We’ve spent some time looking at who we’d like as a new manager and boy has that thrown some names up .. but the bigger question for now is what would you expect them to do.
Here’s my take (taking into consideration our financial position) and I write from a position of having no previous ties with the club.
Backroom Staff
Initially keep Steve Allen and Macca in place – Keep Coles and Connolly as ‘positional’ coaches.
Leave the Academy alone but introduce a clear progression structure into the first team squad via a newly introduced Reserve Team.
Playing Staff
Let all loans and short term contracts expire (Racon and Mahon go in January) Potts (returns to West Ham) with the exception of Carson who we should look to secure longer term.
Recall all loan players – Butler, Wallace, Harris, Awford and Triggs to return and fight for their first team place via the newly established reserve side.
Stop loaning players in and developing other clubs player – We have a number of first year pros and Academy player chomping at the bit – Blood them and if they are not good enough terminate the contract so they are removed from the wage bill in preparation for next season.
Solve the Wallace situation – Give the guy an ultimatum – Either signs in January so we can plan with him or we move ahead without him – To keep putting an inconsistent player in the shop window (for his benefit) does not serve the club well.
Develop a ‘Pompey’ style of play
Determine a ‘Pompey style’ that pretty or not allows us to escape League two – That style would be an energetic ball playing style based on a solid defence – More attacking at home, more defensive away.
Know the best XI and replacements for each position .. Tell the players THEIR roles and responsibility those playing should know it is their position to lose, those on the sidelines to challenge for a place in event of injury, suspension and poor performance.
Ban all player interviews, talk of playing for a big club and promotion aspirations – Player to focus on playing – Mgmt team only to deal with the media in the short term.
Understand that we are every teams Cup Final Mgmt and staff to raise their game, each game and never forget that we are scene as a big scalp and teams will do all they can to beat us – Playing Pompey is motivational for all teams.
Change the captaincy Give Sonny Bradley the captaincy and Simon Ferry the vice captaincy – we need players who will play with their heart on their sleeves and can grab a game by the balls when needed.
Finally My first starting XI Those in brackets are natural replacements
Carson (Sullivan)
Cooper (East/Moutaouakil)
Bradley (Devera)
Webster (N’Gala, Whatmough)
Butler (East/Painter) * Look to replacement strengthen position
Barcham (Maloney)
Ferry (Padovani)
Ertl (Vacant) * Look to strengthen position
Wallace/Holmes
Agyemang (Bird)
Connolly (Craddock) * Look to strengthen replacement position
There you go .. Just one persons take.
What do you think ? .. Should I apply ?
What would you do.
Follow @VitalPortsmouth.
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