Season shape-up - Portsmouth

We look at how sides are gearing up for the new campaign

Last updated: 11th July 2008  

Season shape-up - Portsmouth

Redknapp: Has raised the bar

PORTSMOUTH TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Ins: Glen Little (Reading, free transfer), Ben Sahar (six-month loan from Chelsea)
Outs: None to date

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Portsmouth are a club on the up. With FA Cup winner and wheeler-dealer Harry Redknapp at the helm, European football on the horizon and plans to build a new 36,000-seater waterfront stadium, the outlook is rosy for The Blue Army. And as the South Coast city gears itself for another campaign of progression, James Dall casts a beady eye over whether the Pompey Chimes will be echoing around Fratton Park come May.

What's happened so far

This summer, Portsmouth have been afforded the luxury of stretching out on the green turf to bask in last term's FA Cup glory and not-to-be-sniffed-at eighth-placed finish in the Premier League. Success, however, especially in the world of football, is followed by the heightened yearn of expectation.

Redknapp has raised the bar, and it is for this very reason that he must reach for his thinking cap, pull it on tight, and shield his eyes from the glare of transfer complexity in search of acquisitions that complement his current set-up. Never has the adage 'quality not quantity' rung truer.

The signing of Peter Crouch is certainly a step in the right direction.

As expected, transfer prattle has been plentiful. Numerous players from near and afar have been linked with switches to Pompey - the majority of which have been steeped in conjecture. For example, it seems unlikely that Internazionale's Patrick Vieira is set to swap Santa Maria delle Grazie for the Spinnaker Tower.

However, the likes of free agent Nolberto Solano and apparently unsettled Yossi Benayoun seem more tangible targets, while Redknapp appears to have won his battle in retaining the services of Niko Kranjcar, amid reported weighty interest from higher up the football pyramid - a testament to the club's ambition.

20th June saw the club's first arrival in the form of right-midfielder Glenn Little from Reading. Probably not quite the glitz and glamour name some supporters had in mind, but the consistent (when fit) 32-year-old, who missed the majority of last season through injury, could yet prove a sturdy addition.

A little further down the road saw the fidgety Lassana Diarra voice his customary commitment to Portsmouth, while the experienced Kanu expressed his assurance that he would soon sign on the dotted line on a new 12-month contract after he made a specified number of appearances last season.

Next saw the acquisition of Chelsea teenager Ben Sahar on a six-month loan deal. The Israel international has spent time at Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday, and is hungry to prove his worth in England's top flight. Sahar is a pacey forward and will provide Pompey with depth up front.

Then came talk of a return for the much-travelled Crouch. Rumours of a Redknapp reunion soon gathered pace, and on 9th July the beanpole striker agreed personal terms with the South Coast club after a frustrating last campaign at Liverpool. Crouch is set to link-up with fellow England international Jermain Defoe - the combo could reap rich dividends.

What they need

We'll start from the back, shall we? In goal, things look ship-shape. David James, last season's shot-stopper in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, surely has another season or two in him, while Asmir Begovic - who recently inked a new deal and boasts potential - and Jamie Ashdown offer sound cover.

While the centre of defence booms a boisterous and experienced tone, it seems wise for Redknapp to scoop a gifted youngster who would be willing to learn his trade from the likes of Sol Campbell et al, and dip his toe in the occasional cup encounter.

Right-back is well stocked with a fine mix of promise and know-how, but left-back could do with fortifying. Hermann Hreidarsson is ageing, while the role is not Noe Pamarot's natural position.

A little further up the pitch and Redknapp may think of investing in a left-sided midfielder. The centre, however, is jam-packed - with up to seven players competing for two starting berths. The addition of Little, meanwhile, has added balance to Pompey's right side.

With Crouch all-but back in Portsmouth blue, Redknapp has sufficient firepower at his fingertips. Defoe achieved a marvellous return of eight goals in 12 Premier League games after joining the club from Tottenham in January, while the unpredictable Kanu provides variation from the substitutes' bench.

What they'll get

Using all his market know-how, Redknapp has been typically astute and visited the summer sales early doors. With much of his shopping all-but done and dusted, it is simply a case of fine-tuning his unit. Left-back is likely to be the next aisle of interest on the boss' list.

Celestine Babayaro, released by Newcastle United at the end of last season, is available and currently on trial. He is no spring chicken at 29-years-old, but would offer a cheaper alternative to reported target Nicky Shorey - who seems unwilling to ply his trade in the Championship next season.

Centrally, Richard Dunne had looked an excellent prospect for Portsmouth, but that was until new Manchester City boss Mark Hughes tied him down on a four-year deal. Younes Kaboul has been linked with a switch, however after a shaky debut term at Tottenham and first-team football his main priority, a move would seem improbable.

