Johnson deal a coup for Pompey

At last, some news to lift the gloom that has engulfed Pompey in recent weeks.

England full-back Glen Johnson has signed a new four-and-a-half year deal to stay at Fratton Park.

Cynics will (with some justification) argue contracts mean little in modern-day football.

But by my reckoning, Johnson's deal is a real coup for Tony Adams.

Even at this early stage in the month, I would suggest it's the best bit of business he's likely to do in the transfer window.

Pompey fans have seen Johnson mature and develop into a true international-class full-back. The errors that littered his Chelsea days have gradually been ironed out at Fratton Park.

If he keeps up his progress, the England right-back spot is his for the taking.

To be honest, I thought his head would be turned by the transfer vultures.

When reports of him being sighted at Liverpool's training ground surfaced it seemed sadly believable.

However, those stories were whole-heartedly rubbished and, perhaps aware of the difficulties he encountered the last time he joined a top-four club, he's decided to stay put.

He knows he'll be a fixture in the team and he knows the spotlight will not be so intense, allowing him to continue his impressive development. He is just 24 after all.

While Jermain Defoe chased the cash, Johnson's decision should be celebrated.

Fans constantly demand loyalty and commitment.

This time, for a change, they've got it.

Time to bring O'Neil home

It's a bold - and reassuring - statement.

Pompey executive chairman Peter Storrie has told The News Jermain Defoe will be the last big-name Pompey player to leave in the January transfer window.

Glen Johnson, Peter Crouch, Sylvain Distin, David James - going nowhere.

Raising the spirits of wounded Pompey fans, he also said new signings are on their way, two by the end of the next week.

It's nailed on that one of those will be Gary O'Neil, and it's a prospect that has split opinion.

On one hand, supporters believe it's a backward step. The other side reckon a dedicated, hard-working player like O'Neil is worth 10 Defoes.

Let's be frank. O'Neil's not in the same class as Lassana Diarra or Sulley Muntari.

But he would improve the current midfield, adding a touch of creativity to the industry and muscle of Papa Bouba Diop, Sean Davis and Richard Hughes.

The biggest thing you'd get with O'Neil, though, is heart at a time when Pompey risk having it ripped out.

Having come through the ranks he cares for the club, wants to return and wouldn't spend his spare time on the phone to his agent.

O'Neil's as genuine as they come and Pompey runs through his veins.

At a time of unsettling overhaul and a manager finding his way at the top level, the return of O'Neil is a no-brainer.

It's a no-lose situation - and Fratton Park would welcome him back with open arms.

Why Defoe's not Jermain man

Sadly, the least surprising transfer in Pompey's recent history looks done and dusted.

From the minute Harry Redknapp hurriedly headed for Spurs, Jermain Defoe's interest in Pompey vanished.

Clearly, he feels no love for the club who rescued him from the White Hart Lane subs' bench and catapulted him back into the England set-up.

Clearly, his loyalty lies with Redknapp and, more galling for Pompey fans, himself.

We all appreciate a professional player's career is short.
But they are privileged and, therefore, commitment is the minimum fans expect. And rightly so.

The minute a route back to Spurs looked on, Defoe stamped his feet, shrugged his shoulders and showed a complete lack of respect to Pompey.

When one of your best players acts that way it leaves a bitter taste. Pompey now join Charlton and West Ham in being burned by the striker.

The manner of Redknapp's departure and his pursuit of Defoe since then lacked class.

Maybe they deserve each other.

Make the city proud, Pompey

If there is to be a pinnacle of Pompey's current era, tonight is surely the night.

Don't get me wrong, the trips to Wembley were gloriously spine-tingling.

But earning the right to play AC Milan in a competitive fixture? That's off the scale.

Kaka (one of the best players in the world) will line up at Fratton Park with Ronaldinho (one of the best players in the world) ready to come off the bench.

The Rossoneri are taking this seriously. That's the mark of Pompey's progress in recent years.

These are uncertain times at Pompey following Harry Redknapp's departure but, for all the scale of tonight's occasion, we mustn't cower in the face of the Italians.

Pompey are a quality team in their own right.
The worry is, of course, that the spine of this side is missing.

Jermain Defoe, Lassana Diarra and Sol Campbell are definitely out, seemingly undermining Tony Adams' faith that his charges can still pull off a Uefa Cup shock.

The creative Niko Kranjcar is also missing, although the absence of John Utaka won't break too many Pompey hearts.

Personally, I just hope Pompey do the city proud.

