JUST in case things were not bad enough for Southampton, they play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, a team who have yet to concede a goal, never mind drop a point, at the end of a difficult week. First there was the departure “by mutual agreement” of Paul Sturrock after only two games of the season, then there was a dispiriting 2-1 home defeat by Bolton Wanderers. And somewhere in between was the description of the club as a laughing stock by a selection of former players and managers.
Lawrie McMenemy, Dave Merrington and Mick Channon have poured scorn on the revolving-door policy of managerial appointments during Rupert Lowe’s chairmanship which began in 1996. Since then there have been seven managers. However, Steve Wigley, the new head coach, has insisted that he is not concerned at his prospects in taking over the warmest seat in the Premiership.
Wigley was the director of youth when he took over as caretaker for two games last season after the departure of Gordon Strachan. He intended to return to youth coaching but instead became Sturrock’s assistant, and developed a taste for life on the Premiership touchline. He is adamant that he is not Lowe’s stooge, and will make all the transfer decisions, despite suggestions that the chairman has the final word on signings.
“That’s never been the case,” Wigley said. “We want to bring in an addition to the squad before the deadline and we’ve had somebody in mind for the best part of the last two or three weeks. I’m not saying who it is but I’m fairly confident of getting him.”
Wigley faces the dilemma of all coaches who step up from within a club, that of a changed relationship with the players, but he believes he can handle the transition, even though influential players are said to have undermined Sturrock.
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“I don’t consider myself mates with the players — or they with me,” he said. “We are work colleagues but it is my responsibility to create the right atmosphere. Unfortunately, somebody has lost his job here, which is never good, but it was becoming difficult with a great deal of speculation surrounding this football club. It is not for me to comment on the decisions made.
“But now I, like the previous manager, will get to look at prospective new signings and name my choices. I wasn’t quite ready for the job last season but I think I am now. The main thing for me is to give the supporters something to enjoy and value for money because that is all they ask.”
That did not happen during Wednesday’s defeat by Bolton, but Wigley was forthright about where responsibility lay for the disappointment felt by supporters, who made their disenchantment with recent events very clear.
“They vented their feelings at the board but that was a little unfair. If we’d performed well, that wouldn’t have happened and we didn’t do that.”
A manager claiming that the team’s job is to protect the board from the crowd? Wigley should do well at St Mary’s.