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Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Thursday July 2 2009
Time: 12:07PM
UK time is: 23:52:51
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Risk or confident?
Right, we have had our summer clearout and more 'could' follow. For me, most of what has been allowed to go does not surprise me at all, and I welcome the vast majority of this.
That said, despite most not likely to be missed, when you now look at the squad as it is you do 'gulp' a little at the thought of being faced with this for a premier league season!
It is 'thread bare', to say the least...
This now either means that we are going to bring through a massive influx of 'kids' or Portsmouth Football Club are pretty confident that a deal is almost done and new arrivals are expected!
To be honest I do not think the kids could do much worse than most of those released, they would certainly be paid a hell of a lot less and be up for the challenge much more! But you cannot buy the kind of experience that most had, throwing a bunch of untried and untested kids is some hell of a risk, and they would have to be pretty special - most serve apprenticeship on loan with clubs, but few of our have done that...
So, for me, and this is not just to put a 'positive spin' on things, I seriously think that it is the latter - PFC are pretty sure that this takeover is virtually done and new players will arrive, if not then a few of those allowed to leave would have been kept, they would have needed to have been kept.
We have cut adrift the deadwood, which is good, but some 'could' have been retained, despite needing to cut the wage bill, had we been at all worried this deal would not go through for me.
In an ideal world we can bring in a few players this summer, and we will and with a degree of quality about them, but we will also promote some of these kids into the 1st team squad and if they are good enough start introducing them to the 1st team picture.
In my thinking it is a confident move that suggests we are almost done, and former players that still have connections to PFC have started saying 'the new regime' more and more, again this suggest that they too have been made aware that we are almost home and dry.
Peter Storrie is away on holiday this week, there probably is not a lot he can do with the deal at the moment but when he returns to the club next week, and the players return for pre-season training, I think we will be done, or just about done - afterall, not this weekend, but the next will see that 11th July target arrive...
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Your Comments
A bit of worrying times in my mind. So far we have lost a number of players that really might have stayed. I have so far counted 10 that have left but there could be some I have missed. This is a lot for what was a small squad. Where is harry when you want to talk about the 'bare bones'.
sneakay
I'm with you on the latter, I reckon the players released are to make way for a new and better replacements. In fairness there are still some great players out there to buy and the ones that have already gone, such as Barry, Cruz etc we probably wouldn't have been interested in anyway, certainly at the money City are prepared to pay. I would dearly love us to get some quality in the midfield and a striking partner for Crouchie, assuming he stays and with some youngsters such as Wilson coming through and given his chance throughout the season.
blarmy
GULP!
pompey--pessimist
I agree that most of the players that have gone are deadwood and there is still some others that could go without upsetting me. I also think that with a few free signings and a couple of the kids that are coming through we will be no worse off than we are now with a big saving in the wage bill.
I also think that the deal must nearly be done because surely the Doc would have found out about any major problems by now and pulled out.
I am still optimistic
pompeykenya
It's a huge risk, essentially what has got to happen is for a group of relatively new players who may not have played together in the past will need to gel/fit in to a team during pre-season and be ready for the start of the season. I believe there probably is a wish list but this may change when a new manager comes in.
bluedr
Of coarse you could turn that thinking on it's head and say that PFC are hedging/clearing the decks for a worst case scenario. The smallest squad that can be afforded. But I'm not going to run with that one because I want to think that a new era is just around the corner and we will see the rebuilding of PFC in all areas. We can all still only guess as to what's going on behind the scenes, but if Dr SAF's takeover is nearly there, a new manager if not players must surely be waiting for the nod. However, I guess we're going to wait a little longer for the real picture to emerge. I'm hoping we'll all be pleasantly surprised.
cornypomp
Of those guys that have gone, only a very small number really ever played, even when there were injuries. So I don't think it's a major loss. A very thin squad indeed, but its the right thing to do either way - if the takeover collapses we would have had to get rid of players and the ones who have gone would have gone anyway, right? I.e. wouldn't have renewed Sol, or almost any of the others. And if the takeover goes ahead we are in a better place to start afresh. Makes a lot of sense really. It all comes down to whether we get any new money or not, and that looks very likely in my opinion, for what that is worth!
Pompeytim
I don't think it's a risk at all. Yes, it does give us a very small squad, but having a squad full of players who don't play (and some of whom barely even turn up for training) is not having depth. It's having waste. Ultimately I agree with PompeyTim above me, it's the right thing to do regardless of whether the takeover goes ahead and/or we bring in new players. If we can afford to bring in new players, that's great, and we need to make room for them. If we cannot do that, we need to get the wage bill down anyway. If we end up having to fill the roster a bit with our youngsters and a few free agents, so be it. As you say in the article, they're not going to be any worse than what we got rid of, are they? At the very least, the likes of Cranie and Wilson ( is OJ still on the roster? ) are going to have a hunger that we damn sure didn't see from Lauren and (D)Traore.
PhilTaglia
Agree totally with rug: I mean look at the appearances of most who we actually let go:
Lauren: 25
Jerome Thomas: 1
Djimi Traore: 13
Theofanis Gekas: 1
Jermain Pennant 13
Lucien Aubey: 3
Glen Little: 5
Pele: 0
I think the ones we are going to miss are Glen, Armand and Sean. Apart from that I think the squad looks stronger man for man. As Phil says I would take Wilson and Cranie over these guys anyday. Lets just make a few astute signings in the areas where we need it. If it goes pete tong early on, then lets plow some cash like we did in the great escape...
Choard
We might miss Pamarot a bit, but we'll cope. Obviously the biggest loss is Glen, and we might miss Sol and Davis a little, but mostly its clearing out dead wood. The longer the due diligence goes on without Dr SAF running screaming for the sands the more it seems that the deal will go through. And I've heard rumours that there is a manager and players set ready to come in as soon as its all done and dusted.
tracyc
I think this is a marvellous opportunity to start with a virtually blank canvas. The new Manager can choose his own team instead of trying to incorporate into his plans what is left after the "stars" have all moved on. My only concern is the length of time we have left to get all this in place. Although, if Tracy is right, it won't be too ba. Spurs aren't anticipating getting anyone in until the last minute, and to be honest, isn't that what always happens anyway?
Gandor1
I just hope everything goes ok with the deal.
Pompey Malta
Bloody hell .. we are all agreement (I think) .. I agree with virtually everything said .. and (just to be controversial) I think I actually want Sol Campbell to go so we can appoint a new captain for a new team.. I'll never forget him lifting that cup though..
Chix
Lets hope Jim Storrie is using his week off to find a new job!!
Mike1954
What a time for a 2m exec to be taking a week off? Perhaps he is looking for a new job!
Gandor1
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