Pompey v Newcastle Preview - Lua Lua Returns

Lua Lua will be at Fratton Park on Sunday, but sadly it is not the once loved Lomana Tresor Lua Lua who worked so hard for us during our relegation battle period, but his younger brother Kazenga Lua Lua, who plays for Newcastle United. Kazenga will be travelling with Newcastle for the match, live on Sky on Sunday afternoon, as he looks to strengthen Joe Kinnear's midfield problems.

With an unbeaten run of five league games, Pompey will be looking to pick up a win after many dropped points this season has troubled them from challenging for a 4th place spot in the Premier League.

Tony Adams' only injury worry is Lassana Diarra, who will not be risked for the Toon's visit to Fratton Park, although it is thought that Younes Kaboul may also be a doubt after picking up an injury in training. Armand Traore returns from an knock he picked up against Wolfsburg, and Nadir Belhadj looks to regain his place at left-back for the full 90 minutes after being taken off at half-time in Pompey's last two games. Papa Bouba Diop will miss the game through a suspension following his 5th yellow card of the season last week against West Brom.

Fabio Capello is likely to attend the game with his frequent visits to Fortress Fratton with eight English players likely to start on Sunday - David James, Glen Johnson, Sol Campbell, Sean Davis, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch for Portsmouth and Steven Taylor and Michael Owen for Newcastle.

Newcastle are looking to field their strongest side of the season with Nicky Butt and Damien Duff late contenders for the match on Sunday, and if Kinnear goes for Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen upfront, Distin and Campbell may have their hands full.

The Pompey Pages prediction: I think 2-1 to Portsmouth is a fair result, following our recent run of form we need to get ourselves a comfortable three points and I think we can deliver that.

Key Player: Nadir Belhadj, although his form has dropped recently, it has also paid off in our performance when he plays well. Belhadj will need to be getting down the wing and supplying the balls for our attackers when possible.

Newcastle man to watch: Obafemi Martins. Pompey tried to sign him before he went to Newcastle but Harry failed, and he has proven to be a great hit at St James Park and has scored some quality goals, his pace will cause Pompey problems and the Fratton Faithful will be hoping we don't see a Lua Lua-esque celebration from Martins.

Possible Starting XI's:

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Little, Davis, Kranjcar, Traore, Defoe, Crouch

Newcastle United: Given, Beye, Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Geremi, N'Zogbia, Martins, Owen

Pompey rumours 09/12/08

Pompey manager Tony Adams is rumoured to be keeping a close eye on Lens attacker Razak Boukari. The Daily Star claims that Boukari could be Adams' first signing as Pompey manager when the transfer window opens in January. (Daily Star)

Everton are rumoured to be interested in fringe striker David Nugent. Although on his trip to Portsmouth Children's Hospital Nugent denied that he or his agent had been approached by anyone from the merseyside club, and he is more focused than ever on pushing for a place in Pompey's first XI. (Various)

Newcastle along with Villareal are interested in making a bid for veteran centre-back Sol Campbell. The Portsmouth captain has been subject to a lot of speculation linking him away from Fratton Park, and as Pompey's highest paid player Adams may look to offload the centre-back as he has a strong replacement in the form of Younes Kaboul. (Various)

After months of speculation of Pompey being up for sale and a South African consortium being interested and making a bid, Sacha Gaydamak has come out publicly to announce that the south coast side are in fact up for sale, but Pompey's official site has denied rumours that the South African business will be buying the club. (Official Portsmouth Site)

A note to Tony about Sean Davis

No matter who Tony Adams signs in January or next summer, no matter where we finish in the table or whether we retain our FA Cup or not, the most crucial thing Adams needs to do to help Pompey's success' is to renew the contract of the outstanding Sean Davis.

Davis has been absolutely superb for Pompey this season, and although he has only managed to reach Pompey's 5th highest appearances so far this season, he has made the most appearances in Pompey's midfield, and as far as I'm concerned has been the best player out there.

I recently praised Nadir Belhadj for his efforts, although he has had a poor run in his last two games, he tries hard and has quality skill.

Sean Davis has these similar qualities, not giving up, working hard, fighting for his place in the team. Not only have his passes, crosses and tackles been solid, the effort he puts in to games is fantastic.

The "hard workers" of Pompey are now a dying breed, but have always been popular amongst the Fratton Faithful. Players such as Benjani, David Nugent, Gary O'Neil and Nadir Belhadj have all been creditted for their hard working attitude and Sean is no different.

I believe his performances this season have by far earnt him a new contract and I hope to see him at Fratton Park next season. In fact I may even go as far as saying I am more excited about the prospect of Davis playing for us in future seasons that any other superstar we may sign.

Play up Sean, Sean Play up!

Only a point managed at the Hawthorns - West Brom 1 Portsmouth 1

Pompey could only salvage a point against West Brom at the Hawthorns, following their UEFA Cup defeat only three days before.

Peter Crouch's second half goal levelled things up for Pompey as they took a disappointing point back to Fratton Park.

Adams' men showed early domination, and the expected long ball up to Peter Crouch wasn't troubling the Baggies defence, but West Brom fought back hard as David James was pulled into action.

It was West Brom who took the lead after referee Mike Dean awarded the Premiership strugglers a very soft penalty against Sol Campbell.

Chris Brunt's thundering free-kick hit the bar before Jonathan Greening buried the rebound past James.

Adams made a half time change in the form of Nadir Belhadj, coming off for the second game running at half-time, for Glen Little.

Pompey started to fight back after Adams' stern half time ticking off, as Johnson's long ball found Jermain Defoe who crossed the ball across the 18-yard box, but couldn't find the approaching Peter Crouch.

Ismael Miller then went close again as James tipped away Miller's low shot before leaping onto the loose ball.

The Blues fought a goal back as Peter Crouch's shot struck Meite and the underside of the crossbar on the way into the net.

Crouch's sixth goal in the league this season gave Pompey the chance to fight back and get a winner, but it was the Baggies who went close to getting the next goal.

Ismael Miller once again parted Sol Campbell and Slyvain Distin before firing it at James who pulled off a great save.

Pompey's midfield were strong in the middle with both Papa Bouba Diop and Sean Davis had good performances holding the ball up, picking out passes, and throwing in the tackles where needed.

Glen Johnson's frequent runs down the right wing were troubling West Brom and the England right-back was put in by Defoe before firing it over from 6 yards out.

Portsmouth had yet another chance to go ahead as Carson fumbled Johnson's cross as it rolled across the line, but neither the linesman or referee seemed to think the whole ball went over the line, replays showed it appeared to be the correct decision. The Baggies cleared the ball before Crouch could get to it.

Although a fair result from the match events, taking only a point against West Brom is disappointed, and if Pompey are to put pressure on Aston Villa and maybe even Arsenal, then they need to stop dropping these points.

Pompey Pages Man of the Match was Sean Davis for the second game running, although Papa Bouba Diop and Glen Johnson were close contenders.

Davis ruled the midfield and gave everything, great passing, chips, crosses, and when he lost the ball he ran around to fight for the ball and the majority of time won the ball. A bit more chasing up could be seen by some of the big names in Pompey's squad, notably Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar.

Darren Anderton Retires

Bournemouth midfielder Darren Anderton announced on Thursday that he was to retire after Bournemouth's game against Chester City at the weekend.

