Well we all knew it in our hearts that Pompey simply 'don't do playoffs'. An interesting read from Kenny Jacket https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48307099 about our prospects. Skybet already have us as joint 2nd favourites next season, with Ipswich at 13/2 and Rotherham & us on 10/1 for the title. I reckon Peterborough and whoever loses the playoff final will make a group of five to watch. Your thoughts?
I think there needs to be some investment to get promotion. Lads did well to get the points they did and Kenny had a fair season too - he's an easy target atm although he has made a few strange selections over the past year and the football isn't great to watch. I do feel we would have been badly found out in the championship with the squad we have unless the owners invested a lot which I couldn't see happening. I think some of the poor to watch football is Kenny making the best of the players we have. Clarke will probably go so need a new CB. Also need an attacking midfielder who can unlock difficult teams. I like Pitman and he's done well but we need someone young, quick and can finish. I'd have Pitman, Hawkins and 1 other. So yeah - need 3 players imo. 4 if Lowe goes. Its not been a bad season and lets not forget they've played a lot including the successful cup run and won more away games than ever before. 7/10 season. Have noticed quite a few of the fans are way too critical and are quick to abuse the players which is sad to see. Roll on next season - It will be entertaining however which way it goes!
Basically, we have had a good season, improving our league position from 8th to 4th, and visiting Wembley to win the Checkatrade Trophy against Sunderland. Not to mention a reasonable run in the FA Cup, including beating eventual Championship winners Norwich City away from home. Kenny J has put together a talented squad of players over the last two seasons, a good balance of youth and experience, which can only improve. If we do lose Nathan Thompson, Matt Clarke and Jamal Lowe (which seems likely), then we must demand decent fees for both Clarke and Lowe, and reinvest the money into three good replacements. We still need another decent central midfielder, similar to Michael Doyle, but younger. As Sharpe* says, we also desperately need a young goal hungry striker, perhaps from one of the Premier League clubs that Kenny has connections with, even if we can only get him on a season long loan.
