Signing no.2 confirmed/Barton rumours/Appiah

Pompey have completed a second signing of the day with the arrival of keeper Jon Stewart...

I assume that he is the keeper that was listed as 'trialist' in our recent behind closed doors friendly with Sunderland, as the image of him on the Pompey Site is one of a player in Pompey training kit so he must have spent a spell with us?

Stewart is a 19-year-old keeper who was a free agent having left Weymouth in the summer.

A surprising signing to say the least, but I would not have thought his wages would be that high and it is only a 1-year deal. I also doubt we would have brought him in if he did not have something about him.

Just because we might not know much about him it does not mean that he is not going to be any good does it. That said I doubt we will see him have much of an impact, if any at all at Pompey at a 1st team level...

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Over the weekend some of you might have seen some 'disturbing reports' that Pompey were keen on bringing Joey Barton in from Newcastle?

Well, these reports included that old favourite some 'quotes form a source close to the player' that 'claimed' Pompey wanted him if the Barcodes wanted to let him go. According to some more 'reports' today sky sports news has said that a top 10 premier league club is talking to the Barcodes with the view to signing him...

We are not a top 10 club this season at the moment - so hopefully this rules us out! If that does not then the fact that we could not afford to sign him will be a card that I hope comes into play! If he would be available on a free then hopefully the fact that he is an animal and should never be allowed to wear the blue of Pompey would ensure we never made this deal possible!

Whilst I would never boo one of our own, as unlikely as I feel it is that Barton would be coming to Pompey - at least I sincerely hope not as he is an animal on and off the pitch that should not even be allowed to play the game any longer as he has had enough 'final chances' - I would never be able to accept him as such, and nor would the vast majority of Pompey fans I dare say.

In a brief appearance at the weekend he showed with his first challenge, which he slightly dived into and was maybe fortunate not to be booked that he probably has not, and will not change...

Nothing more that 'rubbish' speculation methinks, and indeed me hopes too!

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Harry Redknapp is very keen to bring in a powerful midfielder, and whilst Barton has that 'bite' about him I think I make it clear that I pray it is not him that we turn to, and the word I have is that we are still very much in the running for Stephen Appiah and a deal, if not today, is still a possibility - not that I am saying 'it will happen' as I am not, I want to make that clear.

The Ghanaian is said to be keen on Juventus, but they might not be keen on him - whereas word is we are very, very keen on bringing him to Fratton and as he is a free agent this is still possible, and maybe even probable, even if we cannot arrange this deal before midnight...

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