Our Current Squad (updated regularly) | Vital Football

Our Current Squad (updated regularly)

PompeyFrippy

Vital 1st Team Regular
Below is the breakdown of our current squad, position by position. I will keep it updates as and when we buy (or sell) players.

Anything with an asterisk beside it means the player is in a position he has played in the past, but not his 'favoured' position (or not the role we bought them for).

GOALKEEPERS
[VACANT]
Bass

RIGHT BACKS
Thompson
Talbot
Evans *

CENTRE BACKS
Clarke
Burgess
Whatmough
Davies
Thompson *

LEFT BACKS
Holmes-Dennis
Haunstraup
Talbot*

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
Rose
[VACANT]
Whatmough *

WINGERS
Bennett
Lowe
Baker
Evans
Lalkovic
Naismith *
Roberts *

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Naismith
Roberts
Baker
Lalkovic

STRIKERS
Chaplin
Kabamba
Main
Smith
Lowe *
Naismith *

SELECTED YOUTHS
Collins (17 - GK)
Close (20 - MF)
May (19 - MF)
Bedford - (18 - MF)
Oxlade-Chamberlain (19 - MF)
Wriddlington (18 - MF)

If anyone spots any mistakes, let me know.
 
It seems our most vulnerable position right now is Defensive Midfield.

We've lost Doyle, Linganzi and Aborah and not brought anyone in. IF KJ continues to play 4-2-3-1 we will need at least 2 more players in that role, or if he opts for 1 holding midfielder we still need a couple. I've stuck Jack as a back-up option for the role, but he is more naturally a center back. I'm hoping KJ has a few players in mind, otherwise it may have been a bit brash to let Linganzi and Aborah go.

Other than that, a 'keeper and possibly a striker is needed, and it wouldn't hurt to lose a few of the spare parts.
 
Well, aside from the goalkeeping position, I'd agree with that Frippy - a defensive midfielder is what we most need at the moment.

You reckon it'll be Walton in by Saturday though don't you?
 
I think we need one more defensive midfield as I would happily see the younger players given a go in here if we need to. We need a striker but I am not really keen on the lad from Dagenham, at 25 he is not going to get much better is he? Smith can leave I think, Main and Kabamba can do a job as can Chaplin but in the formation we need a specialist, whoever that may be. Goalkeeper is a bit desperate, Bass as number 2 is fine with me but getting in Walton or the Spurs lad would be great, Walton particularly as he is local and maybe an older head, Cisak got relegated last season but it's hard to judge anyone playing for Orient too harshly and he is a good age with good experience so if financially it worked that wouldn't be a bad one.

Lalkovic is the player I am most happy to have involved again, used too sparingly for me by Cook before going on loan but if Jackett can get him playing he will go nicely with Naismith, Baker and Bennett vying for the attacking midfield births. Lowe and Roberts great back up here too and great to have the competition in what is a key area for us.

So a couple of additions, maybe a couple out and we can surprise a few people this season I think.
 
pompeyweller - 8/7/2017 12:33

I think we need one more defensive midfield as I would happily see the younger players given a go in here if we need to. We need a striker but I am not really keen on the lad from Dagenham, at 25 he is not going to get much better is he? Smith can leave I think, Main and Kabamba can do a job as can Chaplin but in the formation we need a specialist, whoever that may be. Goalkeeper is a bit desperate, Bass as number 2 is fine with me but getting in Walton or the Spurs lad would be great, Walton particularly as he is local and maybe an older head, Cisak got relegated last season but it's hard to judge anyone playing for Orient too harshly and he is a good age with good experience so if financially it worked that wouldn't be a bad one.

Lalkovic is the player I am most happy to have involved again, used too sparingly for me by Cook before going on loan but if Jackett can get him playing he will go nicely with Naismith, Baker and Bennett vying for the attacking midfield births. Lowe and Roberts great back up here too and great to have the competition in what is a key area for us.

So a couple of additions, maybe a couple out and we can surprise a few people this season I think.

I'm not a huge fan of Main or Smith but DO think they could actually work better under Jackett when playing alongside someone else. Think it'll be Chaplin with A.N.other this season - wouldn't mind Kabamba and Chaplin as a little and large, certainly an unknown commodity.

Yes, another defensive midfielder would be good but I'm like you, I'd like to see OUR players given more of a go. Definitely ahead of others clubs' players loan in in favour of them. Why, as much as possible, develop someone else's players and not our own?!

Also I'd agree, think Lalkovic will do pretty well at this level and looking forward to his return, which wouldn't have happen if Cook had stayed.
 