The ex-Pompey midfielder will be bringing an end to an 18-year professional football career which starting at Fratton Park.

Anderton was born and grew up in Southampton playing as a kid for Itchen Saints in the Southampton Tyro League before joining Pompey.

The young Englishman played 62 games in a Pompey shirt, scoring 7 goals for the Blues under Jim Smith, most notably in the semi-final of the FA Cup against Liverpool.

Through quality performances and a promising cup run from Pompey, Anderton started to turn heads, and after a two year period at Pompey, Anderton signed for Spurs for £1.75million.

This is where Anderton earnt such a good reputation, with 305 appearances and 37 goals for Spurs, before earning a call up to the England squad, and featuring as a key player during Euro 96.

Anderton went on to earn 30 England caps, and scoring 7 goals for his country.

After a successful 12 years at Spurs, having lifted the League Cup in 1999, the England winger moved on to play for Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth, at which he finishes his career on Saturday.

The players from Chester and Bournemouth shall bid farewell to the 36 year-old by forming a guard of honour before his 568th domestic game.

Darren will be missed by many, and his influence and performances in English football has been outstanding, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Darren the best for the future, as I believe he plans to do a bit of travelling with his girlfriend and put his feet up.

Good luck and Thank you Darren, you'll be missed.

West Brom v Pompey Preview

After a disappointing 3-2 loss to Wolfsburg on Thursday, Pompey travel to the Hawthorns on Sunday to face West Brom.

Adams' injury problems ahead of the Baggies only include Lassana Diarra, Younes Kaboul and John Utaka who were all out for Wolfsburg, with Armand Traore, who picked up a knock in the last five minutes on Thursday, will be facing a fight for fitness with a late fitness test before the game.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray has no injury worries ahead of Sunday, his only decision comes in the form of whether to play a 4-5-1 system with Ismael Miller up front, or to revert to a 4-4-2 system and include Roman Bednar up there with him.

The Baggies currently sit at 20th in the Premier League, and following the loss in Germany, hopefully we get bounce back with a big win away and slowly start to climb up the table putting pressure on Villa and Arsenal.

West Brom haven't won in eight games, and Adams will look to increase that to nine on Sunday.

Whether Kranjcar and Belhadj will play after their poor performances at the weekend will be down to the fitness of other players, but I think Belhadj may keep his place in the side, with Diop replacing Kranjcar.

Crouch is likely to come back in to attack reverting back to 4-4-2 rather than the unsuccessful 4-5-1 from Wolfsburg.

Pompey last faced West Brom in the FA Cup semi-final as Kanu scored the only goal to send us through to the final, but Adams will be hoping for a more considerable win and so will the travelling fans.

Key Man: Jermain Defoe, I believe Defoe's pace and finishing will be key to downing West Brom, Crouch will need to knock it down for the England forward but the West Brom defence struggle for pace for Defoe may cash in on his opportunity.

West Brom player to watch: Ismael Miller caused Pompey a few problems in the FA Cup semi-final last season, and I think Pompey's defence will need to stay awake as Miller will be looking to throw his weight around and push through Campbell and Distin.

The Pompey Pages prediction: The Daily Mail believe it will be a 0-0 draw with two dodgy England keepers and poor defending, but the Pompey Pages predicition is a comfortable 3-0 win to Pompey.

Possible starting Xls

West Brom: Carson, Meite, Zuiverloon, Olsson, Robinson, Greening, Koren, Brunt, Valero, Miller.

Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Little, Diop, Davis, Hughes, Crouch, Defoe.

Pompey out of UEFA Cup - Wolfsburg v Portsmouth

Calamity James does it again.

A sad night in Portsmouth's history, the opportunity to progress to the knockout stages to the UEFA cup was not taken, as Adam's men lost 3-2 to Wolfsburg.

Four goals in 22 minutes opened up an entertaining match at the Volkswagen Arena on Thursday night, with Pompey needing to match or better Braga's result to still have a chance to qualify, the news of Heerenveen going 1-0 up gave Pompey fans the belief to spur on the Blues as they fought back from going 1-0 down in the opening five minutes. Bosnian striker Edin Džeko latched upon a Wolfsburg cross that pinged across the 6-yard box.

It didn't take long for Pompey to equalise as David James through a long ball out to Armand Traore whose cross was fumbled by Wolfsburg keeper Benaglio, before falling to the feet of Jermain Defoe who tapped it in to go level.

Pompey went 2-1 up minutes later as Arnold Mvuemba hit a thundering shot past the Wolfsburg goalkeeper, although it looked like Mveumba's shot may have taken a deflection from defender Andrea Barzagli.

Defoe went close to extending the lead as his shot was driven just wide of the post.

With the pressure on Braga as Pompey were on track to get all three points, Braga scored an equaliser in their game, and as Wolfsburg also scored an equaliser minutes later, things were looking bad for Pompey's chances with poor defending being Portsmouth's main threat and problem.

Wolfsburg's equaliser came as Gentner's cross/shot passed a number of Wolfsburg and Pompey players in the box before somehow finding its way into the net.

Pompey carried on pushing to try and restore the lead and a good bit of play from Glen Johnson, Sean Davis and Jermain Defoe saw the England forward go close again before Benaglio had to pull-off a decent save to deny Defoe.

Slyvain Distin gave away the ball minutes before half time as Misimovic's shot was tipped around the post by Jamo.

Half-time came and news started to travel around the stadium that Braga had gone 2-1 up early on in the second half, so the Blues would need to get another goal if Pompey were to progress.

Nadir Belhadj's worst performance in a Portsmouth shirt resulted in him being replaced by Noe Pamarot as half-time, the Algerian failed to link up well on the left with Traore and consistently gave the ball away and was turned by Wolfsburg's attackers.

Noe Pamarot gave a bit of strength into the defence at half-time, but the width and pace down the left seemed to disappear after half-time.

Pompey went close to getting that much-needed goal on 52 minutes as Adams' side were awarded a free-kick 20-yards out, as Niko Kranjcar stepped up for the set piece as his thunderous shot rattled the crossbar.

It looked as if there was definitely going to be another goal in the game, and sadly it came from a David James mistake, as Wolfsburg capitalised on the opportunity.

Distin's pass-back to David James left Jamo in a pickle and unable to clear the ball, striker Misimovic dispossessed James before taking it round him and putting it into an empty net.

Things went from bad to worse as Braga went 3-1 up and Sol Campbell gave away a penalty.

But to try and make up for his blunder David James was on form to deny Misimovic a second goal by saving the penalty.

Peter Crouch and Kanu were both bought on to try and salvage a goal for Pompey but neither could do any justice for the Blues, but it seemed that they had no steam left, and with Armand Traore coming off in the last five minutes injured, and all the Pompey substitutes being used, Adams' resorted to having to play with 10 men, and despite his final shout from the touchline to encourage the side to push on, no chances came Pompey's way as we exited the UEFA Cup.

Pompey Pages Man of the Match was Sean Davis who controlled things in midfield, and unlike a few players, notably Niko Kranjcar and Nadir Belhadj who has very poor performances, Davis was jumping in for every challenge and running everywhere, wearing his heart on the badge.

David James was unlucky and I guess it was only a matter of time until he made another mistake, although he still is by far the best English goalkeeper around at the moment.

