...........................James Hreiderson Campbell Distan Lauren ......Taylor Kranjcar Muntari O'neil ...................Nugent Utaka (that is considering Kanu doesnt return)
What about Pedro Mendes? I'd prefer to keep Hreiderson as a back-up if I were you. My Squad ---------Nugent-----Utaka-------- -Krancjar----Muntari----Mendes---Oneil Taylor-----Campbell-----Distan-----Lauren ------------James-------------
good point i do like mendes, but the thing is kranjcar is not a natural left winger, he's a playmaking attacking midfielder, thats why i'd prefer taylor on the wing since he has been a hell of a threat there last season and kranjcar in the middle alongside a workhorse well since all the stuff i've been reading has mentioned as benjani as the only striker coming back, and kanu as someone they are working on but in doubt, i think that lua lua is out
Not a out and out Pompey fan but can appreciate the things the club is doing. I think this team is going to be a real formidable one this year....... the kind of team that none of the top teams will want to play against. I am particualry excited about Muntari but also realise the dilemma that Sir Harry will face eg 1. Taylor at fullback or in the middle what do you guys think is his best position? 2. three good centrebacks which two to play (i like distin and campbell) can hredarison be effective at fullback if Taylor s pushed in the middle?
there are a lot centerback options for harry, and i think he got hreiderson as cover on he left back, that opens up the left midfield position for taylor
--------Nugent--------Utaka-------- ---Taylor---Muntari---Mendes---O'Neil--- --Stefanovic--Campbell--Distin--Lauren-- ---------------James--------------- I think some of Hreidarsson's performances for Charlton last season were disastrous. I'd be willing to try out former captain Stefanovic on the left with Hreidarsson and Traore in reserve. I'd start Mendes in the center with Muntari, but Kranjcar and Davis are ready-and-willing substitutes for Pedro. As for the front, Kanu's my Peter Crouch-like substitute for Utaka in those close or come-from-behind matches. All in all, I'd build my team around a strong left side, with Taylor and Muntari controlling most of the play. To complete the package, I'd like to see Harry make a move for Chelsea's Wayne Bridge, who, in my opinion, is the finest left back (and defenseman crossers of the ball) in England.
So we all think Primus is the odd man out with the new defensive signings? I thought he was our best defender last year. And the year before. Good chemistry with Campbell too. This is what I would do if I was in charge, and everyone currently on the roster signs: Forwards: Nugent Mwaruwari Midfield: Taylor Muntari Krancjar Mendes Backs Campbell Primus Distin Hreidarsson Subs getting extensive playing time: Utaka (haven't seen him play, only reason I have him behind Benjani) Davis Lauren Pamarot Subs getting a medium/occasional amount of playing time: Lua Lua Kanu O'Neil Mvuemba Everyone else better look to sign elsewhere if they want real playing time.
Utaka would start over Benjani any day. He is probably the fastest player and best dribbler on the team.
I have been a Pompey fan since Harry brought them up to the premiership, and have followed most fo their games. Being Albanian, and living right across Italy I have followed Milan for the past 20 years, but Pompey is my 2nd favourite team. This new team looks pretty good, but I think it can get better. As for the defense, I 'd preffer somebody else been brought in for the left , and Lauren should play on the right. In the middle I'd preffer Linvoy instead of Distin still, to partner SOL. Midfield, I don't think and Pompey fan should have a single doubt regarding this, Pedro Mendes is not only one of the best midfielders in the Prem , but in the whole world. Having watching Milan for most of my life, I know quality midfelders, and Pedro is one of them. Let's not forget that he won the Champions Leage with Porto in 2004, dictacting the tempo for them alongside Deco. Muntari is quality, aggressive , hard worker and lotsa of vision as well. He can work well with Mendes I believe. Gary Oneil and Nico Kranjcar on the other hand..., I think Pompey needs to add someone else there. I think they have the funds to bring some more quality in, and they should. I was a fan of Niko and Gary oneil when they came into the scene, but Gary is not creative enough, and neither is Niko. Niko might have more vision but he doesn't apply himself propperly, he tries to dribble and play individually, but he can't he's still a lil fat. Hopeffully Harry can bring someone like Appiah (I know he wanted to bring BenaYoun) but cant compete with Liverpool. Upfront KANU should be undisputed, and maybe Benjani should be given another run. Actually Utaka can play in midfield as well, so maybe Utaka in place of Gary oniell, wouldn't be bad. With the current squad I 'd field this formation ; ------------------------------------------------- James Lauren-Primus-Campbell-Traore Davis--Mendes--Muntari Utaka------------Benjani (LuaLua) KANU ---------------------------------------------------- Hopefully Kanoute will come to partner Kanu, but more importantly.., 1 or 2 quality midfielders. Players like Kanu, Muntari, Mendes and Sol Campbell, are world class. With some more help, Pompey can compete at the top!
