Chixy wrote a fine article the other day when he mentioned ‘his 5’ as the ones that ‘could’ come in this month. The list grows by the day but a very relaxed Tony Adams remained very tight-lipped giving away little about who these players would be.
Quizzed, or should that be grilled, on several targets he responded to most questions with further questions or laughed off suggestions. Edu, Manuel Fernandes and Benjani were all players that were forced as names for answers, and the Pompey boss dealt with each question well – neither shutting the door or leaving it open on any, although to be honest he left the door more ajar than slammed shut…
None were ruled out but Edu for me seemed the one that is most likely to arrive from the 3. Benjani would offer us so much but I am still not sure that he will come back, and I do not really think that he is what Adams is looking for out of highest priority at the moment – midfielders are the priority and the Brazilian is one that I suspect, if not expect to arrive on loan. I am not sure we will pay the ‘reported’ £6m for Fernandes and his lack of games for each of his clubs over the years leaves me slightly unconvinced by him to tell the truth.
Gary O’Neil is still ‘injured’ with Boro, but I am still sure that he will return – and quite possibly as our right sided player, as much as I would like to see him in the middle.
2 loans and 3 signings, all or most of which ‘could’ be wrapped up by the end of the week – certainly 2 or 3 are said to be close to completion with them arriving in time to face Spurs on Sunday and a couple of midfielders would still be the priority.
We are all guessing the names, some of us hoping – to be honest I am no nearer actually knowing who will come in or having much of a clear thought on who I think they will be, I am much more optimistic about players arriving though and it excites me, but these are the couple I ‘think’ we will see arrive, well I am fairly confident of them arriving and in time for Spurs:
Gary O’Neil – I have maintained my belief that the former Pompey star will return, and although to be honest I am not in the ‘we desperately need him back’ camp, I am in the ‘his return will give us plenty of things we need’. Versatility in being able to play in the middle or on the right is a real added bonus. Wanting to play for Pompey and be up for the fight, not to mention having the quality, will make him ideal.
Edu – Known as well as most could be by TA, a former Arsenal teammate of his who he would have seen in training day in day out and played alongside many a time. Injuries have been terrible for him in recent times but bringing him in on loan ahead of a possible summer move leaves us with little to lose.
The things that make these stand out above others for me at the moment are the facts that both players are seasoned players in the premier league and both known to the club, or the clubs personnel very well – so knowing exactly what they can do and knowing they will slip almost seamlessly into the side, let alone squad gives them an edge.
I just want to get some deals done. One thing that has kept crossing my mind though is Nadir Belhadj ‘one of the 5’, or is his signing an extra?
PLAY UP POMPEY!
Share this article
