Chris Baldwin – from Vital Stoke answers some questions ahead of the Stoke v Pompey game this weekend.
Fairly early days I know, but are you happy with how your season is going so far?
Great so far, the trouble is going to be to contain those expectations in case we get on a poor run.
You seem to have built on a ‘solid’ squad from last season with, and I mean no disrespect by this, a little more quality for this season. Would this be a fair assessment?
Pompey fans will know as well as us that TP always builds from the back. Probably for the first time in his career he’s had some serious money to buy some better players. Time will tell if he manages to do the right thing with that money.
Are the club treating the fans well, or are they fleecing you?
In common with a lot of clubs, there were no season ticket price increases (if you bought early), so many bought their tickets for this season at the same price that they would have paid for Championship football had we not been promoted 18 months ago. Can’t argue with that.
Who do you think has been your best summer signing and why?
I’d have said Tuncay – except he’s hardly played. Dave Kitson felt like a new signing with a good pre-season (after an awful time last season) and then going on to score three goals in the first few games – but now we’ve just gone and loaned him to Middlesborough. Robert Huth has fitted in well – except for when he whacked Upson around the face a few weeks ago. That leaves us with Dean Whitehead and Danny Collins – both reasonable players but not ones to set the pulses racing.
Could you have done with more arrivals – if so in which areas and maybe even who?
We’d have all liked more, but most fans agree with Pulis, there’s no point getting players in who aren’t going to be better than what we have already. I still think we need more depth up front, especially now with Kitson likely to move on in January and Tuncay reported to be very unsettled because of his lack of opportunities.
What were your expectations, or hopes before the season kicked-off? Have they changed since?
Survival is still the number one target and then we build on from there.
What about Pompey, what do you think we should expect or hope for?
Just concentrate on getting clear of the bottom. It’s looks like it’s going to be very close in the bottom half, so a point or two could make all the difference.
We ‘spanked you’ 4-0 in the league cup – any chance of a Pulis putting out the same side from that night again?
You wish! Injuries permitting, you’re likely to see 11 different players lining up against you on Sunday. The only downer is Abdoulaye Faye is suspended.
Who is the real danger man that Pompey need to watch?
Matty Etherington seems to have hit some form in the last few games.
If you could take any Pompey player and put him in your squad who would it be and why?
It’s a shame that the likes of Spurs have already gone and pinched your best ones, but David James is still class – even if he still has the odd mad moment from time to time.
Is there anyone that you would like to send Pompey’s way?
Last season I would had said that you could have had Vincent Pericard back – but he’s now gone to pastures new. But there’s another former Pompey player you can have back – Andy Griffin.
Go on, who’s going to win on Sunday?
It’ll be a tight game – Potters to sneak it 2-1.
Questions answered by Chris Baldwin from Vital Stoke.
Reminder!
Do not forget that there will be a ‘Pompey match day live’ feature during the game, so join others on Vital Pompey as it unfolds – assuming you are not at it of course!
PLAY UP POMPEY!
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