The referee made a majority of correct decisions unlike the ref from the Braga game, and the Wolfsburg fans sang at times.

Although a disappoint to the night, as well as the result, was the organisation by the security and staff of Volkswagen Arena as it took many people 20 minutes to get in, therefore missing three goals.

People were made to wait as the security insisted on searching everyone thoroughly and making fans empty their pockets. A bad case of arrangement on behalf of Wolfsburg.

Pompey face Heerenveen a week on Wednesday for their final game in the UEFA Cup this season, although neither side can qualify, so it seems that both sides will just play for dignity.

For the Official Match Highlights click here

Wolfsburg v Pompey slideshow

Pompey can still progress in the UEFA Cup.

There seems to be a lot of worries following Pompey's qualification chances, but picking up all six points in the last two UEFA cup games will guarantee the Blues qualification into the next knockout round.

Although Portsmouth managed to pick up a point against AC Milan during the 2-2 draw last Thursday, it's not over yet.

The situation for Pompey's UEFA cup progress would've been a lot better if Adams' side had managed to hold on to the 2-0 lead that Pompey took after goals from Kaboul and Kanu.

Pompey face Wolfsburg on Thursday in their next European game, and with a game in hand over Braga and AC Milan, a win against both Wolfsburg and Heerenveen will allow the Blues to progress.

Wolfsburg have won both their games in the group so far after beating Braga 3-2 last week and hammering Heerenveen 5-1, so they are likely to put up a fight against Pompey.

The result of Heerenveen v Braga will also come into play on how Pompey will do, but Adams is hoping to welcome the return of Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar to the side on Thurdsday to put the finishing touch together after Pompey let early leads slip against AC Milan and Hull City.

The game kicks off at 19.45 at the Volkswagen Arena on Thursday.

The game will be available to listen live on the official Pompey website.

Pompey to face Bristol City

The FA Cup third round draw took place at 14.15pm today, this will be the first round where we will begin our campaign to defend the cup.

Pompey were the first team drawn out of the hat, and we will be facing ....... Bristol City at Fratton Park. Not quite the Spurs or Scummers draw we were hoping for but maybe next round?

Bristol City are currently sitting at 14th in the Championship, losing 2-0 at the weekend to last year's fifth round oppositions Preston.

It seems that it may be an easy start for us, but like any team, we must not under-estimate them.

Former boss Harry Redknapp lead Pompey to an FA Cup victory last season, the first time since the infamous 1939-1946 holding of the cup during the Second World War.

Slightly further down the beach, to the chav-riddled side of the south coast, the scummers were drawn at home with Man Utd. I can't see the scummers having the same luck as we did last season!

The rest of the draw included:

Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham
Preston v Liverpool
Birmingham City v Wolves
West Ham United v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Barrow
Hull City v Newcastle United
Hartlepool United v Stoke City
Chelsea v Southend
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Cardiff City v Reading
Ipswich v Chesterfield or Droylsden
Charlton Athletic v Norwich
West Brom v Peterborough or Tranmere
Torquay v Blackpool
Leyton Orient v Sheffield United
Millwall v Carlisle or Crewe
Histon v Swansea City
Forest Green v Derby
QPR v Burnley
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Tottenham v Wigan
Morecambe or Cheltenham v Doncaster Rovers
Arsenal v Plymouth Argyle
Notts County or Kettering Town v Eastwood Town
Bournemouth or Blyth Spartans v Blackburn Rovers
Macclesfield Town v Everton
Watford v Scunthorpe United
Sunderland v Bolton
Coventry City v Kidderminster
Gillingham or Stockport County v Aston Villa

Pompey rumours 29/11/08

Portsmouth's cash problems are officially over.


The Sun says the sales are off as Pompey’s cashflow woes will be eased by the arrival of £10million due from bankers following the sale of Sulley Muntari to Inter.

And, with £5m received in compensation for former boss Harry Redknapp’s exit, things are looking up.

The Sun said a source told its reporters: “The Muntari situation was the cause of all the rumours surrounding the club’s financial problems.

“But it was simply a cashflow problem which will now be resolved as a result of a solution being found to release the cash.

“With the money for Harry counted in, the club is now looking to cash in some assets which could see them up to £20million to the good.” - tribalfootball.com

Barcelona want Belhadj to replace Abidal.


Barcelona have watched Nadir Belhadj impress for Portsmouth this season and are considering making a move for him if Éric Abidal does not recover from injury soon.

Belhadj has caught the Catalan club's attention after his outstanding form this season during a loan spell with Premier League Portsmouth from Ligue 1 outfit Lens.

While the 26-year-old is on a season-loan deal with the English outfit, Barça may look to compensate Pompey as well as paying Lens a fee for his services during the January transfer window.

Despite his impressive form this term, Belhadj has rarely settled at any of his previous clubs having had two loan stints and four permanent moves in six seasons.

Able to play either at left-back, where Barça would employ him, or further up field, his credentials would fit in with Barça's desire to sign players able to play in more than one position. - goal.com

Portsmouth boss Tony Adams is ready to sell Sol Campbell.


The pair were pals as players at Arsenal but Pompey skipper Campbell, 34, is fast becoming surplus to requirements, says The Sun.

He is the highest-paid player at the club on £60,000 a week and he could be offloaded as early as the January transfer window.

The former England centre-half, currently sidelined with a toe injury, is out of contract this summer - tribalfootball.com

Pompey v AC Milan photo slideshow

What a game!

Going into the game with AC Milan, I am sure most of us would have taken a 2-2 draw, but following our performance and circumstances, it was a bit disappointing.

I am sure there were many people attending last night's match that were looking forward to seeing some of AC Milan's million pound superstars in action, but it was Pompey's players who were showing to be far more attractive in play.

Nadir Belhadj for one, had the best performance I have seen from a Pompey player in ages, that kind of performance was world class, and was far better than any performance I have ever seen from the money-grabbing Ashley Cole.

Credit to the Pompey fans attending the match, including myself, we were thunderous and definitely made ourselves heard, and I think it's about time we turned Fratton Park back into a fortress. Hopefully we can keep up the support every week in the Premiership, and not just when Ronaldinho and Kaka stroll along.

The performance from both wing-backs was tremendous, I have already spoke of my praise for Belhadj, and Johnson's input to both goals was superb.

Peter Crouch was unlucky not to score with a few efforts, and the partnership with Kanu seemed to work, although I was dreading the thought of the two long-legged lads up front, but it did cause problems for Senderos and Favalli in AC's defence.

Our midfield played well also, with Glen Little throwing his weight around, Bouba Diop's quality passing (well something had to make up for his shooting) and Hughes doing what he does best, destroying the legs of big names, we don't have to worry so much about Diarra, Kranjcar, Defoe or Campbell leaving in the January transfer window - although it would be a big loss.

I also believe we have found our replacement for Sol Campbell in Younes Kaboul, as well as a great header from the centre-back he had a solid performance in defence. Slyvain Distin's captain-like qualities also shined through with 'Big Sol' missing.

Although we seem to have problems with finishing off teams, notably Hull, Wigan, Fulham and now AC Milan, but we are in a situation where if we win both of our last two group games in the UEFA cup then we will definitely qualify.

The performance that we showed last night also proved that we can at least go on and reach the next round, and then we'll see where it goes from there, but our performance was a great credit to Pompey, and to English football.

