Thursday, May 31, 2012

How embarassing


Alex on his debut - how the Pompey fans celebrated


http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/portsmouth-ace-makes-england-squad-1-3894311

Let’s face it, that lot down the road are embarrassing.

In summary and probably missing stuff - From Gun Runners to Fat Skint Arabs to non-existent Arabs to prossie bothering managers to loan sharks to convicted fraudsters to the best fans in the world ™ to Can’t Pack the Park to Fratton Park is falling down to training in Southampton to ripping of charities twice to ripping off schools twice to administration twice to quality of quantity to 36k a week journeymen to paying win bonuses to their CEO to....well everything really.

Regular readers will know that I don't have much time for the press (see the Lukas Jutkiewicz piece) but a new low has been reached since the season ended with the announcement of the England squad for the Euro 2012 tournament. That paragon of truth and telling it how it isn’t, the Portsmouth Evening News, ran an article titled ‘Portsmouth Ace in England Squad’. I saw that and thought they were bigging up Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe – a little bit embarrassing I thought cos they’re not at Pompey now and are two of the players they should never have bought as they could never afford them but technically, they were Pompey players once up on a time. Defoe in particular is not well liked down there but still, he was a Pompey player.

I know that there is journalistic license but Christ on a bike… they are talking about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who, in case you didn’t know, has played for Arsenal since August 2011 and before that he played for Southampton where he has been, playing all his football since he was 8 years old. As far as we all know, he’s never even played kids 5 a side in a team that was affiliated to Portsmouth Football Club. He developed in the Southampton Academy, made his first team debut at 16, tore up League 1 for a season and was then sold to one of the best teams in the country for 15 million quid. The fee for the Pompey Ace was not paid to Pompey but to Southampton. But you knew all this... and here’s a quick Q&A...

Did Pompey develop him? No.

Did Pompey fans chant his name? No.

Did Pompey fans feel pride when he made his first team debut? No.

Did Pompey fans get his name printed on their shirts? No.

Did Pompey fans leap to their feet as he tore past players on the wing? No.

Did Pompey fans stand there open mouthed when he chipped the keeper from a ridiculous angle? No, no and unsurprisingly, no again.

When all these things happened, if a Pompey fan had seen it, he would have shouted ‘Scummer, Scummer, F**king Scummer’ or somesuch at him, much like they used to do when he went home on the train in his Southampton tracksuit when he was a kid, as reported by his father.

The story of course is that his Dad is an ex-Pompey player who sent his son to Southampton’s Academy because then, as now, Pompey’s is shite and Southampton’s is one of the best in the country. Alex was born in Portsmouth and went to school there and that’s the whole basis of The News claiming that he’s a Portsmouth Ace. Why not Portsmouth-born Ace? By saying ‘Portsmouth Ace’, you are implying the football team and so shock of shocks, the headline is just completely embarrassing. Trying to somehow claim Alex is one of Pompey’s own is a bit like claiming money that you raised after saying it was for charities…. Can’t think who’d do such a dishonest thing.

I think I’ve missed a trick by not writing something where Saints claim credit for Darren Anderton’s international career as after all, he was a Bitterne Park schoolboy. No, I wouldn’t do that as it would be too embarrassing. He’s one of Pompey’s in the same way that Alex is one of ours.

The question for me is; what are The News trying to achieve? Are they trying to make Pompey fans feel better about things, to deflect attention away from the fact that they may well not have a club to support in a weeks time? Maybe they just want to try and wind up the Saints fans and get a reaction. Well, they’ve done that I guess but it’s not an indignant reaction, it’s just a completely-embarrassed-feel-sorry-for-you cringe.

I myself was born in Southampton but lived in Portsmouth country, in Waterlooville from age 8 to age 23 so Mr Portsmouth Evening News, you could probably claim my blog for Pompey. If you want to call me a Pompey blogger then go ahead – people will read it and laugh at you, much as people with half a brain will have laughed at your Alex article.

Let me ask this – if Alex hadn’t signed for Arsenal and was still a Southampton player? Would The News have written it then? The criteria they have used to justify their viewpoint wouldn’t be any different but maybe, just maybe, it would have been just a little too embarrassing…. even for the Portsmouth Evening News.

