'Crouch' Tiger Hidden Problems

Peter Crouch has recently come out stating that he has been let down by Pompey over the last season, by getting rid of various players and managers, getting knocked out of Europe, and had to fight hard to avoid relegation.

Crouch claimed that he wanted more from a club he was playing at, saying: "There are 15 players out of contract at the end of the season - no one knows who the manager is, we don't even know who the owner is to be honest. So anyone who is at the club wants reassurances about what is going to happen in the summer," the England striker said in the News of the World.

"And I'll certainly be asking. I need to find out."

Crouch added: "I'm really disappointed to be honest. We had Harry Redknapp, Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra were there, we were in Europe and there were ambitions for the club really going forward. Instead it has taken a backward step.

"I've got to look at it in the summer. We need some players, without a doubt.

"That's plain for everyone to see. Everybody who is a Portsmouth player wants to find out what is going on. Hopefully, things can turn around with prospective new owners. We need to strengthen the side. But I've no idea about the new owners."

Crouch admitted his hopes of playing for England at next year's World Cup depended on him having a successful domestic season, although he's played all season for Pompey and scored a fair amount of goals, and still hasn't featured loads?

He said: "If I'm going to have a chance of playing for England, I need to be playing well.

"What I don't need is to be fighting relegation."

Storrie told BBC Radio Solent: "Anybody in their right mind knows we're in due diligence.

"That means the club are technically in limbo for a month."

Storrie continued: "I'm surprised. I think Peter must have been caught off guard on these sort of comments. I'm sure if I speak to Peter he will tell me he didn't actually say it that way.

"It's very disappointing, but anybody and everybody who knows anything about the takeover of a business knows there's nothing you can do for a month whilst this is all going on."

I hope that for once in his life, Storrie is right, and Crouch didn't mean it to sound like that, because in and around Fratton Park, Crouchy has been a genuinely nice guy, worked hard, and scored us goals.

Do we really want to see him leave? I have heard people say on BBC606 forums that Jamie's Dad could offer a swap of Bent for Crouch, but would you take it? I'm not sure. We'd still need to bring in another striker on top of him.

Still backs up the fact that Redknapp is still after a load of Pompey players or ex-Pompey players for Spurs - Muntari, Diarra, Crouch, Johnson, James, whilst he already has Defoe.
At least Johnson will most likely go to Liverpool or Chelsea, even though I'm still hoping he doesn't go.

James most likely won't go, probably because of his age, and Muntari and Diarra won't want to move from two of the biggest clubs in the world, (Inter and Real Madrid) to play under Redknapp at a dodgy London club, who can only get a mid-table finish and no realistic European ambitions.

Kranjcar has also committed his future to Portsmouth, as all speculation surrounding his move has been very quiet now.

"He's Big, He's Blue, He Scores With Abbey Too. PETER CROUCH, PETER CROUCH"
Let's hope we'll still be hearing that next season.

Coppell to become next Pompey manager?

After failing to secure promotion for Reading last night after losing out in the play-offs, Steve Coppell stepped down from the manager's seat at Reading, creating a perfect manager for Pompey next season.

Coppell did a superb job with Reading in the Premier League, and although he may not have too much experience in the department of where we want to be heading (up the Premier League table), he may be able to get the best out of a low budget squad, with funds low at Pompey at the moment.

Although Coppell once left Burnley for not having enough funds, the main backing of a squad is already at the club, providing they are willing to stay at Fratton Park next season.

Crouch, Johnson, Kranjcar, although all being linked with a move away, are rated as the backbone to Pompey's squad, and Steve Coppell would relish at the opportunity to play with these players.

Rumours have circled that Peter Storrie is on his way to Reading this morning, but whether he'll be latched up yet is another thing, is Hart the right man for next season, or should we capture Coppell.

Whatever happens I think Brian Kidd needs to stay as Assistant Manager because of his experience at top clubs!

Pennant - Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Portsmouth's on-loan winger Jermaine Pennant will be return to Liverpool when his contract runs out at the end of the season, but will he be staying at Liverpool?

Pennant is also out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season, and is yet to be offered a new deal. But can we tempt him to stay at Pompey?

Despite him not starting all the time and the position we have been in, fighting for relegation, he may like to stay at Fratton Park, because he now knows the staff, knows some of the players, and will always get a good reaction from the Fratton Faithful.

I'm not sure how high his wages will be, but if we can keep Johnson as well, a right side of Johnson and Pennant would be a killer for crossing balls in for Crouch, as long as we can find the big man a strike partner.

