Sky Sports - Portsmouth Preview

Whether Harry Redknapp's stay at Fratton Park will be remembered as golden halcyon days or merely steps to greater things will largely depend on Alain Perrin's ultimate success or failure.

There can be no underestimating the significance of the forthcoming campaign for Portsmouth - with the changes made by Perrin arguably the most wholesale in The Premiership.

Portsmouth under Redknapp, with all respect, were a glorified pub side.

Meaning not that there was panache for liquor on the South Coast but rather they were a team cobbled together by a shrewd boss under often trying circumstances.

Redknapp made a team stronger than the sum of its part and, when matched by a home crowd equalled by few, Fratton Park proved a fortress.

However, after one spat too many with Milan Mandaric, Harry was shown the exit door and enter Perrin - a figure as removed as Redknapp as could be found. At least on the surface.

Portsmouth showed promise last term under the Frenchman's promptings but his debut full campaign promises to be a difficult, and one predicts, fraught affair.

A whole team has followed Redknapp, 11 in total have been deemed surplus to requirements, with a season of transition and consolidation the likeliest scenario after seven arrivals.

Like Redknapp, Perrin's contact book stretches across the globe - with arrivals coming from Spain, Portugal, South Africa and Colombia.

Whilst Perrin may cut a reserved figure, this summer has seen him play the gambler, just like Redknapp. A risk taker who may lose all his chips or scoop the lot - depending on the performance of a new-look strike-force.

The loss of Yakubu Aiyegbeni was inevitable but replacing the prolific Nigerian could prove the difference between survival and the drop.

Those brought in suggest potential but their rawness could lead to too many shut-outs next season.

Ricardo Fuller and Diomansy Kamara, although neither prolific, were both shipped out to Southampton and West Brom respectively - which also represents a gamble.

Much pressure will be on Tresor Lomana Lua Lua to deliver what he has always threatened but never really delivered.

Next term potential will not be enough to keep Pompey in the top flight; Lua Lua - a reported target for Tottenham - will start the season as Perrin's first choice.

Competing to start alongside him will be a pair of new boys entirely untested in The Premiership; Azar Karadas and Collins Mbesuma. Here lies the gamble.

Of the two, it seems likely that Karadas will be the quickest to adapt to both the pace and physical nature of English football - a 23-year-old Norwegian who has already been likened to a 'traditional British centre forward'.

Much is expected of 21-year-old Zambian, Mbesuma, after last season's exploits in South Africa, where he plundered an eye-catching 35 goals.

Young and far from home, Mbesuma's story draws parallels with Yakubu's and if he can have a similar impact then Portsmouth will be delighted.

But more likely, Mbesuma will observe from the touchline and be introduced through cameos - which could mean a second chance for Croatian Ivica Mornar, who has looked out of sorts and out of his depth since his arrival.

If Perrin made little of his forward line then he was hardly in raptures about his midfield either. The classy promptings of Patrik Berger have been allowed to escape to Midlands mediocrity and Aston Villa, while reliable foot soldier Steve Stone will spearhead a promotion push at Leeds.

From South America comes John Viafara - a Colombian who speaks no English but has shown enough in pre-season to suggest he could be a noticeable find if he can adapt to the rigours of a different style of football.

Perhaps Perrin's most high-profile capture has been Laurent Robert - the talented-but-temperamental Frenchman who can be both breathtaking and lethargically effervescent in equal measures.

At home, when the cauldron atmosphere of Fratton Park is like a junior version of St James', Robert could prove to be the club's most potent weapon and he will not be starved of either the ball or affection in his new home.

Also arriving from Newcastle is Andy O'Brien, a reliable stopper who should prove a steady purchase, albeit one that hastens the departure of club captain Arjan De Zeeuw.

The Dutchman has been a key player over the past couple of seasons but if as expected O'Brien starts alongside Dejan Stefanovic, then a mooted return to Wigan could well materialise.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld has been brought in to replace Shaka Hislop - which again looks a good piece of business by Perrin.

Next season represents one of transition for Portsmouth and whether they are still a Premiership club at the campaign's close will depend largely on whether the unlikely gambler has had a good day at the office, or not, as the case may be.

Predicted Position: 13th
Star man: Laurent Robert
If Perrin can keep Robert content on the coast then even Newcastle boss Graeme Souness may be left to rue the departure of the gifted wide man.
One to watch: John Viafara
Colombians have been few and far between in England but the early signs are that Viafara could make a real impact.
Manager: Alain Perrin
Key players have been both sold and brought in during a busy summer so focus will be on Perrin's eye for talent.
INS: Azar Karadas (Benfica), Sander Westerveld (Real Sociedad), Collins Mbesuma (Kaiser Chiefs), Gregory Vignal (Liverpool), John Viafara (Once Caldas), Laurent Robert (Newcastle United), Andy O'Brien (Newcastle United)
OUTS: Ricardo Fuller (Southampton), Diomansy Kamara (West Brom), Rowan Vine (Luton), Yakubu Aiyegbenu (Middlesbrough), Steve Stone (Leeds United), Richard Duffy (Coventry City), Shaka Hislop (West Ham), Patrik Berger (Aston Villa), Chris Clarke (Out of Contract), Shaun Cooper (Out of Contract), Hayden Foxe (Out of Contract)
Best signing: Sander Westerveld
Sky Bet Odds: 11/2 to finish in top ten
Likely top scorer: Tresor Lomana Lua-Lua

Extracts taken from: Sky Sports (Portsmouth Preview - 11/08/2005)