Pompey News

March 2007 - Posts

• O’Brien fed up with playing in the shadows

  Andy O'Brien was seen by most fans as the only decent player Allan Perrin signed, a good track record with bags of Premiership even Champions League experience joining for a at the time a club record fee of £2million has become a forgotten man at Portsmouth, with only one first team start this season after last season being a first team regular. His lack of first team football has seemingly for the time being ended his international career as well after being passed over by Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton again for the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales this weekend. While other clubs have been interested in signing the 27 year old defender on loan as yet no acceptable offers have been received, O'Brien feels that he needs to permanently leave Fratton Park to get his career back on track. Talking to The News O'Brien said "It's been the worst year of my career in terms of appearances and not being involved in big games at international level. "Why I find myself in that position you'll have to ask the manager because my attitude has been spot-on and I've not given an excuse to question that. And I'll continue to do that. "The reserves is not a great place to ply your trade but you turn up and give it your best because you have a duty first and foremost as a human being. I've brought up that way. "But I've started one game in a calendar year and that's not enough. I'm also out of Republic of Ireland's squad. It's fair enough to say I knew the longer this went on I would be the looser and I have been proved right. "Linvoy's been fantastic and Sol's been very good but it's been frustrating that my efforts from Monday to Friday in training had not had a bearing. "I'm involved only if there are injuries and that as a stimulation to a footballer is not ideal so I hope the situation will connect itself. "I'm not bitter in the slightest, I get on really well with Linvoy, Sol, Noe and Dejan but I'm fifth choice after them and the likelihood of them all being injured at the same time has been very minimal. "I don't need anybody to spell it out to me. I'm well aware of the situation and hopefully it will get resolved. It's fair to say I don't think Harry would stand in my way if the club got something they were happy with and hopefully that will materialise. "I've got two years left on my contract but to only start one game in the Premier League in 12 months is not enough. "I've had opportunities to go on loan but I don't see the point. That would be papering over the cracks to a certain extent because I'd still be reporting back for pre-season. "I'm not 35 or 36 – and I say that because Andy Cole has gone on loan because he wants to play. Personally I don't want to go out on loan. "I think the lack of football. I've had something more than a loan is what I need. Manchester City made an approach to take me on loan and I was lead to believe they made an offer for me on the transfer deadline but it was not acceptable to the club so I didn't go. "Unfortunately it didn't materialise. But at the end of the day I have a duty to give my best to Portsmouth and thats what I'll continue to do." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 23 2007, 07:46 PM by JenniP with no comments

• Lualua to play first international game since sons death

  Lualua will end his 15 month international exile and play for DR Congo this weekend. The player has put the disagreement between him and the DR Congo management behind him and will play in the Africa Nations cup clash with Ethiopia on Sunday. Lualua has not played for DR Congo since January last year when the DR Congo management kept news about the death of his 18 month old son Jesus during from him during DR Congo's African Nations cup campaign afraid it would affect his form. Talking to The News Lualua said "I love my country. I haven't played since my little boy passed away more than a year ago now, so I'm looking forward to going there and playing football again. "It's amazing playing for Congo and I've missed it. I don't know how to explain it but I've said all along only one thing brings a country together – that's football. Lualua "It's very, very big back home. When I was growing up in London everywhere you went you would see kids playing football. In Africa, though, on every corner its football, football, football. It's amazing. "Nothing makes me happier than to see those people with a smile on their face. "When I can't play any more than I will probably stop going there but in the meantime I can't do that. I have to represent my country. "I've missed it. It's a great atmosphere and I'm definitely looking forward to that again." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 21 2007, 08:14 PM by JenniP with no comments

