RICKIE Lambert can already be listed among the ranks of all-time great Bristol Rovers goalscorers.

And it's anybody's guess how far up the chart the Scouse marksman can eventually rise given the remarkable run he is currently enjoying.

There is already speculation that the club's goalscoring record for a season could be under threat if Lambert's red-hot form continues.

The legendary Geoff Bradford netted 33 times in the 1952-53 campaign and, perhaps significantly, he scored only nine goals in the first 14 games of that season. Lambert has already reached 15 at the same stage after scoring all four in the Pirates' 4-2 weekend victory over Southend, giving him a goal-per-game ratio of 1.07.

Whatever Lambert achieves, it's unlikely that Bradford's record as Rovers' greatest-ever goalscorer – 260 goals in 511 games – will be surpassed.

Only the very best marksmen even come close to scoring a goal every other game. And for Bradford to have bettered that ratio over such a long period of time speaks volumes about his remarkable consistency during a one-club career.

Apart from Bradford, only Jason Roberts and Dai Ward have equalled the one-in-every-two statistic at Rovers.

But there are lies, damned lies and statistics. Direct comparisons between players from different eras are always difficult to make because so many fundamentals have changed in the game over the years, from the weight of the ball to the conditions of the pitches – as anyone who remembers Bradford's strike partner Vic Lambden ploughing his way through the Eastville mud would surely testify.

Lambert's early days at the Memorial Stadium were less than fruitful with just one goal in his first 24 appearances, although he still finished the season in double figures and became the side's top scorer last term with 19 goals.

The former Blackpool, Macclesfield, Stockport and Rochdale player – who was only transformed from a midfielder to a forward during his time at Spotland – looks a very different prospect now to the one who first arrived at Rovers somewhat heftier around the midriff and someway off full match fitness.

He is now a lean and mean scoring machine. Rated 66-1 by the bookies to finish as League One's top scorer at the start of the season, Bristol Rovers aren't the only ones hoping Lambert can help them cash in by the time May arrives.

FIFTEEN GREAT GAS GOALSCORERS

1 Geoff Bradford (1949-50 to 1963-64): 511 games, 260 goals. Strike rate: 0.63

2 Jason Roberts (1998-99 to 1999-2000): 88 (5) games, 48 goals. Strike rate: 0.51

3 Dai Ward (1954-55 to 1960-61): 189 games, 96 goals. Strike rate: 0.50

4 Barry Hayles (1997-98 to 1998-99): 74 (2) games, 36 goals. Strike rate: 0.47

5 Vic Lambden 1945-46 to 1954-55): 300 games, 133 goals. Strike rate: 0.44

6 Alfie Biggs (1953-54 to 1960-61 and 1962-63 to 1967-68): 463 games, 197 goals. Strike rate: 0.42

7 Jamie Cureton (1996-97 to 2000-01): 188 (10) games, 79 goals. Strike rate: 0.39

8 Marcus Stewart (1991-92 to 1995-96): 171 (36) games, 80 goals. Strike rate: 0.38

9 Bruce Bannister (1971-2 to 1976-77): 237 (6) games. 93 goals. Strike rate: 0.38

10 Alan Warboys (1972-73 to 1976-77): 161 (3) games. 60 goals. Strike rate: 0.36

11 Rickie Lambert (2006-07 to present): 108 (14) games. 44 goals: Strike rate: 0.36

12 Nathan Ellington (1998-99 to 2001-02): 95 (42) games, 44 goals. Strike rate: 0.32

13 Junior Agogo (2003-04 to 2005-06): 120 (20) games, 45 goals: Strike rate 0.32

14 Peter Beadle (1995-96 to 1997-98): 112 (13) games, 42 goals. Strike rate: 0.31

15 Carl Saunders (1989-90 to 1993-94): 140 (22) games, 51 goals. Strike rate: 0.30