PS... Since writing this, I've found an earlier article which is even better.... altogether now... CRINGE!!!!

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/england-bow-for-portsmouth-talent-1-3889219

Monday, May 7, 2012

The L1-10 2011/12 Player Review - Part 4 - Strikers



Personally, I miss these two.  They were great.

SIR RICKIE LAMBERT was a player who many questioned at the start of the season as he’d only played in League 1 and 2 in his career.  These questions came from our own fans whilst fans of other clubs just sneered at the prospect of “Fat Boy” scoring goals at the higher level.  I knew…. Once I saw him come out onto the pitch for the first game of the season, looking fitter than ever, I just knew.  Once he’d scored 2 in 10 minutes at the start of the Ipswich away game and announced his arrival, everyone else knew as well.  Saints fans know that it’s not just the goals, it’s the assists and the general contribution to the way the team plays but there were so many goals (27 in the league and another 4 in cups) that we were suddenly a one man team in the eyes of those who only watch highlights.  No lesser judge than Fat Sam said West Ham would have won the league if Sir Rickie was in their side and I might have agreed if he’d also added “and Nigel Adkins was our manager and not me because I’m useless”.  My only criticism is the free-kicks which should hit the net a lot more often, given how well he hits a ball.  They are going to be more important than ever next year.  Talking of which, next year is another trip into the unknown for Sir Rickie but anyone who doubts him is in for a surprise.  I wonder if I can get a bet on for him being the top scoring Englishman (aside from that other Scouser at Man U).

DAVID CONNOLLY started the season like a train and scored in nearly every match before the inevitable injury came along and sidelined him.  It was the start of the season which really set the tone for us and he played a massive part in that but as the season went on his influence became less and less and he’s hardly played since Christmas with another long term injury.  We all know he’s a very intelligent player with good movement but he’s out of contract now and I’d be amazed if he’s still here next year.  Injuries have always been a problem for him in his three years here but we knew what he was like in that regard when we signed him.  If this is the end then he will at least be commemorated by the opening of the brand new Holmes & Connolly Medical Suite at the new training ground complex at Staplewood.

BILLY SHARP signed from Doncaster in January and immediately didn’t look very fit.  Having just emerged from the personal tragedy of the death of his baby son, I found it unbelievable and distasteful how some were immediately questioning why we bought him.  Yes he’s a footballer but he’s also human.  He got back in the team and scored 8 goals in the last 8 games of the season to play a major part in firing us over the finishing line and this tells you all you need to know.  He’s not the finished article by any means with his hold up play in particular needing work and he needs to speed his decision making up a bit more but he has something that many teams would kill for, the ability to stick the ball in the net which no lesser judge than Pep Guardiola says, is the hardest thing in football.  I have a feeling that he will come back from a full pre-season and we will have an altogether different and improved player on our hands.  The only question mark I have is if we’ll play 2 out and out strikers in some games.

TADANARI LEE was signed in January from Sanfrecce Hiroshima and I thought he’d be 4th or 5th choice striker and play the odd game as a sub but in fact, he turned out to be much better than that and kept Billy Sharp on the bench for a while.  Nigel obviously wanted a striker to run in behind defences and work hard and that’s what we got.  I do wonder how we scouted him – did someone see him play a few times in the flesh or did we just sign him off of You Tube?  If the latter then he’s done better than our last You Tube signing, Agustin Delgado.  There is a great will for Chun to do well and one of the moments of the season was his goal against Derby which was simply brilliant.  Some question marks remain over his ability as a goalscorer but his ability as a supporting striker has been proved already.  A broken metatarsal killed his season which was a great shame but as required by Nigel’s SFC, his attitude appears to be spot on and it was great to see him join in with the promotion celebrations with his foot in a surgical boot.  I guess that he could be back in Japan but he chose to be at SMS for the last game.  Over-enthusiastic Chinese fans are part of the package as well and next year in the Prem, the interest in him will be even greater.

LEE BARNARD had a season ruined by injury but managed to get fit towards the end of the season and got back onto the bench but then lost that place when his court case was finally scheduled.  Hasn’t looked sharp whenever he’s played and I can see him moving on before next season either on loan or permanently.  He does have a contract for another two seasons though so he may stick around and try and force his way into the side but he’ll start next season as 4th choice striker at best.

