As the season draws to an end it would usually be time to be thinking ahead to the long summer and the comings and goings. And god knows this year there's going to be a few. We now find ourselves in a position we've been in many times before of not really being especially sure which division we're going to be in, which tends to make planning a lot more difficult.
Trying to guess at the alleged "thirty-five players" Velimir Zajec has been looking at as potential signings would be silly (perhaps it might be worth spending more time on wondering why he's even looking at players since the new manager might have ideas of his own - if they're allowed), and there's one issue rolling on that's of equal importance anyway. Patrik Berger, Steve Stone and Shaka Hislop all find themselves out of contract this summer and all have yet to be offered a new deal, until we're aware of relegation issues and wage type "things" (technical term, you understand).
On the one hand it's common sense and a practice used by a lot of clubs, and of course this is only speculation. For all I know the club and players have had a lot of close communication and have made the situation clear. But some of Milan's recent comments in the media seem to cloud the water; he says he "hopes" that Berger and Stone will stay - and Zajec is certainly a big fan of them both - but there's still an element of doubt about whether or not they're going to be offered deals. After all, why not just say "this is what we'll offer you if we stay up, this is what you'll get if we go down, now sign the damn thing"?
And now, the rumour we've all feared but long expected. Harry Redknapp is "alleged" to have been seen talking to Patrik Berger.
I wouldn't be entirely surprised if Berger did join Southampton. After all, he's long said that before he retires he wants another final payday; better wages and a big signing on fee, plus the chance to work under a manager he admires without moving house - it was tempting enough for Quashie, and it'll certainly be tempting for the Czech maestro if the offer was there. The fact that Redknapp wouldn't have to pay us a penny would make him even more determined, no doubt. I don't think Berger leaving for Southampton would automatically make him a "Judas" hate figure like has happened to Redknapp or Quashie either; he's done very well for us and doesn't seem like the type who would get involved in a war of words and make things worse for himself.
Shaka Hislop, of course, has been rumoured to be going to Southampton since Redknapp left in November - the Pompey squad even jokingly putting him down as the bookies favourite to follow to St Marys. For a man who has played 100 games for the club I'd like to see him stay as he's certainly a decent keeper and a good influence to have around the club - perhaps as goalkeeping coach now that Alan Knight is leaving - but I can't see it unfortunately. And finally, Steve Stone. I'd like to think he'll be here for another year but questions of fitness and age will start to be asked by some, even though he's as fit as a man half his age. Well, until the last twenty minutes of games, then it tends to fall apart a bit. Even so he's a vital member of the side and his loss would be a very difficult one to fix with no obvious right wing replacement at the club.
The biggest problem is not the sad departure of players who have done well, but it's a case of replacing them. Berger and Stone are two huge talents and getting in a decent and - as will most likely be the case - cheap replacement is going to be a tough call. Still, what do I know? Perhaps they'll both stay and we'll sign a couple of excellent young players into the bargain just to strengthen the squad. Such is the "fun" of football I suppose, you just never know which way it's going to go!
