Deal or no deal

Tony Adams may be enjoying his honeymoon period at the moment - but he has some big decisions around the corner.

As reported in The News, 15 first-teamers' contracts are up at the end of the season.

Among them are Sol Campbell, Sean Davis and Linvoy Primus.

If Adams chooses, he has a great chance to gut the squad and remodel it in his own image.

His success will depend on who he decides to keep and, crucially, who he can get in.

There's also the major issue of Pompey cutting their costs. Adams will no doubt have his hands tied to some degree as the credit crunch continues to bite.

Here's a run-down of the players out of contract - and my take on whether they should stay.

Sol Campbell: Has he got another Premier League season in him? Will he accept being a squad player if Younes Kaboul continues his impressive emergence? His experience is crucial and should be offered a deal to stay for another year.

Sean Davis: Can't do much more to earn a new deal. Harry Redknapp tried to usher him towards the exit door without success (clash of personalities maybe?). Should be offered a new deal based on what he could still offer for the next couple of seasons.

Linvoy Primus: Fans' favourite and all-round top bloke. However, top-flight days are behind him. Should be promised a future role at the club, though.

Jerome Thomas: Has to prove his worth, simple as that. If he can shake off his injuries, then no doubt he has the talent to play in the Premier League. At this point, though - no deal.

Djimi Traore: Not even in the picture. Not even any good. No deal.

Richard Duffy: The elusive defender (trying to get an interview with him is like getting an interview with Fabio Capello) has not done enough. No deal.

Glen Little: Like Thomas, has the game for the Premier League but does he have the body? Too fragile for me - no deal.

Lauren: Knee problems mean he has lost his spark. Spell at Fratton Park has been a major disappointment and he will be happily waved on.

Richard Hughes: Reliable and a good destroyer in the midfield against the big four. Depends whether he wants to be a squad player for the duration of another contract. Should be offered a deal, though.

Hermann Hreidarsson: Effort never in doubt and a solid defender, although will be 35 next summer. Adams seems to prefer Noe Pamarot at the back. Verdict: On his way.

Nadir Belhadj: Made a massive impression with his energy, pace and enthusiasm. Has become a key member of the squad and should be rewarded with a permanent deal which ties him down to the club.

Jean-Francois Christophe: Who? On loan at Southend - and that's about his level. No deal.

Noe Pamarot: The man with the biggest thighs in football. When fit and up-to-speed is an underrated defender. Another contract should be forthcoming.

Kanu: A Pompey hero for his FA Cup goal and still the man with the best first touch at the club. His body is clearly creaking, though, and his impact will only diminish. Gone but never forgotten.

Armand Traore: How Pompey would love to keep him, but Arsene Wenger will surely not let this talented performer go. Expected to get another chance to prove himself at the Emirates. If he fails, Pompey should be ready to rescue him.

Tony Adams will be judged on what he decides will happen to the above players.
Of course, it's him - rather than this pen-wielding journalist - who neck is on the block.
Times are a changing at Pompey.

Johnson inspires Pompey Euro glory

Pompey were never going to do it the easy way.

Just ask any Blues fan that.

But after a torrid first half against Vitoria Guimaraes, Harry Redknapp’s side proved too strong for their Portuguese opponents in the UEFA Cup first round.

Vitoria seized the initiative early doors, knowing they had to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg.

They pressed Pompey high up the field, pushing the Blues back. It was an impressive signal of intent.

It rattled Pompey who, for their part, didn’t pass the ball well and didn’t get the ball to their wing-backs.

Second half and everything changed. The inspiration: Glen Johnson.

He was exceptional. Sensing he had the beating of the Vitoria left-back, Johnson had a field day.

He was incisive and dynamic and Pompey took the lead from his attacking intent.

The blistering Armand Traore did the same down the left, but Johnson’s better final ball marked him out.

Yes, Peter Crouch got the goals. But for me, Johnson ensured Pompey progressed to the group stages.

In addition, his interview post-match in today’s (Friday) News finally revealed his desire for achieving success at Pompey.

It clearly meant something. The more he opens up like this, the less people will remember him for nicking a toilet seat from B&Q!

He is a classy player and in Portugal he took it upon himself to provide the impetus for Pompey’s recovery.

A sign he is maturing as a player and a bloke.

In the stands, what looked like being a night to forget slowly transformed into a night to remember for the 3,000 travelling fans.

It was worth the wait.

The UEFA Cup group stages and potential ties with AC Milan, PSG and Ajax await.

For proud Pompey fans, and in particular those in the Afonso Henriques Stadium on Thursday night, these are wonderful times.

No defence for Pompey slump

Let’s be honest, it wasn’t unexpected.

While the capitulation at Man City was a bolt from the blue, the meek surrender to Chelsea was entirely on the cards.

Pompey’s fringe players were no match for the likes of Lampard and Drogba in a surprisingly star-studded Chelsea team.

The number of goals being shipped is worrying, though.

The base of last season’s success suddenly looks a tad shambolic.

There are reasons - and the impressive Sylvain Distin is not one of them.

The 4-4-2 formation gives the back line far less protection that the 4-5-1 employed last term.

There is less cover down the wings, while the onus is also on the full-backs to get forward this season, leaving more space in behind.

Hermann Hreidarrson doesn’t offer too much going forward but he was a rock at left-back last year.

This year, he’s second choice as the more attack-minded Nadir Belhadj and Armand Traore are preferred.

Crucially, the heart of the defence has looked shaky.
Sol Campbell has been erratic and, quite frankly, at times has looked on his last legs.

He’s creaking, so it is hoped Younes Kaboul’s youthful athleticism will come to the fore.

However, he still looks like he is struggling.

He has potential, but as any Spurs fan will tell you, he struggled to make the step up to the Premier League last year.

Pompey need him to start looking like the £5m player he is supposed to be.

At the moment, the Frenchman is hit and miss. Man City and Chelsea have exposed that as not good enough.

On the plus side, bottom-club Spurs visit Fratton Park on Sunday.

I watched Spurs lose to Aston Villa the other week and they looked awful and low on confidence.

They beat Newcastle but, let’s be honest, my Sunday League team would fancy their chances against the Toon at the moment.

Sunday’s vital. Another defeat and it becomes a habit, a win and the last two games can be put down as a blip.

Let’s ride out the storm.

A different kind of Traore

Anyone who’s had the fortune to be at a number of Harry Redknapp’s press conferences in the past year knows one thing - he loves Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.

It’s not because Harry was an Arsenal fan in his youth.

It’s simply because he marvels at the pace, power and potential of the Arsenal side.

Even the king of the transfer market wonders where Wenger finds his rough diamonds.

One player, in particular, stands out for Redknapp - Armand Traore.

There was a rumour he was related to his new team-mate Djimi.

But one look at them on the pitch (and a check on the internet) destroys that myth.

Armand is classy - David Nugent couldn't believe how quick he was in training - and so obviously a product of the Arsenal youth system.

Djimi doesn’t even resemble a footballer, let alone his cousin.

And while you get the impression Harry would have driven Djimi up to Hull himself to ensure he signed for the Tigers (he turned them down), he is Armand’s biggest fan.

The new signing will be a massive boost after the disappointment of being forced to sell Pedro Mendes.

And in time you suspect Traore will prove to be a better bit of business than paying millions for Nicky Shorey.

It suits both parties. Traore continues his development and Pompey have a genuine talent at their disposal for a season.

Mr Wenger, we thank you.