Matt Fish and Alex Wynter have returned to their parent clubs after their Pompey loans were not renewed. The departure of the pair comes as no surprise, with the defensive duo having slipped out of first-team reckoning of late. Decisions still have to be made over the remaining four loanees at Fratton Park, with their spells set to expire in the first week of January. They include Paul Robinson, Marcus Bean, Miles Storey and Lee Holmes. Storey’s loan – like Wynter’s – is for a season, however there is scope for it to be cancelled at the midway point by either party. Fish and Wynter have returned to Gillingham and Crystal Palace respectively. Good positive move by Awfs. Of the 4 other loanees we currently have, I hope we can do a permanent deal with Millwall for Paul Robinson. Also hope we can keep both Bean and Storey on loan, but send back Lee Holmes a.s.a.p., as he has hardly caused any excitement since he joined us. Some very strong rumours of Matt Tubbs joining us in January. He is currently on loan to AFC Wimbledon from Bournemouth. At least he is a proven goalscorer in the lower divisions.
I always have a problem with loan players. The season long ones are ok, but it must feel like the squad is not complete, when you have too many temps around the dressing room.
Craig Westcarr is also a proven goalscorer - but he needs the right kind of service to make it happen. I caught a bit of an interview with him on PompeyPlayer yesterday before the match - he ain't happy - Awfs constant tinkering with the team and selections means they can't get a good run going as a settled team. He actually said he couldn't say too much because he'd be fined. I'd hate to see Matt Tubbs getting the same treatment and falling into a similar trap. Just hoping Waddock has an impact and we start seeing players played in their right positions. Alex Wynter is a CB but always put in as RB for example.
Just read that Lee Holmes has been sent back to Preston - thank the good lord ! Apparently Awfs wishes to reduce our total squad down from a ridiculous 32, to something like 26. We are now currently down to 29 players, so at least 3 more to go it seems (Agyemang, Connolly + one other ?). SO, if we wish to sign say 4 new players (either on loan, or permanent), yet another 4 of our existing players would need to depart the club. As 3rd eye stated above, we do need Gary Waddock to act quickly, in either "rejigging" the team, or recommending players who are known to him, who are better than what we have got at the moment. Let us hope he is up to the task.
Pompey have offered new contracts to both Dan Butler and Adam Webster, as their existing contracts run out end of this season.
Seems to be a case of inept management to allow a squad size of this size. Don't need any more than 24 or 25!! It seems that certain players were signed because they were available rather than adding real quality to the squad. Get the squad size down first, move on any who are out of contract at the end of the season. For the remainder of this one, get the scouts out to look for genuine quality at all levels. I would search South London that much be awash with talent that is missed by the big clubs up there and ends up at some club like Dulwich Hamlets.
...........and then there were only two remaining trialists, as Miles Storey has gone back to Swindon, with his loan ended early. A real pity to my mind, as he was a useful player whenever I saw him. An excellent attacking outlet, who may be sadly missed. Can only presume the management team have someone even better lined up. Let us hope so.
Mmmm let's see: Miles Storey over Taylor or Westcarr who between them may break double figures this season (but don't hold your breath)..... At least Miles has the excuse of being a winger/striker rather than a (supposed) out and out striker. Another brilliant decision from Portsmouth. Meanwhile Paris Cowan-Hall is off to Millwall and Matt Richie is tearing apart the Championship. But don't despair, we still have Ben Chorley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ricky Holmes has gone off to Northants, on a 1 month loan at the moment - he is not happy about it either. Had a dig at AA in their local paper.
Can't say I blame him. A player who gets down the flanks and makes things happen. This wasn't one I saw coming
Re Ritchie and Cowan Hall....yep list of people we've binned off isn't great....I think Ciftci is doing well North of the border too.
Rickie Holmes gone; albeit for a month initially; is quite a surprise to me! This is the first time I believe Awfs has truly 'lost the plot'. That leaves us with just one experienced winger in Andy Barcham, who is rather injury prone. Who has he got lined up to sign one wonders? Has he got anyone in mind at all? Are all these spate of departures Andy Awford's idea/decision, or Gary Waddock's? With the greatest of respect to Patrick Agyemang, the idea of him back in the squad replacing Rickie Holmes is not an exciting one to my mind. It is a backward step. What kind of squad will we have left by the time we play next? Doesn't bear thinking about, does it?!
I really don't understand his thinking at the moment, hopefully all will become clear over the next few days/weeks. I am personally a big Ricky Holmes fan, but you never know what is going on in the background. At least it is only for a month.
I know Holmes has not produced the form he showed last season by any stretch but then neither have many. Hopefully he does ok for Northampton and we bring him back. I do understand the need to reduce numbers as we all said at the start of the season that circa 26 - 28 players was as many as one could realistically keep happy - think the board need to be a little more robust on that front. I keep reminding myself tha AA brought in Atangana (his only paid for player) and I think he is a good acquisition. So will support his decisions re in's and out's but do at him to pick a side for more than a game at a time, injuries permitting.
personally I am not bothered about Ricky Holmes, in all the games I have seen him play he rarely turns in a decent out and out performance.......last year he was a bit better, but I was still shocked to see him take the accolade of best player..........he cant cross a ball for toffee.......IMO he is best gone, some more to go hopefully too........time to bring in some players who understand the game basics and what it means to wear a club shirt with pride! PUP
