Part 2 of 4

Following on from the Goalkeepers, here's part two of the Half-Time Verdict. This one details the people responsible for keeping the goals out (or in our case lately, scoring them!)

#2 Linvoy Primus

You have to admire Linvoy for his loyalty and commitment to this club. When Harry Redknapp first arrived at Pompey he said that Primus wasn't even good enough for the first division. He then proved him wrong by being a mainstay in the defence that eventually won us the Championship. The following season he was out of Harry's plans again, only to force himself in the starting lineup when given the chance.

Since then he has continued to prove all of his doubters wrong and now finds himself as half of one of the best central defensive partnerships in the league alongside Sol Campbell. Playing alongside the former England defender has given Linvoy a new lease of life. Not only is he now just reliable and commited but he now wins almost everything in the air and reads the game extremely well.

I was so happy for him when he scored twice against West Ham. He's one of the nicest blokes I've ever had the pleasure of speaking to and his performances have warranted more credit than he gets from the media and pundits alike.

At 33 he isn't getting any younger and isn't the quickest but I wouldn't swap him for any other centre back in the league right now. His reading of the game and determination to keep the ball out of the net makes up for any lack of pace. And to think he was almost sold to Norwich a couple of years ago... what a mistake that would have been!

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.

#3 Dejan Stefanovic

After a solid start to the season, an injury meant that Dejan was the weak link in our otherwise very strong back four. His sloppy marking from set-pieces has cost us and I think Tony Adams was right to criticise him in the way he did, just not publicly.

I believe Noe Pamarot to be a better defender than Dejan Stefanovic, however once he returns from injury in a couple of months I can't help but think he will come straight back into the side because he is the captain.

I don't believe that Stefanovic is captain material. If it was my decision I would give captaincy to David James, Gary O'Neil or Matthew Taylor as they seem to be the natural leaders in the side. Dejan might not ever get back to his best for us and I know that a lot of the fans consider him to be a liability when he plays and I find it hard to disagree with them.

He can't possibly play in the centre with Linvoy and Sol excelling there and Pamarot hasn't put a foot wrong at left back since he was moved there. However you just know that Harry will accomodate Dejan into the side because he's the captain which would be harsh on Pamarot.

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!

#4 Glen Johnson

Glen has been great on the whole for us and just the type of player Harry Redknapp likes. He supports the attack well and I'm sure he will get a goal sooner or later. I'd say he's a better player than Brian Priske but he needs to stay injury free for the rest of the season after missing more than a few games for us already this season.

He is a bit clumsy at times but he will get better defensively through time. What impresses me about him now is his calmness on the ball and that he can cover plenty of ground quickly. His performances could get him into a future England squad.

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. There are reports today claiming we're offering £6 million for his permanent signature so watch this space...

#5 Andy O'Brien

Andy has been limited to appearances in the reserves and occasionally on the bench. I personally don't think he's good enough for the Premiership and I know I'm not the only Pompey fan who believes that. Steadily average would be the words I'd use to describe him. He'd be a good signing for a Championship club though.

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.

#11 Noe Pamarot

One of many players who have turned their careers around during their time under Harry Redknapp. When Pamarot was signed in January his performances did not fill Pompey fans with hope, minus one excellent second half display against Wigan where he blunted Henri Camara.

Fears were worsened when Arjen Robben tore him apart when he had to play at right back. I'll be honest and count myself in with those fans who claimed he wasn't good enough for the Premiership, let alone a top half side.

However, like many other players in the current Portsmouth squad, Pamarot has had a point to prove and since the game at Manchester United, I can't remember a major mistake he has made. He has been a great stand-in for Dejan Stefanovic at left back and he doesn't hoof the ball aimlessly anymore when he has it.

Although he's not the fastest, he's strong and now it's only a player with any real pace who beats him. Considering he's a natural centre back, he's done extremely well to make the left back position his own. So it's a shame for him that we're likely to bring in an out-and-out left footed defender in the transfer window and even if we don't, I feel Stefanovic will walk straight back into the team when he's fit.

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.

#16 Andy Griffin

"The Griff" has been on loan at Stoke for the majority of the season. He has already said he'd like to return in January and I see that being the case as he's now deemed surplus to requirements at Fratton Park.

I think Griffin is a gritty, honest player but doesn't have the quality to perform as well as the rest of our defence have been playing. Stoke fans have been singing his praises and he's also scored a couple of crackers for them.

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

#23 Sol Campbell

Sol has quite possibly been the Premiership signing of the season so far, alongside David James and Kanu. The 32-year-old has added international class to the Pompey rearguard and as a result Linvoy Primus has also excelled alongside him.

There were a few doubts over the signing of Campbell due to his personal problems that eventually meant he left Arsenal, but as with David James you knew from the opening day performance that we had got a bargain considering he arrived on a free transfer, albeit on hefty wages. There's no question he has been worth it though.

Only a couple of minor hiccups have dented Sols Pompey career to date. He and Linvoy can take heart in knowing that they've possibly been the best central defensive partnership in the league.

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.

#24 Richard Duffy

Pompey fans haven't seen much of the Welsh international because of his constant loan spells to Championship clubs, mainly Coventry. What I have seen of him has been a mixture of good and bad. He looks to be good at tackling but lacks pace.

Unfortunately I don't rate him as good enough for the Premiership having seen his performances at international level and the occasional Championship game. He's still young though, so plenty of time to prove me wrong.

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.