pompeyfan wrote: ↑09 Jul 2018, 21:59
dont listen to the Southampton guy on your forum he obviously wont have anything good to say about a Pompey player
Why? I loved Bobby Stokes
I don't have a biased opinion on Bass, I've seen him play enough to form a balanced opinion. Confidence is his biggest flaw but like you say he might improve that with a run in a side. He's not great on crosses and he is very hesitant when coming off his line, confidence will help. He reminds me a lot of Martin Rice.
My concern is that he needs an experienced keeper coach to keep his career on track. We don't have that luxury so I hope something has been arranged with the skates to help with his development.
Perhaps he'll train at Portsmouth for the best part of each week? If he does that'll give the rest of the squad better opportunities of getting that feel good feeling about scoring without a keeper in training - good for morale :~D
Dazza wrote: ↑10 Jul 2018, 09:21
The WMN this morning is saying we are about to sign an experienced mid field player and there will be 2 trialists tonight.
However it also says that this midfielder will bring us up to having 16 senior players signed on -the maths of which I am finding difficult to tally.
With the midfielder added it would be 15 without including Olaf Koszela or 16 if you do class him as a senior pro. Remember Pittman and Gowling are still on the books.
Dazza wrote: ↑10 Jul 2018, 10:13
If we are counting 16 year olds as senior pros it says more about the 'dynamism' of the pre season than I can ever express in any posting.
Depends who you mean by the 'we'? The club? The WMN? The fans?........
This does include everyone currently under contract, so Koszela and the two transfer-listed players are within that. Having only just turned 16, you'd think Koszela is a while away from making the first team on a regular basis, so there's 14 full professionals, but perhaps some doubts over how much the manager wants to keep Gowling and Pittman around. Was Gowling's internal investigation not meant to be concluded last week? That could have an impact on his future if the manager wants him out and he's given them any grounds, or to impact on a 'mutual' decision.
This does include everyone currently under contract, so Koszela and the two transfer-listed players are within that. Having only just turned 16, you'd think Koszela is a while away from making the first team on a regular basis, so there's 14 full professionals, but perhaps some doubts over how much the manager wants to keep Gowling and Pittman around. Was Gowling's internal investigation not meant to be concluded last week? That could have an impact on his future if the manager wants him out and he's given them any grounds, or to impact on a 'mutual' decision.
Yep - as for tonight the Devon Live are stating that two more will be signed before the friendly (taking it to 16) and also two trialists will be on show (taking the total pool to 18 players) if they are correct. I suspect with it being a friendly then Koszela might also be involved for a few minutes (even if he is 16 and not yet a full-time pro) although I doubt he will feature much (if at all) in this season in the first team match day squads.
Of course (as you say) this number is assuming Gowling is taking part!