Ahead of the opening game of the season there were comings and goings at Fratton again with Pompey bringing in one and allowing a couple, of youngsters I must add, go out on loan with portsmouthfc.co.uk confirming all…
Ex-Man City, Ipswich and QPR goalie Brian Murphy has come in, and made an immediate debut against Dagenham in place of last season’s no.1 Paul Jones, with Chad Field and Snorre Nilsen joining Bognor on loan – the length of their loans weren’t detailed on the official site, I’m guessing it’s for a month at first?
Murphy’s arrival really isn’t a surprise, he’s played for us in pre-season he’s been training with us for a week or two and Paul Cook all but confirmed his arrival on Friday, this was announced on Saturday with the goalie saying:
‘I’ve enjoyed getting sharp here and now I’m delighted that we’ve been able to get the deal over the line.
‘Motivation certainly won’t be difficult here – there are not any other teams in this league that will get 17,000 for home games.
‘Everyone knows where Pompey were a short while ago and where we are now, so it’s up to the players to rise to the challenge.’
I think this is a really good signing, Murphy’s a top quality goalie who has been unlucky to have some international players ahead of him over the years, which is why he hasn’t played as much in recent years at QPR in particular.
My gut instinct, and that is all it is, is Michael Poke will come back after his loan with Eastleigh and quite possibly be happy to be the no.2 at the Park but Jones isn’t so likely to be happy playing second fiddle is he?
It’s only a deal until January but if this is going well it’ll be extended until the end of the season wont it? If that happens then – as I say – my feeling will be Jonesy moves on with a Poke return…
If Murphy stays, as does Jones, the Poke probably isn’t going to come back is he? A lot of ‘if’s’ and ‘probably’s’ I know and all we know for sure is the 32-year-old Irishman has signed and came in as our instant no.1 to be one of 9 players who made Blues debuts in the 3-0 win over Dagenham!
The other, of course, were Ben Davies, Christian Burgess, Matt Clarke, Enda Stevens, Michael Doyle (captain), Gareth Evans – who scored the opener, Gary Roberts and Kyle Bennett – who grabbed himself two-goals…
Bring on the Rams in the league cup and then Argyle at Home Park next weekend at Home Park!
PLAY UP POMPEY!
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