Pompey: How Far Can We Go?

The dust is now beginning to settle on the latest in a series of frantic periods in the recent history of Portsmouth Football Club and there is the sparkle of optimism on the horizon. We've fended off the taxman, got to the end of the transfer window with a recognizable squad (just about) and could be coming out of administration very soon. But after a poor start to the season, how far can we think about going this season?

Dave Kitson and Liam Lawrence are very good signings, Premier League class players. Lawrence solves the right-midfield problem, and Kitson is hopefully the goalscorer that we have been searching for; especially if his impressive record at Reading is anything to go by. I, like most Blues fans, was disappointed to see Marc Wilson go, and I think Tommy Smith would have been an important player for us, but the two lads in are quality signings. They should be joined soon by last season's FA Cup hero Ricardo Rocha and the 'King' Nwankwo Kanu, but we still need reinforcement.

Every position would be ideally backed up, but beggars can't be choosers and it seems right-back is Steve Cotterill's preference at the moment. Hayden Mullins has done an okay job there, but is suspect and the addition of either Kyle Naughton or Kyle Walker from Spurs would be ideal. Maybe someone a bit more creative in the centre of midfield, like Jake Livermore of Spurs, Michael Johnson of Manchester City or Henri Lansbury of Arsenal? And maybe some added bodies upfront?

But Cotterill is the most unenviable job in football. He has had to build what he's got on below a shoe-string budget, and hasn't done too badly. The defeat at Preston was the low point, but the fight was there against Coventry, Reading and Cardiff, and a long-running penalties win over Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup was a morale-boosting victory. And that morale will be key.

With a couple of loanees and freebies, Pompey can have a successful season. And a successful season would see the Blues finish around the 15th place mark in the Championship, maybe a tad higher if I'm going with my heart more than my head. There are those who are still championing a quick return to the Premier League, but our club was torn down to the bare bones over the summer and will need to be rebuilt properly this time.

We do have quality in the ranks. I can see the Championship victory we desire coming soon and our form picking up as our additions bed in, and a continuing run in the Carling Cup will do no harm at all. And let's be optimistic. Who knows, as the club to have visited the new Wembley stadium the most besides Chelsea and Manchester United, who could bet against a sixth trip to the home of football?

Play Up Pompey.

NWR