And to think that only six and a half years ago we were struggling at the bottom of the old Division One.

Well done Pompey, lets push for more success!

Pompey v AC Milan highlights

Here are the highlights of our AC Milan Uefa Cup game
Pompey v Milan

AC Milan name big guns

There was speculation that AC Milan would rest a number of their big stars for the UEFA Cup clash at Fratton Park on Thursday, but AC have included the whole lot.

Although I am nervous about the influence of such brilliant players in the game on Thursday, and especially without Defoe smacking them in, and Diarra riddling around Milan's midfield, I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing the likes of Ronaldinho, Kaka, and Gattuso at Fortress Fratton.

I shall do all I can to try and get a picture with some of the stars, but I am definately crossing my fingers over a 1-0 win for the Blues, with a goal coming from the recently unfortunate Papa Bouba Diop.

The AC Milan squad travelling to Pompey on Thursday consist of:
Abbiati, Dida, Kalac, Antonini, Bonera, Darmian, Favalli, Kaladze, Senderos, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Emerson, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Inzaghi, Kakà, Pato, Shevchenko, Ronaldinho.
Unavailable players: Borriello
Players not called up: Jankulovski, Maldini, Pasini.

The Pompey squad is currently yet to be announced.

'New Fratton Park' plans revealed

The plans for the new stadium moving to Horsea Island have now been anounced on the Pompey website - www.portsmouthfc.co.uk

Here is what has been anounced, It's probably easier to understand than me trying to explain it.

STADIUM MASTERPLAN REVEALED

Portsmouth Football Club (PFC) and Sellar Property Group today announce further evolution of the Masterplan to deliver a stunning Waterfront Stadium and Arena on Horsea Island.

Following a series of discussions with the principal politicians and leading members of the City Council's Executive, PFC and Sellar have identified a two-stage approach as the appropriate way forward to deliver the stadium in the current economic climate.

A former refuse tip will be transformed into a real destination and new home for Portsmouth Football Club.

The landmark stadium will be accompanied by a fashionable mixed-use development. The Masterplan enhances the environmental qualities of this part of Portsmouth while regenerating the area with new life and utilities.

PFC and Sellar Property Group identified this remarkable location on Horsea Island's waterfront as the most suitable site for a new stadium for the club that will act as a catalyst to a wider transformation of the gateway to the city of Portsmouth.

Given the prominent location of the site, which is adjacent to both local and national motorway junctions off the M27 and M275, and the multi-purpose nature of the project, PFC and Sellar Property Group decided upon a two-stage approach to this urban regeneration project.

This followed a series of discussions with the principal politicians and leading members of the City Council's Executive and will ensure on-time completion in the current economic climate.

The first stage of this process will involve the submission of separate planning applications for the Retail and Housing components at Fratton.

The funds generated by this initial stage will then finance the Horsea Island Masterplan, which will contain the new stadium and all-purpose arena.

The dramatic form of the stadium will create a world-class architectural landscape at the gateway to the city of Portsmouth and create a new identity for both the city of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Football Club.

The new stadium sits on the waterfront and acts as the focus for a new destination where people can meet, shop, eat and be entertained, all while enjoying dramatic views of the city.

This exciting intervention will also develop a dramatic new access to an area of the city which has historically been isolated and, in accordance with the naval tradition of Portsmouth, will provide the Royal Navy with a new Diving Centre.

A sustainable approach to energy consumption for the whole Horsea Island scheme will ensure that the scheme generates the lowest possible carbon emissions.

Portsmouth Football Club has already engaged consultancy services from ecologists to ensure the project is delivered following the necessary environmental targets.

Since the new stadium site at Horsea Island was first unveiled in the summer of 2008, there has been much speculation on the scope of the final development. Given the importance of the project, Portsmouth FC and Sellar Property Group want to restate their commitment to deliver not just a new stadium to the Pompey fans, but a new landmark that will enhance Portsmouth's growing reputation as an outstanding tourist destination.

Although still evolving, the Masterplan proposal includes the following identifiable components:

• Herzog and de Meuron-designed stadium with 35,000-plus all-seater capacity including a 3,000-spectator family enclosure, hospitality suites, catering, club offices and shop etc.
• Multi-purpose Arena: 100,000 sq ft (c. 9,300 sq m)
• Four-star hotel: 40,000 sq ft (c. 3,700 sq m)
• Replacement Royal Navy Diving Centre
• Medical centre
• Dental surgery
• Sports rehabilitation clinic
• Casino: 25,000 sq ft (c. 2,320 sq m)
• Budget Hotel: 30,000 sq ft (c. 2,800 sq m)
• Offices: 30,000 sq ft (c. 2,800 sq m)
• Restaurant and catering: 25,000 sq ft (c. 2,320 sq m)
• Residential: approximately 1,000 units
• Retail: 320,000 sq ft (c. 30,000 sq m) plus car parking
• New access to M275 and improved public transport infrastructure and pedestrian access with the potential for a new bridge link to Tipner
• Approximately 3,000 car parking spaces for the stadium and retail and the potential for park & ride with 1800 spaces and approximately 100 coach parking spaces

Portsmouth v Hull City highlights

Here at the highlights of the weekend's draw with Hull City

source: http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk

Pompey trio start for England

Pompey players, David James, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe have all been named in Fabio Capello's starting 11 in tonight's game against Germany.

Defoe lines up in attack next to Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Glen Johnson is back in the side after his quality performances for Portsmouth, but the England side is a weakened one.

Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham are all out of the running in the big international derby.

David James retains his England no1. jersey in net.

Pompey's Peter Crouch is also expected to start on the bench.

Tony to quit if Defoe is sold

Pompey boss Tony Adams has told current owner Sacha Gaydamak that he will quit as manager if Jermain Defoe or any other players he wants to keep, are sold.

There have been plenty of rumours surrounding some of Pompey's top players with a move away from Fratton Park in January, most of them being linked with Harry Redknapp at Spurs, but Adams isn't going to let them go without a fight.

Adams said: "He's a threat (in front of goal) and I'm sure there will be some big clubs trying to get him but hands off because he's mine.

"Big offers? I can't wait ...because the owner has been very supportive and although I've not made an issue of it I've told him that everyone stays who I want to stay or I don't do the job.

"I told him that at the very start. He was very supportive of Harry and now he's being very supportive of me.

"He phones me on the way home and says 'what do you want, Tony, how can I help you and I say keep Defoe where he is and there's no problem. He says fine, anything else?' He's totally behind me."

Along with Defoe, Lassana Diarra, Niko Kranjcar, Glen Johnson, Sol Campbell and David James have all be linked with a move away from Pompey.

Despite this, James has already stated his intentions to fulfil the whole of his contract at Fratton Park, which will keep the England stopper at Portsmouth until 2010.

Niko Kranjcar has most recently been linked with a £12m move to Spurs, with Diarra being linked with Man City, Spurs and Man Utd.

Four Pompey players make England squad

Picture: Realmadrid.pl

Fabio Capello has included four Pompey players in his squad for England's mid-week encounter with Germany.

David James, Glen Johnson, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch have all been named in the 23-man squad, more than Man Utd, Liverpool, and Arsenal put together.

Whether all four will start is down to Capello, but the little n large partnership has done well recently, and David James and Glen Johnson's clean sheet today will do the duo justice.

