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The eating of humble pie isn't an experience I'd normally relish. However on this occasion, like Oliver Twist, I would gladly head the queue for second helpings, even when prepared to Graeme Souness' own recipe.
In my pre-season article, based on my appraisal of Souness' managerial career, I extended to him a somewhat less than enthusiastic welcome, specifically questioning his man-management skills, and suitability for a club with limited resources. My views were a reflection of widespread concern amongst Saints Fans. What Doubting Thomases we all were. I'm absolutely delighted in the manager. He has quickly proved that doubts about his suitability were misplaced.
Souness' impact at the Dell has been phenomenal: the wildest hallucinations of a terminally optimistic fan couldn't compare with the fantasy play directed by Souness, currently on show at the Dell. (Steady, steady - the typist). In the three months he's been in the job, Souness has turned the club around. The Saints are now 'a buying club' attracting quality players from home and abroad.
Notably (as I predicted at the end of my previous report), the team are not simply winning matches but thrashing top premiership sides. In response, fans and reporters are flocking back to the Dell, eager to witness for themselves the exciting, attacking football, not seen since Alan Shearer, Rod Wallace and Matt le Tissier wreaked havoc amongst opposition defences, in the early days of Chris Nicholl's reign as manager.
Since my last dispatch, Souness has been busy in the transfer market, signing six cosmopolitan bargains, and what a revelation they're proving to be. Robbie Slater an Australian, arrived from West Ham United, for peanuts by today's standards; a lively winger who loves running at defenders, though on the wrong side of thirty, nonetheless an excellent buy. Following Souness' Scandinavian shopping spree, Claus Lundekvam signed from top Norwegian side Brann, a classy central defender, comfortable on the ball and confident enough to carry the ball up field when the opportunity arises. Like Slater, a bargain at £400,000.
By now Souness' interest in Norwegian Players was well known. £900,000 was paid to Viking Stavanger for the services of Egil Ostenstad, a powerful centre forward and proven goal scorer at every level of Norwegian football. Before signing Ostenstad had been training at the Dell, along with fellow countryman Tore Andre Flo (Brother of Sheffield United's Justien) whom Souness is still tracking. Though I suspect the scent is now cooling as Brann are unlikely to sell whilst chasing prestigious trophies. Other premiership clubs are now monitoring the situation; notably Liverpool and Leeds United. Yet the fact that Claus Lundekvam is a close friend from their days together at Brann may swing event Saints way at a later date.
Next to Don the famous red and white stripes was long time Souness target, Eval Verkovic, an Israeli. Following an outlay of just over one million pounds, though slight of frame, his vision, skills and eagerness for the ball make him a dominant force in midfield and a delight to watch.
Souness had promised to break Southampton's transfer records and duly paid out 1.3 million for Ulrich Van Gobbel (pronounced Hobbel). A defender of Dutch origin, built like Mike Tyson ( a bad analogy considering his recent battering at the hands of Evandor Holifield) but with electrifying pace. He transferred from Galatasary where he was bought by Souness during his spell at the Turkish Club.
The most recent arrival is perhaps the most surprising: Chris Woods, the one time England Goal keeper who had fallen out of favour at Sheffield Wednesday, and had been plying his trade with Colorado Spring of the US soccer league. Woods has arrived on loan whilst Souness decides whether or not to shell out hard cash. He went straight into the team against his old Sheffield team mates and played a blinder he relegated Dave Beasant to the subs bench to ponder on his future.
This unprecedented influx of new players was countered by the sale of Neil Shipperley to Crystal Palace for one million pounds. Fans will be sorry to see him go, but for all his hard work, Neil wasn't finding the back of the net often enough. Saints have now spent £4.1M on seven new players (Chris Woods is on loan) and recouped £3.2M from the sales of Richard Hall who left for West Ham United prior to Souness' arrival, Tommy Widdrington now at Grimsby and Neil Shipperley.
One has to remember that Souness arrived just a matter of weeks before the start of the season, only Dryden and Potter had arrived during the close season. The bulk of the rebuilding work undertaken by the manager has been carried out on a team already competing in the toughest league in the world. This accounts for the slow start to the season, but as the weeks went by Souness formed the side he wanted, results improved and have continued to improve as the team settled. The manager must be given much credit for his perception and expertise in the International Transfer Market. His patience with squad members during unsettling times and new relaxed image.
This dramatically altered Saints Team announced their arrival in the premiership on the 23 September, sweeping aside Middlesborough's multi million pound imports to win 4-0
The following home games saw Middlesborough's neighbours in the North-East- Sunderland suffer a similar fate crashing 3-0. But the best was yet to come. My two sons and I were among those privileged to watch the mighty Manchester United over run by Saints and walloped 6-3 thanks to Egil Ostenstad's hat trick. A brace for the excellent Eyal Berkovic and a Matt le Tissier special, emphasising his return to form. It was a wonderful match to attend. Saints were magnificent, United were woeful, following Roy Keanes' customary dismissal the United players became petulant and spiteful: arguing with the crowd. David Beckham exposed his rear end to the East stand.
In addition Eric Cantona reverted to his old ways, lashing out at Van Gobbel, because he dared to dispossess the Frenchman. Being a spectator in the family stand for this game I was disappointed with the visitors attitude. Not one United Player signed autographs for the kids, whilst Souness was still busy signing eagerly held programs right up to the kick off. Exemplary behaviour was much appreciated by all.
Saints are currently unbeaten for eight matches. The latest result being a 3-1 away win over Lincoln City in the League Cup. This impressing up turn in fortunes at the Dell has merited Souness with the October Manager of the Month award whilst Matt le Tissier was named Player of the Month.
Information received from a source close to the Dell, tells of a playing staff very happy working under Graeme Souness, who seems to have won over even his most stubborn of critics during his brief period at the Dell.
Assuming Souness isn't tempted by a richer club like Blackburn Rovers or Manchester City, which I'm sure would be a mistake for him, the relaxed atmosphere at the Dell is far better for his health (remember he has had open heart surgery) than pressures that accompany big clubs. Saints fans can be more optimistic now than at any time since the heady days of Lawrie McMenemy's tenure.
Can we have some more please Graeme?
