Saturday, 16 October 2010
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Portsmouth's Nadir Belhadj Open To Tottenham Switch.
The Algerian left-back says that he would not be opposed to rejoining Harry Redknapp in north London.
Algerian international defender Nadir Belhadj has told Le Buteur magazine that he is prepared to leave Portsmouth if they receive a serious offer for him, particularly if it is to join former coach Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur. While the player stressed that he was still loyal to his current club, he also made it clear that he would be open to becoming a Spur.“All I know is that Redknapp was behind me coming to Portsmouth and that he has confidence in my qualities. Thus, I couldn’t refuse an offer from Tottenham, especially if it's coming from Redknapp,” he explained in the interview.Meanwhile, the 27-year-old disagreed with the notion that such a transfer would be unwise in a year leading up to the World Cup for reasons of stability.“It’s true that the change requires adaptation and that stability can permit me to go through qualifiers with Algeria in good conditions, but if I switch and I’m a starter, it’s not bad,” he added.
Algerian international defender Nadir Belhadj has told Le Buteur magazine that he is prepared to leave Portsmouth if they receive a serious offer for him, particularly if it is to join former coach Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur. While the player stressed that he was still loyal to his current club, he also made it clear that he would be open to becoming a Spur.“All I know is that Redknapp was behind me coming to Portsmouth and that he has confidence in my qualities. Thus, I couldn’t refuse an offer from Tottenham, especially if it's coming from Redknapp,” he explained in the interview.Meanwhile, the 27-year-old disagreed with the notion that such a transfer would be unwise in a year leading up to the World Cup for reasons of stability.“It’s true that the change requires adaptation and that stability can permit me to go through qualifiers with Algeria in good conditions, but if I switch and I’m a starter, it’s not bad,” he added.
Pompey owner 'excited, nervous' on new venture
New Portsmouth chairman Sulaiman Al Fahim said on Thursday he was “excited and nervous”, as he waits for the start of the new Premier League season on Saturday. In his first interview since taking over as chairman of the club earlier this month, the UAE property tycoon has outlined his long term vision for the club, and hit back at critics who have cast doubt on the deal.Speaking exclusively to Arabian Business, Al Fahim said he cannot wait for the team’s first match against Fulham.“It’s a very big day for everyone involved. It’s the first time I will have been to a Premier League match, and I want the same as everybody else in Portsmouth – three points. "We have a tough game the following weekend at Arsenal, so it’s crucial we get off to a good start. But the mood in the camp is very positive, and I have been impressed with everything I have seen so far.”Al Fahim’s intentions to take over the club were first made public on May 27, since when he has been at the cente of a protracted takeover process. Many commentators have criticised the length of time the deal is taking to complete, and cast doubt on whether he has the finances to run the club.But Al Fahim is adamant he can do the job. “I wouldn’t have gone into this if I didn’t have the resources. You don’t try and buy a house that you can’t afford. I had been looking at getting involved in the Premier League since last year, and Portsmouth was a club that ticked all the right boxes financially, in terms of size. "But when I visited the town, and met some of the supporters, I knew straight away this was the right club to invest in,” he said, adding: “They are the most passionate and loyal people you can have supporting a club. Of course everyone single one of them has a view on how it should be run, which is good. "I’d rather own a club that the fans cared about then one they didn’t have any interest in.”Asked whether reports the deal has hit financial trouble are correct, he said: “Taking over a club is a complicated process. It is not just a soccer team, it is a major business. And there are responsibilities to the entire town and community. "Yes, it has taken longer than I would have liked, but it has to be done properly, and that’s what we are doing. The media like to make some mischief, and sometimes they report things that are not true. "I can’t help that, I can only focus on the job in front of me, which is what I am doing. I was told there would be a lot of media attention, but I try to ignore what is written in the papers and the blogs, because it is written by people who are only guessing. "My responsibility is to the club and the fans, not tabloid newspaper reporters. Having said that, I have always been very open with the media and that won’t change. They all have my number, and if they ring me 100 times, I will answer my phone a hundred times. "They have their job to do, but they must respect that I also have a job to do."With several players having been sold, there have been growing concerns that the club will struggle to stay in the Premier League. But again, Al Fahim says he is very positive for the season ahead. “We haven’t played one minute yet, and already everyone is giving their opinion, which they are entitled to. I have spent time at the club, I know the squad we have and I know the likely players we will add to this squad. "Do I think we will still be in Premier League next season? 