|
Saints manager Chris Nicholl knew a thing or two about centre-halves,
having been one himself and, in the summer of 1988, he rescued Russell
Osman from playing 2nd Division football with Leicester City. The
stylish central defender had won fame and England recognition under
Bobby Robson at Ipswich and yet to turn 30, he still had plenty to offer
in top-flight football. The fee of £325, 000 had to be settled by an
independent tribunal as the clubs could not agree a price. He settled
quickly, making his debut in the opening match of 1988-89, a 4-0
drubbing of West Ham and throughout that season partnered Kevin Moore
and then Neil Ruddock in the heart of the defence. His steadying
influence was of particular use to the latter who, although a fine
defender, sometimes got carried away in the heat of the moment. The
following season Russell continued in much the same vein but added
another dimension to his play by becoming something of a goal scorer. He
scored 4 in as many games at the beginning of 1990 including a couple
of crackers at The Dell against Everton.
Saints eventually finished 7th
and had, during the year, played some impressive football. With Shearer,
Rod Wallace and Le Tissier in the forward line there were plenty of
goals scored and some notable scalps taken including a memorable 4-1
defeat of Liverpool. Russell was ever reliable and again began the 90-91
campaign in possession of the no. 6 shirt with Moore and Ruddock
disputing the right to be his partner. The season was not a patch on the
previous one and although the club finished 8 points clear of
relegation the Board decided to dispense with Nicholl's services. One of
the manager's last actions had been to sanction the signing of Jon
Gittens from Swindon and Russell had been displaced for the final run
in. New manager, Ian Branfoot, initially picked him at left-back for the
opening four games of 1991-92 but he was not happy playing there and
with the signing of Steve Wood, not to mention the emergence of Richard
Hall, Russell's days were numbered and he duly accepted a £60,000
transfer to Bristol City in the December. (Duncan Holley).
1976–1985 Ipswich Town 294 (17)
1985–1988 Leicester City 108 (8)
1988–1991 Southampton 96 (6)
1991–1994 Bristol City 70 (3)
1995 Sudbury Town
1995 Plymouth Argyle 0 (0)
1995–1996 Brighton & Hove Albion 12 (0)
1996 Cardiff City 15 (0)
Total 595 (34 games)
|