JONATHAN FORTE is the only blemish on Nigel Adkins’ recruitment record since he’s been the manager.  Brought in to add pace to the side which he undoubtedly does but he’s just not good enough at anything else.  No positional sense or football brain and needs the ball in front of him to do anything.  I reckon he’d be better on the wing if given the simple brief of running at players.  Scored some goals when loaned to Notts County in League 1 which is his level but his moment of the season for us was getting thumped by a Brighton player in the last minute when we were already 3-0 down.  He’ll be gone soon as Tadanari Lee has been brought in to add pace and has a lot more to his game than Jonno ever will.

SAM HOSKINS came on as a sub in the FA Cup game at Coventry and looked ok, very lively and energetic.  A loan spell at Rotherham has been fruitful and could probably do with a season long loan to a League 1 club next season.  Looks a promising prospect.

RYAN DOBLE played in the Coventry cup game and looked pretty poor and hasn’t set the pulses racing in any of his loan spells either which is disappointing.  Out of contract so if he gets another one he’ll need to improve drastically if he’s to have a future here.

The L1-10 2011/12 Player Review - Part 3 - Midfielders



"Midfield - I actually see myself as more of a deep-lying striker"

GULY DO PRADO will get a lot of games next year which will pss off a relatively large percentage of the Saints fanbase who have adopted him as a scapegoat.  Why we needed a scapegoat in a season where we got promoted is beyond me but it appears that we have to have one.  Admittedly, his form since Christmas tailed off quite a lot and he has had some very poor games but then so have Adam Lallana and Sir Rickie on occasions.  The tactical flexibility he provides will be needed in the Prem and his touch play and ability to play first time passes will be invaluable.  He scores his fair share of goals, especially when pushed up front but even that’s not enough for some.  I remember one 2-0 win when he scored both and hearing people around me saying ‘worst player on the pitch got two goals’.  He is not an out and out striker though so he did look ropey when played as the main target man when Sir Rickie was suspended.

RICHARD CHAPLOW started the season on the bench and didn’t look like he was going to get much of a look in until Adam Lallana got injured and he was put on the left wing.  He played with intelligence and knew when exactly to come off the wing and when to stay there.  Eventually switched to his more natural right hand side and results in away games in particular, picked up with him in the side.  His injury over Xmas coincided with our lack of form at that time.  Chappers is a vital player for us, as without him we can look a bit lethargic because he sets the tone with his energy.  He also isn’t frightened of going all Bald Psycho and sticking a foot in.  Occasionally has games when he traps the ball farther that I can kick it and continually gives it away but more often than not, has been right on it this year.  Will play a lot next year as his energy and tackling will be needed more.

STEVE DE RIDDER was brought in to play on the right of midfield with the departure of Alex Chamberlain just before the season started.  The man affectionately known as Steeeeeeve is responsible for more of my mood swings at football than any other player.  He does have the pace and control to get himself into decent position but more often than not will pick out a defender with metronomic accuracy.  Ipswich at home was a classic example of him at his best when he came on and changed the game with his pace and picked out Sir Rickie with a cross and we scored.   I loved him for that and also for the cracking goal he got against Reading to get us a point from 1-0 down.  On the flip side… I wanted to murder him against Blackpool at home when he totally butchered what would have been the winning goal by buggering up the final pass.  His pace and trickery will always give him opportunities and we do need pace in the side but he needs a higher conversion rate to have any chance of becoming a regular starter.

DEAN HAMMOND started the whole ball rolling with his goal against Leeds on the opening day of the season.  A solid season from a player who many thought would be found wanting at Championship level.  I thought he improved hugely this season and aside from the one mistake against Reading, cut out his tendency to dally in possession.  He’s one of those players who you miss if he’s not there as he adds a bit of physical presence which I always felt was necessary, especially in the more feisty games.  You also have to admire him for sticking up for his mate Adam El-Abd after the Brighton away game, even though his mate behaved like a total shitbag.  I think he’ll get games next year and will make a contribution as long as he himself believes that he’s good enough.  He’s also the only player to say “fucking brilliant” on TV so respect for that.