100% yes. I am excited and nervous. I think we will have a good season. Do you really think I would buy a club that I thought was going to be relegated?”He added: “A team on paper is different to the one on the field. Look at Real Madrid a few years ago, they had players like Beckham and Zidane. And they didn’t win anything. Look at Arsenal, they play some of the best football in the world, and they have some incredible players. "But they haven’t won anything for longer than Portsmouth. There is more to a team then names – there is commitment, there is desire and team spirit. We have all those in abundance, and there will also be more names to come."Al Fahim is keen to play down suggestions that he needs “big names” to strengthen the squad. “If you see how Manchester United became successful, it was through their academy. Players like Beckham and Scholes, and Giggs came from there. We will invest in our youth academy and make it first rate. We will also look at young players from abroad, especially South America, hopefully we can bring some talent from there as well. "This is club that is going to be steadily developed over many years, and that development has already started. I am not claiming we are going to win the Champions League in two years, but I expect us to show progress each year.”The new owner has been putting the finishing touches to his longer term plans for the club, which are believed to focus on a new stadium, new academy and also many community initiatives. “Portsmouth is more than a football club. It is a town and a community, and I want to play a big part in developing both. I hope the fans will give me the chance to do so. What is my message to them? Give me a chance, I will work hard and try my best for you. Life is never easy, and there will I am sure be many ups and downs on our journey forward. But we are in this together, let us stay together and work together.”
Fulham closing in on Pompey target Mark Viduka
Fulham are closing in on a deal to sign Mark Viduka after the veteran striker flew into London for talks on Wednesday night.
A proposed move to take the 33-year-old free agent to Portsmouth appears to have collapsed, with Sulaiman Al-Fahim’s takeover yet to go through and Paul Hart consequently only able to sign players on loan deals.Craven Cottage boss Roy Hodgson knows his squad will be stretched this season, particularly with their involvement in the Europa League, and is eager to add numbers to the ranks.
A proposed move to take the 33-year-old free agent to Portsmouth appears to have collapsed, with Sulaiman Al-Fahim’s takeover yet to go through and Paul Hart consequently only able to sign players on loan deals.Craven Cottage boss Roy Hodgson knows his squad will be stretched this season, particularly with their involvement in the Europa League, and is eager to add numbers to the ranks.
Portsmouth unaware of Al-Fahim’s proposed visit
Source: euFootball.BIZ
English Portsmouth has indicated that they have no knowledge of Sulaiman Al-Fahim’s intentions to watch the club’s weekend match.
With reports suggested that the potential owner will be visiting the field this Saturday, The Guardian has pointed out that the visit remains a mystery to the club.
Al-Fahim has indicated that he will be stopping by Fratton Park this week, following a trip to North America. Whether or not current owner Alexandre Gaydamak will be appearing at the match remains unclear, although failing to meet with Al-Fahim could prove to be unsettling. While Al-Fahim works to finalise the takeover process, sources have suggested that the deal could still fall through. However, Portsmouth recently issued a statement in response, noting that to their knowledge, Al-Fahim is ‘committed’ to purchasing the club and ‘investing in all areas’. With Al-Fahim remaining adamant about his intentions at Portsmouth, it appears odd that he would not be in contact with the club prior to a visit.
The prospective buyer has also dismissed any plans to take part in a media conference or conduct any formal meetings with supporters.
Al-Fahim, who recently stepped into the role of club chairman, is expected to maintain his low profile this weekend by remaining an obscure member of the audience.
English Portsmouth has indicated that they have no knowledge of Sulaiman Al-Fahim’s intentions to watch the club’s weekend match.
With reports suggested that the potential owner will be visiting the field this Saturday, The Guardian has pointed out that the visit remains a mystery to the club.
Al-Fahim has indicated that he will be stopping by Fratton Park this week, following a trip to North America. Whether or not current owner Alexandre Gaydamak will be appearing at the match remains unclear, although failing to meet with Al-Fahim could prove to be unsettling. While Al-Fahim works to finalise the takeover process, sources have suggested that the deal could still fall through. However, Portsmouth recently issued a statement in response, noting that to their knowledge, Al-Fahim is ‘committed’ to purchasing the club and ‘investing in all areas’. With Al-Fahim remaining adamant about his intentions at Portsmouth, it appears odd that he would not be in contact with the club prior to a visit.
