please log in to view this image With the coming of a new era at Portsmouth FC, the largest community owned club of its kind, the question: "could I do better?" will be on the lips of the huge number of fans who invested in (and won) the bid. I intend to go one better. Armed with the latest football simulation software and under the wastchful eyes of Messrs McInnes and Catlin, this is The Pompey Report - the community's monthly fanzine detailing the good, the bad and the ugly of Portsmouth FC FOREWORD To become the manager of a club you have loved and supported your whole life is both an honour and a privilege to me. Times have been tough for our club, with successive relegations and our widely publicised off-field problems being a huge burden to Portsmouth’s success. Despite this, one constant has remained throughout; you, the fans. Now that the club is owned by the fans, I feel proud to lead us into a new and exciting era for Portsmouth Football Club. I cannot promise instant success or high profile marquee signings – that would completely defeat the purpose of my employment here and undermine the efforts of those who fought for this club. I can however promise to lead the club with strong principles, with determination, a strong work ethic and, of course, the total transparency that had been lacking in the dark periods before the community ownership. Myself, Mark Catlin and Iain McInnes will work closely and openly to ensure the future of Portsmouth Football Club is sound and secure, however they would like me to stress that the final say on football related matters at the club will ride solely on my shoulders, and that I will have full control over transfers within a set and carefully monitored budget. Once again, thank you for this opportunity, and I hope to see as many of you as possible at Mansfield on August the 6th Play Up Pompey Olly Rogers (Portsmouth FC Manager)
please log in to view this image A busy week of transfer activity has culminated in no less than 9 new signings for Portsmouth FC – and manager Olly Rogers says there is still space for more should the correct player become available. The signings showcase the ambitious new manager’s intentions to stabilise the club and push into the future, despite an FA embargo on the club buying in any players. To counter this, Rogers has delved into the free transfer market, signing 8 new players on permanent contracts to bolster the squad, and loaning a further player in. Aidan White, a young winger from Leeds has joined the club till January, and is relishing the chance to impress in the first team, whilst probably the highest profile signing has been Scott Wagstaff, a versatile 23 year old striker recently plying his trade at Charlton Athletic in the Championship. Over his Charlton career, Wagstaff scored 17 goals in 120 appearances, and hopes to re-find his goalscoring spirit at Pompey: “Obviously being part of a fan owned club was a big draw towards me playing [here]. Hopefully I can kick on, net a few and become a success” Elsewhere, former academy player Tom Kilbey has rejoined the club – despite being out for two years pursuing other interests. Kilbey worked very closely with youth coach Andy Awford at Portsmouth, and the coach was keen to point the player out to Rogers at their first meeting. He joins fellow academy product and central midfielder Marlon Pack in making a return to Pompey. Jon-Paul Pittman has also been drafted in to lift the front line. Pittman was a star in the Oxford United team, and Rogers will be thankful for the League 2 experience the talisman striker brings in to the club. Midfielders Dan Western, Matt Thornhill and former Newcastle United defender Tamás Kádár have also been brought into the squad, with great things being expected of the latter given his wealth of Premier League experience given his relatively young age.
please log in to view this image Portsmouth’s first pre-season game started in earnest at Westleigh Park, as a bumper crowd of over 3,000 watched on as both teams played out an entertaining 1-1 draw. The early pressure came predictably from the visitors, with Charlie Sheringham seeing his 4th minute strike disallowed for offside after a precise through ball from defender Adam Webster, with the Pompey striker being a clear two yards offside. Former Portsmouth academy player Lewis Stockford was on fine form for the home team, combining well with Sammy Igoe in the centre of midfield, but it was the youngster who almost gifted Sheringham an opening goal with a poor pass in midfield, however the Pompey striker could only find the fans behind the goal with his powerfully struck 18 yard effort. That proved to be Igoe’s last involvement in the game, as things turned sour on 35 minutes when Ashley Harris saw red for a late lunge at the veteran midfielder, forcing substitutions for both teams. The second half began with a bang for the home side. Making their numerical advantage count, Fogden scored after a through ball by that man Stockford to send the home fans into raptures. The striker almost scored again moments later, but play was pulled back for a foul on Matt Thornhill earlier in the attack. Portsmouth countered by bringing on Patrick Agyemang and Scott Wagstaff to bolster their attacking options, yet it was the hosts who kept up their show of dominance, with Simon Eastwood forced into a fingertip save to keep out Stockford’s 25 yard effort, which seemed to spur the visitors into action. Pushing Johnny Ertl up into midfield had an instant effect on the 10 men as Agyemang, Wagstaff and new loanee Aidan White came close to scoring for Pompey, yet the Havant goal seemed impregnable until the 92nd minute, when Agyemang latched on beautifully to a low cross by Yassin Moutaouakil to finish an entertaining first game in charge for Rogers.
