And Now You're Gonna Believe Us

Neville Dalton is a journalist with the BBC News website and a Portsmouth fan of nearly 40 years. His expressed views are his and not necessarily those of the BBC.

Are we a bunch of happy bunnies?

For me, Thursday, August 31, 2006 will go down as the day that Pompey confirmed they really were a club on the up.

Admittedly, no-one can really pass judgment on what the August signings will do to the team until they have performed for us.

But despite nagging doubts about the long-term benefits of one or two of the players recruited in this last frenetic month, I believe Portsmouth Football Club now has the potential to become a real force in the Premiership – and an exciting one at that.

While the make-up and chemistry of the team remains to be seen, Harry and Sasha have assembled a squad of awesome quality and potential which until now we could only have dreamed of.

If you want to be picky, I reckon we're still a couple of defenders short of having top-notch cover for every position.

And the last-minute loan of Toddy (more of that later) – combined with the fact that one of our strikers remains a long-term injury casualty – did threaten to take the shine off an exciting day.

But on top of our excellent start to the season – even before most of these were recruited and in the case of the Middlesbrough win, without the supreme Pedro Mendes – I'm more excited about watching my beloved team than I've ever been.

I know it can still blow up in our faces, and James could still commit some expensive howlers; Sol could do a half-time flit and catch the next ferry to Cherbourg; Andy Cole could throw a sulk and our relative unknowns could prove exactly why nobody's heard much about them.

But from what I've seen of the newcomers so far, and the video footage of our new midfield starlets, I'm on tenterhooks, itching to see them in action.

Here's my assessment:

Glen Johnson – Had an indifferent season last year, so I'm not sure which player we're going to see. But he has justified his signing so far… and considering we're only paying his wages and not a transfer fee, his arrival surely has more positives than potential negatives. (Still reckon we should have retained Priske, though!).

Sol Campbell - Still doubts at the back of my mind, but I can't fault the class and commitment he has brought so far to the Pompey back four. He and Linvoy have been giants at the back and look as good a pairing as I've ever seen at Pompey.

David James - Another signing that made me wonder whether it might be a gamble that could backfire. Not from what I've seen so far, though. I've always rated him, but was beginning to be convinced by the doubters who highlighted his high-profile (but still relatively rare) blunders.

David Thompson – His arrival had no great excitement about it, but he's just the sort of bread-and-butter player that teams need. I liked him in his early Liverpool days, but wondered why, if Wigan didn't want to keep him, we should want him. In any case, he didn't cost a fee and presumably isn't on top wages, so again the risks are minimal.

Kanu - Falls into much the same category. I was mesmerised by some of his tricks in his early Arsenal days, but he looked a tad unpredictable (haven't we already got one of those?), and his recent form hardly inspired confidence. But again, with no fee involved and hopefully no massive wages to find, it was hardly a big gamble. Even if he proves just to be a squad player, doing his bit from the bench, he's already made a decent contribution to what is fast developing into a memorable season.

Ognjen Koroman – I liked what little I saw last season, and at the very least he gives us options on the flanks - one of our shortcomings in recent times.

Andy Cole (sorry, can't bring myself to start calling him Andrew) Hmm. I've always rated him since seeing him score a hat-trick against Pompey while on loan at Bristol City. I figured his pace was one of his greatest assets, and with age withering that particular attribute, you could be forgiven for wondering what he might bring that the likes of Toddy doesn't already. Well, I do remember him scoring quality goals for Fulham and Manchester City against us in recent years, so I look forward to having my doubts eradicated.

Manuel Fernandes - Obviously his injury casts a doubt over this one, but the loan arrangement with a view to a permanent transfer if he proves his fitness sounds eminently sensible and a credit to Pompey's negotiators. I know little about him, but the clips I've seen excite me tremendously and suggest he could be more than just the holding player people are suggesting.

Niko Kranjcar – I can hardly believe it - another potentially magnificent signing. Of course, he's unproven in the Premiership, and some of those who know more than I about him suggest he's not the finished article. But at 22, he's surely got his best years ahead of him and plenty of time to improve.

Roudolphe Douala –I know absolutely nothing about him. I gather he's a wide player – a promising move, not only because we've been lacking wingers, but also because it suggests Harry has recognised their importance. But who knows?

Of course, I'm not blind to the potential pitfalls. There remain question marks over these players' temperaments, ability and willingness to adapt and commit to the Pompey cause.

And I do worry whether they will fit into the team ethic that was so magnificently on show in our opening-day win over Blackburn. A feature of that game was how the players blended so well and appeared to be working for each other, and there were no glares or hands-on-hips body language when players perhaps took the wrong option.

It is that last point that leaves a slight shadow over Cole's signing – and indeed, Lomana LuaLua's possible return to the team.

I would be concerned if the likes of Gary O'Neil, who deserves a starting place on the basis of his stirring performances in a struggling team in the past couple of years, and Pedro Mendes were sidelined by the glamour names and decided their futures lay elsewhere.

To my mind, they – plus James, Campbell and Mwaruwari – should be the first names on the teamsheet.

But what a selection Harry now has at his disposal.

Congratulations, Pompey.

Pessimist that I am, I'm still not confident of a finish that reflects our potential and ambition.

But I hereby declare that I believe we have well and truly stepped up to the next level.