• Cole loan move to Championship flyers confirmed

  Former Manchester United and Newcastle striker Andy Cole has joined Championship promotion hopefuls Birmingham City in a deal that will last until the end of May, leaving Cole at Birmingham until after the Championship playoffs.  Signed during the summer window from Manchester City, Cole has never really become a first team regular, partly due to injury but mostly due to Kanu’s early season form and has only managed nine starts so far this season. "Andy came to see me and said: 'Harry, I'm 35, I want to be playing all the time'," Redknapp admitted. "I understand where Andy's coming from. He wants to play regularly. He's one of those guys who want’s to be starting every game. And you've got to respect him for that. "If he feels like that, you can't stand in his way. He's not happy to just sit back and take his money. But it's been difficult fitting him into the team every week with the other strikers we've got. "Birmingham want to take over his contract until May 30, which covers the play-offs. He's going on loan until the end of the season, but has another year here. "So it all depends on what happens at Birmingham and what he wants to do." Birmingham manager Steve Bruce said: "We are hopeful of getting Andy on loan for the rest of the season. It is not done yet but we’ve had talks and are hopeful of tying it up if we can sort out one or two loose ends. "I played with Andy at Manchester United - although it was a long time ago - and he is a top, top professional who looks after himself. That’s why he is still a Premiership player at 35 to 36. With Cole possibly being allowed to leave, it would certainly mean that Toddy is unlikely to move as well, as that would leave Pompey very light in the striker department.  With Cole having a year left on his Portsmouth contract could this move leave him surplus to requirements at the end of the season?  If we are loaning him out now because he can’t get a starting place is he more likely to next season when I'm sure we will get in more strikers. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 21 2007, 01:41 PM by JenniP with 1 comment(s)

• Redknapp could still call on Toddy

  Harry Redknapp has insisted that striker Svetoslav Todorov may feature for Pompey again this season even though several clubs seem to be in the running to sign him. With time running out on Toddy's contract his Portsmouth future is still in doubt however Redknapp remains keen on the striker who played such an intergral part in our promotion to the Premiership. Talking to The News Redknapp said "Toddy could be involved tomorrow. There is no reason why he cant be. I like him he can nick a goal." "I bought him here. He did well then had an injury and was out for a couple of years. Then he went on loan to Wigan and Paul Jewell didn't fancy him." "I think about him though. Toddy will always be special to me, like Paul Merson, Steve Stone and others from that Championship side. Without them we wouldn't be where we are now." "Anyone who thinks I don't like Toddy is wrong. I couldn't think of a nicer lad. I know him and his family very well, he's a lovely guy." "His injuries have taken a lot out of him but he's coming back and can nick a goal. I wouldn't write Toddy off." Toddy added to Redknapp's headache by scoring 2 in the reserve match against Fulham earlier this week. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 16 2007, 11:34 PM by JenniP with no comments

• Gaydamak pledges transfer cash to keep club moving forward

  With a top 10 finish within Pompey's grasp and still the chance of a European place plans are already in motion to improve the squad for next season with a target of a European place and silverware, and owner Sacha Gaydamak prepared to pay for that success. Talking to The News Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said "Sacha's the driving force. He desperately wants this football club to succeed and is prepared to help fund that." "We are confident we will finish in the top 10 this season and keep pushing for a European place. But we don't want to go back from that next year and on building on what has been achieved. If you stand still you drop down a level and Sacha shares that view" "We're currently speaking to a number of targets in preparation for next season and are actively looking for others. We want more very good players to take the whole club to the next level." "We should have it all wrapped up much earlier in previous years, most likely in time for pre-season training. These are quality performers." "Our policy is to continue to improve and look to make us stronger. Next season we want to be challenging for European places and cups." "What we have done this season is tremendous but the people we have in mind will take us to the next level." Earlier this season Pompey were linked with several high profile names although apart from Campbell and James no big names were signed, with virtually nothing spent during the January window leaving many Pompey fans wondering if Gaydamak was giving Redknapp the funds he needed to create a team capable of sustaining a European push. Rumours of Redknapp having to wheel and deal again during the close season as very little funds would be available may be proved to be untrue. However as with this year, even if funds are available will Portsmouth be able to attract the quality of players needed to take Pompey to the next level? Recent comments by Harry Redknapp branding the current training facilities as "fourth division" and facilities at Fratton Park hardly being premiership quality certainly won't help matters although the Titchfield development may be ready by early next season which will help us attract the kind of players we need. Another question Pompey fans would like an answer to is how much is Gaydamak willing to spend to make this happen? RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 16 2007, 08:30 AM by JenniP with no comments

• Come on McClaren give Matty his chance against Israel

  England boss Steve McClaren is facing an injury crisis for the left back position with Ashley Cole suspended and Chelsea team mate Wayne Bridge ruled out for up to six weeks. With the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel just under two weeks away the current England squad has no proper left backs and rumours of Phil Neville or Jamie Carragher being drafted in as an emergency cover. Now should be the time to give Matty Taylor a call up, even if he doesn’t start he is a perfect fit for that position and his versatility would fit perfectly with the attacking style of how England should play. Add to that Matty’s eye for a wonder goal he should be a definite inclusion into the squad. We know that McLaren is an admirer of Taylor when he included him and team-mate Gary O'Neil among the top 50 players at the England managers disposal, although both failed to make the squad for the last friendly match against Spain which would of given McClaren the ideal time to look at players that have yet to make the squad, and when it comes to a competitive match we don’t have these injury headaches. Our message to McClaren is give Matty the chance, he wont let you or our country down. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 14 2007, 10:33 AM by JenniP with 7 comment(s)

