A season to remember
Portsmouth have left behind a season to remember. Some big club wouldn't consider these results praise worthy but an FA Cup won and the highest place in premier League ever (8th) is a great success for the Pompey. After several season of stabilizing in the elite rank, Portsmouth have been regular in the midtable in the last two years and after Redknapp took over the club their ambitions grew even higher. They function excellently so it wouldn't be a surprise if we see them even closer to the top in the next few seasons. This year they are to play in Europe which can be tricky situation for the club from South of England. They lost a chance for a new trophy, this time in Community Shield, in the duel against Manchester United.
Attacking formation changed
The key change Portsmouth made this summer was in the attack. Redknapp sold Benjani Mwaruwari by the end of the last season to their direct UEFA Cup rivals, Manchester City and brought Defoe in his place, only to change the other part of the attacking tandem as well. Breaking two club records, Muntari was first sold for the record sum to Inter, Milan, to invest the money in signing Peter Crouch from Liverpool thus breaking the club record in transfers. Was it a smart move or not remains to be seen, but the fact is that many defense lines will have problems against the tandem of English internationals Crouch-Defoe. Little is also a significant back-up, brought from Reading, as well as Kaboul who arrived from Tottenham only two days ago. Judging by the roster Portsmouth seem stronger than last year, but this new attacking tandem will force them to adjust their play so we will rather wait with the predictions until we have seen how Crouch and Defoe will work together.
In
Crouch (Liverpool), Little (Reading), Kaboul (Tottenham), Ben Sahar (Chelsea - loan)
Out
Muntari (Inter)
Clash between ambitions and reality
After five successful seasons in Premier League, Portsmouth are in a situation where they need to redefine their goals. They have been far from the relegation zone for the last two seasons, they stabilized at the top and even reached a trophy with a bit of luck with the draw and the rest of the results. However the next season is crucial for Pompey. Crouch and Defoe could be a jackpot and with the excellent and well-coordinated defense line and midfield, they could be precisely what Portsmouth lacked. However, it won't be that easy, since the rest of the clubs are also reinforced so Redknapp would definitely be satisfied with the results from the last season. Top 10 is their realistic extent.
Our tip: To finish in top half
Odds 1.57
Bookmaker: Bet365
CL
CLQ
UEFA
RELEG
