Pompey News

May 2006 - Posts

• Was Taylor almost sacrified to bring back Faye?

  Reports today say that a proposed swap of Matty Taylor for former Pompey midfielder Faye was scuppered by Matty Taylor wanting to stay at Pompey. Several reports reciently have said that fans favourite Taylor wants to stay at Fratton Park, and that Fulham's interest would come to nothing. If this new rumour is true would Harry really sacrifice Matty to bring back a player that we were glad to get rid of, hasnt suceeded at Newcastle and the Toon Army would pay to get rid of?  I know Harry rates Faye but left back is a position we are short on after Vignal was shown the door earlier this year I dont see the reason of it.   If we are to let players go, we should only be doing it until their replacements have been signed especially for positions we are short in. The story also said that a straight cash deal for Faye is likely to appear in the next few weeks. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 21 2006, 07:43 PM by JenniP with 7 comment(s)

• Duffy out of Wales Friendly.

  Richard Duffy has pulled out of the Wales clash with a Basque XI with a recurrance of his knee injury. Duffy pulled up in training and will now have a scan on the affected knee. It is a blow to the 20 year old Welsh defender who has returned to Pompey after a loan spell at Coventry and would have been looking to fight his way into Harry's plans with a few sterling performances for his country Duffy said "The gaffer at Portsmouth has told me to come back for pre-season fit and ready and we will see where my career goes from there. It was Harry that signed me from Swansea a couple of years ago, and I was sent out on loan after he left to go to Southampton. I've never had a moment's problem with him and am looking forward to trying to make the grade in the Premiership next season." Lets hope this is a minor set back as in the few performances that Duffy made for Pompey he showed promise and central defence is an area we need to reinforce in. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 21 2006, 04:46 PM by Nikki with no comments

• Linvoy earns new deal

  Pompey are ready to give defender Linvoy Primus a year's extension to his current deal which should keep him at Fratton Park until 2008. Primus said: 'The deal is agreed in principal and that is very pleasing for me. 'Everything is in place so I just need to go in and sign it in the next few days. 'I want to finish my career at Pompey, and this takes me closer to achieving that.' Most Pompey fans would agree with this, yes we are going to have money to spend on pretty much new everything but Linvoy is the kind of player we need for the past 3 season looking like a fringe player but always managing to push his way into a regular starting place.  It also means we arent going to have another one of our defenders leaving us for their former newly promoted club and then having a storming season. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 13 2006, 10:26 AM by JenniP with no comments

• Sign him or risk loosing him says D'Alessandro's agent

  Sign him or risk loosing him, that is the advice D'Alessandro's agent is giving Pompey today.  The young midfielder is expecting to be named in Argentina's World Cup squad on Monday, this alone could increase his value, more so if he performs well. D'Alessandro's agent Barry McIntosh said : "The ball is in Portsmouth's court, because Andres wants to play for them. "We've told them what we want and are waiting to hear from back.  We cannot force the issue. "Portsmouth have the first option, and we would like to honour that option, but we cannot but all our eggs into one basket.  There are other clubs interested. "We're confident Andres will be in Argentina's World Cup squad, and when he's there he has only to score a goal or two for the suitation to change. "We would of liked the deal with Portsmouth sorted out before Andres went back to Argentina on Monday, but the longer the situation is left the more difficult it will become.  Right now we have a window of opportunity where Andres is hot about the club." Wolfsburg are looking for around £4million for the midfielder, and D'Alessandro is rumoured to be asking for wages of around £25k per week. Pompey have a history of loosing out to players by either trying too hard to drive a bargain or by waiting too long to decide what they will do, we've seen D'Alessandro's quality and if all the figures rumoured are accurate I say this deal is too good to miss.   Especially if he does well in the World Cup his value could almost double overnight. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 12 2006, 01:17 PM by JenniP with 3 comment(s)

• Pompey prepared to smash transfer record but wont spend silly money

  Pompey are prepared to smash the clubs transfer record to land a striker during the summer but chairman Milan Mandaric wont pay inflated prices just because we have the money. "We paid £4.4m for Benjani Mwaruwari, so I dont see why we wouldnt paul £6m or £7m for someone if it was the right investment" "But what would scare us off is silly money.  We're not interested in anything unreasonable." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 12 2006, 01:05 PM by JenniP with 2 comment(s)

