Pompey Chimes (11)

Saturday was a fairly busy day for Pompey and the Tabloids.

No longer a Pompey player, but I still look out for Sir Teddy - and he received an MBE on the Queens Birthday Honours list. The veteran - without a club since his release by West Ham - has vowed to continue playing. I am sure Harry Redknapp has Teddy Sheringham MBE's number handy, just in case!

The Sun made the claims that Redknapp is stepping up his interests in striker Henri Camara - with Lomana LuaLua being offered in return. This was covered in full on Vital Pompey in this article LuaLua to Wigan Camara in return?

Fresh rumours of Pompey interest in Fredi Kanoute surfaced when Redknapp was 'impressed' by his former West Ham strikers performance on a 'spying mission' in Spain recently, when he had gone to watch Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano. 25 goals have seen 30-year old Kanoute valued at an incredible £8million.

Former Pompey loanee, and one time thought to be potential record signing material Manuel Fernandes - who ended the season on loan with Everton - told the Daily Express his time in England was over. Benfica's asking price is deterring potential suitors.

Some reports started linking Pompey with a move for Italian U21 striker Giampaolo Pazzini. The Fiorentina youngster could be forced to leave the club due to reported financial difficulties still hanging over the club, but he would not come cheap. This was also cover in full by Vital Pompey in this article Giampaolo Pazzini in Pompey link.

SKY Sports started reporting Boro had started looking for replacements for Yakubu, with them resigned to losing the Nigerian. The striker is highly likely to return to Pompey shortly, with a cash plus players deal quite possible.

The French media are reporting that Pompey are closing in on Alou Diarra - a player Redknapp is very keen on - with Pompey in the 'driving seat' for the French international midfielder. A move could take place 'in the coming days'. This too was covered in full on Vital Pompey in this article Diarra Pompey Bound?

The thing that really caught my eye though was the news that Pompey chief exec Peter Storrie is looking forward to taking on the big guns early next season. He told The News that he was confident of causing upsets in our 'unenviable task' of facing United, Chelsea (a), Liverpool and Arsenal (a) as 4 of the first 6 fixtures.

'Manchester United don't enjoy coming here - we've beaten them three times out of four at Fratton Park. So we'll be looking to get something out of the game.

'Whatever way you look at it, it's a very tough start. But sometimes it's better to get the bigger sides out of the way at the beginning'.

Storrie is spot on, United do not like coming here, Liverpool are more than beatable and we have proved in the past we can live with Arsenal - even away. Chelsea are the nut we will be looking to crack this season.

I would rather face these teams at the start, rather than the end of the season - I just hope I feel the same after these games.

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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