Historic is an overused word, but this really is a game people will remember for generations.

After the struggles of the 90s, to see the boys in blue give it absolutely everything against Milan will be enough for me.

If Adams' team do that they give themselves a chance of getting a result. That's all anyone can ask.

To those people who seized the chance to watch the likes of Seedorf, Kaka, Pato, Shevchenko, Pirlo, Ronaldinho et al train at Fratton Park last night, I applaud you.

This is not something which you can expect to come round that often.

Obviously, the hope is Pompey will build on their recent success and Euro nights like this will be more common in the future.

The reality is this may not happen.

So join me in savouring watching Pompey v AC Milan under the Fratton Park floodlights in a crunch Uefa Cup game.

Play up Pompey.

Utaka on the brink of failure

So England saw off Belarus and (whisper it) are finally looking the business.

David James produced an assured display in Minsk, which was good to see after some shaky moments so far this season.

Other than that Pompey players were largely bypassed for the game - Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson didn't get a look in, while Peter Crouch came off the bench for a brief cameo.

International week now over, it's time to look forward to Aston Villa - and the eternal enigma that is John Utaka.

According to the winger, he's ready to step up to the plate in what will be a true test at Villa Park (see back page of The News)

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but when has the Nigerian ever stepped up to the plate for Pompey.

Apart from his blistering start to last season, the winger's faded badly.

It's clear to most Pompey fans - and to Harry Redknapp as well, I'm sure - that Utaka lacks the mental toughness to succeed in the relentness, high-profile Premier League.

His days at Fratton Park appear numbered.

Villa are a team on the rise and in Ashley Young they have a potent winger.
Will Utaka be trusted to cover Glen Johnson down the right? I doubt it.

Glen Little should get the nod for his industry and endeavour.

No offence to Little, but that says it all about Utaka's future.

The £7m man is second choice to an injury-prone journeyman (albeit a decent one).

Even Harry Redknapp, a master in the transfer market, can't get them all right. That's the nature of the business.

Just like the hapless David Nugent, Utaka is close to being a certified flop.

Pompey have a gem in Crouch

Peter Crouch is unlikely to be in England's starting XI against Kazakhstan on Saturday.

But his return to the squad is the least he deserves.

Off the pitch, there is no ego with Crouchie. It's easy to think this is a result of constant teasing (sometimes abuse) over his height, but it's probably because he's simply a decent bloke.

For journalists, it's a reassuring sight to see the striker emerge from the changing rooms post-match because he's always happy to talk. No tantrums, no excuses, no pretending to make a phone call.

Liverpool and Pompey fans took to him immediately because for all his ability, he's gives everything.

He's overcome constant chants of 'freak' at grounds to become a successful international.

One, it has to be said, with a top-drawer girlfriend in Abi Clancy - the fellas who subscribe to FHM approve.

If his choice of lady suggests he's punching above his weight, that feeling is no longer the case on the pitch. He's a respected and dangerous front man.

In his second spell at Fratton Park, he's slowly got into gear as his partnership with Jermain Defoe clicked into place.

And last week saw him bag four goals in a memorable week for the club.

He's playing with verve, spirit and skill, whereas Michael Owen - despite a few goals - looks weighed down and uninterested at shambolic Newcastle. Fabio Capello got his pick right.

If Crouch gets on against Borat's countrymen, expect him to carry on him impressive England record and get goals.

Pompey fans know they've got a top-class player and character.

Play up Crouchie!

AC Milan are just the ticket

Now the enormity of the UEFA Cup draw has sunk in, the next thing we all want to know is how and when they can get their tickets.

The club have promised an announcement - most likely Friday - with all the details.

One thing is definite, though - prices will remain the same as the Guimaraes tie.

It's what chief executive Peter Storrie promised and, to be fair, it looks like he will deliver.

Twenty quid for adults and 10 quid for adults/concessions to watch seven-times European Champions AC Milan - not bad, I think you will agree.

I'm loath to praise Pompey's admin skills - usually because they display any very often - but it would appear this time they might have got it right.

Whether it's via batching games together to ensure the ground is full for the whole group stage or whether, as they are bound to insist, it's a thank you to the fans, it's a good price.

Could it be that for the club's defining fixture in recent history, on a night which will be a celebration of Pompey the team and Portsmouth the city, the club will have a fair ticket policy in place.

An all-inclusive attitude will only serve to improve what will be a special night on the south coast.

And let's be honest, if we are to stand any chance of beating the Rossoneri we all need to stick together.

