John (Eddie Bell) – from Vital Citeh answers some questions ahead of the Pompey v Citeh game this weekend.
Early days I know, but are you happy with how your season is going so far?
We have to be. Beating Barcelona in Barcelona in front of 94,000 doesn’t happen every week. Although it was classed as a friendly, they take the Hans Gamper trophy very seriously. Avoiding the potential banana skin at a very committed Palace was most untypical City. Also winning the first two matches of the league was nice. 4 matches, 4 wins, no goals conceded, cannot really grumble.
You are attempting to ‘buy success’, clearly this is true but others have done it and continue to, does this worry you?
Not in the slightest. There were 6 ex academy players that played in the Barcelona match and the signings we have made are going to help those lads. Man Utd hadn’t won the league for 26 years when Fergie broke the transfer record several times to win the first premiership. Most of it is sour grapes and there isn’t a team in the top four that has spent less than £100M in the last 5 years. Its all rather obscene isn’t it?
Are the club treating the fans well, or are they fleecing you?
Fleecing us? Aye we feel like Jason and the Argonauts. There are golden fleeces everywhere. Season ticket prices are down, the club has helped a lad whose son was hit on the head by a stray brick after the Celtic match to an access all areas day out. They have seen complaints on fan boards and rectified problems fans have. They are refunding the “official away trip” fans who missed most of the Palace match due to poor traffic around London. They have initiated a series of initiatives in consultancy with the fans and acted on them. I have never seen the club been so well respected.
Who do you think has been your best summer signing and why?
That’s too early to answer, but Tevez was a great cheeky steal from United. Toure will add considerable experience to the defence and Barry will bring plenty of commitment to the midfield. And there’s Adebayor. To be honest that is like asking which is your best Christmas present ever…
Could you have done with more arrivals – if so in which areas and maybe even who? Although I guess there is still time for Hughes to tap up someone else…
There are already 3 terminals at Manchester airport, we really couldn’t fit anymore in. January will be important. If we are in the top 4, expect more quality signings to complement the squad and cover for Toure and Adebayor.
What are you expectations, or hopes for this season? I imagine they must be pretty high?
If all things go well a bid for the top 4 is not unreasonable. However, when you look at the top 4 and over the last 4 years they have all been in the CL semis at least twice, you realise the enormity of it. Basically, just to crack the top 4 you need a team capable of getting to the semis of the CL. We now have 6 or 7 players who have got to the semis and three have won it, and one has been in the final of the UEFA cup so it is possible!
What about Pompey, what do you think we should expect or hope for?
If the guys that have took you over are half as professional as our guys, then expect the unexpected in ways you cannot imagine. For a start you will have a ground worthy of the name of Portsmouth. Honestly you wouldn’t know where to begin.
Who is the real danger man that Pompey need to watch?
The dangermen are all over. Tevez, Robinho, Ireland, Adebayor, SWP, Barry, Petrov and then Bellamy moaning at you. When they have finished you need to get through Toure, Lescott, Onuoha, Richards, Bridge, De Jong and the mighty Tal Ben Haim. Then Shay Given. Your problem lads, we just watch them, you can solve it.
If you could take any Pompey player and put him in your squad – and you could literally buy anyone if you wanted – who would it be and why? Although I doubt you would want any of our ‘superstars’. (Subliminal message – buy Hayden Mullins…)
Aaron “The Axe” Mokoena was a young player coming through the ranks when I worked with Bafana Bafana many years ago, so it would be nice to see him again. Although stand out player seems to be Niko Kranjcar. Very tidy midfield player. (Subliminal message – please buy back Benjani).
Is there anyone that you would like to send Pompey’s way? Correction could you please send someone, well actually several, Pompey’s way…
Benjani and Tal Ben Haim, both good solid pros. Never let you down and are completely on top of their game. Honest!. In fact the last bit was a lie, sorry all of it was a lie….
Go on, who’s going to win the battle of the ‘rich’ Arabs? (Clearly we are richer than you, just look at our squad!)
Ha lol we are. We have Mansourinho.
Cheers John (Eddie Bell)
Questions answered by John (Eddie Bell) from Vital Citeh, view my answers over their too…
PLAY UP POMPEY!
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