RICKIE Lambert insists everyone at Saints should take great pride at the club being top of the Championship on Christmas Day.

Nigel Adkins' men can enjoy tomorrow's festivities from the comfort of first place in the division - a position they have held since mid-September.

And Lambert, whose goals have helped fire them to the summit, says everyone at Saints can give themselves a pat on the back as they open their presents.

However, the 17-goal striker is adamant that there is no cause for any major celebration yet.

"The whole club should be proud of themselves, I think we've done terrific," said Lambert, who scored in last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Pompey.

"But we haven't achieved anything yet.

"We've had a good half a season and we're top, but that doesn't mean anything.

"We want to be there come the end of the season, that's the most important time."

Saints have caught much of the Championship by surprise this year, rocketing to the top despite only winning promotion from League One in the last campaign.

Their form has been so exceptional that the worst position the club has occupied this term has been second.

And it has been well documented this week that the team top of the Championship at Christmas normally goes on to win promotion.

That has been true for five of the last six seasons, and 16 of the previous 20.

While history appears to be on Saints' side, though, Lambert insists no one can rest on their laurels.

"We've got to hold our heads up high, I think we've been terrific the first half of the season," he said.

"I think any team who's been on top at Christmas obviously deserves to be there.

"We deserve to be at the top, but obviously there's no point being top at Christmas - you want to be there at the end of the season and that's the only thing that matters."