Pompey defeat the anti-football

Beautiful game 2 Anti-football 1.
Fratton Park
October 5, 2008

Everyone who likes their football played a certain was will have welcomed Pompey's win over Stoke City on Sunday.

Now I have nothing against Tony Pulis' side. Football is a game of different styles, it adds to its drama.
That doesn't mean you have to like it.

Stoke's aerial bombardments compared to Pompey's pacy pass-and-move approach is like comparing Slipknot to Frank Sinatra.

One is rough and direct, the other smooth and pure (sort of... we'll ignore Ol' Blue Eyes' alleged mafia connections).

Anyway, you get my drift.

For lovers of football played at its most skilful, the likes of Stoke and the old Wimbledon side will always be the enemy.

In 1988, Liverpool's defeat to the Dons in the FA Cup was a travesty, when the ugly game won out.

Twenty years on and Pompey struck a (lower profile) blow for the beautiful game.

Peter Crouch's scissor-kick was majestic, while Jermain Defoe was again clinical.

And after the exploits in Portugal, Pompey's verve and athleticism was a pleasant surprise, although you get the feeling Nadir Belhadj could still be playing such is his energy.

Stoke's main weapon, Rory Delap's throw-in missiles, were effective. That cannot be disputed.
Pompey could not deal with them and conceded an equaliser as a result through Fratton Park reject Ricardo Fuller.

Thankfully, for Blues fans - and those of us who like their football played close to ground level - Harry Redknapp's side had too much class at their disposal.

Bigger fish to fry

Pompey 10-man injury crisis is nice for headlines.

But Harry Redknapp won’t be losing much sleep over it.

Put it this way, there won’t be many 10-men injury lists for a Premier League game or an FA Cup game.

With the UEFA Cup now part of the club’s fixture list, the Carling Cup has slipped further down the pecking order.

You want proof - even David Nugent was lined up to play tonight (Wednesday) before he found his (familiar) way to the treatment table.

Some of these players’ knocks can be translated as rested.

Jermain Defoe will be fine for Sunday, while Lassana Diarra has a knock below the knee, not ligament damage as Harry mischieviously suggested.

These are two examples of Harry ‘rotating’ his sqaud.

The Carling Cup is basically second string versus second string (or youth team if you are Arsenal).

It’s now a chance for recuperating stars or youthful promise.

For many - eg Sol Campbell - it means a rest day.

For Pompey, this should be seen as a sign of our success.

It should be thrilling for fans to realise that, at the present time, we have bigger fish to fry.

Pompey's Euro Tour up and running

Pompey looked liked they’d been playing European football for years.

But then most of their players have.

Ironically, in the team’s Euro debut they had too much experience and know-how for their opponents Guimaraes.

Not that it was straight forward.

Overall, it could have been better - Jermain Defoe missed a penalty and Armand Traore was denied by a stunning save.

But crucially it could have been worse - James produced a lucky save and they also missed from 12 yards.

Basically, we’ll take 2-0. Let’s not be greedy.

The occasion was terrific and the fans lapped up their moment in history.

The supporters were determined to make their mark on Europe and they did just that.

Our back page today (Friday) sees Harry Redknapp dedicating the win to the crowd.

Traore also talks up the atmosphere as they best he’s ever played in.

Pompey - staff, fans, players, the city - were in this together.

On the pitch two players caught my eye.

Nadir Belhadj was excellent. His partnership down the left with Traore is quick and dynamic.
They both look hungry.

Belhadj looks like he’s loving it at Fratton and the crowd have responded immediately - they love him.

His cross for Defoe’s goal was as perfect as they come.

Diarra is from another level. He knows it, Harry knows and the fans know it.

Refreshingly, the supporters also acknowldege the Frenchmen will leave at some point but are intent on enjoying him while he’s here.

It’s a rare dose of realism amid the hyperbole of professional football.

Instead of feeling bitter betrayal when he does depart for Real Madrid or the like, the majority will feel a sense of pride that the classy Frenchmen pulled on a Pompey shirt.

My hope is he gives us the rest of the season at least. That will be a fair return and there’s no doubt regular football at Fratton is making him a better player.

In the first-half, especially, Diarra was too much for Guimaraes who, nevertheless, looked an accomplished side.

When they stepped it up in the second half, it posed Pompey problems.

That was a taste of things to come in Portugal.

Two-nil alone will not be enough, but I do think Pompey have more than enough to get on the scoresheet and wrap up the tie.

