Final days, what should we 'expect?'

Perhaps 'expect' is the wrong word to use, as expecting anything always leaves you with the potential to be disappointed.

So, maybe 'hope for', in as much as what comes in and what goes out, is what should be happening...

As far as movement out goes if there is a budget in place for us to 'realistically sustain' what we had I cannot, and despite a player exit on Saturday, I still could not see much movement. We almost, even if a few 'high earners' moving on would ideally help, cannot really let too many go!

Dave Nugent has said he is staying until the summer, and I have little reason to doubt this as I cannot see why he would not rather leave himself with more options by seeing out his contract - see it out and then move on IS something he will do, anyone anticipating anything other will be left disappointed in June/July.

I had suspected that John Utaka would fall into the same bracket, along with most others that are out of contract this summer, although he has, surprisingly in many ways to be honest, moved on.

Richard Hughes and Mikey Brown, who despite 'reported' interest in both, seem no nearer an exit. Then again the chances are these will be last minute deals, should they even more on?

I dare say that the non-movement on their part is also seriously impacting on our ability to bring in at least one player, due to budget concerns. The departure of Utaka 'could', at least in theory, allow us to bring in a couple of good nopower standard players and still not be spending as much in wages as we were on his.

Well, at least we know all loan options have been exhausted so there will be no more of these.

Technically we can make more loan signings although this defeats the object as only 5 loanees can be involved in a matchday squad so what would be the point in bringing in anymore loans and always having to leave at least one loanee out each time!

I have it on good authority that we have pretty much 'stalked' Bradley Johnson, and have pretty much refused to take no for an answer from the player and Leeds. That said I also believe, by all accounts, that the message has finally got through to our manager that Leeds will not sale, at least at what we offered, and he does not want to sign for him...

Perhaps we have done the same with David Norris?

Any move for the Ipswich man, despite their league cup exit, would 'seem' to be unlikely with it more so that he will leave them on a free at the end of the season - maybe joining us?

Then again we cannot write off the chances of him arriving before 11pm on Monday, especially as Paul Jewell signed Jimmy Bullard on loan...

Steve Cotterill has said that he prefers to keep his options close to his chest, and is not even telling some of the coaching staff. I find this slightly odd, and this very much goes to show that he ONLY wants to do things his way and takes on board little, or nothing, that those around him share, or want to share.

I do not think that we should be 'expecting', or even 'hoping' for too much between now and the window slamming shut, although 'surely' we will bring in at least 1 player, more than likely 2, right?

David Lampitt 'should' be a busy many for the next 48-hours or so, and to be fair and honest I am sure that he will do what is best for Portsmouth Football Club and do his utmost to bring in some players, at bargain prices.

Doing this to ensure that we achieve what is something that is essential come May and the end of the season, survive in this league! Anything else would be a bonus...

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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