There were a few shocks in Capello's squad, with David Beckham and Michael Owen excluded, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney were withdrawn by Sir Alex Ferguson.

On-loan Wolves defender Michael Mancienne, Spurs striker Darren Bent, and Villa players Gabriel Agbonlahor, and Ashley Young were all included in the squad.

England take on Germany away on Wednesday night, and we'll all be hoping we can get one over the Germans before travels to Wolfsburg during the start of December

Goalkeepers: Carson, Hart, James.

Defenders: Bridge, Johnson, Davies, Lescott, Terry, Mancienne, Upson, Richards.

Midfielders: Lampard, Gerrard, Wright-Phillips, A Young, Downing, Barry, Carrick.

Strikers: Agbonlahor, Bent, Defoe, Crouch, Walcott.

Ben Sahar and family not happy with Pompey

On-loan striker Ben Sahar has stated his unhappiness about not being played in the first team so far this season.

The Israeli has yet to feature for Pompey this season despite looking very handy in pre-season, and although Sahar is only on a 6-month loan from Chelsea, it doesn't look like he's going to be getting a game soon.

Sahar said: "I'm fit and I feel ready to play. It's difficult because of Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch. They are great players. I'm training well, but it's not all about training.

"I can't say I regret going to Portsmouth. I wouldn't have preferred to stay at Chelsea."

As well as Sahar expressing his annoyance at a lack of first team football, his mother has been quoted in the Jewish Telegraph over-reacting about the situation.

"It's nothing to do with fitness," Batia told Sportsword. " It's because his name isn't da Santos and he's not from France or Italy or Spain.

"For Ben, football is everything I cannot look at him every day so disappointed. If he was happy we wouldn't need to live with him.

"If he was Ben Sahar da Santos it would be different matter. If he was from any other country he would be playing. It's unfair not to give him a chance.

"He's living in Portsmouth and has no friends there," said Batia. "They are all in London. The only thing he's thinking about is football. It it was me I would go home, but he's strong. It doesn't break him."

I think this is absolutely ridiculous, if Sahar and his family are that unhappy then jog on back to Chelsea where you will never get a chance. As for life in Pompey, I am sure the players have been kind to him and made him feel at home, and there will be plenty of places where you can get kosher food (another thing that Mrs Sahar has been moaning about) in Pompey, you just haven't looked.

Also we have no Spanish or Italian players at Pompey, and I would like to point out to the dippy Batia Sahar that in my eyes, our current star player is Nadir Belhadj, and he's Algerian.

Despite this, I would like to see Ben Sahar feature for Pompey, maybe in the early rounds of the FA cup or late on during a Premier League match would be a good time to give him a try, but don't expect to jump ahead of Crouch or Defoe da Santos quite yet!

West Ham v Pompey preview

Pompey head up to London to face West Ham this weekend, with the Blues looking to continue their unbeaten Upton Park run in the Premier League.

Pompey's main injury concern is Sol Campbell, who hasn't trained this week after picking up a toe injury.

Younes Kaboul looks to be the one to step in for Campbell in defence to hold a solid back four, although Tony could once again revert to a 3-5-2 system using Glen Johnson and Nadir Belhadj as wing-backs.

Midfielder John Utaka is also a major doubt, after the Nigerian was told to stay away from Pompey's training ground to recover from a virus.

Fringe striker David Nugent played a full game against Liverpool reserves at the weekend and so may feature on the bench for Pompey as Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe look set to front the Blues in attack.

Niko Kranjcar is now fully fit, with an assist and a goal in his last two returning matches, we will hopefully see Niko back in flying colours against the Hammers.

West Ham will have Valon Behrami, Carlton Cole and James Tomkins back fit. The Hammers will be without Kieran Dyer and Diego Tristan after picking up mid-week injuries.

Possible starting XIs

West Ham: Green, Behrami, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker, Mullins, Bowyer, Bellamy, Cole.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Pamarot, Kranjcar, Davis, Diarra, Belhadj, Defoe, Crouch.

Derek McGovern = Idiot

I haven't used this blog for many rants despite within the Pompey set-up, but today I read a report by the Mirror's betting guru Derek McGovern.

If you read the link below you will understand why I am so grumpy about this report. With Adams' odds of leaving or being sacked being quite low, we kind of expect bad reports and news surrounding Adams' future, but the way in which Mr McGovern claims that a loss tomorrow against West Ham will be a very bad set of results with one win from five games.

Did he not see the unlucky point against Fulham, the four times we hit the bar and three times the ball was cleared off the line against Wigan, and the unlucky penalty that left us hanging our heads at Anfield? If you ask me, we have had a really unlucky set of results, and despite playing our worst in four games against Sunderland, we picked up all three points, but McGovern has decided to claim and suggest that Adams should and will be out of a job if we fail to beat the Hammers.

For this statement I think he is a complete idiot, and needs to get his facts straight when giving his opinion. Four great games against mixed opposition, and we were unlucky with all three results. McGovern if you want an opinion on Pompey and their manager's future then maybe you should watch their games and try being a manager following in the footsteps of the legendary Harry Redknapp.

Manchester City have won just one game in seven, on top of a multi-million pound spending spree in the summer and most likely another one in the january transfer window, Mark Hughes isn't being slated by McGovern is he?

To read the article by McGovern click here

James drives a Robin Reliant to work

Pompey keeper David James was spotted driving to training in a blue Robin Reliant today.

James was voted as the clubs worst trainer, and as a result, the rest of the squad chipped in to buy Jamo this embarrassing car, and even strapped a horn to the roof that makes animal noises when it starts up.

Unlucky Jamo, just don't turn up to matches in it.

Former Feyenoord coach joins Adams at Pompey

Former Feyenoord coach Johnny Metgod has joined Pompey as Tony Adams' assistant manager.

Metgod used to play for Spurs, Real Madrid and Nottingham Forest, before becoming a coach in his home country of Holland.

Metgod said: "Tony called me on Friday morning to ask if I wanted to become first-team coach at Portsmouth.

"The chance to work with him and return to the highest level in England is appealing to me.

"As a player, I had four beautiful years there and I am looking forward to working in full stadiums every week and with the best players."

Pompey Rumours 11/11/08

Johnny Metgod is being linked with a coaching role at Portsmouth.

Pompey boss Tony Adams worked with Metgod when he spent six months as a trainee coach at Feyenoord from July 2005 during his year in Holland.

The former Tottenham midfielder has been working as coach with Feyenoord. - tribalfootball.com

Portsmouth are chasing Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic.

Bild says the 30 year-old Serbia international could move to Pompey in January.

Hertha are ready to sell Pantelic if they fail to agree terms over a new contract before the winter market opens. - tribalfootball.com

Red Bull Salzburg attacker Marc Janko has welcomed interest from Portsmouth.

Janko is keen on a move to England and said: "I definitely want to play in the Premier League. In particular, Tottenham Hotspur are among my favorite clubs." Jog on Harry he's ours. - tribal football.com

Pompey are tracking Real Betis midfielder Mehmet Aurelio.
The Turkey international only moved to the Primera Liga outfit from Fenerbahce over the summer, but is already drawing admiring glances from elsewhere.