The prospective buyer has also dismissed any plans to take part in a media conference or conduct any formal meetings with supporters.
Al-Fahim, who recently stepped into the role of club chairman, is expected to maintain his low profile this weekend by remaining an obscure member of the audience.
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Portsmouth in the dark over Sulaiman al-Fahim's plan to watch Fulham match.
• Prospective new owner says he will attend on Saturday
• Club claim they are unaware of his intentions
Portsmouth have not been informed by their prospective new owner, Sulaiman al-Fahim, about his plan to attend the club's opening fixture of the Premier League season, against Fulham at Fratton Park on Saturday.It is also unclear whether the club's current owner, Alexandre Gaydamak, will be at the game. If he fails to attend, this would create the potentially confusing scenario of Fahim not being hosted by the current owner, and might cause further questions regarding the future of the Emirates-based businessman's buy-out.Fahim, who is currently in America, has stated that he will travel to the south coast this week. He hopes that by providing a visible presence, he will underline his commitment to the club as his prolonged takeover heads towards a fifth month.Growing concern over Fahim's ability to finance the deal forced Portsmouth last week to issue a statement which said: "We are assured that Sulaiman al-Fahim is committed to buying the club and investing in all areas."Yet it seems that the 32-year-old's efforts to reassure Portsmouth executives have not extended to him contacting the club and making the hierarchy aware of his decision to attend Saturday's game.Fahim, who is intent on adopting a low-key public persona, has no plans to hold a media conference before or after the Fulham match or to arrange any formal meetings with the supporters. He has been installed as Portsmouth's non-executive chairman but it is understood that even if the club is made aware of his impending visit, Fahim will not be presented to the crowd.His desire to attend the Fulham match could provoke a mixed reception from fans who had generally welcomed his planned purchase of the club from Gaydamak. That sentiment, though, has begun to waver as the season draws closer.Since the deal was announced, in May, Portsmouth have been forced to sell many of their senior squad – including the England players Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson – and they now have only 18 senior first-team players. Portsmouth have crippling debts and bank loans of around £24m, which have to be serviced by the close of the month.Fahim has always argued that the timetable he set out at the beginning of the buy-out has been adhered to – with due diligence and the completion of the Premier League's "fit-and-proper" person test completed in June and July. It is thought that if and when he is in place, Fahim may move to make understanding of the prolonged deal clearer.Portsmouth hope to add at least four senior players to their squad before the close of the summer transfer window on 31 August. The Lyon central defender John Mensah may arrive soon, on loan, and the club's manager, Paul Hart, also hopes to bring in a full-back, a midfielder and a winger.
• Club claim they are unaware of his intentions
Portsmouth have not been informed by their prospective new owner, Sulaiman al-Fahim, about his plan to attend the club's opening fixture of the Premier League season, against Fulham at Fratton Park on Saturday.It is also unclear whether the club's current owner, Alexandre Gaydamak, will be at the game. If he fails to attend, this would create the potentially confusing scenario of Fahim not being hosted by the current owner, and might cause further questions regarding the future of the Emirates-based businessman's buy-out.Fahim, who is currently in America, has stated that he will travel to the south coast this week. He hopes that by providing a visible presence, he will underline his commitment to the club as his prolonged takeover heads towards a fifth month.Growing concern over Fahim's ability to finance the deal forced Portsmouth last week to issue a statement which said: "We are assured that Sulaiman al-Fahim is committed to buying the club and investing in all areas."Yet it seems that the 32-year-old's efforts to reassure Portsmouth executives have not extended to him contacting the club and making the hierarchy aware of his decision to attend Saturday's game.Fahim, who is intent on adopting a low-key public persona, has no plans to hold a media conference before or after the Fulham match or to arrange any formal meetings with the supporters. He has been installed as Portsmouth's non-executive chairman but it is understood that even if the club is made aware of his impending visit, Fahim will not be presented to the crowd.His desire to attend the Fulham match could provoke a mixed reception from fans who had generally welcomed his planned purchase of the club from Gaydamak. That sentiment, though, has begun to waver as the season draws closer.Since the deal was announced, in May, Portsmouth have been forced to sell many of their senior squad – including the England players Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson – and they now have only 18 senior first-team players. Portsmouth have crippling debts and bank loans of around £24m, which have to be serviced by the close of the month.Fahim has always argued that the timetable he set out at the beginning of the buy-out has been adhered to – with due diligence and the completion of the Premier League's "fit-and-proper" person test completed in June and July. It is thought that if and when he is in place, Fahim may move to make understanding of the prolonged deal clearer.Portsmouth hope to add at least four senior players to their squad before the close of the summer transfer window on 31 August. The Lyon central defender John Mensah may arrive soon, on loan, and the club's manager, Paul Hart, also hopes to bring in a full-back, a midfielder and a winger.