*Updated with the addition of goalkeeper Luke McGee - recently arrived from Spurs*

GOALKEEPERS
McGee
Bass

RIGHT BACKS
Thompson
Talbot
Evans *

CENTRE BACKS
Clarke
Burgess
Whatmough
Davies
Thompson *

LEFT BACKS
Holmes-Dennis
Haunstraup
Talbot*

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
Rose
[VACANT]
Whatmough *

WINGERS
Bennett
Lowe
Baker
Evans
Lalkovic
Naismith *
Roberts *

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Naismith
Roberts
Baker
Lalkovic

STRIKERS
Chaplin
Kabamba
Main
Smith
Lowe *
Naismith *

SELECTED YOUTHS
Collins (17 - GK)
Close (20 - MF)
May (19 - MF)
Bedford - (18 - MF)
Oxlade-Chamberlain (19 - MF)
Wriddlington (18 - MF)
 
Another vacancy filled thanks to the signing of Brett Pitman from Ipswich. Probably looking to offload a striker or two now, as I'd be surprised if Smith or Main got much playing time.

GOALKEEPERS
McGee
Bass

RIGHT BACKS
Thompson
Talbot
Evans *

CENTRE BACKS
Clarke
Burgess
Whatmough
Davies
Thompson *

LEFT BACKS
Holmes-Dennis
Haunstraup
Talbot*

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
Rose
[VACANT]
Whatmough *
Thompson *

WINGERS
Bennett
Lowe
Baker
Evans
Lalkovic
Naismith *
Roberts *

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Naismith
Roberts
Baker
Lalkovic

STRIKERS
Pitman
Chaplin
Kabamba
Main
Smith
Lowe *
Naismith *

SELECTED YOUTHS
Collins (17 - GK)
Close (20 - MF)
May (19 - MF)
Bedford - (18 - MF)
Oxlade-Chamberlain (19 - MF)
Wriddlington (18 - MF)
 
Haven't really been on the site since the season ended and about to go on holiday for a bit so thought I'd just summarise some of my thoughts.

Impressive signings so far, although I'm a little worried about Thompson's history of injuries. A real shame that Clarke is going to miss the start of the season too. Absolutely colossal for us last year and has a really good understanding with Burgess. I'd imagine Whatmough will step in but then again Davies was the one brought on ahead of him at Havant so is that an indication of who Jackett prefers?

I do still think we need an experienced central midfielder to come in and a No. 2 keeper, if we loan Bass out. The squad has a lot of technical quality but I'd like to see the sort of strength and determination that Doyle brought to the middle of the park, mixed in with 'good footballers'. Looks like May and Close will have a first team presence though, at least serving as back up to Rose and one another, so shouldn't really be considered in the 'selected youths'?

Was really disappointed when Cook left and while I would still have him over Jackett, I'm pleased that his replacement is somebody who has the experience of managing clubs where there is pressure, and crucially he knows how to win. Interested to see how his style of football differs as I personally really enjoyed Cook's way of playing. The players are familiar with 4-2-3-1 and fit the system well so I don't think we should vary too much from that, especially since this league should allow us to play a bit more football.

Where will that leave Chaplin after Pitman's arrival, I don't know. Maybe we will play 2 up front. Wonder how long it will take for people to turn against KJ if we see Chaplin on the bench again? Pitman will surely start every game having dropped from the Championship and having such a good goal scoring pedigree so I'm looking forward to seeing how things work out.

One more thing I'd like to add is that despite the words coming out from the club that we are still working to our previous budget, I don't see that as plausible with Pitman and McGee coming in. Ipswich wanted rid of Pitman as he was one of their highest earners and it's been said that he is on at least £10k a week wages. McGee's transfer fee can't have come cheap either, being such a well regarded young goalkeeper.

Expect we'll see some departures either way. Main has looked sharp in pre-season, and in all fairness, I didn't think he did too badly when he played last year. Don't think we'll look to move him on based on the evidence so far, unless someone does come in for him, but reckon that Smith's bridges have already been burnt and he'll be off. Wouldn't be surprised if Kabamba was loaned out either, otherwise he'll probably just ply his trade in our reserves again.

If we don't play 4-2-3-1 then we have an abundance of attacking midfielders who will find themselves without a starting position so I wonder what happens to them? I know Baker has been linked with a move to Coventry and Lalkovic's future is probably still up in the air, determined by how he fares in pre-season.

The right back situation will be one to keep an eye on as well. Does seem as if Evans is being earmarked to carry on his role from what KJ has said. With Thompson coming in as competition, Talbot's time at Pompey is pretty certain to come to an end soon, if we can get him off the books.