AC Milan then awaits. Now that really would be mind-blowing.

Pompey's Euro vision

The last few years have seen Pompey stride forward impressively.

The Great Escape, best league finish for half a century and, of course, FA Cup winners.

Thursday night will see another chapter in the club’s history written when they play in the UEFA Cup.

My view is simple: don’t underestimate anything.

Don’t underestimate the occasion - this is Pompey embracing the European stage for the first time.

Don’t underestimate the opponents - Vitoria SC will be good. They finished above Benfica in their league and will be technically excellent.
Beware Pompey.

To win and proceed to the group stages will be a decent achievement.
It should not just be expected.

Our back page today (Tuesday) has David James warning his team-mates not to blow their chance.

James is right to compare the match to a cup final - I just hope the team have prepared as such.

It would be a waste to fall at the first hurdle.

From the fans point of view, the occasion must be savoured. After all, this is history in the making.

- Watching Spurs last night put Pompey’s current squad in flattering context.

Harry Redknapp’s policy of getting in English talent reflects well on Juande Ramos’ array of world ‘stars’.

The spine of a team is always key.

Therefore, Spurs fans must have shuddered at the performances of keeper Heurelho Gomes, playmaker Luka Modrić and new big-money striker Roman Pavlyuchenko in the 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa.

In that order they were erratic, lightweight and off the pace.

Thank goodness for David James, Lassana Diarra and Jermain Defoe.

Harry we salute you.

'Mad man' Belhadj

Jermain Defoe and the breathtaking Lassana Diarra rightly took the plaudits for the win over Boro.

But there is a new darling of Fratton Park.

Nadir Belhadj more than caught the eye of the fans. Incredibly, after just 45 minutes of action, he's been taken to their hearts already.

What John Utaka would give for just a slice of that!

In today's (Monday) News, three people summed up the impact of Belhadj vividly.

Our chief sports writer Neil Allen, in his match report, described how, after his enthusiastic, lung-bursting introduction, team-mate Sean Davis had to calm the debutant down.

Then our columnist Alan McLoughlin expressed his amazement - and delight - at the player's standing ovation on the final whistle.
It took, he said, some players seven years to receive such acclaim!

My favourite quote, though, came from a fan.
Paul Renouf, our 'Gaffer for a Day', summed it up perfectly.

He said: 'Belhadj came on and ran around like a mad man.
'He did one trick which was pretty good and was always looking to go at people.
'He was everything John Utaka should be but isn't.'

Let's hope the boy Belhadj doesn't slip into Utaka-style mediocrity after such a bright, eye-catching start.

No credit crunch at City!

Man City’s mind-blowing takeover makes Sacha Gaydamak look like a pauper.

And the new multi-billionaire owners at Eastlands even dwarf Roman Abramovich’s millions.

It all puts credit-crunch stricken Pompey in the shade.

When Sacha took over from Milan Mandaric at the helm of Fratton Park, Pompey suddenly had more cash than a lot of their rivals.

But the game moves on at a lightening pace.

Suddenly, it looks like we needed Sacha’s cash simply to hold our own in the league rather than push on to the top six.

That’s the nature of the Premier League now. It’s the perfect playground for the world’s wealthiest people.

City have now taken that on to a totally new level.

The other debate raging is the role of a football manager.

Harry Redknapp, as he is quick to point out, has control other the make-up of his team.

Alan Curbishley didn’t at West Ham and Mark Hughes certainly doesn’t now.

It’s one of the major reasons Harry will not be tempted back to Upton Park, and why he eventually turned down Newcastle.

Let’s be honest, who wants Dennis Wise picking your players for you.
Newcastle are a mess and Pompey look in rude health in comparison!

Sacha has never hiden his dislike for The News - he’s never spoken to us.

But Pompey fans must be pleased he isn’t in the Fratton End on matchday in his replica kit downing pints before trying to sell Jermain Defoe behind Harry’s back.

We aren’t the richest, but we are still a proper football club.

Deadline? What deadline?

By Pompey’s standards last night’s transfer deadline day was a non-event.
No last-minute deals to get Harry Redknapp’s adrenaline pumping.

No Benjani-style hold-ups or paperwork dramas.

Instead, fans had to be content with the arrival of Algerian Nadir Belhadj on a season-long loan.

It wasn’t the Wright-Phillips arrival everyone had hoped for a few weeks ago but there is a reason to be relatively cheerful - no-one left.

Well, no-one except Jean-Francois Christophe and, let’s be honest, he doesn’t really count.