please log in to view this image Portsmouth manager Olly Rogers has today brought former favourite Martin Kuhl back to the club, in the role of first team coach working alongside Steve Allen, Guy Whittingham and Alan Knight, whilst appointing former club ambassador Linvoy Primus as assistant to Andy Awford coaching the youths at the League 2 outfit. Kuhl, who played over 150 games for Pompey in 4 years stretching between 1988 and 1992, says he is relishing the chance to be involved with the day to day running of the club, saying “it was always my ambition to return to Portsmouth, I spent 4 happy years here back in the day alongside Alan [Knight], and it is a pleasure to be back working amongst old pals”. Meanwhile, two players from the Youth Academy are today celebrating after a move up into the Reserves for the forthcoming season. Recent signings Charlie Binns and Nick Awford (both 18) join the likes of Dan Western, Dan Butler and Ashley Harris in the development squad, alongside new signing Kiernan Hughes-Mason. Both remain eligible for the Under 18 side however, should Andy Awford need them. Also in team news, Portsmouth have taken in former Crystal Palace midfielder James Comley in on trial. Comley will train with the reserves and will be available to play in this week’s friendlies against Coventry City and Inverness CT, hoping to impress Whittingham, Allen and Kuhl in order to win himself a professional contract for the season. The backroom staff now consists of: please log in to view this image
please log in to view this image It was certainly Portsmouth who had the best of the opening exchanges of this pre-season friendly, with Tom Kilbey playing in a more advanced midfield role and forcing Joe Murphy into a smart near post save on 4 minutes after good work by Patrick Agyemang. Rogers’ more attacking approach seemed to be paying off early on, but it was Coventry who came closest, with Cody McDonald testing Phil Smith, forcing the keeper to push the ball onto the crossbar with a firm header. Otherwise, the first half was a relatively quiet affair, with the only action of note being the unfortunate injury to James McPake, after the defender’s seemingly innocuous challenge on Jon-Paul Pittman. The second half brought on the first sighting of Portsmouth’s triallist James Comley, who replaced Moutaouakil at right back for the second half, with captain Ertl and Kilbey making way for East and Harris respectively. But it was Coventry who took the second half impetus, with Phil Smith making a solid double save from Coventry substitute Courtney Richards. This proved to be in vain however, as on 61 minutes young striker Ben Maund scored a scrappy finish off the underside of Smith’s bar, after good play by Hussey and Wiseman to build the attack. Portsmouth almost hit back moments later, with arguably their best chance of the game thus far being spurned by Pittman; his shot blocked well by Coventry captain Richard Wood. However, the travelling support were treated to a special goal moments later, as Tamás Kádár showed his credentials with a curling 20 yard effort which left Murphy sprawling – the defender delighting fans with his first goal in Pompey colours. This was the way the match stayed with Portsmouth the aggressors towards the end of the game, with substitute Charlie Sheringham coming on for Pittman and forcing Murphy into one final save to leave the game deadlocked at 1-1. Another draw on the face of it for Portsmouth, however their fans can take back a good performance against higher league opposition, with their strikers offering a constant threat to the Coventry goal throughout. A frustrating day as well for James Comley, with the triallist hoping for a better run out against Inverness CT on Friday.