JACK CORK was Nigel’s number 1 target in pre-season and showed why with a very consistent season in the centre of midfield.  He was especially consistent in his goalscoring in that he managed the same number of goals in every match he played.  There was the odd good effort but in the main there wasn’t and it’s amusing seeing the rest of the players retreating for the incoming goal kick every time Jack even thinks about shooting.  His primary job is of course to win the ball and pass it and has an uncanny knack of putting himself between the opposition player and the ball and winning it without tackling, just by manoeuvring the opposition player off of the ball.  Is also capable of hitting the killer through ball along the ground and I reckon that if there was an award for having the least number of poor games then Jack would be right up there.   He’ll do well next year and will surely get a chance to play at Stamford Bridge where he didn’t play when spending 14 years at Chelsea in their totally pointless youth academy.

MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN finally had the season we always suspected he was capable of with a string of classy performances and managing to make a difference.  He always used to drive me nuts when he disappeared from games and didn’t use the obvious ability that he had.  Didn’t start the season in the team but when he got in, he performed superbly.  Shoved out on the right in some games to cover Chappers injury which didn’t work but other than that he bossed games causing Nigel to come out and praise him individually on more than one occasion.  Certainly has the ability to be the star man in midfield next season as well.  I wonder how he’ll get on against the powerful midfielders like Tiote or Essien in the Prem but he’ll more than hold his own against most.

JAMES WARD-PROWSE is obviously highly thought of at the club and played a couple of cup games this season, managing to score against Coventry in the FA Cup.  Will need to bulk up a bit but has time on his side and seems to have exactly the right temperament to succeed.  The fact that he’s from Portsmouth and his family are all Pompey fans makes his rise with us even more enjoyable. 

ADAM LALLANA is different class and there are no limits for him.  Has loads of skill and uses that to good effect and also works very hard to cover when we haven’t got the ball.  I thought he might get kicked off the park this year but seems to have toughened up and can really take the pss out of opposition full backs when he’s in the mood.  It’s so good to have a player who came through the ranks who is still at the club and has been there through the whole journey as it’s an example for any of the Academy lads that you don’t have to bgger off to Arsenal at the first opportunity to play in the Premier League.  The only criticism I have from this year is that his finishing is inconsistent and the 13 goals he got is not enough reward for his general play and the chances he gets on the end of or creates for himself.  He should have got over 20 to be honest.

JASON PUNCHEON started the season on loan at QPR and made two substitute appearances until January when he had a big Twitter rant at Don Cortese which resulted in a summons for a disciplinary meeting at which I expected him to be buried in the foundations of the new Staplewood training centre development.  Remarkably,he apologised and was forgiven and won a recall to the first team squad.  He had a couple of decent performances before falling away again but made the squad once more and got on the pitch for the last match of the season.  A decent player when his mind’s right and he has the opportunity in pre-season to really press his case for inclusion in the squad next year.  Could go either way to be honest.

IAGO FALQUE came in on loan from Spurs and went straight into the team as a replacement for the injured Lallana in the home game v Leicester.  I’ve seen it written that he wasn’t bad in this game but sorry – he was dreadful, looked like a lost little boy and got hooked after an hour.  To be fair the whole team was shocking that day so it was a tough one to make a debut in.  Obviously has some ability and showed it in development games but he’s been at several clubs now and has hardly played for any of them.   He’ll go back to Spurs now and they’ll be added to the list of teams that he hasn’t played for.

LEE HOLMES got a few games which is just about usual for him over a season and looked decent when he came on, usually when we were 3 or 4 goals in front.    He had a decent cameo appearance at home to Watford and scored and then unsurprisingly got injured again so didn’t capitalize on it.  Could never be relied upon to do anything when it was required and around January, it was decided that he wouldn’t get a new contract at the end of the season so off he went on loan to Oxford and then to Swindon where he did ok.  I hope he gets to stay with them in League 1 but his four years with Saints have been a bit of a waste of time, averaging about 5 games a season and never having an injury layoff of less than three months.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

The L1-10 2011/12 Player Review - Part 2 - Defenders



That's Dan Harding, Bottom left

FRAZER RICHARDSON started the season superbly and maintained his form until he got a slight injury around February time.  Pre-injury he was bombing forward and getting some excellent crosses in and was top of the assists chart for a while and it was like watching the new Ivan Golac.  Post-injury he wasn’t quite the same and couldn’t force Danny Butterfield from the side at the end of the season.  Assuming he gets through pre-season ok then there’s no reason to think that he won’t be in the starting line-up for next season, unless a new right back is signed.  He has the pace and the power to do well in the Prem but his defending will be tested more as will his distribution which can be a bit hit and hope if he’s not given much time.