Portsmouth 2009/10 preview.
Sky Sports
Uncertainty has made for a miserable summer on the South Coast. With Sulaiman Al Fahim's proposed takeover of Portsmouth still in the balance, the general feeling has spiralled from initial excitement to genuine worry. James Dall considers the implications of the protracted saga ahead of the 2009/10 season, and fears the worst. Way back in May, news of Al Fahim's interest in succeeding current owner Alexandre Gaydamak emerged. I distinctly remember a friend of mine, a Pompey supporter, telephoning me in a giddy manner, high on Arabian fever. It is not unreasonable to react so impulsively - we have all seen what has occurred at Manchester City. Money means signings. Signings please fans.But the process began to drag. Drag horridly. Cue June when I was tasked with writing the club's 'season shape-up'. I made it abundantly clear that the retention of key players (think similar to Portsmouth without Gunwharf Quays) would largely define the fortunes of a side whose squad was already threadbare. A team where the chopping and changing of managers last campaign helped little. A club that only narrowly escaped relegation to the Championship.Almost inevitably, and much to the dismay of Fratton Park followers including my now increasingly sweaty compadre, exits have occurred. England right-back Glen Johnson - Portsmouth's most consistent performer last term, they did not lose a league game with him in the side - joined Liverpool. The only sliver of a silver lining being the seemingly much-needed £17million that changed hands. Then, star striker Peter Crouch, scorer of a third of the club's goals in 2008/09, departed for Tottenham Hotspur for around £9million. Head in hands, indeed.Back to businessman Al Fahim, who passed the Premier League's fit-and-proper persons test in July and was subsequently named Pompey's new chairman. Due diligence had been completed earlier in the month, so all the jigsaw pieces were ready to be, erm, pieced together. The next step is for Al Fahim to strike an agreement over a fee with Gaydamak, but therein lies the sticking point. Still, at least the club now have a permanent manager.Indeed, much conjecture surrounded who might be named as the club's new chief. After Harry Redknapp and Tony Adams left for very different reasons last term, it was up to Paul Hart to oversee a side on the decline and manoeuvre them up the table. That he did admirably, but only on an interim basis. His deal expired at the end of the season. And then, amid the excitement of the takeover, several high-profile names were mooted as his successor.High-profile pair Sven Goran Eriksson and Roberto Mancini were said to be candidates, even Argentina's Diego Maradona was mentioned. But ultimately, as the hysteria petered out, the club turned back to Hart, indicating the reality they find themselves in. It is a difficult task ahead for the experienced coach. He has already conceded Crouch's sale was "necessary", while Portsmouth have even admitted should Al Fahim's takeover bid fall through then further sales could be in the offing. That is the last thing the club need.Djimi Traore, Sean Davis, Glen Little, Noe Pamarot, Lauren and Jerome Thomas have all followed the aforementioned duo in seeking exits. Granted, these players are not world-beaters, but they make up a squad. And, right now, one, with all due respect, would be pushed to label Pompey's current numbers a 'squad'. Hart has been left desperately short, and until sufficient funds are made available to him, he is having to work the market as best he can.South Africa international Aaron Mokoena has arrived from Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer and will add muscle, although they already have similar in Papa Bouba Diop. Steve Finnan has been drafted in for nothing from Espanyol, and will fill the void left by Glen Johnson. However, an injury sustained in pre-season is cause for concern. Completing the trio of arrivals is striker Frederic Piquionne, on loan from Lyon. His YouTube clip of a comical air-shot is fresh in my memory at present.Furthermore, 37-year-old goalkeeper Antti Niemi has come out of retirement to sign for the club. Rest assured, though, that Niemi will provide No.1 shot-stopper David James with competition, not serve as his replacement. Also, Niko Kranjcar says he will remain, the Croat keen to guarantee regular playing time ahead of the 2010 World Cup. Celtic full-back Lee Naylor is a target, while Croatia international Nikola Kalinic also seemed Portsmouth-bound until Blackburn heard of his availability. It also