Naismith Released By Pompey

Last updated : 09 May 2018 By Jim Bonner

Kal Naismith, Nicke Kabamba, Theo Widdrington and Jez Bedford have all been released by Portsmouth Football Club as Kenny Jackett looks to reshape his squad for next season.

The option of a new deal for Alex Bass and Brandan Haunstrup has been taken whilst the club are in talks to renew contracts for Adam May and Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is currently recovering from a broken leg.

The news of the four players being released doesn't come as any surprise. Widdrington and Bedford are players whose futures lie elsewhere whilst Kabamba was never going to be offered a new deal as he struggled to make an impact in League Two with Colchester, although did score some goals in the National League for Aldershot and so perhaps he has found his level.

Naismith's departure has been on the cards all season and given that the winger has struggled to make his mark in League One and only scored two league goals this season, it's no surprise that the manager has decided to let the Scot go.

Kal will be remembered for his contribution to last season's championship win with a superb run of performances inspiring Pompey to the run of form which eventually clinched the League Two title.

Many would have expected him to kick on from that but he seems to have gone backwards. His decision making has been poor and he doesn't seem to have the pace or application to beat League One defenders. Maybe it's a confidence issue and he just needs a manager who will give him the extra boost he needs to perform? Hopefully this is a decision Pompey don't come to regret.

We'll wish him well for the future and see what Jackett has up his sleeve as the transfer window opens.