By Alan
January 28 2005

After a thoroughly miserable week some of the gloom has been lifted by the loan signing of Saints midfielder Andrew Surman. The 18 year old has joined the Saddlers for a month after Merse contacted his old Pompey gaffer Redknapp pleading for help.

Even by our own pretty dull and depressing standards this week has been a week from hell.

Starting with a 5-0 thrashing by the mighty U’s the week continued to decline further with the loss of coach Barlow to Forest and then reached new depths with the re-instatement of Merson (sorry, attempted resignation by Merson).

Hopefully Surman will prove to be the catalyst that kick starts our flagging season.

I must admit that my knowledge (and research) about this player is somewhat sketchy but I am reliably informed by the E&S that he is a left sided midfielder from Johannesburg.

One thing is for certain, we must disassemble our existing midfield which has failed far too many times this season.

The signing of Surman and re-call of Kris Taylor from Burton certainly gives Merson plenty of options.

He could play both players in a revamped central trio in his preferred 4312 formation or revert to a standard 442 with Surman providing the much needed width down the left flank. However, given Merson’s current strategy of fitting round pegs into square holes there is every chance we could see a new sweeper system with Surman mopping up behind our central defenders.

In all seriousness though, the young lad will hopefully come to Bescot determined to prove he has what it takes to carve out a career in the game. If he comes with the right attitude then I’m sure he will succeed and will provide the midfield “legs” that Merson has been looking for.

On a more worrying note, with Barlow having left for pastures new I do hope that Merson is not considering giving Osborn the player / coach role again. This bloke can’t play himself let alone teach others how to. He has been one of the biggest disappointments that I can ever remember and any decent vet would surely do the decent thing.