• Kranjcar wants to be part of Euro push

  Midfielder Niko Kranjcar is pushing for a chance to be a bigger part of Portsmouth's push for a European place next season. The Croatian international has only started one match since November. Since Kranjcar's arrival from Hajduk Split for £2.3million Harry Redknapp has found it hard to fit the player into the starting line up preferring to use him as an impact player from the bench. Kranjcar told The News: "My best position is behind two strikers. It's the position I've played all my life. I've only ever played attacking football. "In the national team, when we play 4-4-2, I start the game on the left. But I do have freedom to come into the middle as much as I want, to help them create. "In a traditional 4-4-2 here, I'm happiest on the left. "I'm enjoying it here. It's getting towards the end of season and you're happy with the minutes you get and try to use them as best you can. I'm patient. "That's all I can be. Everyone who plays in sport wants to have a bigger goal. "From that point of view we all still think it is possible to finish in a position that will qualify us for Europe. "It's still tight for the UEFA spots, and if we can start winning games again like we did at the beginning of the season, why not?" "If we play like we did against Chelsea for the remaining games we've got a good chance of doing that, fingers crossed" "Let's take it game by game do the best we can and see where it takes us." With the Pompey squad due to return from their Dubai spring break tomorrow Kranjcar believes it has been good for the team and has helped recharge their batteries for the fight for a European place. He said "Being away is good for team bonding. We're going to get even more focused towards the end of the season with the important games left. We've got to gather ourselves together and try and finish the season like we begun it." "We're not satisfied with where we are in the table at the moment. We have to try and put in some big performances and push ourselves back up the table." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 09 2007, 07:20 PM by JenniP with 2 comment(s)

• Lualua calls for teammate call-up

  Pompey striker Lomana Lualua called on Steve McLaren to call teammate Matty Taylor up for England duty. McLaren is an admirer of Taylor including him and teammate Gary O'Neil among the top 50 players at the England managers disposal, although failed to make the squad for the last friendly match against Spain which would of given McClaren the ideal time to look at players that have yet to make a squad. Talking to The News Lualua said "One player who should be given his chance when the next England squad is announced is Matty Taylor. While our own form has been a little inconsistent of late, Matty has been a model of consistency and could well solve that left-side problem area." "He has the bonus of being able to play as a wing-back, a full-back or an out and out winger. In each position he is more than capable and I'm sure he has the ability to step up another level." "I've heard the fans say that Portsmouth players don't get the recognition they deserve because we are not perceived as a 'big club'. Maybe there is an element of truth in that but the only people who can change that are us, the players." "The longer we establish ourselves as a top flight club, and if we can push for a UFEA Cup spot this season, then hopefully things will begin to change." Given McClaren's reluctance to call up other Pompey players in fine form such as Sol Campbell and David James most fans believe Taylor and indeed O'Neil won't get the call up they deserve, especially as the England team isn't exactly setting the world on fire. Even if Matty wasn't deemed good enough for a starting spot he would make a great sub, one player can cover the entire left side. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 07 2007, 08:09 PM by JenniP with no comments

