A look at how things are shaping up at Fratton Park ahead of the new season…
A look at how things are shaping up at Fratton Park ahead of the new season…
Gaffer: The highly-likable Steve Cotterill, who did a good job under difficult circumstances in his first season down on the South Coast last season.
Position 10/11: 16th. With no squad or manager upon relegation, the expectations at Fratton Park were zero.
To comfortably stay up represented a good season for Pompey.
In: David Norris (Free Transfer), Jason Pearce (Bournemouth, 300k), Luke Varney (Derby County, 750k), Stephen Henderson (Bristol City, compensation) and Greg Halford (Wolves, undisc.).
Out: David Nugent, Michael Brown, Darryl Flahavan, Richard Hughes, Tom Kilbey, Ellis Martin, Peter Gregory, Marlon Pack, Danny Webber, Perry Ryan (All Released) and Nadir Cifti (Kayserispor, 100k).
Star Man: Vice-captain Liam Lawrence. Signed from Stoke City on-loan last season before penning a permanent deal in January ’11 for around 750k.
The Irish international previously spent three years at the Potteries making 105 appearances, scoring 21 goals.
Best Business: Bringing former Bournemouth skipper Jason Pearce home.
Having left Pompey in 2007 to join the Cherries, Pearce made over 100 appearances for Bournemouth before returning to Fratton Park this summer in exchange for the cancellation of his ‘sell-on clause’ between the clubs, as well as a fee.
Prediction: The safety of mid-table. There’s enough talent there to reach the top-half but with such a high-profile division this year, it will be a challenge to break the top 12.
