Saints sign two on transfer deadline day

Last updated : 01 September 2005 By Chris C

For once our Rumour Mill was not too wide of the mark in predicting the arrivals of Tejera and a mystery Polish midfielder from Wizla Krakow, although it didn’t help that it picked the wrong one! However, despite Harry’s best efforts to get in a striker, Rupert Lowe confirmed on Radio Solent that there would be none arriving at the club.

While hardly household names in this country, Saints have done well to bring in two internationals to the club and Saints fans are looking forward to seeing if Harry has unearthed more gems to match the likes of free signings Hajto and Belmadi.

Kamil Kosowski was on loan at Bundesliga side Kaiserlautern last season and was linked with the likes of Lazio and boasts 35 caps for Poland. Given his calibre, it appears that Tomasz Hajto has done ‘a Shearer’ in selling Saints to the player. Best of all, Saints have finally acquired a left-sided player.

Provided he settles in, Harry will no doubt be looking for him to provide width and creativity from the left side of midfield, although it remains to be seen if he can also provide cover for our solitary left-back Danny Higginbotham. This may allow Belmadi to move to the right of midfield providing more balance to the Saints midfield.

Perhaps Harry will finally revert to the 3-5-2 formation he persisted with in pre-season, although there are question marks over who could play the right wing-back role, unless Delap makes a return to the first team.

Marcelo Tejera is something of an unknown. South American players have a mixed record playing in England and at 32 he is reaching the end of his career. Harry has admitted he is taking ‘a punt’ on the attacking midfielder and you have to wonder how he will stand up to the aggressive nature of the Championship.

He comes with the reputation of a free kick specialist which will be a welcome addition as Saints have lacked this since the departure of James Beattie. Harry has stated he is looking for extra variety in the squad and both Tejera and Kosowski will provide this.

As for where Tejera will play, Harry has said: “He is a free spirit. He can play off the striker or in the whole and he would give us an extra option.” Given that Saints have failed to sign the proven striker Harry was after, it would seem that Harry would use him alongside a solitary striker to link midfield and attack in the Teddy Sheringham mode.

Welcome to Saints, lads.