Pompey News

April 2006 - Posts

• Is Benjani worth 4.1Million? For Pompey fans he's worth at least £20million

  Club record signing Benjani Mwaruwari came to the club in the January transfer window with a £4.1 million move from Auxerre.  Most Pompey fans would of said a resounding "Who?" when the transfer was originally announced but secretly hoping we had found a new Yakubu, after all he came to us in a similar way after being recommended to us by a top manager. His early games were to put it lightly a disapointment everyone expect him to set Fratton Park alight but not only was he not scoring but he was so far off the pace of the Premiership it looked like he was going backwards. A lot of fans were calling for him to be dropped, including us but reports from Fratton Park every few days were complemntary about Benjani saying he will score. Benjani finally on a Pompey Scoresheet However his scoring duck continued however fully match fit now he was at least being a useful member of the team creating chances but still blowing all the sitters that were coming his way.  Normally Benjani was brought off and Toddy replaced him and Toddy was scoring, many thing Toddy's goals were going to keep us up. With Toddy scoring and Benjani not, fans were calling for him to be dropped again, and yet more compementary reports coming from Fratton Park saying Benjani will come good. Then disaster struck, Lualua injured himself during the Arsenal game, Pompey fans started to worry, without the on form Lualua would we get the goals to keep us up, and how important it would be for Benjani to start scoring, yet still it wasnt happening for him. It came down to the wire 2 games to go, with the last game at home to Liverpool looking to be tougher than it might with Liverpool still aiming for 2nd place in the Premiership, we needed points anything less than a win would mean we would have to rely on getting something against an on form Liverpool. So the Wigan game was important, we needed at least a point.  Pompey fans were hoping the news that Lualua would be back was true, as we had pretty much resigned ourselves that Benjani was not going to score. The script was written, Wigan went a goal up things were looking bleak and then Benjani stepped up faced with another sitter, in the milliseconds before the result of another Benjani sitter was known how many Pompey fans thought "Oh no not again" but this time it was not to be, he completely failed to screw up this sitter the ball ending up in the back of the net. Benjani had'nt finished yet not content with scoring one he was set for two, a goal bound header, blocked by a defenders hand there was no doubt penality.  Our second penality in two games and of the season, cooly slotted away by Matty Taylor.  That goal gave us the 3 points to keep us safe, and relegated West Brom and Birmingham. So with one game left in the season, having only scored once was he worth the £4.1 million we paid?  Oh yes, that goal and Penality were worth over £20 million for the club and the fans get another season in the Premiership. Redknapp insisted he had never doubted the Zimbabwean's ability and hopes his fine second-half efforts will give him confidence for next season. "He's been working hard and is a good player. Unfortunately he hadn't been able to score," said Redknapp. "I said all along that he would score and he's gone and done that on the day we have stayed up." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 30 2006, 02:02 PM by JenniP with no comments

• Lualua given scan ok

  This is the news Pompey fans wanted to hear, Lualua should be ok to play on Saturday in our crunch game against Wigan. Lualua had a scan on the ankle injury picked up during the 1-1 draw against Arsenal, which revealed there was no major damage. Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports "He should be okay for Saturday and he is going to have play through the pain barrier," Redknapp told Sky Sports. "He will do that for us (play with a pain-killing injection ) as he is a good player for us. "It is good news with the scan as it did not go too badly and he should be okay for Saturday." Lets hope Lualua can play some part of the next game as we desperately need 3 points against Wigan, if we do and Birmingham don't we are safe any other outcome and its down to the last game against Liverpool.   While Liverpool have an FA Cup final the week after and may field a weakened side I still wouldnt want to need points from the current European champions to stay up. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 25 2006, 09:05 AM by JenniP with no comments

• Lualua refuses to rule out flips

  Lualua who is currently out injured from an ankle injury picked up during the 1-1 Arsenal draw and was seemingly made worse by his trade mark celebration.  When asked about whether he would flip again Lualua said "People have asked whether I'll ever celebrate in the same way again, and my honest answer is that you never say never. "Everyone knows me by the celebration so we will just have to wait and see" Personally I'm sure will see Lualua's classic flips again but hopefully it wont have the side effect of the last one, we've certainly missed Lualua in the last few games. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 22 2006, 10:44 PM by JenniP with no comments

