A mate posts occasionally and there was a thread, last week, claiming KLD is a puppet while Donald is still in power. My mate asked, when Batth signed to ask if Donald was responsible ... ... no answer
I have a couple of different perspectives. If he’s fit which I’m sure he will be I’ve not any issue with getting Defoe. He’s a top top bloke and all that you say is correct. However if for example we had a chance of signing permanently a fit uninjured Broadhead with Defoes money or obviously someone similar - years ahead of them and goals in them then I’d go do that. It’s not a popular opinion and on the same hand I’d love Defoe but if it was either or financially I’d go for the future option. I do also honestly think Defoe would be a threat to Johnson. If Johnson failed promotion and Defoe was qualified I know I’d be shouting for him to take over. The logical side of me says though that we need stability and it might destabilise us- as if Johnson isn’t berated enough despite the progress of the club. So I could rationalise other options if that makes sense.
They're obsessed over there with Stewart Donald and the % that KLD owns. That said, the local media aren't particularly helpful in that manner either
I would be surprised if Johnson feels threatened. He doesnt seem low on self confidence to me. If I were in Johnsons shoes I would be questioning whether Defoe is right for us though, at this very moment in time. I agree he would give the place a lift, put fans on the gate and be a role model. I am less convinced he would have a serious impact on the pitch though. I am sure he has kept himself fit but he has barely kicked a ball in anger in the 18 months or so. We want to play this agressive pressing from the front and that will be hard for any 39 year old to do. If I were Johnson I would prioritise a player who can deputise for Stewart if injured / out of form, or in the mould of Broadhead. I would also be prioritising a CM who can get the best out of Neil. After that Defoe would be a cherry on the cake as a possible impact sub with the added bonus of the role model stuff etc. Right now we need to outdo Wigan and Rotherham and Wycombe in the window to give us a chance of overhauling them. To me Defoe, and the % of our salary allowance he would take up, is likely to be lower down the priority list for Jonhson and Speakman. Certainly if he is expecting game time / coaching role I am out. Much as I respect his career those things can be demanded. Just an opinion. I am not anti Defoe and he was great for us in the past. Just dont see the clamour for him as a player. As a coach we have no idea what type he is and whether he can fit the direction of travel. That seems even further out to me.
I believe that if the, "many things need to happen" issues are only related to - playing time, coaching roles, or a want to take penalties clauses etc, then whether LJ wants him or not, my guess is, if the hierechy do want Defoe, then we will get Defoe regardless, and LJ will simply have to crack on with it. Yes, I understand that the Board have to respect the manager's opinions, however, this opportunity to re-sign this legend, may be a decision beyonf LJ.
Wright is fit for Sat according to LJ https://safc.com/news/team-news/2022/january/portsmouth/team-news-portsmouth-home
While I think the signing of Defoe for 6 months could be brilliant, in terms of his off field presence/setting of standards and on field lethal finishing when given a chance, it could be exactly what we need to get us out of this league. However, I also look at the recent example of Man Utd and Ronaldo. I know it’s a different situation and Ronaldo carries on like a petulant prick, but it shows how even the very best can upset the bigger picture. There looks to be issues there caused in part by Ronaldo and his idea that he is bigger than anything else. These are the intricacies that are massively important when considering any signing. I hope Defoe comes, has a last hurrah and ends his career with a SAFC promotion as his last act as a player, but these things aren’t as straightforward as we’d all like to think!
I know that, hence my line about him acting like a petulant prick. My point is that what looks good from the outside won’t always work even though in paper it should all fall into place. As I said above I hope he comes and does the business but things aren’t always that simple
There's just absolutely no nuance or rational in any of the discussion. As The Cabbage says over there, League 1 has completely broken a significant proportion of our support. I used to post a lot but I just can't be bothered anymore. I've found myself typing out a post and then just deleting it as I just didn't have the appetite for the dumb responses. It's a self fulfilling prophecy. There's already notably less good posters over there (people like Flash Gordon leaving and others just barely posting) and the worst it gets the less the good posters post and so on and so on.
Hearing delay with Roberts is international clearance stiff from France and that medical & terms all done 48 hours ago. This tie in with owt you’ve heard Smug/Prehab?
I assumed this to be the reason there's a delay - a lot of paperwork to get through for this deal I'd imagine.
He;s a bit like SKP (though probs better) who was scoring still in the championship at 39 and carried on until into his 40’s.
Off topic but when we confirmed Batth I spent ten minutes searching for a player named Soap or Bubble so I could make a pun
