tracyc answers some questions for Vital Pompey as we focus on the members over the summer months.
I know it was a miserable season, overall, and reflecting on parts of it will be the last thing you want to do but we had to take one for the team!
So, sum up the 2009/10 season in 3 words?
What the #####?!
What was your season highlight?
Actually there are a few in the season where we went to the FA Cup final and beat the scummers in their own backyard! Winning the quarter final against Birmingham was a pretty special moment. But it has to be winning the semi-final against ‘Arry’s smug lot, and knowing we were coming back to Wemberley for a cup final again. Especially as I went there fearing we would lose.
12-months ago things were meant to be looking ‘a lot brighter’ with SAF taking over, we all know this panned out! Charlatans come and gone and we are where we are now. But what are your hopes for our future?
It has to be stability. To start rebuilding, and playing ‘proper football’ against proper fans again. I’m expecting much better atmospheres in the Championship than a lot of the time in the prem. And hopefully we can start to build this stability unless less of a spotlight from the media, now we are not in the premier league.
Lets be honest, not much, if anything will come through the Fratton gates player wise this summer. Even so, who, realistically, would you like us to sign this summer? Taking into account we will spend little, or no money, assuming we are not under a continued transfer embargo anyway…
To be honest, I don’t really have any names to suggest. I just hope that anyone we sign plays their heart out for the shirt and the club, we don’t need any prima donas.
Several will go for sure, but who would be the player that you would choose to sell if you could anyway, and why?
Top of that list for me is David Nugent. Unless a new manager can turn him around, I don’t think he has a future at the club and he has burned that bridge with some of his comments. We won’t get back the £6 million we paid for him, but whatever we can get would be a bonus.
And the player that you would love us to keep at Fratton Towers if we could, and why?
David James, David James and David James. Top class keeper, (England’s no. 1) top class professional, top class guy (taking pay cuts, paying staff wages to keep them on) and he does seem to have taken Pompey into his heart as well. Plus he said that he wants to stay at the club in the championship, knowing this will mean a further pay-cut. In the twilight of his career, but, injuries permitting, a few more years as a player yet. And perhaps we can help him move into management too.
What are you hoping for from Pompey in the 2010/11 season?
Players who will play their hearts out, good atmospheres home and away and the start of some financial stability. A genuine new owner with the desire and the means to take the club forward would be nice as well.
How many Pompey games do you expect to attend?
All the home games, probably, and a handful of away matches.
Finally, as it is a world cup summer how do you think England will do?
Hmm . . At the tail end of last season I wasn’t even sure I was going to care about the world cup, players like Gerrard fouling and hurting our players with no comeback, and I generally started to despise them and the premier league. But there’s been a few weeks now, Jamo will be playing . . . and I’m starting to get into the world cup spirit.
I’m even feeling a bit optimistic, I have a lot of faith in Capello, and I think England could win it! Then again Ferdinand is out now, and we usually go out in the quarter finals, don’t we.
Questions answered by tracyc, thanks for your time.
Previous interviewees
UKTony – click here.
PompeyFrippy – click here.
pompeyhussler – click here.
NZ_Portsmuff – click here.
If anyone else wants to answer these questions contact me, or simply fire through your answers, on this email addy: portsmouth@vitalfootball.co.uk.
Come on guys, Vital Pompey needs you…
PLAY UP POMPEY!