please log in to view this image Portsmouth’s third friendly fixture came off the back of two away 1-1 draws against Havant & Waterlooville and Coventry City, and sees Rogers’ side revert to their familiar 4-4-2, with triallist James Comley looking to impress at right back. Tamás Kádár, who scored the team’s equalising goal last time out was rewarded with a start ahead of young Dan Butler at left back, with the team itching to prove their mettle against Scottish Premier Division opponents Inverness. The first ten minutes were spent camped in the Inverness half, with Sonny Bradley twice going close, the second effort – a header from a Scott Wagstaff corner, whistling just wide of the Thistle goal. At the back, Bradley and Cooper held a tight line and impressed defensively against their Scottish counterparts, the defenders looking more than comfortable with the lone striker Keatings, keeping Inverness limited to long range efforts and half chances, and even when Foran did break through on 25 minutes, Eastwood was down smartly to stop the effort. However, leaving the opposition to long range efforts did leave the hosts in trouble, with Cally midfielder Richie Foran scoring an inspirational 25 yard effort into the top corner of Eastwood’s goal to give Inverness a lead in a first half they had just edged, with Johnny Ertl going close in Pompey’s last chance of the half. As the second half got underway, chances were few and far between until that man Sonny Bradley crowned his dominant aerial performance, scoring a placed header following a Scott Wagstaff free kick into the area. Minutes later, it got even better for the home team, as substitute Ashley Harris latched onto an Aidan White ball into the box – the only downside to the goal being an injury to Patrick Agyemang in the build-up. But there was more to come in injury time, as Laing put in a driven cross which bounced in off an unfortunate Dan Butler to leave the tie deadlocked at 2-2 with a grandstand finish, as Ashley Harris had a strong penalty claim turned down in the dying seconds. Portsmouth still looking for their first friendly win, however their performance against top flight opposition will please many in blue and white on the South Coast.
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image New signing Matt Thornhill is a former Nottingham Forest academy player, playing 38 first team games in a 3 year spell at the club, before trips away to Brighton and Cheltenham on loan. In 2011 he moved to Scottish Premier League club Hibs, however never really got going in his 2 year tenure at the club, being released at the end of the 2011-12 season. Despite competition for Thornhill's signature, he became one of Rogers' first Pompey signings in time for the club's League 2 campaign. A strong, attacking midfielder, Thornhill brings a determined personality to the table, and also has an eye for a goal or two, being adept at shooting from distance. He looks a prime candidate to lead Pompey's midfield line this coming season.
I don't understand- who's Olly Rodgers? Guy Whittingham's our manager, who's this Olly Rodgers?! Oh and also- you say that we signed Marlon Pack .. but I swear we haven't?! I'm so confused ..
Oops, I should have made it clear! This is a story based on if I were manager. Do you play Football Manager Stewie?
please log in to view this image Following a solid performance in their 2-2 draw with Inverness, James Comley has one final chance to impress, this time moving to a midfield role to face the MK Dons at stadium:mk. It was the hosts who started brightest; Former Pompey striker Izale McLeod seeing his goal rightfully disallowed firing home from an offside position after 2 minutes and showing that the League 1 side mean business. The game continued in this vein for some time, with East and Ertl having to be on guard to foil the lively McLeod, who was finding some success with Luke Chadwick on the left side. But their early dominance counted for nothing when, just after the 10 minute mark, Ashley Harris tricked his way past Mark Beevers and rifled home from 18 yards after being played in by Scott Wagstaff, showing the young striker certainly has what it takes to cut it in Portsmouth colours. Portsmouth used this to gain a foothold in the game, exerting dominance throughout the first half, with Jed Wallace forcing a fine save on the half hour mark. Aidan White almost followed it up but his header from the resulting corner powered just the wrong side of the crossbar. Jamie Gleeson then came close for the hosts, but to Eastwood’s relief his thunderbolt went a whisker outside of the Pompey goal. In a frantic few minutes for Portsmouth, Luke Chadwick then hit the same post. Fortunately captain Ertl was there to clear away the rebound ahead of the advancing McLeod, in the last action of the first half. The second half continued in the same end to end style, with McLeod being stopped by a last ditch tackle by East followed quickly by a close Tom Kilbey header that just passed by the upright. Elsewhere, the impressive Harris was taken off for Patrick Agyemang just on the hour mark. With just 10 minutes to go the match heated up once more, midfielder Darren Potter forcing Simon Eastwood into a stunning save from almost point blank range, with Eastwood vying for contention with Phil Smith for the number 1 jersey, this surely swung the balance in his favour. The Pompey keeper was certainly busiest in the closing exchanges, punching clear a Dean Bowditch cross late on, but the score stayed at 1-0 to Portsmouth, giving them their first win and clean sheet of Rogers’ tenure.