• O'Neil content to stay even with Liverpool interest

  Liverpool are interested in Pompey midfielder Gary O’Neil however O’Neil is content to remain at Portsmouth. O’Neil said “I’m more than happy to stay, and hopefully I’ll be here a long time.  The club are moving forward.  I had a great season, avoiding relegation was the high point of my career so far.” “Sasha Gaydamak said all along he’d invest in new players so I’d like to think he’ll give the gaffer even more money to spend. “Harry’s proved what he can do when he’s got a bit of cash.  He’s proved he’s the man to bring us success. “His role in improving the clubs fortunes has been incredible” With O’Neil having a good season its hardly surprising other clubs are interested in our players, Benitez likes the way O’Neil has developed  and could see him replacing Gerrard on the right allowing Gerrard to push into the center, ironically Pompey fans would like to see a right sided player brought in so we can push O’Neil into the centre where he tends to perform best. With the Pompey favourite having a contract until 2009 its unlikely they would want to sell a prize asset, chief executive Peter Storrie is quoted as saying “Clubs can sniff away, but we’re not going to bite.  There’s no interest in selling Gary” This is good news for Pompey fans as Gary O’Neil is a favourite with the Pompey fans, with his performances getting better every year and is one of longest serving players having joined the club at 10.  Its also good to hear that the players believe the Gaydamak revolution is good for them and the club. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 11 2006, 06:30 PM by JenniP with no comments

• Focus on Camara

  Harry Redknapp could be interested in signing Henri Camara again, Wigan have been contacted to find out his availablity, however with Bullard already sold and Chimbonda wanting to leave Wigan may be reluctant to sell. Rumours are saying that a fee of at least £4 million would need to be tabled for Wigan to even be remotely interested. This would be the second time Redknapp has been interested in Camara, signing him on loan during his time at Southampton. With Camara 11th in this seasons Premierships top scorers list with 12 goals, he does seem to  have the quality we are after and considering we sold Yakubu for £6million and he only scored one goal more it could be very good business. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 10 2006, 10:52 PM by JenniP with no comments

• Priske happy to stay at Fratton Park

  Reports today state that Priske will ignore any interest from Italian Serie A club Sampdoria to stay at Pompey. Priske who almost left in January except the FIFA ruling stopping players from being sold twice in one season, was not in Redknapp's plans, prefering to play Griffin in the right back position. During Feburary it was looking certain he would be leaving this summer "I shall certainly leave in the summer," Priske told Ekstra Bladet. "When the manager doesn't want to field me now, he will surely not do it after the summer break either. "There have been enquiries from different clubs. "It's now a matter of how much Portsmouth will demand." Fearing he was going the way of most of the players Perrin brought in Priske was frustrated with life at Fratton Park when an injury to Andy Griffin gave Priske his chance to shine. "It came as a big shock when Harry returned and immediately left me out" said Priske "It was disappointing and frustrating because I had never been dropped like that before "I decided I had to show Harry in training that I was a good player and deserved my place.  I still have two years on my contract and I love it here.  I know there is interest in me from clubs abroad but its all down to the manager "If he wants me to stay and be part of his plans I'll be happy to do so." While Priske didnt impress Redknapp to start with he certainly has a high opinion of him now "I didn't know Brian and wasn't sure about him.  I thought he was too laid back.  But he came in, took his chance and has done what I asked of him "He has been terrific and played magnificently in the nine games that ensured we stayed up.  He's shown character and will be around next season." Leaving Priske out was one of the few things that most Pompey didnt agree with after Harry Redknapp's return.  Like a lot of Pompey fans I thought Priske was a class player and we played better with him in the team and I dont think its much of a coincendence that Pompey's performances improved when Priske came back into the side.  Now I'm not saying that he is completely responsible for our turn around but he's certainly helped. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 10 2006, 10:13 PM by JenniP with no comments

• More players join queue for the Fratton Park exit door

  Goalkeeper Sander Westerveld has not been offered a extension to his one year contract.  Signed by Perin as a replacement for Hislop and Chalky played just six games before Ashdown replaced him as first choice goalkeeper.  Pushed further down the pecking order when Redknapp brought in Kiely during the January transfer window.   Westerveld was loaned out to Everton earlier this year when they had a keeper crisis, only to be dropped 2 games later after a bad start. Salif Diao and Azar Karadas loan deals have both ended and they have left the club. John Viafara may be leaving but Pompey are currently waiting to see if Real Sociedad take up the option to sign him. Also leaving is Aliou Cisse, the midfielder who signed for 2 years in 2004 but has only played 3 games this season one of those from the subs bench.   With the number of midfielders brought in by Redknapp during the January window the writing was on the all for Cisse. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 10 2006, 09:27 PM by JenniP with no comments

• Who should be on our Striker shortlist?