Always believed that if we could bring in a few quality additions that we could challenge for the play-offs but with a new manager I don't know how it changes. You'd hope that we'll just keep the momentum going from the back end of last season and the confidence will still be sky high among the players. Jackett has the privilege of not having to rebuild the squad and should only have to tinker things to his liking so fingers crossed we'll be alright.

Bring on Rochdale on August 5th! PUP.
 
Good to hear from you Blue, that killed a few minutes!! With regards the budget, I would suggest that with season ticket sales flying and increased ticket prices the budget will be increased, particularly if we are not having to fund ground improvements from it as Eisner's money should cover this. That is my hope anyway! If that is the case then the budget should be comfortably upper levels in the league, the income will be considerably higher this season overall. And hopefully we can trim the squad a bit too to cover it some more.

I am also a little concerned with Thomas injuries, another Eddie Howe? Maybe we can groom him as a future manager?!
 
Echo weller, great to hear from you FrattonBlue and look forward to more views when the season arrives and you return.

Definitely agree about Matt Clarke. As I said before, probably my Player of the Year last season so him sitting out if a real blow, but it'll give others a chance to impress and give Clarke the motivation to battle for his place back.
 
FrattonBlue is about to go on holiday for a bit but before they did the thought it a good idea to summarise some Pompey thoughts.


<br><br><a href ="http://www.vitalfootball.co.uk/router.asp?583182">Click here to read the article</a><br><br>
 
Back now! Thanks guys, hope you're all well.

Haven't been able to get to any preseason games for different reasons until Crawley yesterday so might post my thoughts later on.

PUP.
 
Some more changes with Roberts released and Tareiq Holmes-Dennis sent back to Huddersfield after a long term injury. May and Close have been promoted first team contenders, but still looking a bit threadbare at the moment...

GOALKEEPERS
McGee
Bass

RIGHT BACKS
Thompson
Talbot
Evans *

CENTRE BACKS
Clarke
Burgess
Whatmough
Davies
Thompson *

LEFT BACKS
Haunstraup
Talbot*

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
Rose
May
Close
Baker*
Whatmough *
Thompson *

WINGERS
Bennett
Lowe
Evans
Baker *
Lalkovic*
Naismith *

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Naismith
Baker
Lalkovic
Close*

STRIKERS
Pitman
Chaplin
Kabamba
Main
Smith
Lowe *
Naismith *

SELECTED YOUTHS
Collins (17 - GK)
Bedford - (18 - MF)
Oxlade-Chamberlain (19 - MF)
Wriddlington (18 - MF)
 
As said in the Oxford thread...

It's tough to know what's what in the opening weeks of the season BUT I don't think we can afford to go out of August without further strengthening the squad.

I'd love to see May and Close given a chance but I think we need a physical and experienced central midfielder coming in without a doubt.

An 'emergency loan' can be done with a goalkeeper but perhaps an experienced option to cover McGee and challenge him with Bass sent out on loan could be best as we saw when THD got injured just how easily we could be left light.
 
Noise coming from Jackett is that a new LB is a priority before any other potential signings, but we're struggling to find someone for that role at the moment. Need a back-up goalkeeper and a central midfielder also, so that's a bit of a worry.

I think I said in a previous post that McGee and Pitman would have cost a fair whack of cash, with Pitman one of Ipswich's highest earners and McGee coming from a Premier League club. I assumed that season ticket sales/a small injection of cash from Eisner was going to cover for these signings, but it appears we've not got nothing left in the budget now.

Was this a bit of a gamble from KJ? Shouldn't we have looked to have replaced the players we've lost before splashing out on a striker? Depends whether you'd prefer to sign one star player up front or bring in two/three players of slightly lesser quality?

Stevens, Doyle, Aborah, Linganzi, Roberts, Hunt, Forde and Eoin Doyle have all left the club, and only four players have come in. Something doesn't add up to me, especially when you consider that some of those players who have left would have been some of our highest earners. Not to mention, the compensation we would have received from Wigan for Cook. If it is true that we can't afford to bring in the players we need, how so? Pitman was apparently earning upwards of £10k a week at Ipswich so I hope we haven't matched that. That's only hearsay though.

Got a couple of weeks to get it sorted, though. I'll really be panicking if it comes to August 31st and positions still need filling!
 
I've not looked but seen the News saying Jackett doesn't think he'll be able to fill the left back position?

Yes, it needs looking at, but I'd have another central midfielder above anything else then another goalkeeper and left back as the last option needing filling tbh.