DANNY BUTTERFIELD hardly played until March but then got a run in the side and performed how you knew he was going to – solidly.  Before he had played a game this season he got offered an extension to his contract to include next year which surprised me I have to say and I would have reservations about him playing too much next year as he seems very slow at times.  That said, when he’s played this year he’s got up the wing and delivered some superb crosses – mostly onto the head of Sir Rickie and maybe his experience will be required next year.

JACK STEPHENS got on at right back in the cup game at Coventry for about 10 minutes and that was it but is earmarked to have a big future.  I can see him making strides next season and maybe starting the cup games. Maybe a loan to a League 1 or League 2 side for some experience (he’s already played for Plymouth’s first team).

JOSE FONTE started the season a bit shakily, had a really good spell after Christmas after an injury lay off and then wobbled a bit towards the end.  In the last game though he showed how good he can be in both boxes.  I get the feeling he finds it all a bit too easy and switches off at times which he of course, will not be able to do next year.  With 100% concentration required at all times, I see him being a big player for us next year as he has it all in the locker, the intelligence, the  physicality, the ball playing skills and a bit of pace.  Having said he has intelligence – maybe he needs to be a bit more streetwise when wrestling with opposition forwards around the edge of the penalty area.

JOS HOOIVELD was signed on loan when Dan Seaborne got injured and everybody moaned as no one had heard of him and he’s played in Finland and other backwater countries and he was seen as a Celtic reject.  Not been bad has he?  Eight goals from centre back are a bonus and in the main his defending has been excellent, as has his passing out of defence.  True he’s had a couple of mares (Blackpool and Cardiff away spring to mind) but for not much money, we’ve signed a player who made a massive difference this season and is easily capable of holding down a place in the side next year.  If I was a Celtic fan I’d be seriously questioning how we let this guy go.  Nigel always talks of getting people in the building with the right personality and Jos seems to have that as anyone who saw the Twitter ‘Square Head’ competition will verify.  The pink jacket wasn’t good though.

AARON MARTIN would have expected to play more games this season and without the inspired purchase of Jos Hooiveld, no doubt would have done.   He got a run in the side around January when our form was a bit dodgy but I don’t think this was necessarily his fault as he did ok.  Scored a couple of goals and never let anyone down when he played.  I love the fact that we signed him from a local non-league club and he’ll be fine as back-up for next season as well.

DAN SEABORNE started the season in the team which was worrying but all that went out the window when he ended up in hospital with a fractured skull after being involved in an incident in a club.  Happily he’s made a full recovery and got back to playing football at the end of the season.  Even before the incident he wasn’t looking good enough to play in the Championship so it’s a major stretch to imagine him being good enough to play in the Premier League.  The bottom line is that we as a club have improved beyond his potential ability so I really can’t see him playing for us next season.

RADHI JAIDI was injured for the first half of the season and though he got back to playing for the Under-21’s despite being 36.  If he told you he was 21 though, you wouldn’t argue.  He never got near the first team though and with his contract up, he’ll be leaving in the summer and I really wish him well in whatever he wants to do.  I’m sure he could still do it at League 1 level and would be a great signing for someone who needs a train-like ‘first knock’ centre half.  Still the best defensive header of a ball at the club and I’ll always remember his trouncing of Jermaine Beckford when Beckford looked like he’d been run over.  Importantly, he strikes me as great bloke with a big personality and you can’t help but like the big guy.

