Rahdi Jaidi has signed a new deal but this could mean departures.

Most Saints fans will welcome the new one year deal awarded to Rahdi Jaidi this week but this could have ramifications to other squad members, althouth Jaidi had a decent season in League One and obviously still has the hunger and desire to keep playin, Saints clearly had issues in the central defensive positions.

Most Saints supporters I have spoken to whilst appreciative of Jaidi's efforts recognised that if we are to tighten up at the back we really need to sign a truly Championship class central defender to play alongside Fonte, in fairness to Jaidi and with all respect to him, he will be 36 in August and last season he felt the pace at times and had to be rested, not to mention niggling injuries which are a hazard at that age, Jaidi did well to start 2/3's of the total league games last term, but in truth thats about his maximum given the number of games Saints will play.

This means that Saints either have to rely on what they have or still sign someone as first choice.

Taking the option of relying on what we have, that doesnt look that viable at this moment in time, to be blunt Dan Seaborne didnt look comfortable in League one and the step up to the Championship might just be a step too far for him, Aaron Martin looks to have promise, but clearly last season Nigel Adkins did not rate him and this showed in the number of games Martin got under him, either Adkins is going to take a great big leap of faith with Martin or we have to go out and buy someone.

But if we do that we will be top heavy on central defenders, I cannot see the Chairman letting Adkins have the luxury of five centre halves on the books, that being the case at least one will have to go, but will it be Martin who would be the simple option being out of contract, or will we look to try and get at least part of our money back on Seaborne, personally I would go for the latter.

My personal view on this contract is we have perhaps let sentiment get in the way of being pragmatic, whilst Jaidi did do a job for Saints, at his age i cannot see him being up to the pressures of the Championship, he was caught out for pace at times in League One and like many of his co defenders was prone to the odd individual error or two as was shown at Brighton & Walsall, a good option for cover perhaps, but if we are looking to press on, not the man for the job, I hope Im proved wrong, but this deal will start to show Saints intent for next season, either we are going to be satisfied with what we have already got for next year at the back  or this is the start of a rebuilding programme that will see new signings but will spell the end of their Saints careers for Martin & Seaborne or possibly both.     

Photo: Action Images

chasaint80 added 10:29 - May 18 Didn't we sign that 17 year old from Plymouth aswell to play there
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Kiwifiedpom added 10:31 - May 18 I personally think that Jaidi has been retained because of his experienced. Adkins is clearly pursueing a policy of recruiting players with a future and if anyone is to go I think it will Seaborne. But I suspect Martin will become 1st choice ultimately. Promotion was essential 2010/11. For next year Adkins has two luxuries. 1 A summer to prepare and 2 Promotion is a luxury this year consolidation will be the priority. So Adkins will have time to prepare for a serious assault on the Championship the following year. Harding is someone who might considered surplus to requirments and Hammond is another who might be out of his depth in the Championship. Apart from that I think it will be a case of wait and see

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Kiwifiedpom added 10:36 - May 18 I like Harding, his forays down the left flank are quite penetrating. But he left that flank exposed defensively.
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st_bangkok added 10:42 - May 18 Not sure we can read anything into this, but i have an awful feeling like many that we may see martin leaving as Adkins clearly did not rate him last term.
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legod7 added 12:28 - May 18 Perhaps NA is keeping Jaidi as a squad player as back up for Fonte and not to play alongside him.We were very fortunate last season that Fonte played virtually every game. Perhaps he will now sign an experienced centre half to play alongside Fonte and let either Martin or Seabourne go. I did not see enough of Martin to really assess how competent he would be in the Championship but I have always rated Seabourne who can PLAY the ball out of defence

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mg2104 added 13:11 - May 18 le god7 by your use of the word 'play' the ball out of defence I assume you mean passing it out on the deck/finding a Saints player. IMO Seabourne does neither, he frequently hits the long ball from the back which more often than not loses us the ball and puts us under pressure again. His left foot is OK. His one-on-one ability however is not that great, I'm remembering how he was well passed by CMS against Peterborough at London Rd. I'd very much rather a new CB to go alongside Fonte with Seabourne to go with Martin and Jaidi as backup.

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PatfromPoole added 13:15 - May 18 I thought it was announced at that recent awards dinner that Martin (along with Butterfield?) had been offered a new contract???
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legod7 added 16:48 - May 18 Yes mg2104 I did mean "play " the ball out of defence. To pick out 1 game against probably the best striker in League 1 is not a very fair assessment of Seabourne's ability. In the Championship you need defenders who can play the ball. I did actually say in my post an experienced CB to play along side Fonte.
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