MIXED FORTUNES

This weekend`s football was, in the immortal words of Paul Merson, like a bag of Revels - an odd mixture with some inconsistencies, some surprises and some unexpected results. There was the good, the bad and the inevitable ugly.

First the good. And what could be more heartwarming than the success achieved by Eddie Howe and his Bournemouth team in overcoming points deductions, administrations, countless changes of ownership, an embargo on signing players and financial crises and yet they find themselves promoted from League Two to League One after a season of admirable and dignified endeavour.

Small wonder that, after their victory away at Burton Albion yesterday, their supporters were singing, "Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we`re going to Saint Mary`s, que sera, sera." For they will indeed be visiting Southampton next season in a long awaited south coast derby which promises to be less fractious than our encounters with Portsmouth, whose self-inflicted meltdown continues.

I was also pleased for my West Ham supporting friends, since the Hammers have secured their place in the top flight for another season, but pleased also for Gianfranco Zola, who seems a genuinely honest, decent man and deserves to be treated as such by the Hammers` pornographic owners. My suspicion is that, sadly, he will not and so another good man will depart the Premier League management scene. Pity - there aren`t many left.

Which brings me on to the bad. But I`m not complaining, for Saints, having beaten Carlisle again yesterday, find themselves in seventh spot - one short of the play-offs and any hope of promotion. What`s bad about it is not so much the fact of falling agonisingly short but more about the fact that the efforts of Alan Pardew and the team to get so close after starting the season with a 10 point deduction, courtesy of the mismanagement of Rupert Lowe, have gone unrewarded. It has been a valliant effort, a hugely enjoyable journey and far from any blame being attached to anyone it has given supporters like me many fond memories, not least the wonderful visit to Wemberly, along with hope and encouragement for next season. So, perhaps not so bad after all.

The ugly, I suppose, might have been a toss up between Portsmouth and Hull City but for me the most depressing aspect of this weekend was the announcement by Alex Ferguson that he has no intention of retiring as manager of Manchester United and so we will be treated to the mumbling inanities of this charmless oaf for a while yet. Ah well, you can`t win them all.