Return to SPRING 1998 Index
By Simon DunkleyWelcome to my first Saints report of 1998. Regular visitors to this page will be aware that the period covered since my inaugural edition has coincided with a time of great upheaval and instability behind the scenes at The Dell. Last year saw Dave Merrington's still mysterious dismissal, the arrival and abrupt departure of Graeme Souness accompanied by Lawrie McMenemy, the appointment of Dave Jones, The Club's merger and stock market flotation and endless political wrangling over the proposed new stadium at Stoneham.
Those of you hoping for updates on these stories or looking for evidence of further intrigue will, however, be as disappointed as myself with the surprising lack of boardroom news in this edition. I even overshot my copy deadline by two weeks (sorry Ed,) in the hope of late news. But to no avail. As a consequence for the first time I shall confine this article to team matters alone. Although to be fair to the Saint's players, this extra coverage is fully deserved with some splendid performances on the pitch.
In my previous report I predicted a bright new year for the Saints and so its proved- as we shall see later. But first I'll deal with the transfer market where there has been plenty of activity as Dave Jones continues to build his own squad. His extensive clear-out of superfluous players has resulted in Simon Charlton going to Birmingham City, Alan Neilson teaming up again with Mark Taylor at ambitious Fulham and Christer Warren was sold to neighbours A.F.C Bournemouth. Matthew Robinson travels in the opposite direction on the M27 to Fratton Park, home of local rivals, Portsmouth. As of yet only John Boresford, the former Pompey left back has arrived at The Dell via Newcastle Utd for £1.5M.
However, the manager is still looking to strengthen his squad. David Jones was disappointed not to sign Alun Armstrong who was lost to higher bidders Middlesborough. Southampton's local press is full of rumours regarding Norwegian mid-fielder Lars Bohinan. To further illustrate his ambitions for the club, Dave Jones has delivered a Hands Off warning to predatory premiership clubs who covert some of our club's leading lights.
The performance of Dave Jones' fledgling team on the pitch has seen a string of impressive results. Notably all victories against four leading premier league clubs: Chelsea, Manchester United (AGAIN! - the typist!), Liverpool and an emphatic 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers. The presence of Paul Jones in goal, Carlton Palmer in midfield and Kevin Davies in attack have been major factors in this steady climb up the league table. Matthew le Tissier has made an impressive return to form (and should be sold at once before he loses it once more - the typist) and the club stands 11th in The League. This is the highest the team has been since the halcyon days of Alan Ball's management many moons ago.
Well, with the lack of boardroom hostility and the team performing admirably, I feel I should play Devil's Advocate and raise a contentious issue for debate. What concerns me is the perennial problem with the left back position (yes - I know its killing - one never knows where to put one's leg! No sorry wrong ball game. What is the left back?- why worry about it?- the typist). The acquisition of Beresford would seem to be the solution. Yet when he has appeared in the team it has been as a left sided mid-fielder with either Francis Benali or Lee Todd behind. I raise this point as strong rumours abound of Bolton Wanderers' interest in Benali. If he is sold this would leave only Todd as an option.
Todd has struggled to adapt to premier league football and though the whole team was poor, he was clearly out of sorts during the recent midweek home defeat by Coventry City. Indeed he was culpable for the first Coventry goal, his miserable evening mercifully ending when he was substituted. My personal opinion is that Benali should be kept. His form has improved dramatically from a poor start to the season. If one left sided player must leave the club, surely it is Lee Todd who should go.
Will the Saint's continue ever upwards, or is a relegation scramble once more their destiny. Find out in my end of season report.