Memo For Sven; Or Avram; Or Curbs, Or Whoever (Part I)

Last updated : 18 February 2009 By Jim Bonner

If Pompey appoint a new manager before the season ends, he is going to have to hit the ground running.

Even if Paul Hart and Brian Kidd continue in caretaker roles, they will need to make instant judgments on the players available (although they made a pretty impressive start on Saturday).

And come the end of the season, a lot of tricky decisions are going to have to be made about who to keep and who to sell.

Crucial to those decisions will be which division Pompey are playing in - and who owns the club.

Assuming we stay up - and for one little moment, let's imagine Sasha is still in control - who's going to go and who will stay?

Let's drop the new incumbent a memo.

GOALKEEPERS

David James - Don't discard lightly. Been more prone to errors this season, but still one of the world's greatest. He may be getting on, but who are you going to replace him with?

Just beware: the big man doesn't suffer fools; he is not afraid to speak his mind, and is a bright communicator. He's probably on Twitter.

Keep for now - automatic first choice

Jamie Ashdown - Fulfils that conundrum: happy to be a number 2 to a very good number 1 - and you can just about rely on him to do an adequate Premier League job when called upon.

Though it would be good to find a solution to that other goalkeeping conundrum - he needs a bit more practice at the sharp end before you can be absolutely sure.

Keep for now - but he's only going to play in an emergency

Asmir Begovic - Who knows? Jamie's recent injury means Asmir is only a tight hamstring away from a Premier League debut. Would he cope?

Better make sure Colesy and Jamo give him a really good test.

Keep as back-up - but monitor closely

DEFENDERS

Glen Johnson - Keep at all costs. You really won't find better - and he's still got time on his side. The runaway candidate for Pompey's player of a not very good season, whose real value is demonstrated whenever he is not playing.

Offer him another contract extension, if he'll sign it.

Extend contract

Lauren - Time to go. Excellent player in his day. Unfortunately, that was before he played for Pompey. Has done nothing in his time at Fratton to suggest he should be in the side, although to be fair, his Pompey career has been blighted by Harry's insistence on playing the ever-slower full-back on the right wing. Offload when his contract expires in the summer.

Release

Sol Campbell - I say this for no reason other than that his contract expires at the right time. Not only a valuable asset who has brought class - and a trophy - to Pompey, but a catalyst for attracting other top names to Fratton.

Middling season by his own high standards (though with some notably good performances none the less). His legs are going and his judgment occasionally exposed. Release with thanks.

Release after he's seen the season out - hopefully with one final flourish

Sylvain Distin - Get inside his head. Or more likely, read his latest views in the papers. Sylvain has brought more class and composure to a team that can pride itself on the quality of its centre-backs in recent years.

An absolute gem, but one who has become increasingly wayward and inconsistent in recent months. Everyone is entitled to a bad spell, and this has been his first at Fratton Park.

But is it because his heart is not in it? It wouldn't be the first time in his career.

Clarify his thinking - and then do the right thing: Lead by example or go. He's earned the right to choose.

Play him; rest him when Kaboul is fit. Then keep/sell

Hermann Hreidarsson - So close to leaving until Tony apparently persuaded him to stay. Does he still want to go?

Bend over backwards to persuade him to stay. This chap still has much to offer - as a defender, attacker and at either end of dead-ball plays - even at his age.

Getting on, but it would be great to let him see out his career here - and then maybe offer him a behind-the-scenes post. The club needs strong characters.

Extend contract while he remains our first-choice left-back (and let him take some of the free-kicks!)

Linvoy Primus - Deserves to be treated with kid gloves. Has so often defied the doubters (me included) by holding his own and containing illustrious opponents at ever-higher levels.

But he hasn't played top-flight football for best part of two years now. And he's not getting any younger.

However, his demeanour, application and commitment not only to the club but also the wider community demand respect. There must be a role within the club for him.

Find him a new job

Younes Kaboul - The future to Sol's past. Yet to do it consistently, but patently has the ability. Next year should be his opportunity.

Use with confidence when Campbell or Distin are unavailable. Keep

Noe Pamarot - Quiet and (fairly) dependable. But why is it that the right-footed central defender should have saved his best performances in a blue shirt for those games he played as an emergency left-back?

Doesn't strike me as first-team material, but an adequate reserve.

Keep for now

Martin Crainie - Get rid. Not good enough.

Sell

Marc Wilson - Promising start - and time on his side. But let's find his best position and stick to it. Has shone at right-back, but is never going to dislodge Johnno while he's at the club.

Was exposed in midfield. Could he become a ball-playing central defender in the mould of Sylvain Distin?

Keep (and in the meantime, pair him and Kaboul in the centre of the reserves' defence)

Djimi Traore - Not as bad as many fans make out. Was outstanding in several positions against Manchester United at home last season. But won't figure in Pompey's future.

Release