The Brazilian-born 30-year-old is reported to be a transfer target for a number of clubs in England, with Blackburn and Portsmouth touted as potential destinations. - skysports.com

Diarra makes top 100

Lassana Diarra has been named in FourFourTwo's top 100 best players in the world at number 96.
Although he has only just made the top 100, I am glad to see it's not just the Pompey fans who recognise his amazing ability and potential.

Outside the top four big teams in England, only Pompey, Spurs and Man City have had one or two players included, and Spurs and City spent the whole of the summer wasting money on big names.

I am suprised maybe that Jermain Defoe or David James are not in there but the list does see Diarra ahead of world renowned players such as Huntelaar and Scweinsteiger.

Lets hope this time next year there may be a couple more Pompey players in the top 100.

Congrats Diarra, you deserve it!

Sunderland v Pompey Highlights

Sunderland v Portsmouth

Pompey close to new £70m takeover

Reports suggest that Pompey are soon to be under new ownership, as a South African mining consortium believe to have struck a deal for us.

Greg James, the chief executive of Central Rand Gold, is the man responsible for a £70 million takeover bid that will cause a bit of friction in the dressing room, as newly appointed manager Tony Adams, may not have a future at Portsmouth.

With a new ownership, would come a new back-room according to today's papers. Avram Grant has been linked with the job, while Rio Ferdinand's 'super-agent' Pini Zahavi is involved in the negotiations, despite early rumours claiming a bid from the Israeli.

The bid includes the supposed debt owed down at Fratton Park, as it is thought to be a figure around £32m, following the over-spending in the summer transfer window, and on player wages.

Adams was due to be announcing his new backroom staff on Tuesday but it may be new owners that are being announced along with their plans and ideas for a different manager and assistant.

I personally would prefer to see Adams stay on top of the takeover bid, we obviously need the money as Sacha seems a bit strapped at the moment, and the players are responding well to Adams so lets just bring in a new owner and leave Tony to deal with the coaches.

Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 2

Picture: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Pompey took away all three points after Jermain Defoe scored an injury time penalty.

Portsmouth have been unlucky in their last three games, with a 1-1 draw at home against Fulham, a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool through a Steven Gerrard penalty, and a 2-1 loss to Wigan at home despite hitting the bar four times and having the ball cleared off the line three times.

So bearing that in mind, everyone at Pompey was up for taking all three points back to Fratton Park this week.

Manager Tony Adams made two changes to his side that lost to Wigan the week before, Noe Pamarot came in for Armand Traore, so that Nadir Belhadj could push up the wing, as well as match-fit Niko Kranjcar starting ahead of penalty prat Papa Bouba Diop.

It didn't start well for the visitors as Andy Reid dispossessed Lassana Diarra before picking out Djibril Cisse with an spectacular 60-yard pass, with Cisse not hesitating to slot it through the legs of David James and into the back of the net.

James was forced to make several crucial saves during the first half as Roy Keane's Sunderland pushed on for a second goal.

Sunderland nearly doubled their advantage minutes later as Keiran Richardson clipped the outside of the post with his right-footed shot.

James tipped Cisse's shot over the bar as the French striker met Danny Collins' cross with a powerful header, before saving another from Cisse, fumbling the ball past the post for a corner.

Pompey had been far out-played in the first half, and it took until 35 minutes in to the game for the Blues to trouble Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop as an ambitious effort surprisingly from Sol Campbell, as the Pompey captain attempted an overhead kick.

Half Time: Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 0

Adams' half-time talk must have influenced Nadir Belhadj, as the on-loan wing back hit a thundering 25-yard shot past the Black Cats keeper following Niko Kranjcar's pass, to make the scores level only six minutes after the break. Belhadj's goal was his first for Pompey, and providing we can secure a permanent deal for the Algerian, it will be the first of many.

Cisse nearly restored the lead a couple of times for the home side, but David James was on hand to keep the ball out of the net, with Cisse also having a goal rightly disallowed after moving into an offside position.

Reid also went close for Sunderland but could only place the ball into James' hands.

Nwankwo Kanu came on for Peter Crouch in the latter stages of the match, as the Nigerian substitute's well worked play with Kranjcar, but Pompey's goalscorer Belhadj wasted the opportunity as his cross swung out of play before it could meet a blue shirt in the box.

Pompey were pushing forward and successive attacks allowed England and Pompey right back Glen Johnson to run into the box, before Pompey fans' number one enemy El-Hadj Diouf brought down Johnson for a penalty.

Defoe calmly slotted the ball past Fulop to secure all three points in injury time.

Referee Steve Bennett blew the whistle shortly after as Pompey celebrated their first win under Tony Adams.

Adams spotted at Leeds vs Northampton

Pompey boss Tony Adams was spotted at Leeds' FA cup tie with Northampton Town at Elland Road on Friday night, scouting out players from the stands.

Although it is unknown who he was following, Leeds' highly-rated midfielder Fabian Delph has already been linked with moves to the Premiership, attracting interest from Arsenal and Newcastle.

My pics of Pompey

Here are a few pictures of myself with various Pompey players, and the FA Cup final and parade.

Jordan leaves Pompey!

Picture: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Pompey coach Joe Jordan has parted company with the club after a four-year spell at Fratton Park.

Jordan has left Pompey following rumours of his future, as well as new manager Tony Adams' attempts to bring in former-Gunners Dennis Bergkamp and Martin Keown.

Keown has supposedly turned down the chance to work with Adams, but Jordan has still decided to move on.

The 56-year old Scot acted as caretaker manager briefly when Redknapp first departed with the Blues.

Adams is expected to unveil his new team of coaching staff at some point next week.

I would like to thank Joe, along with the rest of Portsmouth FC and the fans, for all his hard work in his time at Portsmouth and wish him good luck for the future.
As long as you don't join the scummers!

Recent reports show that it seems that Jordan is most likely to join back up with Harry Redknapp at Spurs.

Hreidarsson to move on?

Picture: www.4thegame.com

Out of favour left-back Hermann Hreidarsson is rumoured to be considering a move elsewhere due to his lack of first team football, according to his agent.

Hreidarsson's agent Olefur Gardarsson has claimed that Hermann is frustrated by his exclusion from the squad, due to the summer arrivals of Armand Traore and Nadir Belhadj, both of whom have played superbly since arriving.

Gardarsson said: "At this stage of his career, it's difficult for him to sit on the bench and not play."

Despite Traore and Belhadj keeping Hreiarsson out of the team, both players are only on loan.

Tony Adams expressed his desire to make Belhadj's move permanent in the January transfer window, and if he does then Hermann's move may not a bad thing for the Icelandic defender.

Arsenal reunion at Pompey?

Is Portsmouth becoming a reunion for ex-Arsenal players who want to become coaches?
As much as I think Tony Adams was the right man to be put in place for Pompey manager, the way in which Martin Keown and now Dennis Bergkamp have been linked with coaching roles at Pompey is a bit strange.

It seems that now that Adams has been given a chance, he wants to give his ex-Arsenal mates a similar chance. I don't think we should be the club to do it, although the experience and talent from the two ex-players linked is phenominal, I just don't think we should have so any new faces in the backroom.



The link of a January transfer move for Patrick Viera amuses me, as I can not see Viera moving from Inter Milan to our little south coast side. Not because we're not good enough, because we are, but because he isn't for sale, and if he was, he would rather go somewhere else, than link up with his former Arsenal team-mates that he split with when moving.