As usual there were a lot of rumours knocking about.

The People reckoned Lassana Diarra was all set to join Spurs, but the sports desk reckoned they’d got the wrong end of the stick.

Harry Redknapp insisted he wanted only to get rid of fringe players and Diarra is certainly not that.

More importantly, we knew Diarra’s agent’s dislike of Spurs director of football Damien Comoli would count against the move.

The other rumour was Pompey were involved in last-gasp talks with fresh-out-of jail Joey Barton.

You can read Harry’s empahatic respone to that in tomorrow’s News.

The heartening thing for fans is none of Fratton Park’s top stars have followed Sulley Muntari or Pedro Mendes out the door to balance the books.

With a trip to Portugal in the UEFA Cup on the horizon, that would have been a disaster.

So while Pompey’s ‘credit crunch’ has dampened expectation, there is still reason to be confident of another decent season.

- So it looks like the way forward this season is 3-5-2.
And why not after Pompey’s wing wonders destroyed Everton at the weekend.
Playing Chelsea and Manchester United first thing made Pompey look a worse side then we are.
They are the two top teams in Europe, don’t forget.
Crouch and Defoe got service and got involved at Goodison Park.
The result - Pompey turned on the style.
- Finally, yours truly is cycling 160 miles this weekend.
Not just for fun, mind you. I’m doing the Pedal for Primus challenge - with 40 other riders - cycling between all four of Linvoy’s professional clubs.
It’s in aid of Faith and Football and their work to get the game into the poorer areas of our community.
We set off Friday and return on Sunday to be greeted by a Community Fun Day at Fratton Park.
The Fun Day is free to enter, starts at 3pm and features face painting, a bouncy castle, penalty shoot-out as well as food and drink.
Get down there and join in the fun.

Vidic is nails

Depending on who you listen to, Pompey were either hopeless against Manchester United or back on track after the hammering at Stamford Bridge.

The truth is somewhere in between.

Harry Redknapp’s team battled hard during the 1-0 defeat and clearly showed the heart which was so embarrassingly absent at Chelsea.

Kaboul looked better, Campbell less shaky and Thomas a good free signing.

Pompey struggled up front and in midfield, but then it’s no coincidence that was where United excelled.

The usually wonderful Diarra was outshone by Scholes, who oozed class. How England need the ginger one!

Crouch and Defoe made zero impact - but then centre-backs Vidic and Ferdinand looked impregnable.

Rio is a Rolls Royce of a defender and although Vidic will not ‘murder yer’ as the United fans sang with tongue firmly in cheek, the Serbian is a menacing presence.

In layman’s terms - he’s hard as nails.

Note when the United man clashed heads with the hulking figure of big Sol it was Vidic who was up first and sprinting towards the changing rooms to get stitched up to return to the fray.

As he left the field, Campbell was on one knee, rubbing his head!

So Pompey were outclassed against the European champions - there’s no shame in that.

The way United moved and kept the ball was breathtaking.

At least we showed some mettle and that is a step in the right direction as Pompey emerge from the hardest start possible.

The coming games against Everton and Middlesbrough will prove a better yard stick.

Opening-day misery

The opening day of the season is usually a joyous occasion.

The sun shines on pristine, unspoilt grass and your head is filled with optimism for the coming season.

So it was as I headed to the pub to watch Pompey’s trip to Chelsea.

Forty-five minutes later I was heading home, thoroughly dejected.

Not at the defeat I knew was coming - we all half-expected that - but at the manner of it.

Pompey were abject. Granted they were up against a world-class side, but Harry Redknapp’s side never tested them.

The defence, so impressive last season, had no answer to the home team’s movement.

Never mind a yard, Sol Campbell looked liked he’d lost two. This will surely be his last season at Fratton Park.

His long-term replacement Younes Kaboul had a debut to forget.

Thrown into the heart of the battle out of position in the middle of the park, he was willing but out of synch with his new team-mates.

He wasn’t helped by the decision to go with four across the midfield.
Redknapp admitted he made a rod for his own back in that he has to play both Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch up front.

The midfield was overrun, however, and Pompey
needed another body in there to combat Lampard and Deco, who was exceptional.

Finally, the default phrase for Crouch is that he has a ‘good touch for a big man’.

Well, there was no proof of that Sunday - everything was pumped towards his head.
Things may have improved in the second half, although I doubt it.

I was back in my armchair watching the Olympics.
Pompey were way out of the medals on Sunday.
They'll have to step up their game against Man United next Monday.