Groves and Coles go, Keeley steps up

Well, lets be honest, I do not think that anyone is surprised to see The Pompey Site confirm that Paul Groves and David Coles have left Pompey to join West Ham are they?

This is something that has been expected, most certainly in the past few days...

David Lampitt thanked both, and wished them well: 'we are sorry to lose both Paul and David to West Ham but understand the offer to continue working in the Premier League was difficult to refuse.

'I would personally like to thank them both for the excellent jobs they have done at the club and wish them well for the future.'

I am of course disappointed to see both go, but especially gutted where Coles is concerned as there are VERY FEW better goalkeeping coaching around than him to be honest - he will be seriously missed...

Whilst they must have wanted to go, and I am annoyed at Uncle Avram for coming back for them, I still think that there is 'possibly' more than meets the eye on this one? I know it sounds like another conspiracy theory, although I do, but hey ho, on we must go - and we WILL!

Ian Woan and Guy Whittingham will assist Steve Cotterill, for the time being at least.

Stepping up to replace Coles is John Keeley, who has been coaching the academy for the past 3-years, this is what Cotterill had to say: 'John has worked well in the academy and is looking for a step up. We're more than happy to promote from within.

'At the moment I'm working with Guy and Ian and just want to see the dynamics of the group before appointing anybody else.'

With all due respect to Woan, Whittingham and Keeley, who I do have respect for of course, we DO need to bring in another body to assist Cotterill - people say, and I have as well, that we should be looking to offer David James a player-assistant managers job, or at least a player-coach job?

Perhaps we should, as it could be very important to keep him, although he is a big personality and I 'maybe' fear a bit of a clash of personalities with Cotterill perhaps - and 'possibly' the mark could be overstepped...

Time will tell I guess.

PLAY UP POMPEY!



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