New Pompey season - here we go again

I still have to sometimes pinch myself to actually believe we are a Premiership side. But we are and what is more we have been for what will soon be a 5th season running - amazing isn't it.

The years of struggling - nearly going out of business several times - seem such a long time ago, but these are days that cannot and should not be forgotten. We might have taken the long and even painful route around sometimes but we got there and we are staying there.

I am not naive enough to make assumption that 'we are too good to go down' as, other than a very few cases there is no such thing, but we are an established Premiership side, even if we have found the times tough going at times - but only once have we really stared relegation in the face before slaying that beast.

2006/07 was way beyond most people's dreams, but even this should have been better really - but we cannot dwell on this any longer, we must learn from this and make sure it does not happen again.

The signings we made in the summer of 2006 signalled ambition - signings this summer and the money spent, although not excessive or over top, along with the improvements to the club off the field as well signal real intent!

9th place is the benchmark that has been set - we need to at least maintain this as my thinking is anything less will not be good enough! The pressure is on but with the squad we have good cup runs, possibly ending in success and quite possibly a uefa cup place via the league are all more than possible - and this could be needed to keep some of these players - and why should we not do this?

What a journey it has been but this still has quite a few more stops to make, we may take some detours along the way but the final destination could be amazing and this season is going to be a very special one.

We might have waited 50 odd years - not me personally as I have only been around for less than 30 of these - for Pompey's highest top flight finish but my thinking is we will see this bettered again this time round and we will be watching uefa cup football during the 2008/09 season, with this place claimed via the league but I also have a strong gut feeling about the cups this season.

The Barclays Asia Trophy gave us a little reminder of what it was like to win a cup, yep it may have been a very minor one, but it is a taste the players will have liked, as will us fans - so be prepared for another taste of this before this season is over as my thinking is one of the domestic cup's will have Pompey's name on it come the middle of May.

The time has come, the 2007/08 season is just about here, Derby await - if you still have not already made your predictions in the 'Pompey Predictions League' for this match do it here - and we have to prove that we mean business by starting well - let the roller coaster begin.

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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