Harry goes Potty as Killer and Wizard return

Last updated : 30 September 2005 By Chris C

These two key players for Saints were major absentees in last season’s Premiership campaign. Saints missed the pace and trickery of Pahars and the dominant figure at the back of Svensson. With Crouch, Phillips and later Camara in the goals, Svensson’s absence and more importantly Saints failure to replace him was more keenly felt, although Harry Redknapp frequently bemoaned the lack of pace in the Saints team that Pahars would have added.

Claus Lundekvam looked a shadow of his former self alongside a series of pretenders to Svensson’s throne, none of whom provided the aggressive partner that Claus’ sweeper game is best suited to. Swedish international Jakobssen at first seemed a decent replacement, but over time was found wanting in the Premiership having the cool head but not the dominance required to deal with opposition strikers. Davenport failed to convince on loan from Tottenham and Harry never quite forgave Kenton for his performance in the 5-1 drubbing at Tottenham.

Svensson has now got through several outings for the reserves and although it was expected that he would feature against Mansfield, he chose to focus on sharpness training with the result that he is finally back in the squad. His performances in the reserves have showed signs of the old dominant Svensson, although he has been clearly lacking the match fitness he requires after so long out of the team.

Many Saints fans have questioned whether they would ever see Marian Pahars in a Saints shirt again. After no less than three ankle operations and countless aborted comebacks, he played a full pre-season only to suffer a hairline fracture of his foot. He then played a full game for the reserves only to then miss training with a bad back. It was a surprise then to see him come off the bench to the delight of the crowd against Reading.

In an age of bland interviews by footballers trained in the art of giving nothing away, it was wonderful to hear Pahars’ emotional reaction to his reception at St. Mary’s:

“The fans in Southampton have always been great with me but to hear the welcome that I got on Wednesday was a special moment. I know you are supposed to be happy about those things but it nearly made me cry!

“The fans were absolutely unbelievable and even back home people don’t treat me like that. I was sat in the dug-out and my body was shaking — I have never experienced anything like that. Words really cannot really explain the lift that the fans gave me so all I can say is thank-you and hopefully I will be able to repay them this season.”

If both Svensson and Pahars can return to full form and fitness and that is a big if after so long out of the game, it will be like signing £10m worth of players. There is no way that Saints could attract such talents to the Championship and let’s hope that their gradual return brings the extra quality to turn the draws into wins.