Pompey aiming to build on last season after spending big during the summer.
Pompey to aim for European push
It's seems strange to think that not much more than a year ago Portsmouth had to rely on a run of six wins from nine games to wriggle out of relegation from the Premiership just when it seemed their head had all but disappeared into the Championship quicksand.
Since that escape, inspired by Harry 'Houdini' Redknapp - now re-established as near deity at Fratton Park after his bizarre and ill-fated spell at South Coast rivals Southampton - (how short fans' memories can be), Pompey have enjoyed two summers of substantial investment and now seem anything but potential relegation fodder.
Last season saw the club finish ninth - their highest top-flight finish in over half a century - and they were mighty unfortunate not to secure European football.
It says much of Redknapp's nous in the transfer market, and skill on the training pitch, that in the space of a little over 12 months Pompey have gone from also-rans with one eye on the wrong end of the table, to an established Premiership force who head into the new season hoping, and - in the case of those fans who always overdose on optimism around this time - even expecting to secure European qualification this time around.
Much of that improvement can be laid at the door of a certain Alexandre Gaydamak - the South Coast's answer to Roman Abramovich, just marginally less shady and without the shabby beard.
His roubles have allowed Redknapp the opportunity to significantly bolster his squad and, never one to shy away from the chance to bring in a new face or two, Harry has been busy for the second summer running.
Defensive strength
A good deal of Pompey's success last term was built on a watertight defence marshalled superbly by old heads Sol Campbell and David James whose outstanding performances rather predictably saw them drawing clichéd comparisons with fine wine.
But despite boasting the seventh meanest defence last time around, Redknapp has moved to strengthen it once again with the captures of Sylvain Distin (an excellent free transfer from Manchester City), Hermann Hreidarsson (a free transfer from Charlton) and youngster Martin Cranie who opted to join from Southampton having worked under Redknapp at St Mary's.
Glen Johnson has returned to Chelsea following his season-long loan, but with a full pre-season under his belt this time, Lauren should provide a very accomplished alternative.
It seems likely that James, Lauren, Campbell, Distin and Hreidarsson will pick themselves most weeks - although Linvoy Primus and Dejan Stefanovic will ensure very decent competition.
Muntari boost
The midfield will undoubtedly be boosted by the arrival of Ghana international Sully Muntari with Redknapp's year-long pursuit having finally born fruit this summer.
The African may have cost £7 million from Udinese, but he is a class act and will add real quality, strength and energy. He could be deployed on the left, but with Matthew Taylor around Redknapp may well push Muntari into the middle.
If that is the case, he appears likely to partner Pedro Mendes in the engine room with Sean Davis now seemingly on the peripherty after a summer in which he was linked with numerous moves away from the club.
Gary O'Neill was a fixture down the right last season, but Redknapp has made noises that he may employ another new signing, John Utaka, in that role with the pacey Nigerian perhaps offering more of a goal threat.
The likes of Nico Krancjar and Arnold Mvuemba will also be better for a pre-season in England so there is quality to come in as well.
Nugent gets top-flight chance
Up front, Harry was the man to win the race for David Nugent with around £4.5-6 million (depending on who you believe) being splashed out on the England international.
He appears, at first look, an astute signing, and there was certainly no shortage of interest the 22-year-old, but the former Preston man carries a hefty price-tag given the fact he has yet to prove himself a regular scorer at the top-level - he now has the chance to demonstrate he can do just that.
Whether he will start remains to be seen as Benjani - very sharp in pre-season by all accounts - Lomana Tresor LuaLua, last season's top-scorer Nwankwo Kanu and Utaka, if Harry chooses to use him there, are already on the books and all have strong cases for inclusion.
So Pompey certainly look stronger once again and you would imagine that Mr Gaydamak is not just doing all this for the goodness of his heart and is expecting some kind of return on his investment.
What kind of return? Well, Redknapp's merry band certainly seem well enough equipped to match and even improve last season's 'achievements' and are unlikely to be losing too many games at fortress Fratton Park.
Can they make Europe this time? Quite possibly. Will they make a surprise push for the top four? No. But they should certainly be looking down at the table from the top half once again and, given where they were two seasons back, that can't be all bad.