appears David Nugent could leave, with Stoke City and Hull City both alleged admirers.Contract talks with veteran striker Nwankwo Kanu are ongoing but defender Sol Campbell's future seems to lie elsewhere. There are also various players, of them midfielder Modeste M'bami and the fantastically named Eugen Bopp, on trial. Time will tell as to whether Hart deems them up to his standard. With funds all-but unavailable, the coach will have to embark on some serious Redknapp-style wheeling and dealing. Let's talk money matters...As it stands, Al Fahim can offer no funds until he is the proper owner. And in the meanwhile it makes no business sense for Gaydamak to exercise extra outlay on his behalf. This is a Catch-22 situation that will not be resolved until a deal is done. This hurts Portsmouth. They are in theory missing out on deals that could be snapped up. Plus, the next arrivals, if there are to be any at all, will come at a time when the season has already begun. It has even been claimed that they may have to wait until January before investors and backers can assist Al Fahim.This would be a nightmare situation for the fans and Mr Hart. It would be damage limitation until the winter transfer window, and by that time things could be irreparable. The club need clarity. Then they need to be run in a proper manner, the recent high-profile sales indicate previous spending beyond their means. They need only to look at rivals and neighbours Southampton's recent flirtation with liquidation. Right now, Portsmouth need help.FanzoneJames Harrissays: "One word sums up our transfers this summer... depressing! The wealthy Arabian knight in shining armour bounding into Portsmouth on his trusty steed, the Saviour of PFC has turned out to be skinter than a skint person and forget the steed, he is on a donkey! "We are the laughing stock of the football leagues! The ambition of the club for the season has been shown by the appointment of Paul Hart. I am thankful for him keeping us up last year but for some unknown reason we know have more goalkeepers than strikers! "To date we have 16 or so first team players, four of who are keepers! I think I am going to start taking my boots to matches... I may get a start! "I really hope I am wrong and things change; I will support the club no matter who is in charge but would still be nice to win some matches and have something to cheer about! But I fully expect us to struggle this season with the size of our squad and the quality we are left with. It's not going to be a fun year! I hear the odds for us finishing bottom are 14-1 - probably not a bad shout!"
BettingSky Bet'sDale Tempest says: "Portsmouth are 7/4 from 3/1 to go down and Paul Hart will have a real job on his hands to keep his aging squad in the top flight. You look at their back five. They have brought Steve Finnan in to join Sol Campbell, Sylvain Distin, Hermann Hreidarsson and David James. There's not much youth there and obviously they've lost Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe so there are not many goals coming the other way. Even with new owners there seems little money around to invest in players as the club start talking about cutting the cloth."Star Man: Sylvain DistinIt is tempting to elect Niko Kranjcar, but you cannot help but feel the above defender will have much work to do during a potential season of backs-against-the-wall outings.One to Watch: Matt RitchieThe left winger has talent. He impressed during a loan at Dagenham & Redbridge last season, and will be hoping to push for a role at Pompey this campaign. It has even been claimed that Notts County's director of football Sven Goran Eriksson had Ritchie in his sights earlier this summer.
Fantasy Football pick: Kranjcar (£3.8m)Likely to be key in an attacking-sense for Pompey.
Manager: Paul Hart Hart is a brave man. A tough job awaits him. But the experienced coach did what was required last season, and preserving top-flight status would again suffice.
INS: Aaron Mokoena (free from Blackburn), Steve Finnan (free from Espanyol), Frederic Piquionne (loan from Lyon), Antti Niemi (unattached) free.
OUTS: Djimi Traore (free to Monaco), Sean Davis (free to Bolton), Glen Little (free to Sheffield United), Glen Johnson (£17m to Liverpool), Noe Pamarot, Lauren and Jerome Thomas (all released), Peter Crouch (£9million to Tottenham), Callum Reynolds (loan to Luton).
Best signing: Piquionne Despite a wretched fluff on YouTube, there are murmurs Piquionne could be a winning acquisition. His two goals against Rangers have raised hopes that Hart may have found a diamond in the rough.
