CanadaSaint

It would be an excellent year if all five of these things happened.

Of course we don't know what's going on behind the scenes. I said that those mentioned so far have been somewhat underwhelming, and that any suggestion that we have this kind of money to spend won't help us get someone worth having. I also think the rumour is bullsh*t and I only used the word "apparently" because MLG said that the journalist in question has solid credentials and good links with Arsenal, and because some folks on here seem to think it might be a goer. IMO the sooner we deny it, whether its true or not, the better. And there's enough reasons to avoid Fratton Park without you adding to the list.

There are several options I think. It's tough to remember but I think Fonte hasn't really been the same player since Jos arrived, and that may or may not be a coincidence. I actually thought that Fonte played quite well yesterday, apart from his horrible error, so I'm not sure that Adkins has as negative a view of him as some on here. But NA needs to get this sorted soon or else he might nor get it sorted at all before the window closes. The two CDs were the only players not changed yesterday.

I'm not suggesting it's an either/or situation, but that it's not the main priority for us. Especially if we announce to the world that we might have fifteen million up our sleeves as well as a willingness to pay big, big wages. The sooner the club stops talking about bringing in a quality central defender or two and actually does it, I'll feel a lot happier. The ones mentioned so far have been somewhat underwhelming, which is why the (apparent) willingness to go for the extremely expensive Theo is all the more surprising.

It's just not logical to me that we'd be willing to throw this kind of money around for another forward when we've been scratching to find much-needed quality at the centre of our defence. Yes, Theo's a damn good player but would he improve our chances of success more than a quality central defender?

He was a hell of a lot more than "tidy" IMO. He showed up very well in a midfield packed with skill on both sides of the ball, and played with a composure beyond his years. There's a sophistication to his game that I don't think Cork will ever approach, but they're different kinds of player. I suspect he'll play a more prominent role than you're suggesting but they can't over-expose him either.

I think CWD was talking about James's dad - John, who's a lawyer (so not your everyday Pompey fan.) In fact, with smarts like that it's surprising he's a Pompey fan at all.

I really liked so much about Clyne's performance that I feel badly to introduce a negative. Funnily enough, the weakness that Adkins spotted when he was at Palace was quite visible on a couple of occasions today - he's lost on the high ball slung to the far post, and we need to make sure he's not overmatched there with a tall guy.

Well, although most of them didn't want him in the first place, and then didn't want AOC, they'll probably go completely nuts at the thought of him going anywhere. If it's Spurs there will be contracts out on Wenger.

Now I know you're not serious ...

Not if you were around when Keegan signed. Not even close.

Sorry, Griffo, but in the absence of a winky-person I think you're taking this anti-Pompey thing too far. The kid is seventeen and looks like being a hell of a talent. If you want to take the edge off your enjoyment of watching him develop with and play for us, just because you think he might be a Pompey fan, you're going to miss out on a lot of satisfaction.

I'd be surprised if there wasn't a very quick and very clear denial from the club, based on two things: a) We have very little chance of getting him, even if we really are interested b) Being willing to pay transfer fees and wages like that would make every player target from here on extremely difficult to sign.

I'm not sure what the rules are, but I suspect that if we had given him an extended run in the Championship he might not be here now.

I sure don't want to overstate this because I have such a high regard for him as a player and as a guy, but I can foresee a situation in which our playing style makes Rickie's position far less certain. I'm not sure whether he lacked influence and involvement today because he wasn't completely fit or because he's less relevant to the way we're going to play. Feels like sacrilege saying that, but it's crossing my mind.

Although I'm still very nervous about the pairing, I actually thought that Jos and Fonte played reasonably well today (one big mistake and a few hoofs aside). We lost a lot - a hell of a lot - when Clyne went off, and I'm hoping that Richardson won't be needed too much this year. Lallana can clearly play - and even shine - at this level, and JWP was incredibly mature and effective for a 17 year old. We've clearly been working on tight triangles and ball retention. Adkins made an excellent adjustment but I'm still not sure exactly what it was. I think Rickie needs some tough love at training, or else he's going to start the season very, very slowly and could even be out of the starting line up before the end of September. I hope I'm imagining it but Schneiderlin seemed to be having trouble with his lower right shin, which I think was his problem at the end of last year.

This is one of the most encouraging signs from today. If you think we're going to be in trouble, our chances of success just went up fivefold.

Let's see if his speed over the first ten yards has improved. If it has he'll be a real asset.

I wouldn't blame Richardson for that but I don't think it would have been scored if the much quicker Clyne was still there.

Yes, you can see his self-belief grow - demanding the ball, taking almost a leadership kind of role.

I'm not sure what Nigel's adjustment was when he spoke to Ward-Prowse (any ideas?) but it certainly seemed to work.

He's been supportive so far, but I don't see patience as one of his virtues. However, I'm sure he's very mindful of the fact that he's two years (I think) ahead of the plan that he and Markus developed, and I think he's reasonable enough to settle for survival this year. He clearly has plans for expansion/improvement at every level of the club, which could take us onto a new plane. Do you seriously think that a plum job like this wouldn't be highly appealing to quality managerial candidates, even with the Cortese factor considered?

I may be wrong but I thought we had this kind of discussion last year. What really matter in NA's book are things like a) dressing room chemistry, b) an ability to play in the style he wants, and c) a side that dovetails well; when it comes to Cortese, they need to fit the fiscal responsibility criterion, and not damage the wage equilibrium he's created. It's hard to argue with the outcome so far. Yes, most of us would like to see some established names at PL level, but if they don't fit those criteria they'll probably cause more harm than good.

I don't think that's a fair characterization of the issue. Supporting a team is meant to be, for the most part, an exercise in positivity. That doesn't mean we need to agree with or admire everything the club does, and it certainly doesn't mean we have an obligation not to criticize. It just means that we're doing this for the upside, or else what's the point? What I find grating to the point of annoyance is the miserable drumbeat of sneering and baiting that comes from a few posters damn near all the time. It de-rails thread after thread, and when it's aimed at certain individuals - or when the language is needlessly aggressive and obnoxious - it does border on bullying. And the sad thing is that some decent points are lost because those individuals choose to express their views in such unpleasant ways. Now that is "thoroughly bizarre." You don't have to be a "flower" to be offended by it - it's just offensive in nature. That's why some good posters don't spend much time on here any more.

Decent enough player for Leeds from what I've seen but I'm not sure how he'd fit into our playing style. I have serious doubts. He strikes me as more of a "big fish in a small pond" kind of player.