• The 40 point barrier could be real this season

  With 2 games left to go in the season Pompey are clear of the drop zone by 2 points.   Todays games pretty much leave West Brom sunk, needing 2 wins and neither Pompey or Birmingham to pickup any more points. That leaves Birmingham and Portsmouth. Birmingham's next game is their final home game against Newcastle who are on a roll scoring 3 or more in 4 of the last 6 games, lets hope they can keep that record going then a final game away at Bolton who put 4 past a poor Charlton today. Pompey's next game is a hard away game against Wigan and then a final game against FA Cup finalists Liverpool, let hope they will have their eye on the cup and not on the league.  We really need to win at least one of those to even think of safety. The often talked about 40 point barrier seems to be true again this year with Birmingham being able to get a maximum of 39 points, so if we get 40 we are safe. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 22 2006, 10:30 PM by JenniP with 2 comment(s)

• Mornar contract clause shock

  Reports today say that Ivica Mornar will “earn” another year on his Portsmouth contract if the club stay in the Premiership.  The striker who has played just 52 minutes so far this season was thought to be one of those going through the Fratton Park exit door at the end of the season. Mornar hasn’t had the best of times at Portsmouth this season, touted as a savior to our right sided problem during the pre-season friendly’s but had had his season blighted by injuries that and Redknapp’s return has meant his first team chances have been virtually none. Chairman Milan Mandaric has recently gone on record that he wants to clear out the players he feels are not earning their wages, and has said about this situation “There is an automatic contract but we absolutely don’t want to give him an extension. “We want people who can play games consistently week-in, week-out. “There are lots of people here with the will to do everything for this club but then there are the other people. “It’s a situation we don’t want to put up with.  In future we will be looking at character as well as how people play when we do our scouting. “I made my money the old fashioned way through hard work. “So when I see others taking money away from the club for no reason it hurts Mornar was signed in Jan 2004 when Portsmouth had a striker crisis, Jason Roberts who wasn’t scoring was released from his loan to sign for Wigan, Yakubu was away at the Africans nations cup and Lualua hadn’t been signed yet, and scored only once that season but hardly featured and then was allowed to leave on loan the season after with Redknapp saying he could be sold when he returned, however before this could happen Redknapp left for Southampton and seemed to be in Perrin’s plans before spending most of the season injured. While I admire Milan for wanting to clear out the expensive fringe players this clause is in his contract, someone at Portsmouth Football Club had to approve this clause and his contract signed by the club, this is just another example of the desperation we seem to have during transfer windows when we seem to sign sometimes anyone who seems to be available, an example of this in the last transfer window is Olisadebe hasn’t really played for the first team and seems to be following Vignal with a mutual contract termination deal.  Hopefully with Gaydemak’s money behind us we can stop our transfer merry go round and build a squad that will not only keep us safe in the Premiership next season but achieve a top half finish. Hopefully a club can be found to take Mornar off our hands as buying him out of his contract could prove expensive. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 22 2006, 09:27 PM by JenniP with no comments

• The Offical England Song our review

  In recient times England have been blessed with support from some of the finest songs of all time Fat Les, New Order and Skinner and Badiel have been the writers of football anthems of genius now for this summers World Cup Embrace seek to join that list. Will we embrace this song and chant it on the terraces or is it more Vindapoo than Vindaloo. Lets cut to the chase its Vindapoo, its too slow, you cant hear the words there is no catchy bit to really chant on the terraces.  This song will have a brief period of fame but will sink into well earned obscurity by the time Sven's stars arrive in Germany after all can you name the offical song for Euro 2004? Have you heard this song, send us your comments, do you like this song, will you be singing this song. Lets hope the the next few months sees the emergence of some proper footie anthems, come on Keith Allen get your finger out as this is the worst song to be associated with football since Diamond Lights. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 21 2006, 08:33 AM by Nikki with 1 comment(s)