Redknapp may also rid his cupboards of those players whose sell-by-dates are nearing their end or that he has simply lost a taste for. One of Pedro Mendes or Sean Davis may leave, with the latter reportedly disgruntled after his FA Cup final snub. Richard Hughes, content with a bit-part role, is likely to remain while rumours of a return for Gary O'Neil have been quashed after he committed his future to Middlesbrough.

Fan's view - Ben West

Like most Portsmouth fans, I was ecstatic with our performance last season: finished eighth, won the FA Cup and the construction of a brilliant team that works together.

With European football next season, I feel that things can only get better - and while I'd be happy with another top 10 league position and a decent defence of the Cup (also somehow qualifying for Europe again) I'd be looking at rising one place in the league to seventh, and having a good Uefa Cup run to put us a bit more on the map.

The only players that look likely to leave, are Diarra and Kranjcar. Good targets for problem positions are Crouch, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Shorey.

We're not far away from a great squad, but we need a killer starting eleven, with ruthless crossing and finishing.

As for the pre-season antics, they're looking fantastic, and while Nigeria is a tad out of the way for most fans, the prospect of playing Manchester United so frequently means that there's got to be a result in one of those matches! I'm glad we're at Wembley again.

What do you think of Portsmouth's transfer progress so far? Let us know using the form below.

Comments (23)

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Callum Anderson (Chelsea fan) says...

shaun wright-phillips will be an excellent signing for portsmouth and it was devastating how we spent £21 million on him and yet still never gave him any football. if you ask me where portsmouth really need cover though its a back up for kranjcar on the left side of midfield, and although many portsmouth fans may not like this i think the ex southampton midfielder djamel belmadi would provide excellent cover. harry redknapp knows him well from when he managed him at southampton and djamel played absolutely astounding football under him whilst he was there, although he is unproven in the premiership and could turn out to be another david nugent.

Posted 15:51 14th July 2008

Dave Perry (Portsmouth fan) says...

Great addition to the squad in crouch, Swp looks like it could happen, we might have sell to buy him though. Its a dream really as a Portsmouth fan at the moment it's like the football manager 08 game only real. I think if we get the players mentioned ie swp shorey mensah then we have a great chance of 5th spot and maybe an outside chance of pushing for 4th if one of the big guns slip up. Europe will be interesting hope we can at least get out the group stage, a good defence of the FA cup and a good showing in the league cup. Cant wait roll on August and wembley

Posted 12:35 13th July 2008

Nick P (Portsmouth fan) says...

Pompey are 3 players off having a perfect squad in my opinion. we need a young left winger someone who is content to sit on the bench and learn off krancjar and who can step in as we have alot of games net season esp if we have good cup runs whic hopefully we will. we also need a left back bridge would be a fantastic purchase i believe we are the type of club he would love to play for as well. one where he will be looked at more and noticed more for the england set up. the last position we need cover for is right wing. this is where i would love to see swp come in if not may aaron lennon from spurs. (if swp goes there may be able to get him) i do like utaka and think he will have a big part to playi just think harry knows that he cant play him in a 442 and so he would be fored to play his 433. i believe centre back we will be alright till january or next year as we have linvoy as cover back as well as pamarot. this is including marc wilson who was from what ive heard impressive in his loan spells and then there is martin craine as well who was in and around the first time till he went out on loan. all in all i think this season will be a massive one for pompey im not expecting much in europe i think harry will be cautious and it will cost us. but we have to be careful with fixtures look at bolton and west ham when harry was there who struggled in the league as a result i think nugent will prove his critics wrong this season at least i hope so. aimer would also be an immense signing although we need to offload some central midfields id say diop and davis defo should go and mendes if we get a good enough offer altho i think he still has alot to offer and so we should make sure we get a good price. PUP

Posted 17:49 12th July 2008

Andy Payne (Portsmouth fan) says...

Where do Pompey go from here? Being realistic its hard to imagine we can top last years efforts, especially with the very welcome distraction of the UEFA cup. Having said that, you look around and theres few teams outside the top 4 that Pompey cant look straight in the eye at which is testiment to King Harry's vision. With Crouchie and, hopefully, SWP, all I see is a side with stength in depth and quality all the way round the pitch. The biggest threats next season I see coming from Everton and Spurs, who I believe wont under acheive this year. Many City, Newcastle and West Ham flatter to deceive sometimes and I think Blackburn have made a big mistake in appointing a manager with no premiership experience. I can see them struggling this year. I think you could put your house on Hull and Bristol going down but West Brom will be OK, they showed what they could do in the Semi last year and theve added well since and wish them all the best. I fancy Wigan for the drop also but it will be close between them, Bolton and Fulham.