Pennant's old club Birmingham City have also been promoted to the Premiership through the automatic promotion places, so that would also be an option for him.

I personally think he won't stay at Liverpool, or if they will even offer him a new contract, because of the lack of appearances, but whether we can tempt him to Fratton Park or not is a different issue.

Kazim-Richards to Fratton Park?

Today's hot gossip for transfer news lies in the form of Colin Kazim-Richards, formally of Sheffield United, currently playing for Fenerbahce.

Pompey are reportedly ready to make a £3m bid for the striker, to fill the boots of Jermain Defoe after he moved to Spuds in the summer.

The 22-year old is thought to be on the books at Hull City as well as Pompey, so a fight for his signature may be on when the transfer window opens.

The London-born star has been playing in the UEFA Champions League for Fenerbahce this season, but is dying to get back in the Premier League, and Pompey could be his route!

Reduced transfer profit to make settlement

Pompey are rumored to reduce the amount Manchester City have to pay for Benjani, so that the club's current debt can be paid during the summer.

The Blues were paid an initial £4m up front for the Zimbabwean striker, with the rest due when Benj makes a certain amount of appearances. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we're trying to get the money up front from City, and therefore are asking for a lesser amount.

It is also rumored that a similar deal is being done with Lassana Diarra's move to Real Madrid - worth £19m, and Jermain Defoe's move to Spuds.

I for one would like to see Benjani back at Pompey, and maybe canceling out this debt could see him returning?

O'Neil bid turned down!

A bid for former Pompey player Gary O'Neil has been turned down by Middlesborough.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate turned down the £4.5m bid from Pompey for the midfielder.
O'Neil came through the ranks at Pompey and featured in 192 appearances for the Blues.

Even though it is rumoured that Gary is in favour of a move back to Fratton Park, Adams and Storrie are yet to strike a deal with the Riverside club.

O'Neil left Pompey in August 2007 to play for Boro, but in a short time at Middlesborough, O'Neil is home sick and wants a return to the Blues.

In other transfer news, rumours continue of a move for Edu, as well as O'Neil, and the first rumour of a return to Fratton Park for Benjani to replace Defoe.

Jermain Defoe joins Judas

Pompey striker Jermain Defoe has joined ex-Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspurs after a constant stream on rumours linking the pair back together since Redknapp's departure.

The Portsmouth Official Website have confirmed that the Blues have accepted a bid from Spurs for Defoe, who is currently undertaking a medical at White Hart Lane.

A figure is yet to be disclosed for the England striker, with the move coming just 12 months after signing him from Spurs in the same transfer window the previous year.

Hopefully Tony Adams will use the money wisely and buy someone better than Redknapp's waste of £6m David Nugent.

After Defoe's move I am really debating whether getting rid of Benjani for Defoe was a good idea, Benjani is a top quality striker and scores loads of goals if you give him the support, the kind of support we can give players.

Bring back Benjani Mr Adams, he will save us!

As for Defoe I wish him the best of luck for the future but don't be scoring any goals against us this month.

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)

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

Pompey Rumours 20/10/08

Tribal Football ----
Lens midfielder Razak Boukari is interesting Portsmouth.

The News of the World says Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp will be able to get the France Under-21 star for £2million in January.

The Togo-born player is also a target for Strasbourg and Nice but would prefer to play in England.

Boukari, 21, has helped Lens to the top of Ligue 2.

SkySports.com ----
Serbian ace Milos Krasic has confirmed he wants to quit CSKA Moscow for the Premier League and that he knows a number of English clubs are interested in him.

Manchester United emerged as suitors over the weekend after watching him in action last week, whilst Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth are also keeping tabs on the situation.

Tribal Football ----
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is confident of the signing of Lester Peltier in January.

Pompey are set to offer the Trinidad & Tobago midfielder a four-year deal.

Tribal Football ----

Arsenal fullback Armand Traore has again declared he could sign permanently with Portsmouth.

"I really like it here," he said. "Everyone has been very kind and it is a good club. I have come to a stage when I need to play regularly. Arsene Wenger agreed and he said he would let me go if I play every week.

"The future is something I need to discuss with the two clubs. I will need to speak with Arsene Wenger about it. I want to play every week. If I go back to Arsenal I will need to talk to Arsene Wenger.

"The manager here told me if all goes well I can play every week here. That is exactly what I needed to hear. I came to Portsmouth to play and that has helped me to relax and be myself.

"At Arsenal there are a lot of international players – in every position. Gael Clichy is the left-back and he is doing really well for them at the moment."