• Redknapp wont risk Lualua until he's fit

  With time running out for Portsmouth the fans would love to see Pompey favourite Lualua helping Pompey's push to safety.  However Lualua has not been able to train since he injured his ankle in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal, the 25 year old striker is desperate to face Sunderland Saturday. “We will have to wait and see,” said the Congolese international who had originally promised not to relaunch his trademark somersault until Pompey were safe. “It is frustrating being left on the sidelines when the results are so vital but it still hurts when I run and I can’t tell what is going to happen at this stage.” Boss Redknapp revealed the injury was only bad bruising but said: “Lua is in a bit of pain and there is no way I could even have him on the bench if he wasn’t fit. “He hoped to play against Middlesbrough last Saturday but failed a late fitness test – and didn’t feel any better when he tried it for Monday’s game at Charlton. “We’ve got three games left now to get back out of the bottom three and I couldn’t send Lua limping on from the bench. I might as well sit him there on crutches.” LuaLua’s header against Arsenal was his fourth goal in four games but the attack looked blunt without him against Boro, when they missed a string of chances in a 1-0 win, and Charlton who came from a goal down to win 2-1 and end Portsmouth’s six-match unbeaten run in the last 14 minutes. Redknapp admitted: “I haven’t said anything to him yet about the celebration. I just want to get him back on the pitch first. We need everybody fit.” With Pompey back in the drop zone we need goals, and Lualua had started to provide them, we need Benjani to come good more than ever.  We have goal potential in our midfield and Benjani is settting up goals, so hopefully we can overcome Sunderland. Lets hope this story is a smokescreen for Lualua's Saturday return while we can stay up without him, with him the job looks easier. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 20 2006, 06:29 PM by JenniP with no comments

• Vignal leaves Pompey

  Portsmouth have parted company with left back Gregory Vignal by mutual consent.   The former Liverpool player joined in the summer on a free transfer but has not featured January. Vignal played seventeen games for Portsmouth although only 3 since Harry Redknapp rejoined the club. Pompey boss Redknapp said: "Gregory has not been in my plans and the club have come to a mutual agreement for his departure." While I am sad to see him go I would rather of seen Unsworth stay and Vignal not signed in the first place, although with 3 games to go lets hope we dont get any injuries to Matty Taylor. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 20 2006, 04:50 PM by JenniP with 6 comment(s)

• Milan asks fans to not to panic.

  With yesterdays Birmingham dropping us into the relegation zone again Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric remains confident that Pompey can say in the Premiership next season. 'The Birmingham result was unfortunate but we have simply got to do our job 'We cannot just look at other people to do it for us.  We are in a position where we have to get ourselves out of a hole - we cant rely on other people. 'There's nothing we can do about Birmingham, instead we have to keep winning and I still believe we are strong enough to do that 'My message to the Pompey supporters is not to panic, we must stick together and concentrate on our club. 'Just keep your heads, remain calm and solid and let our quality prevail.  The players at the club are good enough to keep us up. 'We have an easier run in and we are in good form.  Every player is aware of the suituation and I strongly believe nothing will stop us. 'Sunderland is a game we need to win and put us back in the saddle and we are capable of doing that and scoring the goals 'We have responded tremendously in the past 6 weeks and those results have shown the capability of the players and our manager's quality of giving them the confidence. 'Don't panic, we can still do it. This is the kind of thing we want to hear from our chairman, and it echo's what every Pompey fan is beliving that our team is the best of the relegation teams, our form is the best and we can get enough points in these last 3 games. Sunderland is the start of this, 3 points this Saturday will go along way to Pompey's safety, our boys will do us proud. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 20 2006, 02:12 PM by JenniP with 1 comment(s)

• A small ray of light, Birminghams win came at a price

  On what is a horrid grey day in every possible sense a small ray of light has appeared as it has emerged Birminghams last gasp win against Blackburn has cost them yet more injuries. It seems that both Heskey and Pennant are now doubtful for Birminghams clash with Everton this weekend. Pennant suffered a groin strain in the early stages of last nights match and Heskey has picked up a twisted ankle. Its small comfort for us today as we are sitting back in 18th place but it shows things are far from being done and dusted, and increases the likelyhood that by Saturday night Pompey and Brum will have swapped places yet again. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 20 2006, 12:34 PM by Nikki with no comments

• Robbie Savage was almost a Pompey hero tonight

  Chants of Robbie Savage is a hero rung round Pompey Girls towers tonight but our joy was short lived when Birmingham equalised, joy turned to dispair when with 4 minutes to go as we drop back into the Premiership drop zone. Depressed?  Oh yes more than I was when Charlton got their last minute winner on Monday.   While I still believe we arent making it easy for ourselves, but of course thats the Pompey way paving the way for a photo finish with Pompey just sticking their nose infront of Birmingham and West Brom in the dying seconds of the last game of the season. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 19 2006, 09:48 PM by JenniP with 2 comment(s)

