With the start of the season less than two weeks away, I thought I'd do season preview for each of the teams in the Premier League...I've finally got to Pompey. Yay!


Season Preview - Portsmouth

Last season?

We won the Fa Cup. Let me repeat that because I'm still not sure I believe it. We won the FA Cup.

In many ways it was a season most Pompey fans wouldn't have dared dreaming of two years ago. And yet, finishing 8th in the league was a minor disappointment - not because we expected better but because going into April we harboured hopes of challenging for fifth. Sadly the shadow of the cup final threw us off our game and the league season ended with a damp squib.

Ins and Outs?

Peter Crouch has been our only major signing but Harry has also added Ben Sahar (loan) and Glen Little. A few youth players have come in, including "OJ" who headed straight out on loan.

We lost a major player when Sulley Muntari went to Inter.

Strengths?

Harry Redknapp, England's best keeper, one of the best defences in the league last season, Diarra and Kranjcar, Crouch and Defoe.

Weaknesses?

The promised cash for transfers seems to be missing along with the three "top players" promised by Peter Storrie.

An ageing defence may have trouble coping with the added pressure of the UEFA Cup and half of the midfield is seriously below par for the level Portsmouth are aiming at.

With Crouch comes the temptation to play long balls. Something that has been worryingly present in pre-season matches.

Prospects for the coming season?

Pompey fans will dream of a top six finish but will hope for an improvement on last years 8th place.

More realistic fans will see the lack of improvement in the squad (Muntari cancelled out Crouch) coupled with age issues in defence and will see a top half finish as a decent season.

Having said that, if those three top players do arrive (and neither Kaboul or Shorey can really be called "top players") to strengthen the first team then Portsmouth are one of the small group of teams that could push the top four.

A good run in any of the three cups would more than satisfy the fans.

Transfer rumours?

Kaboul and Shorey are the most definite targets at present and neither would significantly improve the first team.

Shaun Wright-Philips was obviously the major target but that looks very unlikely now.

Other names linked include Jeremy Menez, Mattos and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.

Some squad players are likely to leave with Traore, Davis and Nugent heading the list.

Any Worries?

How well will Campbell play this season? Where are the three "top players" we were promised?

The midfield is now weakened and we have no width to feed Crouch and Defoe. Squad players have shown that they are not up to the level needed.

Starting eleven?

James
Johnson Campbell Distin Herman
Mendes
Little Diarra Kranjcar
Crouch Defoe


Agree/disagree with any of the above? Any errors? Then discuss below.