow for Wayne Thomas.'Thommo's been instrumental in the JPT, he's been brilliant and scored a couple of goals to help us get there. It's a shame because every player wants to play at Wembley so I'm gutted for him.'

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