After enduring the worst half I have ever seen Pompey play at S****horpe, I return home to find Webber is not being offered a new contract, this makes no sense, when he came on today he was the only one running off the ball creating space and tying up defenders, he was a revelation from the s**t of the first half.
I wonder who else will be going and staying. Apparently some kind of deal is going to be tried for Greg Halford. De Laet wants to come back on loan. But we'll have to wait to hear about the others. Strange decision not to give Webber even 1 year though. Everything that's gone wrong on the pitch seems to date right back to the Hughes and Brown saga - the players seem to be too despondent to turn up half the time.
To sign Halford permanently, and De Laet again on loan, would be a good start to team building for next season. I agree Webber looks sharp and is worth a new one year contract - unless there are injury worries we are not aware about. Hopefully, Hogg / Sonko / Dickinson / David Cotterill will not return, as I do not think they are good enough. Despite what some Ipswich fans think about him, I believe David Norris would be a good signing on a free. We do need at least TWO goalscoring strikers if The Nuge departs, which I believe he will. Dave Kitson; to my mind; doesn't score enough goals - he should be a prolific goalscorer at this level, surely ?! Sell Mokoena (or give him away) if we can. An absolute disaster in defence, he is always conceding free kicks, and is a liability. We need another good centre half, to play alongside Halford. Give Hermann another one year contract - even at 37 he can still do a sound job for us, and is a great character to have in the changing room, helping to motivate team mates. Sign a talented winger on loan, even if he is a promising youngster from a Premier league club like Chelsea or Arsenal. It sounds easy, doesn't it ?! Good luck to Steve Cotterill in the Summer, he is going to need it............. PUP PPU
Woopert agree with you on nearly all points, however I think Cotterill D, might be worth another chance. When he came on yesterday we had more width and there were more crosses coming in to the box.
You don't rate Hogg but think Hermann can still do a job? Am afraid I disagree on both them. I've loved watching Hogg this season, he's like a young, better Michael Brown for me. Does all the dirty work, really gets stuck in. Proper good defensive midfielder. And Hermann, as much as I LOVE him, I just think he's lost it since his injury. No pace and gets turned too easily. How many fouls does he give away these days from kicking out in frustration? I think we'd be onto a winner getting more of these youngsters in like De Laet and Hogg (preferably a bit...'better'...than Dicko...) as they'll be up for the massive struggle that next year will inevitably be. We still had remnants of a Premier League team this year. We'll have none next year :/
Might it not have been Webber who chose not to stay at Pompey? He can probably get more elsewhere. I hope your new buyers appear soon as it would increase your chances of fighting for a return to the top alongside us(god willing).
I would disagree with you there I'm afraid, I thought that Hogg had a pretty decent first few games, but after that really showed that he wasn't a patch on Michael Brown, and tended not to do a lot really Out of all the loans we have had this season, I would love to see returns for De Laet (on loan, am sure he won't make it permanent), Halford full transfer, and then EITHER Cotterill or Dickinson. Hogg, Sonko (and probably Cotterill) can all go imo. Give a new deal to Hermann, he has another year in him, and if Cotterill (S) is certain that Webber has no future, then do ALL YOU CAN to keep hold of Nugent.
Sorry pompeyspud, but I felt that Hogg was running round like a "headless chicken" most of the time. Michael Brown at least had a bit of pedigree despite his advancing years !
To be fair, I've only made it to a few home games this season, including against Norwich last week, so maybe I've just got lucky, and have only seen his good performances? Doesn't help I'll be living in France next year, I'll probably start rating Sonko or something...
I agree with you pompeyspud, i think Hogg has had a job to do this season and has done it pretty well, and the fact that Villa fans rate him quite highly says a lot, i just think he needs to work on his passing as he gives the ball away to often. Saying that though i wouldn't want to see him back next season, we need more attacking midfielders as we already have Mullins and Ward who can both do the job Hogg has been asked to do this season. I think Cotterrill should look into loaning the youngsters from the top teams, especially arsenal who always have good youngters available to loan. As for Hermann again i agree with pompeyspud, this season he has begun to show his age and as it has been mentioned he has lost his pace and has a huge lack of discipline. I think maybe keep him for another year just as cover for injuries etc depending on his wage demands then offer him a coaching or behind the scenes role next season.
I thought there was a total of 17 leaving/out of contract at the end of the season or has SC convinced some to stay?