please log in to view this image Triallist Stephen Jordan came in at left back for Portsmouth as the club look to bolster their options ahead of the coming season, as Rogers tried out a new formation against the Championship opposition. Romain Padovani played a holding role to sit in front of the back four, as Scott Wagstaff moved out to the right wing. The game began in slow style, with both teams packing the midfield – indeed, the first incident of note was Andy Reid’s early yellow card for a foul on Johnny Ertl. Portsmouth came into the game on the back of four unbeaten friendlies, however the hosts looked tentative; Patrick Agyemang hitting the post in their only real chance of the first 15 minutes. That chance seemed to liven the game, as Pompey hit the woodwork again moments later through Sonny Bradley’s pinpoint header. The defender was unlucky not to add to his goal against Inverness CT over a week previous, and it caused further misery for Portsmouth as from the breakaway, Miller raced away to score an incisive goal past Phil Smith – not the start Portsmouth had planned. Rogers responded by reverting to a 4-4-2, pushing Wagstaff into a strike partnership with Agyemang, yet it was Forest who continued to press, with McGugan and Greening both going close from distance before Gareth McCleary stole in to score their second from another sublime Reid cross. Moments later, 2 became 3, as Morgan towered above the Pompey defence to head home Greening’s corner, as the gulf in class between the sides became ever more apparent by half time. Half time brought about no less than 4 changes, as Rogers sought to decrease the deficit – most notably bringing on goal scorer Harris for Agyemang, a move which almost worked on 60 mintues, with Harris going close from a free kick from range. There were no prizes to guess where Pompey’s main attacking threat was coming from, as that man Harris then hit the bar moments later for a third time with a header from the penalty spot, as the home side tried to find a foothold in the game late on. Sonny Bradley had the best of the late action with a header that Lee Camp was equal to in the Forest goal, with Phil Smith also making a smart save from Miller at the other end. A better second half performance from Portsmouth, although clearly there is much to work on before the season begins.
please log in to view this image For their final pre-season game, Rogers elected to pick his strongest XI against Crusaders. Harris and Agyemang the preferred strike partnership, however not in the matchday squad were either triallist Jordan or Comley, whos trials have both finished and are waiting to see if they are awarded contract negotiations. In truth, Portsmouth still looked shell-shocked from their 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, and there was more misery on 8 minutes with Pompey unable to cope with the synthetic pitch at Seaview; Ciaran Gargan opening for the hosts. Despite the fast tempo of the game chances were few and far between, with Patrick Agyemang looking lively up front and seeing his snapshot saved well by the advancing Jennings. Things didn’t get better for Portsmouth when defender Sonny Bradley was forced off in the 27th minute, replaced by Adam Webster, who had an instant effect, setting up a rare Pompey chance which Agyemang fizzed just wide of Jennings’ goal. Portsmouth grew in confidence as the half went on, with Matt Thornhill going close twice, yet just couldn’t find that elusive goal to bring themselves back into the game, with the score 1-0 at half time. The visitors’ dominance continued into the second half, and their hard work paid off when Agyemang was felled in the area by Aaron Harris, with Wagstaff coolly dispatching the penalty to level the scores, followed up by an Agyemang shot from out wide which deceived supporters, however it hit the side netting only. Pompey continued to press, and were rewarded with an Agyemang goal on 62 minutes after good interplay by substitute Tom Kilbey and Ashley Harris, placing his shot in Jennings’ near post area. Late on, Portsmouth almost added a third through a Johnny Ertl header which was followed by an almighty scramble in the Crusaders box – Adam Webster unfortunate not to capitalise as his effort was cleared off the line. History almost repeated itself late on, after a Scott Wagstaff ball caused all sorts of havoc in the box, however Aaron Harris got there just in front of a lurking Pittman to clear the ball to safety for a Pompey corner. Yet, from the resulting set play Adam Webster levered himself highest to nod home a third to leave Portsmouth cruising to victory. A good win from behind for Pompey boosted by a solid performance by Romain Padovani, with the Frenchman tackling well and finding his passes with great aplomb setting them up for the season opener against Mansfield in a week’s time.
