Pompey have signed 24 year old striker Curtis Main from Doncaster Rovers for an undisclosed fee. One time Middlesbrough youngster, has signed a two year contract.
please log in to view this image Chris Sessegnon: Right Full Back / Right Winger; Date of birth: 10 August 1993; Height: 5ft 10in (1.78m); Previous clubs: Whitehawk, Dover Athletic, Sutton United, Kingstonian (loan) and Tooting & Mitcham (loan). Pompey have him on trial, and may be taking him to Ireland with them to their training camp. Apparently a very pacy player, being looked at as possible cover for new right back Drew Talbot. And most importantly for the benefit of Ides - he is black
Have just read that two triallist goalkeepers are in Ireland with Pompey. Both youngsters. Eric Grimes is an Irish Under 21 international with Leeds United, and Michael Crowe a Welsh Under 21 international with Ipswich Town. If we are going for a young keeper on loan, why not resign Ryan Fulton from Liverpool, as he did well for us last season ?
Well, Ryan Fulton has joined Chesterfield on a season long loan from Liverpool. Our loss I reckon. Also, Bradford City have signed 6'5" Irish keeper Colin Doyle from Blackpool by meeting his release fee of......................................£1-00
Former Pompey, Everton, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Reading striker Yakubu, 33, turned out for National League side Boreham Wood in a friendly on Saturday after ending a spell in Turkish football. (Borehamwood and Elstree Times) Surely at 33 he could still do a good job in the second division, after all, Wycombe Wanderers have just signed 16 stone 35 year old Adebayo "The Beast" Akinfenwa on a free transfer from AFC Wimbledon. I'd have put my money on Plymouth Argyle signing him to replace Matt the rat up front
Matty Tubbs has signed for Forest Green Rovers on a free transfer, with a years contract. Hope he does well for them, and at least he is off our payroll. Only Kal Naismith and Adam McGurk to go, hopefully before the new season starts.
Young triallist keeper Michael Crowe has returned to Ipswich town, as Mick McCarthy wanted a guarantee of first team football for his player. Triallist right back Chris Sessegnon has also departed Fratton Park. Tonight in a pre-season friendly at Steve Claridge's Salisbury, we are giving a trial to Christopher Konopka who is a 31 year old, 6'5" American keeper who was with Ross County last season. Salisbury include in their squad three former Pompey academy youngsters, in George Colson & Elliott Wheeler both from the Isle of Wight, and Josh Warren. Pompey are currently 2-1 ahead with goals from triallist Noel Hunt, and Gary Roberts.
Striker Adam McGurk has left us on a free transfer to join Cambridge United. Only Kal Naismith and possibly Danny Hollands - who is yet to sign a new contract - still to depart.
Given the extra mid field players signed and Jack Whatmough and Barton vying for the ,also crowded central defenders role - but also possible defensive mid fielders- it appears Danny Hollands may be surplus to requirements. Has he featured in any of the friendlies? Last season Paul Cook admitted it may have been a mistake not to have a reserve team to keep fringe players match fit and at least getting some football but it appears there will be no reserve team for the coming season either - unless I have missed some news.
On the subject of friendlies, my impression from reading the reports in the news is that in order to give everyone game time no, or very few, players are getting 90 minutes of football. Is it possible that some of the players for the first league game will not have had a full game under their belts at kick off time?? It must be hard to judge fitness unless players are getting full games.
Danny Hollands is still unfit following the nasty injury inflicted on him in the play off game at Plymouth. To my mind goalkeeper is the only weak position at the club, as Paul Jones is injured again, and we only have Alex Bass who is 18 as understudy. Need an experienced keeper in as a matter of some urgency!
At last, a goal keeper is signed 36 year old David Forde who is 6'2" tall and has 24 caps with Republic of Ireland, has joined on a season long loan from Millwall. Paul Jones played last night for 90 minutes in a friendly at Bognor (PFC won 4-1) and came through unscathed (apparently). Out of interest, Hibernian are considering offering a contract to our ex keeper Brian Murphy - perhaps Scottish football might be his level
That's a solid signing - good news and someone that Jones'y can be a good back up too and Bass learn from.
Good news that Gareth Evans almost fit and played in a friendly game along with Danny Hollands. Hopefully, Jack Whatmough also nearing full fitness and could be ready for the Carlisle game this coming Saturday. Matty Taylor has signed for Northampton Town after leaving Burnley on a free - what a cracking player he was with us.
Pompey have sealed the double signing of striker Noel Hunt and defender Adam Buxton. Noel Hunt, 33, has been on trial with the Blues this summer following his departure from League One Southend and found the target for Paul Cook’s side in pre-season games against the Hawks and Salisbury. Adam Buxton, meanwhile, is a 24-year-old versatile defender at 6' 1", signed from Accrington, who while predominantly a right-back can also play at left-back and at centre-back. Both men have signed one-year deals with the club. However, Paul Jones has joined Norwich City on a free transfer, on a two year contract. Bit of a shock that one !, PFC are currently giving a trial to keeper Liam O'Brien. He was on Pompey's books as a youngster, and was released by Steve Cotterrill, and moved on to Brentford, Barnet and Dagenham & Redbridge. He is 24 now, a big lad at 6'4" in height, and available on a free transfer.
Looks like a good day all round...was surprised re Jones but fair play - assume it was a decent offer and so don't blame him. O'Brien could be a result and am really chuffed about Hunt - think he will be a good signing. Can't believe it's nearly here.
18 year old Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain has been signed by Steve Claridge on loan to Salisbury Town. He should get plenty of experience playing there, so a good move all round. From what I've seen and heard, he can be a top player in the future.
Pompey have signed two trialists - central midfielder Amine Linganzi and goalkeeper Liam O' Brien on initial one month contracts. Linganzi is a 26 year old Congo international. A bit of height too at 6'2". As long as Linganzi gets international clearance in time, both players are to be involved Tuesday night against Coventry City in the EFL Cup.