• Pompey pays penality for Charlton collapse as Birmingham beat Blackburn

  Pompey's failure to win against Charlton on Saturday has plunged Pompey back into the drop zone with Birmingham winning against Blackburn tonight on goal difference. The 2-1 win against Champions League chasing Blackburn, a team Pompey could only manage a 2-2 draw against gets Birmingham the 3 points needed to put Portsmouth back in relegation trouble.  Nikky Butt put Birmingham ahead on 62 minutes, Robbie Savage looking like he could be Pompey's unlikely hero when he equalised on 78 minutes but Mikael Forssell put Birmingham ahead on 86 minutes to win the game. With 3 games to go our relatively save position less than a week ago back to nail biting position we find ourselves in tonight.  Never has the Sunderland game been so important 3 points could leave us within touching distance of safety, anything less will leave us reliant on points against two European chasing teams. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 19 2006, 09:32 PM by JenniP with 2 comment(s)

• Gaydamak deal to be probed

  Police have been given a dossier which raises questions over the purchase of 50% of Portsmouth Football Club by Alexandre 'Sacha' Gaydamak according to the local newspaper The News. Hampshire police's special investigations unit have confirmed that it was to look into the background of the Franco-Russian businessman who paid £15 million for a 50% stake in the club in January.  The dossier compiled by independant investigative organisation Global Witness which is a pressure group that looks at business dealings across the world. The dossier claims that Gaydamak's companies have not had a massive turnover and wants checks on whether the money used to buy is stake in Pompey may actually belong to his father Arcadi who is the subject of an arrest warrant in France over an alleged arms for oil deal in Angola. Alexandre Gaydamak, 30 has always insisted the money he used to buy into the club and the £12 million with which manager Harry Redknapp used to sign nine players was his. Milan Mandaric has defended his business partner. he said: "I think it is all rubbish coming from somewhere. There is nothing I am worried about because I have no evidence or information whatsoever about this." And a business associate close to the former Israeli army sniper said: "Mr Gaydamak is unaware of any police investigation but is happy to assist with any inquiries." All of this has come up before when Gaydamak first bought his interest a quick google finds this article from the Business Telegraph.  So far the deal has gone through the Premier League who have conducted their own tests into whether Gaydamak is a "fit and proper" person, and at this point. Hopefully this is a storm in a teacup, but you have to wonder if the people running Global Witness are Birmingham or West Brom fans as the timing of this almost couldnt be worse here we are fighting for survial and now we have this off the field mess to think about.  Lets hope this doesnt affect the team as we need everyone focused on survival. There is one dark cloud on the horizon, if this does turn out to be true what happens to the players brought in with Gaydamak's money, according to documents from Companies House the players brought in during the January window are mortgaged by Gaydamak, if the worse did happen what would happen with those players?    RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 19 2006, 08:29 PM by JenniP with no comments

• O'Brien out of relegation battle

  Pompey central defender Andy O'Brien will miss the remaining 3 games of the season due to the injury he picked up prior to Monday's 2-1 defeat at Charlton.  O'Brien injured his back and hamstring during the warm-up on Monday as was unable to play with Noe Pamarot taking his place. The problem looks serious enough to prevent the Irish international playing again this season and Pompey boss Harry Redknapp cursed the injury. "This is a big blow," admitted Redknapp. "We need all our players available as our last three games are like cup finals." Will this hurt our survival chances?  Pamarot isnt fully match fit and will really need a few games to get fully fit, Stefanovic is the same although has had a few games so may be close to match fit.  Lets hope we dont have any more injuries that hamper our last few games in our push for survival. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 19 2006, 10:28 AM by JenniP with no comments

• West Brom grab a point against Bolton.

  West Brom were unlucky to only come away with a point in their game against Bolton tonight.  This was a must win game for them as now they only have one more home game. It was a scrappy match but one which West Brom looked most likely to win although for fans of both teams it was a nail biting afair, especially the last 5 minutes with both teams missing sitters which would almost certainly won them the game. With Pompey's defeat to Charlton earlier in the day  West Brom are a point closer to safetly but still three points behind Portsmouth although West Brom have a better goal difference. West Brom failed to take full advantage of Pompey's stumble, lets hope Birmingham do when they play. Staying up is still in own own hands. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Apr 17 2006, 09:57 PM by JenniP with 3 comment(s)