Looking at the squad at the moment it is not particularly young. Davies is 34, Roberts 33 and Baker is of a similar age. It must also be expensive recruiting players in the late 20s such as Rose and early 30s as these are usually family men so need to be housed somewhere. IMO this is quite an expensive route to take. And where is the long term planning in this should PFC get out of League 2? Far better to trawl the London area with its much larger pool of talent than Hampshire or places like Sheffield reserves,especially in the non league area, as I am quite certain there is many a jewel that may just have been missed by the PL and FL London clubs.
Sounds a good idea, Ides. Pompey have done it in the past with young American striker John Kerr signed from Harrow (?) and winger Andy Perry. Also striker Trevor Senior who hardly made Pompey's first team, but went on to score plenty of goals for Aldershot & Reading, etc. We also bought both Guy Whittingham and Lee Bradbury out of the Army, and they were both successes, and earned PFC a lot of money when eventually sold on. Ryan Bird was a more recent gamble from non-league Burnham, he looked promising at times but found the step-up from non-league quite a challenge, so we let him go to Cambridge Utd., and now I believe with Yeovil. Jed Wallace joined Pompey's academy from Sussex side Lewes, and really made his mark at Fratton Park, before he was sold on to Wolves. I'm not sure how big our scouting network is, but you would hope that the club could find say an ex-Pompey player now retired and living in London, who would be happy to check out non-league matches in the vicinity, and view promising players they could recommend to the club. Paul Cook is doing his best to improve all manner of things at Fratton Park, and the board of directors are more forward thinking than when the club was owned by our plethora of "iffy" owners in the recent past. For once, we are solvent and living within our means. You can't ask fairer than that, can you ?
Carl Baker has officiall signed for Pompey: http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/...er-mk-dons-midfielder-carl-baker-3142802.aspx
Good signing to my mind - an attacking midfielder/winger who can score goals. A replacement for Adam McGurk & Kal Naismith who flattered to deceive last season.
Rumours on the Plymouth site that Reuben Reid is a Pompey target on a two year contract on a free transfer. We have been connected with signing him so many times in the past. Scores goals, but is he consistent enough for us ? Charlton Athletic have signed our former winger Ricky Holmes from fellow League One side Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee. The 29-year-old, who submitted a transfer request to the Cobblers this week, has agreed a two-year deal with the Addicks.
If you can keep him fit then Reid is a good striker. But, IF is the right word. He is very injury prone and when he is on a roll always seems to pick one up and that kills his confidence. If he does leave us then I have to be honest and say I'm not that bothered. I hope you don't do what you did previously and sign anything that moves. 24 max is all you need in league 2. Better quality rather than numbers.
Is the mid field getting rather crowded? For the defensive mid field rolls we have Doyle, Hollands, and Barton. And if Burgess & Clarke are the centre backs Jack could be a defensive mid-fielder also. Attacking options are Roberts, Rose (apparently a box to box midfielder), Evans, and now Baker. I had thought that next season could see more first team football for Close and I would expect him to get itchy feet if he has another season on the fringe. May also could reasonably see his prospects narrowing. Cook appears to be making good signings but not in the priority positions. Reserve team football will be essential next season to keep players match fit.
Pompey have apparently been chasing two players from first division Wallsall, both of whom are free agents. They have missed out on Cypriot born attacking right back Jason Demetriou (aged 28) who has signed for Southend Utd., BUT, have hopefully secured the signing of 23 year old left winger Milan Lalkovic, who is a Slovakian under 21 international formerly in Chelsea's academy. He is having a medical next week, having agreed terms to join us. Also allegedly linked with right back Drew Talbot (aged 29) who has just been released by Chesterfield. According to wiki, he can play at right back/right midfield/left back/central midfield/centre forward, so a bit of a utility player.
It'd be nice to have some international representation in the future, that's one of the few things I miss about the Premier League. Well, if he gets into the Slovakian senior squad.
Not another Chesterfield signing. Given his recruitment policy, Cook is far too limited in his search for talent. He needs to set up a good scouting network in South London to scoop up the heaps of talent there that goes largely untapped. Forget Chesterfield Mr Cook!! And please sign some black players which you seem reluctant to do!!
Drew Talbot has signed a two year contract, so it looks like Ben Davies may be departing. In which case, what a shame if that happens. Still require a goalkeeper and one or two strikers.
Dan Butler: Newport sign left-back from National League side Torquay United please log in to view this image Dan Butler made 45 National League appearances for Torquay United in 2015-16 Newport County have signed left-back Dan Butler on a two-year deal five days after he left National League side Torquay United. Butler began his career with Portsmouth and made 48 appearances before moving to Torquay in July 2015. The 21-year-old started all but one of Torquay's league games last season but turned down an offer of a new deal. "I'm happy to have signed and I'm looking forward to the future and the start of pre-season," he said. Butler continued, "I've had a taste of League football with Portsmouth and last season I had to drop down to the Conference. "I've benefited from that and played a lot of games and I'm ready to get back into League Two and hopefully play well for Newport." Really delighted that Dan has got back into the football league, albeit with Newport County. Good local lad from the Isle of Wight. Wish him the best of luck next season, apart from when they play Pompey of course.
Milan Lalkovic: Portsmouth sign winger from Walsall for undisclosed compensation please log in to view this image Milan Lalkovic was in his second spell at Walsall, following a loan stint during 2013-14 Portsmouth have signed Milan Lalkovic after reaching a compensation agreement with former club Walsall. The 23-year-old left the Saddlers last week after rejecting a new one-year contract at Banks's Stadium. Winger Lalkovic, who scored eight goals in 50 appearances for the League One club last season, has agreed a two-year deal with Pompey. The Fratton Park side have paid an undisclosed fee for the Slovak, previously with Chelsea and Barnsley. Lalkovic is the League Two outfit's sixth signing of the summer transfer window.
Ben Davies has signed a two year contract with Grimsby Town. I believe his wife comes from that area. I wish him the best of luck. Rumours that we are looking at Tom Davies, a centre half from Accrington Stanley.
Apparently we are giving a trial to Roarie Deacon who was released by Crawley Town end of last season. He is a winger or striker, formerly in Arsenal's academy. Not a particularly impressive playing record, but Cookie must have seen something in him, to want to take a closer look.
PFC have signed 24 year old centre half Tom Davies on a free transfer from Accrington Stanley, on a two year contract. He is a former academy player with Man. Utd. and Blackburn Rovers.
