Season 2005/2006 Squad Review

Here is my squad review for the coming Premier League season.

29 Andrea Guatelli (Goalkeeper)
I would expect another season of reserve team football for Guatelli. From the reserve teams games I have seen him play, I have been very impressed. I do not expect him to get a look in with Ashdown and Westerveld in front of him pushing for the number one jersey.
30 Jamie Ashdown (Goalkeeper)
After coming into the Pompey first team last season at the expense of Hislop, Ashdown showed his class with some fine performances. During his debut in the 1-3 home defeat by Manchester City, Ashdown pulled of some fine saves to keep the score down to 3. He will be pushing very hard to be Portsmouth's number one goalkeeper this season.
33 Kostas Chalkias (Goalkeeper)
Chalky the clown was a Velimir Zajec January transfer window signing and made his Pompey debut in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to our Coca Cola neighbors Southampton. I saw enough in that game to suggest Chalky skills were better served in the Moscow State Circus than on a football pitch. Hopefully some club will come in for him in the very near future.
xx Sander Westerveld (Goalkeeper)
Westerveld is a goalkeeper with vast experience of the Premier League from his time at Liverpool. He has started the majority of the pre-season games since he joined that suggests he will start as Pompey's number one keeper this season.

wanc.co.uk starter against Tottenham Hotspurs: Sander Westerveld

2 Linvoy Primus (Defender)
Primus has proved to be a reliable first-team performer over the past seasons, raising his game to Premier League standards. He never lets us down with his consistency and his 100% commitment. Primus will be a very good squad player for us this season.
3 Dejan Stefanovic (Defender)
Stefanovic has become a fans favourite since his transfer from Vitesse Arnhem. He is comfortable on the ball and provides a calm head in the center of the Portsmouth defense. A definite starter for us this season.
6 Arjan De Zeeuw (Defender)
De Zeeuw is a tough-tackling but skilful defender with over 300 league appearances to his name. Until this summer he has been the model professional both on and off the pitch. He probably has one season left at Premier League standard so will be looking for regular first team football this season.
14 Matthew Taylor (Defender)
Taylor is a highly-rated left-sided wing-back who we signed from Luton Town in June 2002 for £600,000. He has tough competition this season for his left back spot with the signing of Vignal from Liverpool this summer.
16 Andy Griffin (Defender)
Griffin showed at the end of last season his worth to the Pompey side. He is tough in the tackle and an energetic man-marker. Griffin is the only natural right back we have at the club, so we need an injury free season from him.
xx Andrew O'Brien (Defender)
The Republic of Ireland international moved to Portsmouth from Newcastle United this summer. O'Brien boasts aerial prowess, uncompromising tackling and a 100 per cent commitment to the cause. I am hoping for great things from Andrew this season.
xx Gregory Vignal (Defender)
Vignal signed on a two-year contract after being released by Liverpool. He is a versatile defender who is at home as a left-back but can also slot into midfield. Vignal should provide competition for Taylor, and also cover for Laurent Robert.

wanc.co.uk starters against Tottenham Hotspurs: Andy Griffin, Andrew O'Brien, Dejan Stefanovic, Matthew Taylor

11 Giannis Skopelitis (Midfielder)
I am not one of Skopelitis biggest fans. He is defensive midfielder who signed for £1 million by Velimir Zajec in the January transfer window. He would only provide cover in my squad at best.
18 Aliou Cisse (Midfielder)
I am of the same opinion for Cisse as I am for Skopelitis. I don't think he provides the necessary quality we need in our central midfield engine room. This is an area of the pitch I believe Pompey needs to strengthen.
22 Richard Hughes (Midfielder)
Hughes will probably start the season for Pompey unless we can sign any more players before the transfer window closes. Hughes is a 6 out of 10 player every week. He does his job well and works within him limitations. He is a useful squad player at the club.
26 Gary O'Neil (Midfielder)
O'Neil is the England Under-21 captain and will play a big role in the Pompey midfield this season. After not getting a look in under Judas, O'Neil has matured into fine young player. It looks like he will be played on the right hand side of midfield this season, a position I feel he will be wasted.
xx Laurent Robert (Midfielder)
We signed Robert from Newcastle United this summer. The mercurial winger plays with both pace and incisiveness down the left flank and provides plenty of ammunition for strikers. He will be filling the void left by the departure of Partick Berger. A lot is expected from Robert this season.
xx John Viafara (Midfielder)
Viafara is a Colombian international who we signed from Once Caldas. Viafara was instrumental during his club's success in the Copa Libertadores, the South American version of the Champions League. He is a fearsome tackler with the stamina to get forward and support the strikers while also protecting the back four. This is what we have been missing from the midfield in previous seasons. I am hoping he can live up to the high expectations placed on his shoulders.

wanc.co.uk starters against Tottenham Hotspurs: Gary O'Neil, John Viafara, Richard Hughes, Laurent Robert

9 Svetoslav Todorov (Striker)
Toddy has been hit by injury problems that virtually ruled him out of both the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 Premier League campaigns. He was fantastic for us in the old Division 1 netting 27 goals in 49 league appearances. It will be great to see the old Toddy back again.
17 Vincent Pericard (Striker)
As with Toddy, Pericard has spent most of our Premier League campaigns injured. A lot is expected from Pericard if he can stay injury free this season.
28 James Keene (Striker)
Keene has got a bright future in front of him. I don't expect a big impact this season from him, but I am sure Perrin will give him a couple of appearances from the substitutes bench.
32 Lomana Tresor LuaLua (Striker)
Lua Lua is now Pompey's number 1 striker. The gifted Congo-born striker signed from Newcastle last season and has proved to be a real handful for even the best of Premiership defenses. His 27 minute destruction of Southampton last season will always live long in all Pompey fans memories.
xx Azar Karadas (Striker)
Karadas is on a year-long loan deal from Benfica. Perrin seems to like the old "big guy, small guy" partnership from his strikers. Let's hope Karadas can bring out the best in Lua Lua.
xx Collins Mbesuma (Striker)
Mbesuma is a big and strong target-man who can hold the ball up well and bring others into play. Mbesuma scored 35 goals last season for the Kaizer Chiefs. We will all hope he will be the man to fill Yakubu's considerable boots after the Nigerian left Fratton Park for Middlesbrough this summer.

wanc.co.uk starters against Tottenham Hotspurs: Lomana Tresor LuaLua, Collins Mbesuma