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Worth a punt?

Yep I know, I know, the continued uncertainty surrounding PFC (apparently something will happen tomorrow?) makes most things 'worthless' and almost pointless thinking about, let alone writing but what the hell I have had a week away from doing anything and I want to get back into the swing of things...

With the premier league season now done and dusted the released list is up, not that I have really looked at it, but did read about a 'few' names released at the end of their contracts.

I know that we already have one of the oldest, least immobile and arguably 'lazy' forward lines in the league, if not country - and again arguably least effective, at least prolific - so adding more creaking old bones to this is a concern but an aging, but goalscoring option, Kevin Phillips 'might' be just that, an option perhaps?

Problem is we surely need a younger, more mobile, clinical and physically capable of regular playing striker although that is easier said than done...

Another name that I noticed was Giles Barnes.

Whilst this 'kind of' goes against what I had previously said about midfield options, when dismissing the need to really sign Boss Hogg, this 'could' be an exception to the rule?

As a teenager at Derby Barnes was one of the most sought after and highly rated footballers in the country, sadly injuries have really hampered his progress and he eventually left them and was picked up by West Brom, who have just released him.

He would offer a good attacking option from a central, or wide role, the problem is how physically fit and able would he be?

Quite how many offers he will get this summer is debatable so a trial period at the club during pre-season with the opportunity of a 'short-term' contract to further prove himself may well not be a bad thing?

Nothing like playing 'manager' is there although in my defence I had put down Gareth McAuley as one that I thought we should move for, and 'apparently' he was exactly someone that we did go after and almost had a deal with until uncertainty and an offer from a premier league club, West Brom, came on for him and he joined them.

So, 'perhaps' these may well be players that Cotterill also has on his radar...

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Writer: pompeyrug Mail feedback, articles or suggestions

Date:Tuesday May 31 2011

Time: 7:51PM

Your Comments

Barnes was the next big thing a couple of years back, if wages wern't too much, definitely!
paultsmouth
I mentioned Phillips on Sunday. He always scores against us
MickTait
I still think Jay Bothroyd would be a great signing, but I guess he was released due to wages, so is prob out of our league
sneakay
Reality bites, Barnes & McCauley were never going to come to a salary capped club like Pompey.
russellm
Bothroyd's apparently in talks with Everton and i think Newcastle Sneaks so theres no chance there unfortuantely
pompeym@
but for other players what about Thomas Cruise, he played about 10 or so games for arsenal a couple of years back and he's only 20, got to be worth a punt i reckon. real shame we'd never be able to afford Gudjohnsen, D. Kamara or Carew cause they'd be amazing free's lol
pompeym@
has barnes signed for someone else then russ? if not then i am not so sure that his wages, even on a cap, would be 'too much' of a problem as i cannot see clubs lining up to sign him...
pompeyrug
 

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