Posted 00:17 11th July 2008

Jordan Draper (Portsmouth fan) says...

With the addition of Peter Crouch, I believe Pompey will be a force to reckon with this season! Jermaine Defoe, Peter Crouch, potentially SWP and Nicky Shorey would mould a fantastic portsmouth squad! Addittions to the squad which I would only have dreamt of! Although I think we have far too many central midfielders, what with the likes of Muntari, Mendes, Davis, Diarra, Hughes and Diop. So we could do with some re shuffling there!! FA Cup, we'll give it another shot!! Play up Pompey!

Posted 22:40 10th July 2008

Dan Wallis (Arsenal fan) says...

Harry Redknapp is a good guy and has always impressed me the way he has gone about in the transfer market. Good luck next season Portsmouth Fc.

Posted 22:29 10th July 2008

Craig Harbison (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Cant believe that all of these top players are being linked with Portsmouth. Portsmouth are a tiny club and yet Crouch and Defoe have moved their this season. Crouch snubbed alot of big clubs in the premiership, to play infront of 20,000 uninthusiastic pompey fans. Whats that all about. Pompey are such a small club their has onley been 4 comments wrote on this topic in 24hours. If use didnt win the FA cup people from country like spain, france and italy would think you were like a southampton or a Leicester.

Posted 21:06 10th July 2008

Adam Ware (Portsmouth fan) says...

Priority number one - another top 10 finish, priority number 2 - a good run in the EUFA Cup, maybe the semi's after that I think anything extra will be a bonus. Pompey are still growing and there are a lot of stairs to climb before we are a top, but it's great watching those stairs!!!

Posted 20:45 10th July 2008

Tj Hooker (Portsmouth fan) says...

Great times to be a Pompey fan for sure. The progression over recent years is nothing short of astounding considering where we were only a few short years ago. The recruitment of Crouch is a quality move for Redknapp which will also land Pompey with an England front line. There is no doubt that the acquisition of SWP would be another master stroke, but things appear a little too quiet on that front for my liking, but things take time and hopefully that time is sufficient for us to beat others to his signature. The proposed signing of Hyland is interesting to me considering our midfield is jam packed already. Is he left sided? I don't know, but perhaps he's a worthy replacement for Diop who for many Pompey fans just isn't good enough. Sure he has the size on his side but is that really enough. In defence I agree that some cover is needed particularly n the left, no disrespect to Hermann Hreidarsson who has been outstanding for us but we do need cover on that side in case he gets injured. NOt sure that Babayaro is the answer there, but Harry has resurrected many careers and Babayaro could be a surprise package. I am pleased with the news that Harry wants to keep players, especially Nugent, I do think he can make it given the chance. For me if anyone wouldn't be missed should they go it would be Diop. We have the making a a great team with fantastic times ahead for sure...Play Up Pompey.

Posted 20:12 10th July 2008

Adam L (Portsmouth fan) says...

SWP, Crouch (OK, it's nearly done already, but I'm taking nothing for granted), Nicky Shorey/Wayne Bridge and Younes Kaboul, possibly allowing Davis and Pamarot (much as I like them) to leave, would just about complete a dream Pompey squad for this year. However, they would all be pretty expensive (in the region of £25-£30million for the four of them), and I'm worried about the Babayaro issue. He's the sort of player 'Arry likes to do a favour by handing a contract to, but any Premier League club with self-respect should run a mile from a man who failed a trial at LA Galaxy recently. Still, I'm just over the moon that we are where we are - after dour 4-1 losses to Leyton Orient under a decade ago, who wouldn't be? Play Up Pompey, here's hoping for another amazing season with Harry at the helm.

Posted 20:04 10th July 2008

Liam Ingram (Portsmouth fan) says...

Great for us to get crouchie, him and defoe upfront will be amazing.... now we need wright-phillips, kaboul and aimar :) BLUE ARMY

Posted 18:19 10th July 2008

Dan Casey (Portsmouth fan) says...

I can't help but mention that although Crouch is a great player, I still hold a lot of contempt for him ("If Crouch can play for England so can I!" - a fondly remembered chant when we visited Anfield and he missed a penalty) - it's a shame he is a great player and the only real option available to us at the moment. In response to an earlier comment, I believe Utaka is going to flourish next year, and that our right side of midfield is complete with the backup signing of Glenn Little. We definitely need a new centre back, I'm of the personal opinion that Sol Campbell was showing signs at the end of last season that his class is starting to dip. As much as Linvoy is close to the heart, he isn't the option anymore; it was devastating not to land Richard Dunne. I'm surprised that Albey wasn't even mentioned for the left back berth - he did an alright job against Man City earlier in the season, and Hermann Hreidarsson was an absolute hero last season, unquestionnably an unsung hero of last season's success. Our priority is a centre back, without question. Another thing - I'm baffled by the media battering of Pedro Mendes; he is still a top class player who I'm sure we'd love to keep - he's just itching for first team football, but not for a second would we want to see him leave. And another correction - Richard Hughes definitely isn't content with a bit-part role, so James Dall needs to cast his attention a little closer to previous press releases, especially those of Richard Hughes. Out with Bouba Diop - he really looked out of his depth against any side, and was absolutely dwarfed in FA Cup Final - he's big but can't win headers, and I've never seen a player that looks so uncomfortable sliding a ball 5 yards to a teammate in my life. I was pleased with his signing, and his first couple of games he was top notch - but it was a steady decline that turned him into a fan villian come the end of the season.

