Two Great Moments, Forget the Rest: Pompey in 2010

Pompey are now done and dusted for 2010, what has been a topsy-turvy year. These last 12 months have seen the Blues relegated, lose numerous players and come close to administration on a number of occasions, but also seen them get to the FA Cup Final, beating Southampton four-one in the process, and now looking forward again. Here's my short summary of the year:

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2010

Best Moment - Southampton 1 Portsmouth 4

Narrowly ahead of Tottenham 0 Portsmouth 2. This is one of the only two real moments Blues fans have to shout about from 2010, but what a moment. The Saints really thought they could win this one, and some Pompey fans were dreading the FA Cup Fifth Round tie. But Premier League class shone through as goals from Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Aruna Dindane, Nadir Belhadj and Jamie O'Hara gave the Blues an emphatic victory. It meant bragging rights remained firmly in the blue half of the south coast, and was a truly brilliant day.

Worst Moment - Hours away from Liquidation

There have been many. In a year that has seen the Blues relegated from the Premier League, you would have thought that would have been as bad as it got. But due to spectacularly poor management, Pompey came within hours of going out of business on two occasions under the weight of £180million debts. Fortunately enough, the efforts of the administrators and eventual buyers Balraim Chainrai saved the club, despite the ravenous attempts from the HMRC to ruin this club. But there were genuine moments when it seemed the taxman would win, and this wonderful football club would be no more.

Best Player - Jamie O'Hara/Liam Lawrence

I have decided to give this to two players, as barely anyone has lasted the whole year at Fratton Park. In his year on loan to the Blues, Jamie O'Hara became a real fan's favourite and was easily our best player in the relegation year. He had the passion and drive that every fan loves to see, with the genuine quality that makes him a fantastic prospect for the future. True legend, that no fan will boo if he ever graces the Fratton pitch again. His mantle was taken up by Liam Lawrence in the second half of the year, who since joining from Stoke has lit up the Blues side. A fantastic right foot have quickly made him the new Fratton talisman and has ignited our charge for the play-offs. Key for the season ahead.

Honourable Mention - David James

In an age when most footballers are obsessed with getting every pound that they can, Jamo showed what they should be doing. When a clause in his contract meant another appearance would mean a new contract the Blues couldn't afford, he waived that right to simply play on at the club, earning his place in England's World Cup squad. He may have left in the summer, but he made clear his intentions to leave if the ownership situation didn't sort itself out and it didn't until the season was under way. 134 appearances and countless great moments make Jamo a true Portsmouth legend, his reception when he returned to Fratton Park with Bristol City showed how special he is to Pompey fans. Cheers for four great years, Jamo.

Play Up Pompey

NWR

Coming Up ... Pompey in 2011 - What To Look Forward To