After years of anguish and turmoil Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai has issued a statement which reads "I find it unfair on fans and followers of the club to have to endure this financial mess and to see their club go backwards. We are looking for new a new manager and all applicants are welcome. Preferably a young manager with nothing to lose and someone who is willing to take on a small wage, due to the poor financial position we are in"
Pompey appoint unknown manager!
Just 2 days after Balram Chainrai issued a statement regarding the vacant manager's post at Portsmouth he has appointed relatively unknown manager Josh Malin in a quest to salvage the football club. He has been appointed on a 2 year deal worth around £1,300, making him the lowest paid manager in the N-Power Championship. In his first interview as manager here is what he had to say - "To take charge of such a big club in my first job is a dream come true. I know what the chairman wants and when he wants it and I'll do anything in my power to make it happen. For the moment we just want to make sure we are a stable club in the championship and hope to better our finances. A few loan signings to make up number's can be expected as we are a little short. Thanks for your time". Chainrai is said to be delighted with the find as the young manager, 28 is said to have "bags of football knowledge and passion for the game". Michael Brown will be appointed the new club captain with David James the vice. Loan targets include: Bebe, Gibson, O'Hara and Naughton. In what has been a frantic day at Fratton Park fans and players are said to be excited with the new manager and the new era which will also start with the new appointment.
After a great pre season fans and players became optimistic about the season ahead, here is an update of transfers and pre season results.
Players In:
Yannis Tafer (Lyon) - Season Long Loan
Darron Gibson (Manchester United) - Season Long Loan
Jay Simpson (Arsenal) - Season Long Loan
Adel Taarabt (Tottenham) - Season Long Loan
Portsmouth handed fortunate victory in league opener
Michael Brown put in a man of the match performance for Pompey today
The league season opened today with a recently relegated side facing the challenge of League 1 play off winners Millwall. Both sides looked to avoid defeat as they both have reasons to do well this year. Portsmouth, a side going downhill would have wanted to kick life in the 2nd tier of English football off well where as Millwall, a side on the up would have wanted to carry on the momentum from such a terrific campaign last year.
The game kicked off with injuries on both sides. Ashdown deputised for the injured James while Millwall's dangerman Neil Harris was sidelined with a groin strain. It took Pompey 38 minutes to get the break through as Nwankwo Kanu's feet were too quick for Lions' centre half Darren Ward tripping the nomadic forward giving Michael Brown the chance to score from the spot. Half time came with neither side deserving to be behind after an evenly matched first period. The teams came out unchanged but when Pompey goalscore Michael Brown earned his second yellow Portsmouth would have to play the rest of the game with just 10 men. Millwall huffed and puffed but they just couldn't get past Pompey stopper Jamie Ashdown. With 10 minutes to go Portsmouth debutant Jay Simpson raced clear of the last defender only to be denied by a good save from the Millwall keeper. The game finished 1-0 to Portsmouth with Q.P.R. next up.
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Q.P.R. give Portsmouth something to think about
Nugent laughs off one of many missed chances
After a good start to the season for both sides, each picking up maximum points, neither wanted to lose this encounter. Portsmouth getting off with a win against Millwall whilst Q.P.R. started their campaign well, winning 2-0 at Watford. Impressive players such as Brown, Rocha and Smith were unavailable for today's game, due to suspension and injury. In came Ritchie, Simpson and Wilson but all 3 failed to make a mark on the game.
Jamie Mackie the summer signing from Plymouth got Q.P.R. off to a flyer as he raced through from a Buszacky thorugh ball, nicking it past the on-rushing Ashdown in the nick of time to give Q.P.R. the lead. At half time Malin made all 3 changes, taking off Simpson, Gibson and Ritchie. Taarabt calved open the R's defence on many occasions but Nugent failed to hit the back of the net on them all. Q.P.R. seemed happy to hold onto the 1-0 whilst Pompey threw all they had at them, but the back 4 defended well giving them another 3 points.
Coming off the back of a loss, Portsmouth couldn't afford another. Once again a change up front as Jay Simpson started his first game for the club. Tafer, Kanu and Webber have all failed to impress during the season. Utaka and Taarabt started on either flank supporting loanee Simpson.
Bristol City fans were optimistic as Saborio was back in the starting 11. Jamie McAllister fed off a Saborio flick on to smash into the roof of the net on 56 minutes. Portsmouth didn't deserve anything from the game and it looked to be finishing that way until they were handed a controversial corner in the 93rd minute which Aaron Mokeona converted with his head saving Pompey from another defeat. The manager is said to be looking at striking options having played 3 and not one striker scoring.
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Portsmouth finally produce in front of own fans
Smith celebrates Pompey opener
In a frustrating season for Portsmouth they needed a win against a lacklustre Donny side. Changing the formation to a 4-4-2, with Smith and Utaka starting up top, Gibson was dropped as we took a more attacking approach to the game.
Smith opened the scoring after Primus' header cleared the whole defence enabling Smith to finish the one on one in style. After the goal Portsmouth looked in control through out, changing formation to a 4-3-3, meant Jay Simpson could join the attack, this seemed to work out well as he got his first goal for the club with a precise 25 yard effort into the bottom corner. 2-0 means Pompey get back to winning ways.