Sky Bet Odds: 1500/1
Likely top scorer: John Utaka
Possible best XI James, Finnan, Distin, Kaboul, Hreidarsson, Kranjcar, Diop, Mokoena, Belhadj, Utaka, Piquionne.
Predicted finish: 18th
Uncertainty has made for a miserable summer on the South Coast. With Sulaiman Al Fahim's proposed takeover of Portsmouth still in the balance, the general feeling has spiralled from initial excitement to genuine worry. James Dall considers the implications of the protracted saga ahead of the 2009/10 season, and fears the worst. Way back in May, news of Al Fahim's interest in succeeding current owner Alexandre Gaydamak emerged. I distinctly remember a friend of mine, a Pompey supporter, telephoning me in a giddy manner, high on Arabian fever. It is not unreasonable to react so impulsively - we have all seen what has occurred at Manchester City. Money means signings. Signings please fans.But the process began to drag. Drag horridly. Cue June when I was tasked with writing the club's 'season shape-up'. I made it abundantly clear that the retention of key players (think similar to Portsmouth without Gunwharf Quays) would largely define the fortunes of a side whose squad was already threadbare. A team where the chopping and changing of managers last campaign helped little. A club that only narrowly escaped relegation to the Championship.Almost inevitably, and much to the dismay of Fratton Park followers including my now increasingly sweaty compadre, exits have occurred. England right-back Glen Johnson - Portsmouth's most consistent performer last term, they did not lose a league game with him in the side - joined Liverpool. The only sliver of a silver lining being the seemingly much-needed £17million that changed hands. Then, star striker Peter Crouch, scorer of a third of the club's goals in 2008/09, departed for Tottenham Hotspur for around £9million. Head in hands, indeed.Back to businessman Al Fahim, who passed the Premier League's fit-and-proper persons test in July and was subsequently named Pompey's new chairman. Due diligence had been completed earlier in the month, so all the jigsaw pieces were ready to be, erm, pieced together. The next step is for Al Fahim to strike an agreement over a fee with Gaydamak, but therein lies the sticking point. Still, at least the club now have a permanent manager.Indeed, much conjecture surrounded who might be named as the club's new chief. After Harry Redknapp and Tony Adams left for very different reasons last term, it was up to Paul Hart to oversee a side on the decline and manoeuvre them up the table. That he did admirably, but only on an interim basis. His deal expired at the end of the season. And then, amid the excitement of the takeover, several high-profile names were mooted as his successor.High-profile pair Sven Goran Eriksson and Roberto Mancini were said to be candidates, even Argentina's Diego Maradona was mentioned. But ultimately, as the hysteria petered out, the club turned back to Hart, indicating the reality they find themselves in. It is a difficult task ahead for the experienced coach. He has already conceded Crouch's sale was "necessary", while Portsmouth have even admitted should Al Fahim's takeover bid fall through then further sales could be in the offing. That is the last thing the club need.Djimi Traore, Sean Davis, Glen Little, Noe Pamarot, Lauren and Jerome Thomas have all followed the aforementioned duo in seeking exits. Granted, these players are not world-beaters, but they make up a squad. And, right now, one, with all due respect, would be pushed to label Pompey's current numbers a 'squad'. Hart has been left desperately short, and until sufficient funds are made available to him, he is having to work the market as best he can.South Africa international Aaron Mokoena has arrived from Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer and will add muscle, although they already have similar in Papa Bouba Diop. Steve Finnan has been drafted in for nothing from Espanyol, and will fill the void left by Glen Johnson. However, an injury sustained in pre-season is cause for concern. Completing the trio of arrivals is striker Frederic Piquionne, on loan from Lyon. His YouTube clip of a comical air-shot is fresh in my memory at present.Furthermore, 37-year-old goalkeeper Antti Niemi has come out of retirement to sign for the club. Rest assured, though, that Niemi will provide No.1 shot-stopper David James with competition, not serve as his replacement. Also, Niko Kranjcar says he will remain, the Croat keen to guarantee regular playing time ahead of the 2010 World Cup. Celtic full-back Lee Naylor is a target, while Croatia international Nikola Kalinic also seemed Portsmouth-bound until Blackburn heard of his availability. It also appears David Nugent could leave, with Stoke City