Time to tie down Mr Pompey

If anyone needed proof of how sport bonds a community, they need look no further than the seventh News Sports Awards.

Last night, at Portsmouth Guildhall, the real heroes of the area's rich sporting tapestry were recognised.

It was fitting, therefore, that two of Pompey's most conscientious players were there to revel in other people's achievement.

Perhaps more than anybody at the club, David James and Linvoy Primus appreciate what goes on away from the football field.

And like everybody else, they cheered Paralympic gold medallist Dan Bentley, stood and applauded Fareham's late boxing coach Derek Hoile and were amazed when they heard how amputee Spike Westbrook plays for Manchester United and competes with his able-bodied peers in the Portsmouth Sunday League.

Those are just three heroes plucked from the evening (for the full pull-out see Friday's News).

James met scores of children and was genuinely 'buzzing' when, to his surprise, he picked up Best Sportsman to go with his Pompey Player of the Year award.

His, Primus and coach Guy Whittingham's presence was also a timely reminder footballers' jobs should not stop the minute they take their boots off.

Primus is the epitomy of this.

Upon receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award he said: 'I am in a blessed place. If I can change people's lives for the better by just turning up, meeting people and signing autographs, then I want to be a part of that.'

It's a nod to his Christian faith, but also reveals an awareness of the city's people many at his club could learn from.

The ordinary folk of Paulsgrove, North End, Fareham etc have embraced Primus because Primus has embraced them.

At the awards he admitted he never thought he'd venture outside the M25 such was his London roots. Now he calls Portsmouth his home.

His reception last night, just as when he lifted the FA Cup, once again revealed the love and warmth afforded to a true hero of the city.

His playing style has helped. A journeyman pro, he has been inspired by rejection to raise his game to such a level he regularly outperformed centre-back partner Sol Campbell.

The fans recognise the guts and desire that took.

When Mr Pompey (as James affectionately called him) does decide to hang up his boots - and it can't be far off - Pompey must keep him involved.

Community work, coaching, whatever suits him best.

To ignore Linvoy would be to ignore one of the best.

And that would be unforgivable.

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.

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.