Great to hear from a new fan who knows the team well. I hope you become a regular here. I agree with a lot of what you said. One thing that I value highly in assessing a player is how he looks in the first half of the year vs. the second half. Niko seemed to get better as the year went on. Given as young as he is, I think he will continue to improve, and he's already pretty good anyway. So he's quality. Mendes is quality. Taylor is quality (do you realize you left him out?). Muntari is quality. That a damn fine midfield, right there, and deep...I've never been high on O'Neil, but he and Davis make ideal subs. Kanu, on the other hand, had a drastic drop in productivity as the year went on....something like 9 of his 10 EPL goals came in the first half. I love the guy personally and wish him success, but I'm no longer excited about him and think we have better options available at striker now. For the bucks Pompey is paying him, obviously Nugent is going to start nearly every game. He's young and he had all of England buzzing last year, so I'm optimistic about him. Utaka has produced, tying for sixth in Ligue 1 in goals last year (11). Benjani doesn't score a lot of goals, but he doesn't give the ball up easily, rips the ball from defenders more than any other striker on this team in the last three years at least, and his drive and work ethic just seems to give the team a lot of momentum. Lua Lua remains an enigma. Very fast and athletic, but I haven't seen him put it all together, and at 26, I don't know if he will.
First half of Pompey -Fullham just finished. 1-0 Pompey ! Benji scored in the last minute, but it was a lucky bounce. Like expected, Pedro Mendes and Muntari playing good, Niko K and Gary Oneil, not impressing. Benji and Nuggent niether, Benjani is trying more, maybe the humidity is holding them also. Distin and Hreirdarson are not in top form also. ANyhow, someone else should play down the left side instead of Hreirdarson. Nuggent missed a Sure-goal, after a great throughball from Gary Oneill. Pompey has quality players , like Sol Campbell, Mendes, Muntari and Kanu. All 4 can play (and have played) in top clubs anywhere in the world. With a lil more help Pompey can compete at the top. That's why I didn't mention Taylor. He's ok, as are Gary Oneill and Niko Kranjcar, but for a midtable team, Pompey can do better. PLayers like Appiah and Kanoute can do a lot. Maybe another attaking mid with quality and movement also, Oneill and Niko dont move enough.
The way you feel about Mendes, I feel about Taylor. He scored 9 goals last year and probably would've overtaken Kanu for the team lead if the year lasted a little longer. Plus we all know how deadly he is from long range. Taylor's better than a mid-table player.
Yeah agree about Kanu. Spot on. Hopefully Nugent can adapt quickly. Hope he doesn't end up like Franny Jeffers. Agree about Lua Lua, I always Though he might be one of thoseplayers who show promise at younger years and become super at later years but it doesn't look like it. Niko has improved especially for a player playing out of position like how Rosicky plays on the wings for Arsenal. Do you think we can improve by playing a chelsea-ish 4-4-2. With Taylor as a LB/LM while Krancjar plays more infield?
