Pompey's failed season.

[Don Tonberry]

Today's defeat marked the end of any slender promotion prospects we had and Awford has failed to deliver. I just want to ask the rest of you guys, looking at our squad, do you think it is top 7/top 3 material and Awford should have done better with what was at his disposal? (STL for squad)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth_F.C.#Current_squad

I look at our squad and think we should have enough up top to score more goals than we do and enough experience in the team to do better than we are. But I'd like your views just to make sure I don't have the blinkers on.

 

[Womble98]

I thought you looked dangerous today, the crossing was superb. Jed Wallace was a step above.

 

[Leewilson]

This is a fairly inconsistent league if we're being honest. I think there's a lot of teams, possibly even down to us who would claim a top 7 spot if they could have just avoided throwing too many points away this season.

Pompey's squad is good but not outstanding. I think you possibly fell into the trap of having a good end to last season which made you think you were going to fly this year. If you'd have had Tubbs from the beginning, you'd probably be a bit higher as well.

Looking at it, I'd suggest a top 7 standard squad with a better manager maybe even pushing you for the top 3.

 

[1884 Belmont]

To be fair, any team that gets the crowds you do should be aiming for the title every year. I know it's not as simple as that, but that should be the aim. Just on attendances alone you should be able to put together something better than most at this level. So yes, I'd agree that you have massively underperformed and unless you are in the top 3, I'd say that would ring true in any season that results in another year in League 2 for Pompey. As for the current squad, I'd say it should be challenging for the playoffs at the very least, but the funny thing is they may actually be too good technically and not good enough physically - Burton, Wycombe, Shrewsbury and Southend are very physical sides and are all up near the top.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Lower leagues are tough tough leagues to get out of when the big club.

Leeds and Forest had the same problem in L1 and Oxford/Luton in the conference.

sometimes your lucky and usually need to get out first time, but if you don't it can take a while.

I think the best bet for a big club is normally find a dogged, rough tough type manager who knows how to get out of the division, Luton had it with Still, Leeds with Grayson....but that isn't always guaranteed, but I did think you should have got Martin Allen, he's not who you'd want long term, but he'd got you out of this league short-term then you look long term.

saying that do you not have a huge increase in your budget next year with the contracts ending (previous ones) that could see you push on.

what you may find is you are stuck down here afew seasons then just jump through L1 when finally promoted, that happens afew times.

 

[LordJord]

I am a bit surprised Awford hasnt been given the boot to be honest. As far as I am aware you have just cleared your debts (may of made that up!) and as such financially should be well above most other teams financially by a mile, purely from attendaces.

The squad definitely looks promotion material, although I would suggest an upgrade in full back areas and perhaps a dominant CB.

I agree with the statement above that teams will treat you differently though due to your size and view a game against you as more of a prize scalp.

Jed Wallace deserves a move in the summer aswell, to championship level I would suggest.

So basically yes, you should be in the playoffs at least IMO.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Pompey could go for the short term, but they'd probably be best served by being patient, sticking with the technical squad and look for the longer term, because if and when that comes good then Pompey could easily go through League One quickly. Going short term and ugly just to get out of the division just means they'd have to rip it all up and start again in League One, assuming they would look for promotion up from there as well.

I can't pretend to be an expert on League Two based on watching the FLS and speaking with Pompey mates. But based on players past experience and talent then that squad is plenty good enough to do better. How have Fogden and Hollands done by the way? I see/hear Tubbs gets a few as he usually does at this level. Awford's job at risk this summer then?

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

Easily underachieved this season.

Your wage budget will be mahoosive compared to almost every team in this division.

 

[AdamStag]

I think next season they will have a fairly good go at it.

Now that you have cleared your debts and can spend (hopefully wisely) on your budget you should be able to attract players with sufficient calibre to gain promotion.

There isn't a cub in this league even close to Portsmouth in size, so it should be a formality next season

 

[Don Tonberry]

LordJord: Awford hasn't been given the boot because he was a great player for us and understands how the club works,which has held some sway over certain board members. If he was anyone else, he'd have gone after the defeat to Southend back in January. As for Wallace, he'd have been gone if he was at any other League Two club. I'd be surprised if he stays next season with Wolves the latest club linked to him.

@Mark: Fogden has been out all season after doing his cruciate in pre-season and has only just come back. Hollands has been a massive disappointment after he was so good last season. Awford's job is under threat now and we need to have a decent finish to the season. If we don't improve on our 13th place finish last season then we'll have gone backwards as well as having an embarrassing FA Cup defeat to Aldershot thrown in there too.

Having said that, the board wanted promotion at the start of the season and aren't going to get it. But then if Awford did go, I'm not sure who would replace him apart from Gary Waddock, and nobody wants that.

 

[yellow]

League 2 is a fun league anyway so enjoy it

 

[Richard Cranium]

Surely Pompey could attract a better manager than Gary Waddock?

 

[LordJord]

LordJord: Awford hasn't been given the boot because he was a great player for us and understands how the club works,which has held some sway over certain board members..

Whilst that may be the case, I would rather a manager than wins me games than understands how the club works!

 

[Don Tonberry]

Surely Pompey could attract a better manager than Gary Waddock?

He's currently the assistant and I just have a horrid feeling that should Awford get sacked, the board would take the easy option and promote Waddock instead.

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

Should have just appointed Tisdale when he went for an interview last season.