Lawrence deal 'set' for loan go ahead

The levels of incompetence that Portsmouth Football Club has shown over the years has been astounding - although, even by our standards, the cock up with Liam Lawrence is an all time high, or should that be low?

Quite why, and how even, Dave Kitson's transfer was able to go through but Lawrence's was not seriously throws into doubt the thoughts that had been going around that Lawrence was 'always keen on the move', right?

If he was then WHY was his transfer not registered but Kitson's was...

Evidently, from the fact one did when one did not happen, this points squarely to the fact that he was having doubts right up to the last, surely?

A statement was released on this issue last night, on The Pompey Site, that read: 'Portsmouth Football Club have been notified by the Football League that the permanent transfer of Liam Lawrence from Stoke City has not been authorised because the necessary paperwork was not registered in time on transfer deadline day.

'Pompey are now working with Stoke and the League and are confident a solution will be found to overcome the administrative issue, meaning Lawrence will still join the club and be available for this weekend's fixture at home to Ipswich Town.

'A Pompey spokesman said "It is obviously disappointing that we have had to adjust things but it is now just a paper exercise to make sure we end up in the same place as envisaged. Nothing changes in the sense that Liam is still fully committed to coming to Pompey."

'It is anticipated that Lawrence will move on an emergency loan to Fratton Park, ahead of a permanent transfer in January.

'The transfer of Dave Kitson to Pompey and Marc Wilson to Stoke are unaffected.'

Incompetence seems to follow Pompey around. Was this a case of 'too many cooks' that made this happen, meaning that too many were involved, or trying to be involved when it just needed the one key figure in place?

With us unable to have 3 Stoke players on loan at anyone time there were doubts as to how we could get around this - I guess we could have always sent back Ibrahima Sonko if need be!

Either way it looks as though an 'emergency loan' deal will be granted.

As this is only for a maximum of 93-days this would not see him through until the New Year, although 'sending him back to Stoke' during the international breaks would be a way of getting through this, as that puts his loan 'on hold' so he is with us between now and the New Year before the deal becomes permanent in January.

Whatever has happened, and for whatever reason, it 'seems' like we will get a happy resolution as according to various 'reports' this deal 'should' go through today as the football league has no objections at all and he 'should' then also be able to make his debut against Ipswich at the weekend.

Tommy Smith is also expected to complete a similar temporary loan switch, ahead of a permanent move in January, after problems with a deal to take him to QPR.

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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