Posted 18:14 10th July 2008

Ben Nicholas (Portsmouth fan) says...

Crouch is an excellent signing exactly what we needed. ive heard rumours of pablo aimar signing from recently relegated zaragoza.him swp kaboul and babayaro for me would be brilliant bits of buisness for portsmouth. pup

Posted 17:48 10th July 2008

Will Fisk (Portsmouth fan) says...

All we really need is a new left back and winger and possibly a young centre half. Crouch and Defoe is a partnership to fear without a doubt. I personally would go with Babayaro as a good cover left back. If we were to go with SWP and someone like John Mensah then to me we would have a squad capable of challenging in the latter stages of the UEFA Cup whilst making progress in the league yet again. It has NEVER been this good supporting Pompey before.

Posted 17:28 10th July 2008

Keith Thripp (Portsmouth fan) says...

I think Harry Redknapp is one of the best managers around and he has the knack of bringing out the best of all the players he has brought to Fratton Park. This season will be another great one so im real proud to be a Pompey Supporter , Will Sean Wright Phillips finish up in our dream team ?????????

Posted 17:16 10th July 2008

Robin Leith (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Looking forward to seeing Portsmouth perform this season. Defoe was a great signing and Crouch should be the perfect foil. After so many years of living in Southamptons shadow it is great to see them setting the standard for the South coast.

Posted 17:13 10th July 2008

Sonny Singh (Portsmouth fan) says...

I think Harry Redknapp is a ''total legend''. The only way is up for Portsmouth Football Club, I mean who would of said at the start of last season that Pompey would finish eighth, and FA cup winners what a journey it has been for Harry and the Team. With Harry adding Peter Crouch to the squad i really think that Pompey are going places next season. Firstly we need to retain the FA cup also securing a top 10 place in the league and get through as many stages of europe as possible. Pompey need to get off to a flying start even though we are playing the big guns first. This will then hopefully keep the stamina and spirit going throughout the rest of the season. With the squad Harry is building we should have no problems next season. The next development that needs to take place now is the long awaited new 36,000 capacity stadium, if we are featuring in european football we need to raise our standards and compete with other european stadiums. Pompey will be playing some awsome football next season we will be the team to watch out for, a new surprise package.

Posted 15:17 10th July 2008

Kevin Cuckow (Sunderland fan) says...

I honestly believe that if any team can break the top 4 over the next few years consistantly then it's Pompey and Spurs. If Pompey didn't have the FA Cup final to think about last year (and it did distract them), they would have taken 5th place. However this season coming could be even more memorable if they can acquire the services of SWP, also either Bridge or Kaboul. I know Bridge was once from the non mentionable down the road, but so was Crouch and Harry for a little time. With those in place not only would we be looking at a formidible first X1, but also 5 or 6 England regulars. So 5th or 6th at the worst. Hope sunderland and Keane can do something similar for Sunderland. Good luck Pompey, think it's gonna be another great season.

Posted 14:47 10th July 2008

Matt Flaherty (Portsmouth fan) says...

By all accounts Little could do a fantastic job (if he remains fit) on the right which is where Pompey suffered last season, I would like to see SWP come in with Shorey and Mensah in defence, that will give us the depth and strength to push on for this campaign. I would think that most teams in the premiership will not be relishing a visit to or from Pompey with their new look strikeforce, I can see Crouch and Defoe causing all sorts of problems. You would hope for a top half finish but it will be tough with Europe as a distraction, but Harry knows what he is doing and you can only see good things for the upcoming season.

Posted 14:40 10th July 2008

Adam Miller (Portsmouth fan) says...

I think this is our year to show everyone who Pompey are. can't wait to see Crouchie in a Pompey shirt again and alongside Defoe. cannot believe we are getting these players into Portsmouth. All we need is Shaun Wright-Phillips, a left back and a new ground to pay for more big names so come on Portsmouth council and agree to this new ground. PLAY UP POMPEY

Posted 14:32 10th July 2008
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