• Redknapp expresses need for more firepower

  Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is already drawing up his list of targets for next season, he already has around four players in mind to ensure Pompey are challenging for a top 10 position again next season. Top of his wish list are players who can get more goals as Redknapp believes it's an area we could improve on and that we have been too reliant on a single player (Kanu) to get where we are today. Kanu has scored 10 goals this season which is more than the other first team strikers Benjani, Lualua and Cole combined. Portsmouth have lacked a offensive threat since selling Yakubu to Middlesbrough, the player who has scored 12 premiership goals so far this season, former Pompey target and now Blackburn player Benni McCarthy has also scored 12 goals after what looked like a poor start to the season. "I'm looking to strengthen and looking to push on. I've got three or four good targets who would make us stronger next season," Redknapp told Portsmouth Today "They would give us a chance of finishing in the top half next season. It's why in the summer I'm looking to bring in one or two strikers. "I like all four of the main ones who I've used this season, they've all done okay. But we've relied a lot on Kanu this season. "If it hadn't been for Kanu getting his goals, we wouldn't be where we are in the table. "We need more goals from the front people. That's what it's all about." Redknapp also believes Portsmouth need to have more potency from midfield in order to compete with the Premiership's top clubs. "We don't get enough goals from midfield, so I'm looking for a good midfield player to get me eight or 10 goals a season. "Of the main four who have started in midfield, Matt Taylor has scored five, Pedro Mendes two, Gary O'Neil one and Sean Davis none. All four of them have done well, but that's not enough goals. "We're not going to get someone as good as Frank Lampard, who has 18 goals already, but we need someone to be scoring regularly from midfield." However top scorers do not come cheap, the £7.5 million Middlesbrough paid for Yakubu is a bargain compared what a regular 15 goal a season player is actually worth, and with hints that Redknapp's war chest next season will not be huge will we able to be afford the kind of quality we will need with older players on free or modest fee transfers or importing players in from abroad. With Redknapp's eye for a bargain foreign imports seem an almost certainty although as we have seen players that are great in one league often have problems adapting to the pace and power of the English game. RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 06 2007, 07:39 PM by JenniP with 3 comment(s)

• Milton End roof plans raise redevelopment fears

  It has emerged today that Portsmouth Football Club have written to home owners near the Fratton Park site inviting them to a meeting to show residents what they are planning to do with the stand at the Milton end of the ground. Talking to The News Peter Storrie said "We are holding a meeting for residents on March 15, and that's all I'm prepared to say. It's a private meeting just for local residents and the club. You will have to wait until after to find out what happens." While nothing official seems to have been announced The News is reporting Nash and Partners to submit a planning application to the council for a "Temporary roof structure". With plans to finally put a roof on the Milton End are welcome, fans are speculating that such a move could spell a delay to enlarging the current ground or moving to a new site with improved facilities.     RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 06 2007, 06:23 PM by JenniP with 1 comment(s)

• Mendes frustrated at missing European push

  The popular Pompey midfield may not play again this season after suffering an ankle injury which required surgery which he underwent on Thursday. Gary Sadler Portsmouth's Physio is expecting the player to be out for at least eight weeks and possibly the rest of the season. To the player's credit he wants to be back in the European fight as soon as possible. Talking to The News Pedro Mendes said "I've had to undergo surgery, which is not good news with the games we have coming up. It's a ligament injury to the right ankle." "The ankle was not stable and it was a situation where it could not be healed by normal treatment. It was a simple surgery which was a success" "But I am still frustrated because of the games we have to play. We have some big games. There is Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool coming up and I wanted to play a part." "Portsmouth want me to be ready as soon as possible. At the first look it seems I will have to completely stop for two weeks and have the time to recover." "The medical staff hope I can have more physio and be ready to run then, but let's wait and see." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 04 2007, 01:10 AM by JenniP with 1 comment(s)

• Another loss but definite improvement

  Normally I wouldn't be celebrating after a defeat especially not a home defeat, however I feel good about Pompey's performance today, yes 3 points would of been good, but Chelsea are battling to stay in touch with the Premiership title race and we haven't won against them in a long time (too long some may say) but today's performance showed me the Pompey of earlier in the season hasn't disappeared and we can give the big 4 a tough game at Fratton Park. Against most other teams we would more than likely be celebrating 3 points on todays performance, however Petr Cech proved that if a team has a good keeper you will be more likely get results. After last week's terrible performance against Blackburn it was good to see Pompey keeping possession so much especially against a strong Chelsea side, we could have collapsed when Drogba struck the opener just after the 30 minute mark. I was half expecting to see a Chelsea second soon afterwards but we generally defended well and were certainly helped by Shevchenko's terrible finishing. Pompey created several chances but Petr Cech was in world class form saving two almost certain goals but again at least we were creating the chances that needed saving. It's a pity it wasn't the birthday present Harry would of wanted, but it was a good performance, one I hope we can carry into our next game, but the squad are off to Dubai for a mid season break let's hope when they play again on the 17th we don't get another performance like we did after the last 2 week layoff before the Blackburn game. Harry Redknapp said about the game "We played well and I was disappointed to be 1-0 at half-time. "In the second half we were a lot stronger and I thought there was an equaliser there, but the keeper has pulled off a couple of fantastic saves. "We got caught pushing forward for their second, but overall I was very happy with the players." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Posted Mar 04 2007, 12:48 AM by JenniP with 1 comment(s)