BLUES boss Joe Royle could not help but envy Harry Redknapp's stroke of good fortune and the cash that comes with it.While Pompey have already broken their club transfer record by spending £4.
By Derek Davis
BLUES boss Joe Royle could not help but envy Harry Redknapp's stroke of good fortune and the cash that comes with it.
While Pompey have already broken their club transfer record by spending £4.1m on Benjani Mwurawari, and are lining up some even bigger bids, Royle is looking to spend £200,000 on a striker, following the £300,000 outlay for Gavin Williams.
Royle said: “Harry is about to play fantasy football with roubles. If they want someone to spend money I'm sure Harry can help them.
“There was not much difference between us, who are mid-table in the Championship, and Portsmouth, who are at the lower end of the Premiership, and Harry knows that.
“I'm sure there will be a revolving door at Fratton Park in the next few weeks.”
The emergence of Scott Barron at left-back has eased Royle's concerns about filling that position with an outsider.
He said: “The left-back crisis is no longer a crisis. Scott is quick and gets forward well so he has the chance to claim that spot.”
With Nicky Forster back in training this week after a jarred knee and, hopefully, a signing or two, Town will look to be stronger up front, although Royle praised the contribution made by 18-year-old Danny Haynes.
He added: “Danny is lively and has great potential but we need a hardy pro that can keep the ball in their box.”
Royle bemoaned the lack of ruthlessness at the business end and rued Town's missed chances, especially when Gavin Williams hit wide. Royle said: “If Williams takes that chance it could have changed the game.
“Pompey played on the break and their goal came from a break. They won the ball on the edge of their own box and we never saw it again until it was in our net. That is how Premiership football is played.
“In the interim period, our keeper has not had much to do in the second half. We have passed and probed and hit the post, with another flashing just wide, but we didn't have the cutting edge when we needed it.”
The Blues are expecting to play host to a clutch of trialists over the next couple of weeks as they look to add to their squad.
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