Part 2 of 4

Having reviewed the Goalkeepers of PFC this season, it's time to give the Full-Time Verdict on the Pompey defenders. Note that players who left the club this season (on loan or permanently) are represented with the white away kit avatar whilst January signings are represented with the black third kit avatar.

#2 Linvoy Primus

HT Verdict: Barring injury Linvoy should be a mainstay in the team for the rest of this season and possibly the next one as well. The fans love him and I think he could possibly finish his career at Fratton Park. A true unsung hero.

Linvoy did indeed see out the rest of the season and continued to confound all of his critics by being the Premiership's unsung centre back this season, capping off his achievements with an excellent game against Manchester United where he had Wayne Rooney in his pocket. At 33-years-old he is having the best years of his career and hopefully he will finish it at Pompey.

FT Verdict: With Sylvain Distin's seemingly imminent arrival at Pompey, it looks like Linvoy will once again have to prove Harry Redknapp wrong. Even if he is made 3rd choice, he's almost guaranteed playing time due to squad rotation and injuries. One of Pompey's most loved figures is certainly not a bad option to have on the bench, if it comes to that....

#3 Dejan Stefanovic

HT Verdict: Possibly our worst player this season although injury could be the reason why. No doubt he will come back into the side because of his captain status so we can only hope that he can be as good as he was when he first joined the club when he returns. If not, we can expect more goals to fly into our net!

The general opinion among Pompey fans is that the left back position in the team has been a problem all season and whilst Dejan has often done a solid job there, it still remains a problem and Stefanovic has made mistakes that have often proved costly during the year. Dejan has done a good job when filling in for Sol or Linvoy in the centre but based on his ability can't be considered a first choice centre back, especially if Distin comes in.

FT Verdict: Dejan is the club captain and if this doesn't change, then I can only assume that he will fill the left back role next season and that doesn't fill me with the greatest of confidence. I believe Stefanovic should be back up and not a first team fixture if we want to challenge for Europe next season.

#4 Glen Johnson

HT Verdict: Johnson is a quality full back but I wonder if Chelsea will let us have him permanently after his season-long loan is over? Or indeed if we have the money for him. Then of course he'd have to want to sign for us.

My opinion of Glen Johnson has changed since the turn of 2007. If the season had began in January, he would have probably won the Fratton Faithful award for "Worst Pompey Player Of The Year" because his performances have lacked any sort of effort and quality. It's a shame because we all know that Johnson has the ability to be a top quality right back but his attitude and decision making during matches has been poor.

FT Verdict: A great first half to the season has been soured by an awful second half. He's going back to Chelsea and with Lauren's arrival I don't think we'll miss him and I can't see Jose Mourniho wanting to keep him either. I can see him returning to West Ham if anything.

#5 Andy O'Brien

HT Verdict: Although he says he wants to stay, I can only see him being at Pompey if we fail to bring in decent defensive cover next month. There's been plenty of Championship clubs linked with O'Brien and I feel that's where he'll be playing after January, which is better than not playing at all.

To my surprise, Andy O'Brien stayed at Pompey to try and force his way into the Pompey side. I think it's fair to say that he didn't fulfil his ambition, probably because he's just not good enough at the highest level.

FT Verdict: I doubt we'll see Andy O'Brien play for us again and he'll either join a promoted side or a Championship side in the summer.

#6 Djimi Traore

Most of us were horrified when the signing of Traore was announced in January but to be fair, Traore hasn't been as awful as some of us thought he'd be. Granted, he has had some terrible games at Watford and Everton but on the other hand he has also performed very well at home against Manchester United and Arsenal. He's far too inconsistent to be a first choice left back though and should be cover for a first choice left back, although Harry needs to sign one first.

FT Verdict: Traore is too mistake prone to be a Pompey regular but I can't see Harry signing a top quality left back as I believe he'll be "satisfied" with Stefanovic and Traore as his options.

#10 Lauren

I was very happy when we managed to capture Lauren in January but injury meant he hasn't quite made the desired impact on the side having been out of the picture for a long time. There's no denying he's a top quality player and next season we will see him at his best.

FT Verdict: So long as he avoids injury and is played at right back instead of right midfield, the Cameroonian could be a contender for "Pompey Player Of The Season 2007/2008".

#11 Noe Pamarot

HT Verdict: I have come to admire Noe Pamarot in recent weeks. My opinion of him has changed drastically over the year as he's gone from one of those I wouldn't have minded to see the back of, to Fratton Faithful Man Of The Match contender/winner. I'm sure he'll still be here in January it's just a case of how long he'll be in the first team.

Since his performances at the tail end of 2006, Noe has had limited chances to get back into the first team reckoning and it would be fair to say he hasn't grabbed the opportunity with both hands. His stand-in performances have been average at best, with a couple of dire performances at Watford and Everton. Still, when he puts his mind to it Pamarot is a good player and he has one advantage over the rest of our players is that he can play all across the back 4 and still look comfortable (in some sense of the word).

FT Verdict: I think that Noe will be nothing more than a useful squad player at Fratton Park unless he ups his consistency. If he does, he could have a chance of becoming a more regular sight in the Pompey defence. I can't see him leaving next season whatever happens.

#16 Andy Griffin

HT Verdict: I believe his failure to mark Baros from a corner at Villa last season virtually ended his Pompey career. Griffin will be a permanent Potter in January.

"The Griff" stayed on loan to Stoke for the second half of the season instead of joining them permanently, however it's almost certain now that he'll be a Potter for good once the details are sorted.

FT Verdict: Stoke fans like him, especially after his screamer this season that Matt Taylor would be proud of. He leaves Pompey with no ill feeling towards him whatsoever.

#23 Sol Campbell

HT Verdict: Campbell signed for two years and I expect him to be here next season. He's hungry for success and with Pompey he can certainly achieve that as I'm sure he will be completely focused on club football with an England recall unlikely.

Sol is personally my signing of the season because of the impact he has had on the centre of our defence. Linvoy has looked a much better player alongside Sol and the former Gunner has made a huge contribution himself this season and here's hoping he carries on keeping the goals out next season, despite being 33.

FT Verdict: Despite his links with Newcastle, Harry has been defiant in his interviews claiming he is going nowhere and to be honest why would he? He says he's enjoying his football here and he's out of the media spotlight here. If anything, I think he could be offered a contract extension.

#24 Richard Duffy

HT Verdict: I honestly can't see Duffy getting into the side this year or in the future barring a defensive injury crisis. I have a feeling Micky Adams will try and make his loan signing permanent in January.

Micky Adams ended up getting sacked and Duffy ended up spending the second half of the season back at the club we signed him from; Swansea City. Having just failed to make the play-offs, Duffy has returned to Pompey and has probably walked through the doors of the Last Chance Saloon.

FT Verdict: I honestly can't see him being here next season. I've not been overly impressed whenever I've seen him and the Championship or maybe even League One is probably more his level. Maybe Mandaric will have him at Leicester?