and Hull City both alleged admirers.Contract talks with veteran striker Nwankwo Kanu are ongoing but defender Sol Campbell's future seems to lie elsewhere. There are also various players, of them midfielder Modeste M'bami and the fantastically named Eugen Bopp, on trial. Time will tell as to whether Hart deems them up to his standard. With funds all-but unavailable, the coach will have to embark on some serious Redknapp-style wheeling and dealing. Let's talk money matters...As it stands, Al Fahim can offer no funds until he is the proper owner. And in the meanwhile it makes no business sense for Gaydamak to exercise extra outlay on his behalf. This is a Catch-22 situation that will not be resolved until a deal is done. This hurts Portsmouth. They are in theory missing out on deals that could be snapped up. Plus, the next arrivals, if there are to be any at all, will come at a time when the season has already begun. It has even been claimed that they may have to wait until January before investors and backers can assist Al Fahim.This would be a nightmare situation for the fans and Mr Hart. It would be damage limitation until the winter transfer window, and by that time things could be irreparable. The club need clarity. Then they need to be run in a proper manner, the recent high-profile sales indicate previous spending beyond their means. They need only to look at rivals and neighbours Southampton's recent flirtation with liquidation. Right now, Portsmouth need help.FanzoneJames Harrissays: "One word sums up our transfers this summer... depressing! The wealthy Arabian knight in shining armour bounding into Portsmouth on his trusty steed, the Saviour of PFC has turned out to be skinter than a skint person and forget the steed, he is on a donkey! "We are the laughing stock of the football leagues! The ambition of the club for the season has been shown by the appointment of Paul Hart. I am thankful for him keeping us up last year but for some unknown reason we know have more goalkeepers than strikers! "To date we have 16 or so first team players, four of who are keepers! I think I am going to start taking my boots to matches... I may get a start! "I really hope I am wrong and things change; I will support the club no matter who is in charge but would still be nice to win some matches and have something to cheer about! But I fully expect us to struggle this season with the size of our squad and the quality we are left with. It's not going to be a fun year! I hear the odds for us finishing bottom are 14-1 - probably not a bad shout!"
BettingSky Bet'sDale Tempest says: "Portsmouth are 7/4 from 3/1 to go down and Paul Hart will have a real job on his hands to keep his aging squad in the top flight. You look at their back five. They have brought Steve Finnan in to join Sol Campbell, Sylvain Distin, Hermann Hreidarsson and David James. There's not much youth there and obviously they've lost Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe so there are not many goals coming the other way. Even with new owners there seems little money around to invest in players as the club start talking about cutting the cloth."Star Man: Sylvain DistinIt is tempting to elect Niko Kranjcar, but you cannot help but feel the above defender will have much work to do during a potential season of backs-against-the-wall outings.One to Watch: Matt RitchieThe left winger has talent. He impressed during a loan at Dagenham & Redbridge last season, and will be hoping to push for a role at Pompey this campaign. It has even been claimed that Notts County's director of football Sven Goran Eriksson had Ritchie in his sights earlier this summer.
Fantasy Football pick: Kranjcar (£3.8m)Likely to be key in an attacking-sense for Pompey.
Manager: Paul Hart Hart is a brave man. A tough job awaits him. But the experienced coach did what was required last season, and preserving top-flight status would again suffice.
INS: Aaron Mokoena (free from Blackburn), Steve Finnan (free from Espanyol), Frederic Piquionne (loan from Lyon), Antti Niemi (unattached) free.
OUTS: Djimi Traore (free to Monaco), Sean Davis (free to Bolton), Glen Little (free to Sheffield United), Glen Johnson (£17m to Liverpool), Noe Pamarot, Lauren and Jerome Thomas (all released), Peter Crouch (£9million to Tottenham), Callum Reynolds (loan to Luton).
Best signing: Piquionne Despite a wretched fluff on YouTube, there are murmurs Piquionne could be a winning acquisition. His two goals against Rangers have raised hopes that Hart may have found a diamond in the rough.
Sky Bet Odds: 1500/1
Likely top scorer: John Utaka
Possible best XI James, Finnan, Distin, Kaboul, Hreidarsson, Kranjcar, Diop, Mokoena, Belhadj, Utaka, Piquionne.
Predicted finish: 18th
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