DANNY FOX was a signing that I was surprised we made as I thought we had two perfectly serviceable left backs.  After a couple of games you could see why we signed him and it’s that left foot which we should have insured for its weight in gold.  I don’t know what the stats are but the delivery from corners and free-kicks has brought us so many goals that you can forgive the odd bit of flaky defending or position vacation.  Also filled in well as a centre back for a few games this year when Big Jos was injured and though his defending skills will be tested more next year, should be up to the task as long as he’s helped out by the left midfielder.  Managed to pick up one of the most ridiculous sendings off I’ve ever seen in the Snow game in Birmingham was he got booked for winning the ball and then booked again for the slightest of shoves.  Both offences were against a player (Chris Burke) who routinely dives about and squeals like he’s been shot.

DAN HARDING is a player who I didn’t think would be good enough for the Championship but to be fair, when he’s played he’s not done badly.  He seems to be highly thought of by the manager as manages to get on the bench which is a surprise when you consider that he can only really play one position.  He’s not bad but he’s just not as good as Danny Fox in any aspect except maybe positionally.  His defending just seems lightweight to me and the needless corner he gave away at Fratton Park which led to their goal still grates.  I’d be surprised if he gets near the first team next season and it would worry me if he did but having said that, he proved me wrong to an extent this season so who knows.

I thought that RYAN DICKSON was going to be first choice this season but it was soon apparent that with Dan Harding picked initially and then Danny Fox being brought in that he was 3rd choice and not going to get a game.  Has been out on loan to Yeovil and Orient this season and is the answer to the quiz question “Which Saints player got sent off the most this season?” as he managed to get sent off twice for Orient at the end of the season.  He has the raw pace that will always give him a chance but as he didn’t play in the Championship, I can’t see him playing next season and will probably move on.

LUKE SHAW is seen as the latest ‘boy most likely’ from the Saints Academy.  If we manage to keep him from the clutches of the Child Catcher Arsene Wenger, then I see him being the regular back up to Danny Fox and/or Adam Lallana next year.  Exciting prospect who we must keep hold of.

The L1-10 2011/12 Player Review - Part 1 - Keepers



A decent Forecast

KELVIN DAVIS worried me a bit last season with a few near post howlers and I wondered how he was going to do but being under a bit more pressure seems to suit him and he’s done well.  His performance in the Leeds away game was right up there with anything Antii Niemi, Tim Flowers or even Shilts produced in their time with us.  The ‘nailed to the goal-line’ games are getting less frequent and he thoroughly deserves to start as first choice next year.  His distribution improved this year as well and the kick to the wing flying miles over everyone’s head straight out for a throw in was more or less eradicated.  He’s already mentioned his previous season in the Prem which was with Sunderland when he had a mare so lets hope that he puts that particular one to bed and performs well. 

BARTOSZ BIALKOWSKI, the King of Patience played one league game this season and let in a horrendous goal against Blackpool when it went through his arms and legs.  This was the coup de grace in a generally shocking performance which was right up there in terms of the worst goalkeeping display I’ve ever seen.  Luckily, in the cup games he’s played, he did well and so it’s wrong to write him off just yet.  Whenever he’s had a run of games for us he’s done ok as his confidence grew.  I have a feeling that another keeper will arrive for next season and Bart could find himself further down the pecking order if indeed he’s still here as he’s out of contract.  If he’s still here then it’s an ideal opportunity to go out on loan somewhere and play some games.

TOMMY FORECAST has a dream job.  I used to play in goal and though I’m 43 and haven’t donned the gloves in an 11-a-side game for 9 years, I could do what Forecast does which is basically sod all except pick up wages.  In the four years he’s been here, the only time he’s played in front of a crowd was in an end of season kick about with a bunch of ex-Saints who were as old as me and that’s it.  He hardly plays in development games either as it’s either Bart for practice or one of the younger keepers like Steve Mowthorp.  He must have some sort of bomb-proof contract to still be here after 4 years and not even a sniff of a first team appearance and apparently, he has another year left on his deal – well played Rupert.  This may have been last season (it’s hard to remember as there are no significant indicents) but I think he went on loan to a club in the division that Pompey are going to be in next year, Southern League Division 8 and got sent back after 2 games.  He’s actually one of our longest serving employees (not a player) with probably only the other two keepers and Morgan having been here longer.  Signed from Spurs as part of the Gareth Bale deal – the equivalent now would be us signing Modric from Spurs, giving them £8million and a training cone in return.