Although one Arsenal player I wouldn't mind being link with is Thierry Henry, as well as one of the best strikers the game has seen, he still plays with passion and realises the support the fans give him - as you can see in the picture below when he clapped the Fratton Faithfull after a home game against the Gunners.



Maybe Adams should give a chance to Bergkamp or Keown but I don't think we need both, and Arsene Wenger will probably be chasing the two of them anyway. We want to be singing Play Up Pompey, not Play Up Ex-Arsenal.

Torric Jibril signs for Pompey

17-year old Torric Jibril has signed for Pompey from Hearts of Oak. Torric looks to be heading out to Belgium though, as it seems the Pompey prospect will join Pompey's partner club Zulte Waregem on loan until he has gained the relevant experience to fit into Pompey's side

The young Ghanaian midfielder has signed for Pompey following a month of speculation surrounding the player's Pompey move, and has expressed his intentions to becoming a big hit in the Premiership one day.

"This is a very important moment in my career because it has always been my dream to play with a top club in Europe," he told Ghanasoccernet.

"I have been here for many days and I am happy with the facilities here and I am now relieved that the deal has been completed.

"I can fully concentrate on my career and hope that I can continue to develop to become what a lot of people expect me to be.

"I’m sure very soon I will be one of the best players in England. God willing I will live up to my potential because with all these facilities here in England I will not disappoint. Where I have come from we don’t have all of these. So the sky is the limit.”

It looked like Torric was set to move to Arsenal in the summer, with the Gunners closely following his progress, but Pompey have put pen to paper and signed him.

Pompey v Wigan Highlights

Portsmouth v Wigan

Pompey Rumours 02/11/08

Picture: http://home22.inet.tele.dk

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams wants to sign his former Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira.
Adams plans to contact Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho about signing the France international who played alongside him in the Arsenal team that won the Double in 1998 and 2002.
He said: "He is definitely a player I'd like to bring here if he was available.
"I will be speaking to Inter manager Jose Mourinho and asking about him.
"With Patrick you know what you are getting, he is a proven winner and a great character." - ITN.co.uk

Europe's richest man, Rinat Akhmetov, has turned down the opportunity to buy Portsmouth.
An intermediary acting for the club last month approached representatives of System Capital Management, the holding company that controls Akhmetov's other businesses, with a prospectus, but was rebuffed immediately. - The Guardian

Martin Keown could be reunited with his former Arsenal and England teammate Tony Adams at Portsmouth.
The 42-year-old has confirmed that he is scheduled to meet the new Pompey boss next week to discuss joining the coaching staff at Fratton Park.

"If I can help in any way it's something I'm prepared to look at," Keown told the BBC. "That's why we're going to meet.
"I need to decide if it's something for me to do in my career. I'm quite comfortable at the moment at the BBC and it would be quite a life-changing decision to go back into football."

Meanwhile, Joe Jordan is still to decide whether his future lies at the south coast club. The 56-year-old Scot, who starred for Leeds United, Manchester United and AC Milan during a 20-year playing career, was believed to have been interested in becoming Harry Redknapp's successor as Pompey boss.

Adams said: "The first-team coaching staff needs to be done by the end of next week because we're a man down at the moment.

"I don't think it's appropriate to go into too much detail at the moment. I'm in talks with Joe and I'll have another conversation with him and see what role he wants.
"That will dictate what type of coach the new person will be. I love Joe. I cannot speak highly enough about him and he's Portsmouth through and through."

Unlucky Pompey defeated by Wigan

Portsmouth will be wondering how they didn't beat Wigan at Fratton Park on Saturday, as Pompey hit the bar four times, and had the ball cleared off the line three times.

Campbell and Johnson returned to the starting 11, with Pamarot and Kaboul making way for the England stars.

Wigan started the better side, and evidently were the better team throughout the first half. Zaki nearly opened the scoring early on for the visitors, as his looping shot beat David James but was denied by the outside of the post, before going out for a goal kick.

The visitors followed up with a couple more efforts coming from Wilson Pacalios and Zaki, but James was on top of it.

It took a sketchy 17 minutes for Pompey to get their first shot away, and it came from Glen Johnson, his shot from the edge of the box was comfortably taken by Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland.

Pompey went a lot closer soon after, as Lassana Diarra's corner met Crouch who headed it onto the top of the bar. Jermain Defoe also went close minutes after, when he met Johnson's incisive pass to fire just inches wide.

Defoe went close again in the 38th minute as he skipped past Titus Bramble, but couldn't get a shot away before the ball was cleared behind.

Bouba Diop nearly broke the deadlock as his header was tipped onto the bar and then cleared by Palacios.

Then the Senegalese midfielder went from hero to villain for the second time in two games, as Bouba Diop clumsily brought down Bramble in the box, to give Amr Zaki a penalty that sent Wigan 1-0 up into half time.

Adams must have been writing notes during all of Harry Redknapp's infamous half time speeches, because whatever he said in the break gave Pompey a lift, and the blues were throwing everything that had into the match.

Kranjcar replaced Traore on the left, who nearly scored instantly with a free-kick following Figueroa's challenge on Defoe, Niko's shot deflected off Crouch, but was cleared off the line once again, this time by Emmerson Boyce.

Crouch headed Belhadj's cross just wide, before Pompey were given an indirect free-kick 9 yards out, following a Wigan pass-back. All 11 Wigan players lined up on the goal line, and Defoe's shot was once again cleared off the line to safety.

Zaki and Heskey could of put Wigan further in front soon after, but Heskey mis-timed his shot, and Zaki spooned over the bar.

But Pompey fought back to dominate the second half, as Johnson and Crouch both hit the crossbar in quite succession.
It looked like it wasn't going to be Pompey's day, and second half substitute John Utaka, who came on for Bouba Diop, had his throttling shot blocked. But on 82 minutes, Niko Kranjcar finally found the back of the net for Pompey with a well placed shot from the edge of the area to bring it back to 1-1

It looked like Pompey's fortunes had changed following the equaliser, and Adams' men carried on pushing forward and looked destined to get a late winner, but it was Wigan who got the late winner as Lee Cattermole picked out Heskey to fire it past James and leave Pompey in the dumps.

Despite having only gained one point under Tony Adams, the blues nearly stole a point midweek against high flying Liverpool, and should have won with a magnificently unlucky performance against Wigan. I think the passion from Adams is there, and I am sure our luck under him will change - we've just got to give it time.

Play Up Pompey

Pompey v Wigan Preview

Pompey play Wigan at Fratton Park at the weekend, and Adams will look to recall Defoe and Johnson.

Jermain Defoe was left out of the starting 11 during Pompey's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool during the week, as Adams reverted to a 4-5-1 system, with Defoe making way for Utaka.

With Defoe already being linked to a return to White Hart Lane under former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp, it was a risky choice to make, but nearly paid of as it took a Steven Gerrard penalty to down Pompey, but Adams insists Defoe is right behind him.

"Defoe wasn't dropped, of course not," said Adams. "I will make tactical decisions, technical decisions and emotional decisions. This time it was a tactical one.

"I want Jermain to be the top goalscorer for Portsmouth, he will be. I want him to be top scorer in the league and I think he can.

"But against the league leaders I wanted something different. We have been getting smashed up away from home - we lost 3-0 at Braga, 6-0 at Manchester City.