  With reports today of a £10million kitty for 2 strikers who should we be trying to bring to Fratton Park? Andy Johnson : Reports today link us with an enquiry for the player, I think would be a good choice was good in the Premiership last season but has failed to really light up the Championship this season due to injuries.  With Crystal Palace missing out in the playoff's it may be Johnson's time to move on. Verdict : If you can get him for less than 6 million, otherwise perhaps look elsewhere. Chris Sutton: Just released by Birmingham as part of their relegation clear out, the former Celtic striker didnt have the best of time at Birmingham scoring once in 10 games.   Sutton transfered from  Celtic in the January transfer window where he had slipped down the striker pecking order.    Verdict : With Harry liking experienced players Sutton could be a good option, however I would expect to see Portsmouth clear out some of the lower order strikers before a player like Sutton was signed. Lee Trundle : Been a target of Harry's for a while, Jordan and Bond were seen taking a look during the January window.  At the time Redknapp was quoted as saying he wasnt a player to take a chance on during a relegation battle but with Pompey now safe perhaps now is the time? Verdict : I would like to see a lower league player given the chance in the Premiership but will it be Trundle? Ruud van Nistelrooy : Seems like he's on his way out of Old Trafford, we could have the cash to afford a player like him, but unless a minor miracle happens he would be unlikely to come to Portsmouth. Verdict : Not going to happen, unfortunatly. Bobby Zamora : Another player we've been linked with, has had a decient season with West Ham, but doesnt seem to be a first choice.   However would he be any more so for us? Verdict : I'm not sure he's a big enough player to be a first choice but I certainly wouldnt mind seeing him at Fratton Park. What I would want is one "big name" striker but they have to have Premiership experience and can do the job from day 1 and one lower league who could a surprise package in the way West Ham's Marlon Harewood was this year.   It should be possible to get that on the £10 Million budget we are rumoured to have. The only thing we know is Harry will pull a surprise or two out of the transfer hat, perhaps even end up with another Yakubu. Give us your suggestions below. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 10 2006, 10:50 AM by JenniP with 7 comment(s)

• Summer Transfer Rumours v1.01 (Faye, Lescott, Heskey)

  So with the season still not finished, and without any firm decision on who will be the Pompey manager next season the Rumour mill is already grinding away.   All rumours so far are for players coming to Pompey and in no particular order here they are.   The first concerns the return of Amdy Faye, from Newcastle for about £1m, Faye who Pompey signed (with the help of Harry’s dogs) for £1.5m from Auxerre in 2003 is rumoured to be heading back to Fratton after failing to impress at Newcastle.   Rumour Verdict – Possible, Harry was always a fan of the player, and he was a Perrin sell so don’t be surprised if this one comes off. The only negative to this rumour is do we need another midfielder ????   The second concerns ex-England striker Emile Heskey, who looks certain to be leaving Birmingham following their relegation, the price has been quoted as £2m.   Rumour Verdict – A remote chance. Harry will want at least one new striker this summer and has been a fan of Heskey in the past and may take him if he can’t get anyone else, but its unlikely Heskey will be his main target and Harry is much more likely to try with bids for some bigger fishes such as Hartson, before going for Heskey   The 3rd Concerns Wolves defender Joleon Lescott. The 24 year old was one of the most highly rated defenders in the Championship and is likely to move on from Wolves this summer following Wolves failure to return to the premiership.   Rumour Verdict – remote chance. Harry will be looking for defenders but is unlikely to spend the required £3m on a championship player, plus with Lescott the subject of interest already from Villa and Everton this deal looks unlikely. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 03 2006, 03:03 PM by Nikki with 1 comment(s)

• Milan is staying on.

  Milan Manderic has confirmed that he will be the chairman of Pompey for at least the 2006/07 season.   Manderic today reaffirmed his pledge not to leave Pompey until the training ground and new stadium was built.   Speaking today Milan said "My future here is very solid, and I will be chairman next season for the whole of the season."   Milan staying will help to settle the question marks surrounding Harry's future. Harry is much more likely to stay if Milan is, and Milan has promised that talks to settle the issue will take place later this week. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted May 03 2006, 11:56 AM by Nikki with no comments