Another game in which Portsmouth were expected to win, but this time it was in the League Cup. A quick money making method is to go far, so Malin would have been happy as his side brushed away Norwich.
The sides looked nervous entering the fray but experienced Pompey captain Michael Brown got his 2nd of the season as he finished from 18 yards. Nigeria forward Utaka scored a wonderful solo effort as he got past 4 Canaries defenders before rounding the keeper to wrap up the win. Simeon Jackson got a consolation in the 87th minute with a good finish. But it's Portsmouth who progress here.
Good story mate, I have a feeling Taarabt will do well, also if you have any funds left have a look at Omer Toprak, a 19 year old defender from Germany. Will score you goals from decent set pieces
cheers lads and thanks for the suggestion mate but i've got nothing at the moment lol
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Boro' win battle of the Riverside
James looks dejected as he knows he should of done better
Middlesbrough welcomed a Portsmouth side who looked to have found their feet in the league this season, with John Utaka starting to find form. Boro', favourites to win the league welcomed back legendary Scotsman Kris Boyd who started his first game for the club.
Utaka once again found himself with a new strike partner, Yannis Tafer got another chance but failed to impress, putting question marks over his loan move. Aaron Mokeona headed past James but in all fairness James should have kept it out, Just 10 minutes later and a long ball over the top saw James come rushing out, only to be beaten to the ball by former France U21 Jeremie Aliadiere, making it 2-0. Utaka gave Pompey hope but they couldn't find a way past Steele who stood tall in goal.
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Sorry for the lack of updates, should be more regular from now on
Pompey shake off Barnsley in tight encounter
Brown celebrates his 3rd of the season
Both sides needed a win after losses the game before. Barnsley would be without the injured Hume, whilst Portsmouth without the suspended Webber, 2 key men in today's game. Malin looked to Tafer as he got his first start for the club, whilst Robins looked to Gray to spearhead his attack.
A game of many chances saw Portsmouth run out 3-1 victors as Fratton Park. Utaka, Brown and Tafer all on target for the Southern based club as they looked to push into the play offs. Helfredsson gave Pompey fans a scare as he pulled a goal back, but it was only to be a consolation.
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Portsmouth 2-0 Derby
Taarabt celebrates his first goal for Pompey
After Portsmouth started to produce results many fans had begun to jump on the bandwagon. The performance against Barnsley has been hailed the best of the season and they will certainly look to build on it. Malin is looking to add more firepower to the side and he has tabled loan offers for Caicedo, Cleverley and Bebe.
Malin opted to drop Gibson into the reserve squad to provide more room for loanee's and his replacement Adel Taarabt put in a match of the match performance on his full debut. Michael Brown once again scored from the spot making it 4 for the season whilst Taarabt slotted home nicely on 82 minutes to wrap up the points.
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Portsmouth 1-0 Swansea
Kanu looked on top form today for Pompey
Portsmouth were finally starting to find their feet in the Championship, but when Sonko and Mokeona were ruled out for up to 4 weeks in may have put a ***** in the race for promotion. Rocha and Wilson were to be the new centre back pairing with Ritchie replacing the filling in left back Belhadj on the left wing.
It took just 8 minutes for nomadic striker Kanu to open his account for the campaign as Ritchie crossed and he powered home a left footed volley. Swansea looked good in the final third with the pace of Dyer and Sinclair giving Primus and Rocha real problems, but James was in top form to deny them. Portsmouth held out for what could prove to be a crucial victory.
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Portsmouth 5-2 Coventry (League Cup 3rd Round)
Ritchie played a starring role in the centre of midfield
With Caicedo cup tied i opted to give Kanu another chance and he grasped it with 2 hands as he took the man of the match award.
Michael Brown once again converted another penalty giving him his 6th of the season. Kanu got another as he powered home from a Belhadj cross. Ritchie was next as he made a run from deep which was well picked out from Tommy Smith as Ritchie slotted home cooly. Mokeona coming back early converted as he was well picked out from a John Utaka corner. Finally Nadir Belhadj scored a scorching effort to make it safe.
In a game where both sides would of fancies their chances Portsmouth came out on top. Webber was fit again whilst Gibson, Ritchie and Rocha were recalled after Belhadj handed in a transfer request.
It took just 8 minutes for Nigeria forward John Utaka to open the scoring with a wonderfully crafted effort into the bottom corner. Just 11 minutes later and Utaka was involved again but this time his cross was met by Danny Webber to double Pompey's lead. Michael Brown converted his fifth as Mokeona won the penalty.
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Leicester gain creditable draw against Pompey (Portsmouth 2-2 Leicester)
Tafer came off the bench to save Portsmouth today
After just 40 minutes Leicester were 2 up and missed a penalty which gave manager Josh Malin problems at half time. On came Tafer and Pompey switched to a 4-3-3 and Tafer was causing havoc in the Leicester ranks. First up crossing for Smith to head home and then the minute later racing through to finish calmly making it 2-2
