Return to 1998 Christmas Index
Those of you disappointed by the non-appearance of my pre-season article were spared a piece that could most generously be described as somewhat wide of the mark. Basing my views on the previous campaign coupled with the recent influx of experienced professionals and promising youngsters made possible from the millions generated by the Kevin Davies transfer to Blackburn Rovers, my report would have seen the club's prospect in a more optimistic light than any previous article. Realty, however, has proved a crushing disappointment.
Following the surprise departure of Kevin Davies, Dave Jones spent the summer months strengthening his squad. In came seasoned premier league campaigners, Welsh international striker,
Meanwhile the defence was bolstered by the arrival of Scot Hiley from Manchester City.
Yes, the future of the club appeared rosy and further enhanced when the England Under 21 international, James Beattie was also signed from Blackburn Rovers.
With rising stars Williams, Bridge and Gibbons to complete the team, the squad looked to possess strength and depth.
BUT had the players gelled as a team?
WERE they ready for the rigours of premiership?
COULD they be ready in time for the new season?
The answer to all the above appeared to be an emphatic NO!
The opening fixture, a televised, hard fought, home defeat by Liverpool wasn't unexpected. It was too early for alarm bells to ring. However, following successive defeats at the hands at Leeds United and Newcastle United, there was an early exit from the Worthing Cup. This was.at the hands of Fulham - a second division team. The sound of ringing alarms was now deafening. This disastrous start to the season, proved to be the club's worst ever. They were bottom of the league and without a point, confidence was low. A hard earned home draw with Tottenham Hotspur halted the run of straight defeats but the relief was short lived as normal service was resumed with defeats at West Ham United and Manchester United who achieved a rare victory at The Dell.
This was not a good time to be a Saints' supporter (When Is? - the typist), especially in the work place, mercilessly ribbed by Portsmourth Fans. Rumours of player unrest began to circulate. Questions were asked about the newcomers' commitment to the club. As early as September the pre-season optimism had been replaced by relegation fears.
Then, in mid-October, Saints unexpectedly gained a valuable draw at Highbury, home of defending champions Arsenal. This result proved something of a catalyst, fellow strugglers Coventry City were defeated at the Dell, followed by successive draws against Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesborough, which gave the players much needed confidence. A heavy home defeat to league leaders Aston Villa appears not to have dented this as Saints responded with a priceless win at Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park. This ensured Saints exchanged placings with their vanquished opponents, climbing off the bottom of the table for the first time and giving fans some hope of Premiership survival.
I can offer no explanation for the Team's appalling start to the season, nor its subsequent improvement - other than the possibilities I've already touched upon. i.e. attitude of recent big name signings and changing room unrest. The removal of Mark Hughes from the front line to control the midfield correlates with the change in fortune. Yet, I don't believe any of the reasons alone explain this season's predicament. Whatever the reasons are, I believe they date back to the end of last season when, although a respectable mid-table position was achieved, the run in was not impressive. Indeed Saints' lost their last three home games. I think the rot may have set in at this point. Thankfully Dave Jones has managed to improve results, but has he solved the underlying fault lines? If not more trouble may lie ahead for the club.
Breaking news is the not totally unexpected move back north to his family by Carlton Palmer who is poised to sign for Barnsley of the Nationwide First Division. Welsh International midfielder Darren Barnard is arriving at the Dell in exchange.
Logon again for my end of season review to discover whether Dave Jones has survived the toughest test yet of his managerial skills?
