Portsmouth Defender Distin to Sign New Contract – Says Redknapp
Posted on | July 24, 2009 | No Comments
I have decided to put my optimistic head on again today. I hope the news about Distin is true….what’s that?…..sorry?…..oh I see. It’s not ‘news’, its just Harry Redknapp talking about other clubs’ players during a press conference. Oh well, I’m sure he was just in a reminiscent mood and wishing his old club the best in their attempts to keep a half decent side together. What’s that?…..he has defensive problems and is now on the lookout for a centre back? Oh I see. One of Harry’s attempts to let a player know of his interest in public while seemingly saying that there is no deal to be done. I’m sure no-one will notice, Harry. I did say I was going to put my optimistic head on didn’t I? Sorry, but having a blog conversation with yourself must be the result of officially the most tortuous, drawn out takeover EVER of a football club. And you’ve guessed it folks, it STILL isn’t over yet!
Anyway, back to optimism. Distin strongly and publicly backed Paul Hart last season, presumably beacuse he was so relieved to be able to understand his manager once more after Tony Adams’ tenure. If his teamtalks were anything like his interviews, I’ve got the utmost sympathy for Distin, who was awful under Adams last season but otherwise pretty good. He still has pace and quality and I would love him to sign a new contract. Hopefully the departure of Crouch for £12m ish is the last of the hangover from Sacha’s regin gone wrong, and we can now start keeping hold of players who are only going to bring in £3-5m anyway.
It may be that Al Fahim has taken sole control of the club for now, perhaps with a view to bringing in investors gradually. Due to immediate financial constraints, he has appointed Hart and perhaps intoduced a much needed wage structure. At least I hope this is the case, as his stated vision for the club cannot be achieved on a limited budget. If things were to go according to plan using this approach, I would actually be happier than if vast amounts of money were chucked around immediately. If Paul Hart (and hopefully Brian Kidd) can gel a shoestring team and give some lesser known players the chance to emerge or finally prove themselves, then I couldn’t be happier. My head tells me it will be tough, but on the other hand it’s also a case of looking at the competition, which is nothing to write home about. There are also other clubs in financial trouble and we at least have the advantage of a clean slate.
Told you I could get get my optimism back! But one thing is for sure. We need to see a very swift end to the firesale, and then some positive news in the transfer market. We are weak in all areas now and next season is going to be tough. There’s nothing else for it but to get behind the team and hope for the best.
Tags: Brian Kidd > Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim > Harry Redknapp > Paul Hart > Peter Crouch > Pompey > Portsmouth > Sacha Gaydamak > Sylvain Distin > Tony Adams
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