please log in to view this image 1st August 2013 Midfielder James Comley has become Rogers’ tenth signing of the campaign, as the League 2 curtain raiser with Mansfield draws to only a week away. Fellow triallist Stephen Jordan has left the club however, after contract negotiations broke down. Comley, who played a part in Pompey’s pre-season draws against Coventry City, Inverness CT and the MK Dons, signs on a 3 year contract till 2017 and hopes to become a big part of the squad in the coming seasons: “Obviously I’m delighted to have a route back into football, I’d like to thank Portsmouth for this opportunity and I look forward to paying you back on the pitch” Meanwhile, the first round of the Capital One Cup sees Portsmouth given a home tie against Championship side Charlton. Pompey could have hoped for an easier first round tie, although the potential to entice a bumper crowd to Fratton Park has excited chairman Iain McInnes, who believes his side have every chance of progressing further. Rogers had this to say about the recent signing: “James [Comley] definitely has something about him, his versatility is also a key factor in our decision to sign him. Unfortunately Steve’s wage demands were a little above what we want to be spending at this stage, so we had no choice but to let him move on, but we wish him all the best for the future” Portsmouth travel to Mansfield in 5 days for their opening League 2 fixture.
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Pompey’s first league game saw them play a Mansfield side intent on packing the midfield, with Pompey making only 2 changes from the side that swept aside Crusaders 3-1 in their final friendly game, with Sonny Bradley and Matt Thornhill making way for Adam Webster and Shaun Cooper respectively. James Comley made the substitutes bench in his first game in Pompey colours. It was the hosts who started brightest, with the 5 man midfield frustrating Pompey – Louis Briscoe heading just over from a corner early on but the early pressure was undone thanks to a debut goal for loanee Aidan White, after good link up play between Ashley Harris and Scott Wagstaff on the right hand side, leading to a dream start for Portsmouth’s League 2 ambitions. The game was flowing freely and chances were coming at both ends however, as Mansfield equalised only 6 minutes later through a heavily deflected Connor shot that left Simon Eastwood clutching at thin air. This led the game down into a rhythm, with Portsmouth finding their feet and almost finding the net in fortuitious circumstances, with Scott Wagstaff’s low cross having to be diverted from the near corner by the outstretched arm of veteran keeper Marriott in the Mansfield goal; Ertl’s header clearing the bar from the resulting corner. Despite the best efforts of Agyemang and Cooper for Portsmouth and Bolland for Mansfield, the game remained deadlocked at half time, with Rogers bringing on Sonny Bradley for Moutaouakil who had picked up a knock in the first half. Portsmouth almost retook the lead 10 minutes after half time, when a shocking backpass from McNaughton almost found its way to Patrick Agyemang, but the striker was thwarted by a sprawling Marriott. This was the way it stayed, with neither team able to break down the opposition defence; Scott Wagstaff going closest, hitting the crossbar from a floated Bradley cross. In fact, it was Wagstaff causing most of the problems for Mansfield, with most of the Pompey attacks going through the wide man. If the first half was an open, attacking game the second half was anything but – both managers seeing the need to shake things up with 15 minutes to go; Rogers bringing on Pittman for Harris up front, with Mansfield bringing on Lindon Meikle for a fading Briscoe. As the game drew into 4 minutes of stoppage time, Connor broke through with a dubious onside decision, however Eastwood was out quickly to foil the striker, with Adam Webster defending brilliantly to block Jon Worthington’s follow up. 1-1 probably a fair result for a game Pompey just edged, but more will be expected of the south coast outfit this season, with many players not quite firing on all cylinders.
