What is your African-free lineup? And what about the January xfer window?

[MrEleganza]

So in January, the African Cup of Nations will commence, and we will be without the services of Muntari, Utaka, Lauren, Traore, and Kanu.

Who should replace these guys on the field (in the case of Muntari and Utaka) and on the subsitution list (in the case of Kanu and Lauren?)

I really hope Muntari is replaced by Taylor (full disclosure: I get kind of lost knowing who can and can't play which wings or in the center, so even though they are both mids I don't know if I might be suggesting something infeasible or stupid). Mendes, though, has been the first sub of choice for midfield lately, so Taylor may just fill Mendes' 8-minutes-a-game role. Utaka has been playing mid, so maybe there's room for both of them.

For Benjani's sake, I'm sorry Zimbabwe didn't qualify. He is their captain and trying to establish the sport in the country. But obviously, the selfish Pompey fan in me is elated. But he and Nugent will be our only strikers in January, so an injury could be pretty ruinous.

Ideally, we make do with Nugent as the backup, pick up another striker in the transfer window, and then dump Nugent at the end of January when the Cup of Nations will be just about over.

Defensively we should be alright, only losing Lauren, but I'm hoping we pick up a bruising defender in the transfer window a la Campbell. Hreidarrsson, Distin, Lauren, Pamarot, Johnson....the whole lot strikes me as very average, and we need an intimidating presence to accompany Campbell.

We used to have a guy like that, is Primus ever coming back?

[pun_Krawk]

I'm interested in seeing what will happen as well. I'm guessing that Redknapp will most likely be given more leeway to spend in the January transfer window, as his past decisions have paid off well. It's unfortunate because the line up is relatively strong as is. I'd hate to have him spend on players to temporarily fill the gaps, only to have those new players unused after the Nations Cup ends. I do think Pompey could fill in the gaps with the current players, but only just. As you said, it would be a very average team.

Also, I believe Diop is out as well, or is he not playing for the Senegal national team?

I know the tournament lasts from Jan 20 to Feb 10, but I'm guessing they'll miss the game the weekend before as well. The fixtures contain two brutals, mixed in with (current) bottom-table teams.

12/1/08: Sunderland v Portsmouth
19/1/08: Portsmouth v Derby
30/1/08: Manchester United v Portsmouth
02/2/08: Portsmouth v Chelsea
09/2/08: Bolton v Portsmouth

I'd probably be happy with 7 points from that.

[whitestones]

The problem is that we dont have many natural wingers, Utaka is a striker/winger (but not a right midfielder) and Kranjcar is an attacking midfielder who can play on the wing as well as forward, thats why they provide good balance together in the 4-3-3. Now without them the only players who can play on the wing are Hughes (on the right, who is most likely moving in the winter break so it may be a good idea to play him during this time to showcase him and raise his price a bit), and Taylor on the left. I'm not positive but I doubt that either Mendes, Davis or Mvuemba can play on the wing

the current tactic will have to be changed from the current 4-3-3 (with Utaka and Krancar playing as wingers/forwards)

I think they will decide to go with a 4-4-2

------------------James--------------------
Johnson - Campbell - Distan - Pamarot/Taylor
---Hughes - Mendes - Davis - Kranjcar-------
------------Nugent - Benjani----------------

or a slightly modified 4-3-3, but without wingers which would no doubt change the attack style of play

------------------James--------------------
Johnson - Campbell - Distan - Pamarot/Taylor
----Mvuemba/Hughes - Mendes - Davis -----
----------------Kranjcar--------------------
------------Nugent - Benjani----------------


P.S. also Diop snubbed his national team during the last break, but does that mean he is not goin to play in the African Nations Cup? If he doesnt I would put him in one of the central mid positions

[whitestones]

as for the transfer window, I think we need some more depth on both the wings and 2 names to fill those slots come to mind Jonas Gutierrez and Nathan Dyer,

Personally I like the idea of signing domestic young talented players before they fully developed and while their stock is fairly low (unlike the signings of ashley young or theo wallcott, who are still developing!), thats why I would love to see Nathan Dyer (19) in the squad, he would add depth, he would be patient and would adapt to the current starting lineup and not be unhappy that he isnt geting enough playing time

On the other hand Gutierrez (24) is coming into his prime and would expect immediate playing time which would knock someone out of the starting lineup, and although he may improve the squad (I havent seen him play much) im a proponent of 'if it aint broke ...'

[captincanuck]

Benji might be gone also. Im assuming that he is on the Zimbabwe national team.

[MrEleganza]

Benji might be gone also. Im assuming that he is on the Zimbabwe national team.

He's their captain; unfortunately (or fortunately) they did not make it out of qualification.

P.S. also Diop snubbed his national team during the last break, but does that mean he is not goin to play in the African Nations Cup? If he doesnt I would put him in one of the central mid positions

Oops, I only omitted him accidentally, not because I have some knowledge to the contrary.

[mintone]

Defoe
Crouch
D. Cisse
Lita
Dani Guiza (Mallorca)

All have been linked. You guys like any of these idea's?

[soccer krazy]

Subotic joins
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_3029724,00.html

[jinxproof]

damn. I'm off BS for a few months, Pompey is sitting in the top ten the whole season, and we still have a shite board!

Oh well... PUP!

Just snagged another Arse man and maybe a Chelsea boy... 'Arry's dealin'


I'd like to see Nugent stay and have a decent chance to get used to the level of play. Sad to see Matty leave though.

[whitestones]

yea its sad to see matty leave but it was sadder to see him sitting idly on the bench. I hear there are gona be more signings announced by friday, gutierres, daniel guiza, defoe, ???

[soccer krazy]

Matt taylor joins Bolton
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7194191.stm

[soccer krazy]

Lassana diarra joins
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7193782.stm

[soccer krazy]

Traore joins rennes on loan
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7197126.stm

[whitestones]

you forgot that we got Lucien Aubey on loan :D

[Gmak]

Oh i cant believe you actually considered Cisse! Tribute to Matt Taylor, Legend!

[soccer krazy]

Milan baros joins on loan
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7207454.stm