Portsmouth News 24/7Writer: 
Date:Thursday August 17 2006
Time: 4:15PM
UK time is: 14:24:52
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Harry: Smallest Squad Ever
Harry is concerned heading into the new season;
'It is the smallest squad I've ever had at the start of a season. 'We are still at least four players short and a run of injuries would be very bad news for us.
'We've tried for a long list of big signings and the owner has been ready to put up the money for them. But other clubs just don't want to sell their good players and it has been a frustrating time.
'But we still have two weeks to put that right and we are still looking to do that. There is no way we can afford to wait until January."
Fernandes has now failed a medical although has made a significant improvement and the deal is not dead. Kanu waiting on key signatures on his contract with Gaydamek back from business today. Martins is today speaking with three clubs about a possible move. Distin looks likely to move to Middlesborough after being spotted there today.
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Your Comments
doesn't look such a good decision to release so many players before getting replacements now does it Harry?
Steve C
yea agreed, whose fault is it for the bare bones now. but he'll pull at least 1 rabbit out before the end of the month
russellm
All the news is a bit grim today, any chance we'll have any signings confirmed tomorrow? Kanu probably I guess, as we don't want one up front on his own on Saturday.
Tantona
I agree, we should have found the replacements before releasing the players but its not as if the players we released were really that good anyway. You would assume that players would be jumping at the chance to join Pompey with their new ownership and finances but I think we needed to sign some big names sooner than we did. The players will sign for us, we just need them now....... not in a week or two.
POMPEYMEV
i dont really blame harry for this cos as we have all been saying Pompeymev, top class players are used to Top class facilities, and although we might are the best fans in the country (this must be true! i heard a bloke in Dorchester say it) the Martins, Muntari's et all who are used to playing in front of 40 thousand weekly do not know that. secondly we have already have some good players but if we are to have a good season we need a good squad
russellm
It's true that some of the transfers we've been linked with seem to have taken an incredible amount of time to progress. There may well be a case for looking at the way the club conducts it's transfer deals. Other clubs seem to just get on and sign players while we are linked with them, spend months saying it's nearly a done deal and then they sign for someone else.
Steve C
believe me Muntari plays for Udinese, who never play in front of 40 000 crowds at home. he might do so when they visit Milan, Inter , or Roma but he will do that when he travels to Newcastle, man u, Arsenal, Liverpool, etc next season.
The Rabbi
hey there's two milans in italy but i did forget about the relegations
russellm
only Juve got relegated. No player ever worries as much about the size of crowds he playing in front of as much as he does about the size of his pay packet.
The Rabbi
so nothing to do with European football then? lets say your right then why arent they coming ?
russellm
I would have liked to see Pericard get another go. He looked good playing for Stoke
Pompeyscum
and i forgot lazio and i believe also parma
russellm
Quality over quantity. Of all those gone maybe Priske could have stayed. I think HR is looking at Duffy as cover. Another 2 weeks to buy players remember.
storagematt
you can't hold players you don't want it aint fair
lmatthews
I think Priske should have stayed. He played such an important part in the great escape.
POMPEYMEV
completely agree PompeyMev, ok so we've got GJ he's just as suceptible to a two footed tackle as anybody & whats wrong with a bit of depth
russellm
The problem is Portsmouth are still regarded as a small premiership club around the country and Europe. Until we win a cup or climb up the table we arn't going to attract big name players like Farfan, Huntalaar, Petrov etc
That is why HR has got in loan players along with some experienced players like Sol and DJ in to steady the ship and climb the ladder. Finish mid table this season and then watch the foreigh stars arrive WANTING the honour to play for our Club. It is only the Pompey Fan that appreciates how big our club is and where it is going at present.
nelson
and i completely agree with you Nelson too, Rabbi seems to think it is only down to money but i think (it happens on the odd occaision) it is down to the lack of facilities, euro footy and the general perception that we are a small club combined with playwers ego's. Until we win something or have fabulous new facilities & stadium we are always going to struggle to present to the out side world that we are a club going places and therbye get the Martins and FanFans to come. Now im off to have a steak sarnie
russellm
I think Priske simply wanted to leave when he knew Johnson was coming - I'm sure Harry said he couldn't guarantee him a first team place once he made the move and so he left. I'm glad Harry is going for quality players with the money he has, if it takes time so be it. We're still better than this time last year - I'm sure he'll bring in freebies on deadline day if our squad hasn't grown to it's proper size.....
StuartM
dont buy it Stuart, he fought for his place all season, squad wise i dont see how you can say that, even harry is not saying that. Personally i do think he will pull out one we had not thought of.
russellm
Just seen on Sky Sports News Kanu has signed one year deal. By signing today means he will be able to play Saturday against Blackburn
nelson
also on local radio, harry thinks benjani might be fit enough
russellm
The players that were released were crap with the exception of one who was crap but gave 300% every game and that made up for it. Clean slate and some players are starting to arrive and the back is looking good, Kanu is just a waste of space so not including him in that.
TeddyLyon
Sorry Teddy, but Priske was far from crap....Kanu may yet surprise us - he's certainly capable of playing better than he did last year, and as he's only on a years contract he will probably want to prove himself to try for an extension?
Tantona
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