Saints Skacel on thin ice
Last updated : 20 August 2008 By Chris C
It's hard to think of a more frustrating signing than Rudi Skacel. He arrived with cult hero status and has shown glimpses of the free scoring talent that he promised under George Burley at Hearts, but it's never quite happened for him.
He was hindered by a lack of pre-season when he first arrived and has had more than his fair share of fitness problems. Despite some impressive cameos, assists and even the odd goal, he never quite established himself in the side with either a loss of form, Surman's breakthrough or Burley's reshuffles limiting his impact at left back.
After arguably his best performance in a Saints shirt against Norwich, he was shipped out on loan to Hertha, again a tantalising glimpse of his talent. With a fee already agreed he was not expected to return and indeed achieved his aim of breaking into the Czech international squad for Euro 2008, even if he didn't actually make it on the pitch.
The move never came about leaving Saints with a high earner still on the books and the expected transfer fee failing to materialise. Then a move to Ipswich failed at the last minute with a fee reportedly agreed but personal terms proving a stumbling block.
As with several other high earners Saints, have the dilemma that clubs outside of the top leagues are unwilling to both pay a decent fee and match the high wages Saints are paying.
With Skacel expected to move on, Poortlviet has understandably kept him out of the first team picture to try and mould his young team after yet another summer reshuffle of personnel.
Along with Euell, Skacel was given a runout in the reserves to preserve his fitness and even with a view to assessing his performance should a move fail to come off.
Unfortunately, Skacel limped off towards the end of a forgettable first half in what the club described as a 'precuation'. Concern has grown after Mark Wotte confirmed that he is currently on crutches and will be out for 'at least' a week. Let's hope we can take that comment at face value as you wouldn't expect an injury requiring crutches to heal in just a week.
If indeed the injury is worse than expected Saints may face the nightmare scenario of having a high wage earner neither available for selection or transfer, a situation that would put further pressure on the club to sell the players they really do want to keep. A situation that would severely test the patience of the fans after the departure of player of the season Andrew Davies from whom so much was expected this season.
