Without a doubt us. We look better than them in most areas of the pitch. Once the injuries kick in they're absolutely SCREWED. I don't think they'll go down, purely based on the strength and experience of some of their first-teamers but I'd be surprised if they finished top half. Us on the other hand, I'd be surprised if we finish below...let's say 14th.
Very tough call. But I think Pompey might just sneak it. Does depend on how the next six weeks go though for both sides, transfer wise.
I think Pompey will finish below us; I actually think they will struggle to stay above the drop zone; I say that as a football fan, not just as a Saints Fan.
I think you may have underestimated your Blue foe chaps. You are newly promoted from the third division, will probably lose your best player, only brought a couple of untried players in and you really think you will finish above Pompey? Remember this article.
THIS is why we will finish above the Skates...... SOUTHAMPTON Current squad No. Position Player 1 GK Kelvin Davis (club captain) 2 DF Frazer Richardson 3 DF Dan Harding 4 MF Morgan Schneiderlin 6 DF José Fonte 7 FW Rickie Lambert 8 MF Jack Cork 9 FW Lee Barnard 10 MF Guly do Prado 11 MF Alex Chamberlain 12 DF Danny Butterfield 14 MF Dean Hammond (team captain) 15 DF Radhi Jaïdi 16 DF Aaron Martin 17 FW Jonathan Forte 18 MF Richard Chaplow 20 MF Adam Lallana 21 GK Bartosz Białkowski 22 FW David Connolly 23 DF Ryan Dickson 24 MF Lee Holmes 25 DF Danny Seaborne 28 DF Ben Reeves 29 FW Ryan Doble 30 MF James Ward-Prowse 31 GK Tommy Forecast 32 DF Jack Stephens — MF Steve De Ridder — DF Joseph Mills — MF Jason Puncheon PORTSMOUTH Current squad No. Position Player 1 GK Jamie Ashdown 2 MF Joel Ward 3 DF Ricardo Rocha 4 DF Aaron Mokoena (captain) 5 DF Jason Pearce 6 DF Hermann Hreiðarsson 7 MF Liam Lawrence (vice-captain) 8 MF Hayden Mullins 11 FW Luke Varney 13 GK Stephen Henderson 15 DF Greg Halford 18 FW Dave Kitson 19 MF David Norris 26 DF Tal Ben Haim 27 FW Nwankwo Kanu 40 MF Lewis Stockford — DF Sam Magri — DF Lewis Tallack — FW Ryan Williams
As long as their manager stays with them they have a good chance of a reasonable season, he is great at motivating even lesser known players into over achieving. Looking forward to some great derby games.
chamberlain is our 4th or 5th best player. cork isn't untried, he's played well in the champ and prem. and although de ridder hasn't played in england, he has done well in holland
I am not very good at predictions.......Pompey have the advantage of the more experienced players possibly.......Quality wise though there has to be doubt as to how the Pompey side will gel. The one advantage Saints have while not having the experienced side at this level. The bulk of the team has been playing together for a couple of years. As has been said we may well lose one of our flair players, but he is far from being our best player. As we proved when he was injured towards the end of last season. So I voted for Saints, one out of loyalty, but while I am not one of those that are advocating that Pompey will go down. I just think that they will, for the best part of the season, be playing at a disadvantage in my opinion.
Well did'nt that provoke a reaction! At least Ted tried to be a little more balanced, although he still fails to realise we've already got a stronger side/squad than last season and we did'nt really struggle bar the first half dozen games. SaintsAlive, I love your list of nobodys! How long did that take you?
We will finish above them but only just . We will both flirt with the play offs , neither in danger of relegation at any stage of the season . I think we might JUST scrape the play offs . Pomey's biggest problem IMHO is the new owners . SC has done a FANTASTIC job for them . But come on , how many New owners have not wanted to install a new manager ? New Owners will get rid of SC at some stage early on IMHO , then the team will struggle . IF they keep him , they will do well ( just not as well as us )
It is obvious the Blue side of Hampshire, not the red, will finish the highest this season. We have a FAR more experienced side than Scumhampton With Players such as Luke Varney- who was in the Prem last season, Lawrence- an international for the Republic of Ireland, Kitson, with Premier League class, Norris, a highly experienced championship midfeilder, who scored 16 goals for Ipswich last term, Mokoeana, also of Premier League value, and Hreiderssonn and Halford are top- class defenders- Halford was a Premier League player until we signed him. Of course, there are the hard- working players such as Hayden Mullins- one of the few players left putting his team before salary, and of course; King Kanu, who has won it all. There is only one aspect of the teams that the Scummers come out on top in- squad depth. However, as the number of subs for Championship league games has shrunk to 5 from 7, I dont think there is too much reason for a big squad. However, when the injuries/ suspensions do kick- in, you guys will have the last laugh when we cant even field a team You never know, with the work Gus Poyet has put in at Brighton and Hove Albion, there may be a nasty surprise for us two if they finish highest from all the teams in the South Coast !!
I think Pompeys team of journeymen will do alright, 10th-15th IMO, we'll be fringe of playoffs to about 15th I reckon. But who knows, anything can happen......
Lose Chamberlain?I doubt i...why you say?CORTESE is the answer. "Bought a couple of untried players?"well Cork has played in the championship for like 4 seasons in a row I think... You can't escape the red and white machine.
PORTSMOUTH Current squad No. Position Player 1 GK Jamie Ashdown 2 MF Joel Ward 3 DF Ricardo Rocha 4 DF Aaron Mokoena (captain) 5 DF Jason Pearce 6 DF Hermann Hreiðarsson 7 MF Liam Lawrence (vice-captain) 8 MF Hayden Mullins 11 FW Luke Varney 13 GK Stephen Henderson 15 DF Greg Halford 18 FW Dave Kitson 19 MF David Norris 26 DF Tal Ben Haim 27 FW Nwankwo Kanu 40 MF Lewis Stockford — DF Sam Magri — DF Lewis Tallack — FW Ryan Williams Good squad........ ........For league One.
Chamberlain (I presume you refer to him) IMO isn't our best player. He certainly isn't the most important or influential. He's good, but I don't think he'd be an enormous loss, Especially if this De Ridder lad is as good as his youtube clips promise. HTH