May 2008

The season 2007/08 finished and many players have already gone on holidays with our future at Saints as uncertain. It has been the oddest season I have ever gone through with all the possible odds in just one season. We have had terrible results and have gone from playing play offs to escape from relegation to League 1.  We've had 3 new boardrooms and chairmen and 3 gaffers (Burley, Gorman and Pearson). With no doubt the players are dissapointed for not achieving the targets this season. We know that even the best football club can have the best planification but that does not guarantee the best results because football is a funny game. What I have gone through this season has been like playing in 6 different seasons. Basically too many changes and off the pitch issues which have affected the targets of the team for the season. It has confused the fans and the team and we have been an unsettled team all the season. However in my opinion the team cannot avoid any blame but it's also others to blame for it. In the end of the season the team has got together and worked hard to avoid the disaster for the club against all odds.

The arrival of the gaffer, Nigel Pearson, has brought an effect of pride, courage and discipline in the team. We have gone through bitter moments, disciplinary actions, confusion and embarrasment this season. We were one of the best squads of the championship last summer. Nigel has put all this behind and taken important and brave decisions. He has shown such a big commitment, honesty, discipline and fitness and we have been motivated and changed our performance and attitude during most of the time playing some good games as the one against the top table team, Bristol. We were already in trouble and it has been very difficult and we had to accept some of the criticism but we found strength and courage to win the points we needed to avoid the relegation for such an important club as Southampton FC.

Nigel Pearson has been the man who has brought pride back to this team. He arrived with some criticism and doubts, with the transfer window closed, with the coaching staff already in place. It was just him against all the odds and get the target. He brought a couple of good defenders who brought more quality and safety. But also with the injuries of our 3 goalkeepers for long term, he also impacted by bringing a top goalkeeper in Richard Wright. Just a few actions to strengthen the team and he did well in all of them. I must say I admire this man. His speeches, tactics knowledge and winning attitude to succeed has really impacted me. In my 15 years career, John Toshack became my most admired gaffer just as somebody I would like to imitate one day. And Nigel Pearson in Southampton has reminded me of that hunger and passion to win. He has also made me a better player and has improved the team who were really scared and frustrated. He has put us all together and made us play as a team in spite of the injuries, off the pitch issues and disciplinary actions. Everything was against him when he joined us.

It's very important that Southampton FC restores the financial and sport stability now with the new boardroom. The staff and the fans must all work together in one direction for good of the club. And the players who continue in the club must not forget what they have felt these last months with the help of fans and staff of the club because it has been very inspiring in moments of need and fear and the club does not deserve to go through this again. It's a beautiful football club and I am very fond of it now. When I joined I was told there was a special Spirit in this club but I have only noticed something special when the gaffer arrived. He transformed the mood of the squad, the staff and fans. During that period it was as if we had been together for longer than these two seasons. The support given by the fans in such a bitter moment has been impressive. I have watched how Matthew Le Tissier celebrated the goals when reporting the game against Sheffield Utd on SKY SPORTS and now I admire the love that this man has got for Southampton. I met Matt last season in an afternoon out arranged by the skipper with the team and Le Tissier in order to stick together after a bad defeat.

I have a winning attitude and I hate losing games. It's something very common in the footballers but in my case it's well known from the days at Real Sociedad. As captain under John Toshack I was soon educated in the ambition of winning games in la liga against the giants of football. Nigel has increased that passion to play and win. He speaks face to face and corrects any detail. With no doubt I would love to work under Nigel Pearson and help Southampton FC to restore leadership and right attitude as to fight for the promotion next season. Southampton FC deserves that great season which has been waiting for 3 seasons now... and I wish I can be part of that. We'll see what happens in the near future but in the meantime, have a good summer and now have a good rest. And support Spain in the Euro Championship! My friend Xabi Alonso might shine! And thank you for all the support this year. You have been admirable too.

Here you have a website about my thoughts and career and you will find regularly some updates and I will answer your emails personally if you want to ask or tell me something.

Best wishes,

Iņigo Idiakez