Official Andres D'Alessandro News - Direct quote from Peter Storrie

After reading lots of different reports on the Internet and becoming frustrated with Portsmouth's continued dithering in the transfer market with the Andres D'Alessandro deal and others in the past, my dad decided to go directly to the club and email Chief Executive Peter Storrie.

Here is his original email...

Dear Peter,

Please pull your finger out and get him [Andres D'Alessandro] signed we dont want
to loose another top player through dithering over a few quid e.g. Reo-Coker, McAnuff and Papa Diop as examples in the past.

Just think what they are worth now.

Thanks

Les and Lee

and here is Peter Storrie's reply...

The demands of his agent are very high and we have to look at the overall picture. This is one that will take some time to do and he is ours until the 30 June so we have the time.

Let's hope it is true that he is definitely ours and we don’t lose out again!

Andres D'Alessandro signs for Pompey

According to skysports.com, Portsmouth have completed the signing of Argentine international Andres D'Alessandro - subject to international clearance, which is expected in time for him to make his debut against Bolton on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old expressed his delight at joining Harry Redknapp's Fratton Park revolution.

"I am very excited," D'Alessandro told skysports.com.

"I am very happy to know that I am wanted in England and to play for Portsmouth is a great opportunity."

"I know Harry Redknapp is a great man and I am looking forward to working with him."

Pompey have landed D'Alessandro on loan until the end of the current season, after which point they have the option to make the move permanent.

D'Alessandro is Portsmouth's ninth signing of the transfer window and third in the last 24 hours, and yet more arrivals cannot be ruled out.

Source: Sky Sports

Portsmouth 1-2 Liverpool - Report

The Portsmouth team for todays game was:

Kiely
Primus - Stefanovic - O'Brien - Vignal
O'Neil - Davis - Pedro Mendes - Hughes - Taylor
Pericard

Subs: Ashdown, Cisse, Priske, Todorov, Karadas

and the Liverpool team was:

Reina
Kromkamp - Hyypia - Carragher - Warnock
Gerrard - Alonso - Sissoko - Riise
Cisse - Morientes

Subs: Carson, Traore, Finnan, Kewell, Crouch

Referee: Phil Dowd

Liverpool edged past Portsmouth to reach the FA Cup fifth round.

The win was set up by a fortuitous penalty award - Dejan Stefanovic harshly penalised for handball - which allowed Steven Gerrard to shoot home.

John Arne Riise netted Liverpool's second on 40 minutes by firing past keeper Dean Kiely from an acute angle.

Early in the second half Portsmouth pulled a goal back, Sean Davis flicking a header past keeper Jose Reina, but Liverpool held on in a tense finale.

Portsmouth packed their midfield in the opening period, opting to play Vincent Pericard as a lone striker with the aim of disrupting Liverpool's midfield.

The plan achieved its aim but also had the consequence of delivering a very scrappy game in a disappointing opening.

It took 25 minutes before either keeper was seriously tested - Reina reacting quickly to save a dipping effort from Pedro Mendes.

At times Portsmouth's committed approach went too far and Pericard, Richard Hughes and Davis were all booked for ugly tackles.

Former Red Gregory Vignal also appeared to lead with his elbow in going for the ball with Steven Gerrard.

On 35 minutes Liverpool went ahead after Stefanovic was harshly penalised when the ball ricocheted onto his hand as the Portsmouth captain tried to clear a corner.

Kiely, making his debut following his move from Charlton, guessed which way Gerrard took the penalty, but the Liverpool captain's shot was hit with too much power and accuracy.

Five minutes later Riise scored a superb individual goal.

The Norwegian collected Fernando Morientes' flick and sprinted towards the Portsmouth box before arrowing a diagonal shot past Kiely.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp brought on Svetoslav Todorov at the start of the second half to try and provide Pericard with more support in attack.

Todorov's introduction had the effect of revitalising the Portsmouth attack.

And on 54 minutes Portsmouth hauled themselves back into the game when Davis got in front of Jamie Carragher to head past Reina following Gary O'Neil's free-kick.

Portsmouth continued to unsettle Liverpool from a series of set-pieces, their best effort a curling shot from Stefanovic.

Late on Todorov's cross from the left eluded Reina, who was relieved to gather the ball at the second attempt, but Liverpool's defence held firm.

Liverpool's best chance in the second-half fell to Riise just after the Davis goal, but the Norwegian skied his shot over the bar.

Report: bbc.co.uk/sport

wanc.co.uk's Pompey Man of the Match: Sean Davis

Birmingham City v Portsmouth - Team News

The Portsmouth team for todays game away at Birmingham City is:

Ashdown
Pamarot - Stefanovic - O'Brien - Griffin
O'Neil - Davis - Mendes - Taylor
Pericard - Mwaruwari

Subs: Westerveld, Priske, Karadas, Hughes, Olisadebe

and the Birmingham City team is:

Taylor
Melchiot - Cunningham - Upson - Lazaridis
Pennant - Izzet - Johnson - Jarosik
Heskey - Sutton

Subs: Vaesen, Forssell, Dunn, Kilkenny, Gray

Referee: Chris Foy

Play up Pompey!

Ipswich Town v Portsmouth - Team News

The Portsmouth team for todays game away at Ipswich Town is:

Westerveld
Priske - O'Brien - Stefanovic - Vignal
O'Neil - Hughes - Diao - Taylor
LuaLua - Silva

Subs: Guatelli, Cisse, Songo'o, Karadas, Todorov

and the Ipswich Town team is:

Supple
Wilnis - Naylor - De Vos - Barron
Richards - Magilton - Westlake - Williams
Haynes - Currie

Subs: Garvan, Juan, Horlock, Sito, Price

Referee: Dermot Gallagher

Play up Pompey!

Alexandre Gaydamak confirmed new Pompey co-owner

Portsmouth have confirmed that Alexandre Gaydamak is the club's new co-owner.

Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric has agreed to the sale of half the club and is reported to have accepted around £15 million.

Gaydamak, son of Israeli-based billionaire Arcadi, is to be unveiled to the media at a midday press conference on Friday when he will outline his own plans for the club.

Should all go well with Gaydamak - the 29-year-old is also believed to have the option of buying the remainder of the club in 12 months' time.

Benjani Mwaruwari signs for Pompey

BBC Radio Solent reported that Pompey have agreed a £4.1m deal with French side Auxerre for the 27-year-old, subject to him passing a medical.

Manager Harry Redknapp revealed earlier this week that he was interested in signing the striker.

Earlier this week Mwaruwari was named in Zimbabwe's squad for the African Nations Cup later this month.

Redknapp told BBC Radio Solent: "He's quick and strong, can play and join in with other people.

"I spoke to Arsene Wenger about him last week. He told me if you can get him, get the next plane over there and bring him back."

The forward has found life difficult at Auxerre since Jacques Santini replaced Guy Roux as coach in June 2005 and said he would prefer to join Portsmouth rather than French side Marseilles.

"Portsmouth would be best for me because I speak English but I am still struggling with my French," he said earlier this week.

Mwaruwari has scored 19 goals in 72 league games for Auxerre and was a hero in their 2005 French Cup triumph, scoring in the 2-1 defeat of Sedan in the final.