"I felt we needed to be resilient and hard to beat first time out for me. That is why Jermain was rested"

"Jermain took it fine, he is 100% behind me. I have had great support from everybody, but particularly from Defoe."

Although reverting to 4-5-1 wasn't a bad choice, Adams will look to return to 4-4-2 with Defoe and Crouch up front.

Utaka is looking to retain his place in midfield, and it may be Bouba Diop, who's ridiculous handball cost Pompey a point midweek, who makes way for the Nigerian.

Glen Johnson is set to return at right back replacing Noe Pamarot who was brought in for Johnson's replacement after a short injury spell.
Diarra should still be included in the squad despite worries of his knee injury returning.
Sol Campbell shall most likely miss the game with a hamstring problem, so Kaboul will carry on the good work at the back.

Lets hope we can take all three points against Wigan, but Adams will have to wary of on-form loanee Amir Zaki.


Possible starting XI

Portsmouth - James, Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Belhadj, Diop, Davis, Diarra, Traore, Defoe Crouch

Wigan - Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole, Kilbane, Heskey, Zaki.

Pompey following Taidara progress

Picture: www.fansonline.net

Tony Adams is rumoured to have his first signing in mind, in the form of Paris Saint-German striker, Mohammed Taidara

Adams could make young striker Taidara his first signing as the new Pompey manager when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Taidara said, ""More and more, English and Spanish clubs are making enquiries about me," he told Senegal newspaper Le Matin.

"Recently I finished as top scorer in a youth tournament and that saw me explode on to the scene.

"I am not sure I will still be at PSG after the winter transfer window."

Could this see Kanu or David Nugent leaving, or is it a back-up for all the rumours that Jermain Defoe will be returning to Spurs in January?

I personally can't see David Nugent leaving as he has already expressed his delight in Tony Adams being appointed as manager, and believes that he has a better chance to break into the first team under Adams.

In other transfer news, Southend are rumoured to be following French midfielder Jean-Francois Christophe who has failed to break into the first team.

Liverpool 1 Portsmouth 0 - Papa makes a Bouba of things

Pompey's first game under charge of new manager Tony Adams started in a defeat as Pompey slumped to a 1-0 defeat courtesy of a Steven Gerrard penalty.

Pompey nearly hung onto a point but when Bouba Diop strangely handled the ball in the 75th minute, the referee, Steve Tanner, pointed to the spot, with Gerrard burying the ball into the net seconds later.

Liverpool started the better of the two sides, with David James having to push Dirk Kuyt's effort on to the post to keep the reds out.

Pompey started in a 4-5-1 formation with Jermain Defoe making way for John Utaka - a risky decision by Adams, but a decision that was definately worth while as Pompey fans saw a different John Utaka than recent days.

Pompey could have taken the lead, with debatebly the best chance of the half as Sean Davis' cross met Bouba Diop, who although had time to chest the ball down and slot it away, headed it into the arms of Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.

Liverpool had shots flying everywhere but in the net with Gerrard, Carragher, and Kuyt all going close, and the half-time whistle couldn't have come at a better time for Pompey.

Adams' first half-time speech must have matched one of Harry's great ones as Pompey's solid defence restarted from the off, with Slyvain Distin magnificently denying Yossi Benayoun with a superb sliding tackle to dispossess the Israeli.

James was then forced to make a flying save from Fabio Aurelio's effort, and it seemed that maybe it was Pompey's day and they could hang on for a cheeky point, but that all changed on 75.

Tanner pointed to the spot as Bouba Diop needlessly handled the ball in the area, Gerrard stepped up to fire Liverpool into the lead - David James diving the right way, but not quite making it.

Adams' Pompey through everything they had up-front in the dying minutes with a quality cross from Nadir Belhadj failing to meet either Utaka or Crouch who were ready to pounce.

Although it will reported in the papers and on websites that Liverpool comfortably won, and Redknapp's 4-4 draw against Spurs was better than Adams' 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, I believe that it is a massive improvement on last season, seen as we lost 4-1 in the same game last year. Maybe because of a lack of Torres and Keane, although we were without Johnson, Campbell and Kranjcar so neither side can be slated for not throwing their all.

A big improvement on last year's game, and although we spent most of the game on the back-foot, we're still 7th in the league, sandwiched between English and European champions Man Utd and the worlds richest club Man City.

A video diary journey - Braga v Portsmouth

Part 1



Part 2

Braga v Pompey - a view from the stands

A poor performance from Portsmouth, seeing them beaten 3-0 was only half of the story.
On Thursday ,during Pompey’s first ever UEFA cup group game with Portuguese side SC Braga, fights broke out among Pompey fans, drunks were being sick and the Portuguese police were just sitting back before violently trying to control the trouble.

Although it was a new experience for most of the Pompey fans, a few antics troubling the game were all too familiar in our parts.

Pompey went 1-0 down early on, after a well-taken free kick by Aguiar curled into the top corner, with David James only fingertips away. Despite a good free kick, there were clear signs that the referee had made a mistake, and the Braga player had made a meal of the challenge, this summed up the game on my front.

From the away end of the ground, it looked like the referee, Darko Seferin, had no experience with dealing in the English game, and therefore Pompey conceded a large amount of free kicks, thanks to the 10 out of 10 diving from Braga’s so-called players.

Jermain Defoe went one-on-one with keeper Eduardo twice, but failed to capitalise on either chance.
Pompey looked like maybe getting an equaliser as Crouch and Defoe’s partnership started to flourish, but the half-time whistle came too early for Pompey.



Prior to half time, fights broke out amongst the Pompey fans, upsetting all the surrounding fans and security, causing even more trouble. It had seemed that too fans, both supporting Pompey, had gotten too drunk and began to argue, one thing lead to another and fists were flying. The Portuguese police reacted quickly by hitting people with batons and trying to throw people out of the ground, and showed little organisation as it seemed they had no effect. This was to no credit of the police, neither was it to that of the English fans.

Obviously when Pompey came back on the pitch for the second half there was a big drop in Pompey support, and Pompey’s below average performance in the first half did not support this as the second half started similarly.

Braga continued to push forward,(and dive), but Portsmouth found it in themselves to push on with chances coming from the corners to head in an equaliser, but oh no despite not giving any Pompey decisions in the first half, the referee rules out the goal because of the goalkeeper being impeded, which is later shown on replays to have been by his own centre-back.

The blues were lacking in spirit and passion and it seemed that only Sean Davis, and second-half substitute Nadir Belhadj, were playing with their heart on their sleeve.
It may have been because of niggling injuries, or the heavy fixture list, or maybe even the daunting sound of the passionate Braga fans, but some of the Pompey players, notably the wings and side-backs, were failing to hit any sign of decent form, as the blues looked to be totally outclassed.

As a result of some poor performances, FA cup final goal scorer Nwankwo Kanu came on to try and fight Pompey back, but not even the King could help Pompey and the south coast side fell further behind as Aguiar’s through ball found Renteria through on goal, and unmarked, allowing him to calmly slot it past James.

Portsmouth conceded a third just before time as an unlucky pass-back from Sean Davis hit the post as Braga’s Alan lapsed upon the chance and put the game to sleep, although Pompey fans could debate whether half the team had even woken up in the first place.

Despite problems with the police and Pompey supporters fighting each other, both sets of fans clapped each other as the game drew to an end and send us back to the English seaside with zero points.