Belmadi signs extended deal

Last updated : 29 August 2005 By Chris C

Despite interest from several Premiership clubs, Belmadi chose to stay with the Saints after impressing on trial on Saints’ pre-season tour of Scotland. There were question marks when he signed an initial one month deal. Surely if he impressed Saints would face the galling prospect of again losing out to a Premiership club for his signature.

Harry made it clear from his comments that he wanted to tie him down to a longer contract much earlier: “He is a proper footballer! It was a bit of a battle to get him because not everyone was in favour of me bringing him in. Some people are against bringing players in on trial but I have always done it.

“I like Belmadi - he is my type of player. He plays with his head up, keeps the ball and he passes it. And his goal was a bit special. He has real ability. He has played at the top level in France and he would be a terrific signing on a free.”

Belmadi showed that the appreciation is mutual when celebrating his superb solo effort against Crewe by sprinting to the touch line to embrace his manager. Tellingly Harry looked up at the director’s box as if to say I told you so!

Saints fans were scratching their heads to wonder why he hadn’t been signed up earlier, but Rupert Lowe clarified that a contract had been agreed prior to the Crewe game and how Belmadi repaid the faith with a quality display of passing and moving. Given that he is only 29 it does raise the question of why he was only given a one-year deal, particularly as he has had to prove his ability the hard way, first on trial, then on a short-term contract.

His first league appearance for Saints was against Wolves and despite several neat touches he looked unfit and out of touch. He was dropped for the next game against Luton, but returned for the win against Sheffield Wednesday impressing with his link play and retention of the ball.

Since then he has improved with every game culminating in his display against Crewe. It is no coincidence that as his fitness has improved so have Saints and the understanding he showed with Nigel Quashie will give Saints fans a lot of hope for the future.