Whilst we're struggling to offload unwanted players we have made some inroads into building a squad that Bates strangely referred to as large and needing trimming.
It's clear to see that isn't the case as we've had to field listed players and youth for pre-season games.
Kenny is probably an improvement on Lonergan and Ashdown is a capable backup.
Pearce is young, hopefully an improvement on what we had in defence.
Drury is experienced, but I'm not sure will last a season.
Green draws mixed reactions, lots of energy, but Derby fans will tell you he can't trap a ball, can't pass and can't tackle.
Austin is the signing so far that really excites and I hope we sign another couple of players who inspire the fans and players.
It's always hard to tell exactly how new players will fit into a team...for example, so although I'm not convinced by all the signings, I'm keen to see how they perform together now they're here.
Really great news that White has signed but I think we're all looking to see if Snoddy signs. I believe if he genuinely feels the club is showing ambition that he will sign, even if there is a little more money on offer elsewhere.
What is still worrying is that he hasn't signed and along with Warnock talking about Ross as if he is going, the fear is that Varney and Gray signings are to replace Snoddy and Ross.
If Gray and Varney are squad players it's not so bad but I don't see them as improvements on Ross and Snoddy.
Am happy that at last we're showing some ambition in the transfer market and hope many questions will be answered when we see all the transfers completed because as Warnock says the crucial transfers are yet to come and what we have in so far cannot be the end game.
I really hope some youth make it into Warnock's squads despite his insistence that they're going on loan, even if it is just symbolic to show the youth that there is a route to the first team.
With regards takeover, I've always hoped it will happen but haven't put any timescales on it, just hope it will happen during this pre-season to give us a decent chance of promotion.
Where we're at
posted on 24/7/12
Real Estate, completely agree regarding Ross, but feel he's more likely to score more goals than Gray, but with one good season and one bad season at Leeds, no guarantee what the next season brings.
One potential point of concern is injuries.
With such a thin squad, how would we fare with an injury to Pearce, Bechio, or Snoddy in pre-season?
Fingers crossed we steer clear of what happened to Somma last summer.
posted on 24/7/12
".....completely agree regarding Ross, but feel he's more likely to score more goals than Gray"
Jonty - at this level, is it really that difficult?!?!?!
posted on 24/7/12
Ask Paynter and Forrsell!
posted on 24/7/12
youngwhite- varney and pearce shouldnt have been relegated as without 10points off they wouldnt have been, also relegation doesnt define how good a player is, also ashdown is only back up.
Kenny a warnock favourite or not is proven in getting promoted to prem and in some way in being proven good enough for the prem
drury is a player with experience and promotion from league 1 and the championship with some prem experience, which is alot more of a cv than some of our players.
austin unknown or not looks exciting, time will tell
posted on 24/7/12
Exactly Ryan - that's why I say the jury is still out
posted on 24/7/12
My contact at the club thinks Pearce will be the best centre half in the league says he does everything well that you need to in this division.
posted on 24/7/12
I'm as sick of all the speculation as everyone else on here. I have a mate who is watching them train in Cornwall as we speak and the rumour going round the fans (and there's quite a lot of them there) is that the players have been told about the takeover, ahead of a public announcement tomorrow. Please don't shoot the messenger. The lad that's text me goes to every home and away game and pre season tour and is known around the back room staff, so could be something in it.
posted on 24/7/12
next 4 signings will probably be Kanu/Kitson, Lawrence, Norris and Halford....may as well get the rest of the portsmouth squad...
posted on 24/7/12
Lukey..Halford would improve our team, so i hope we do get him.
posted on 24/7/12
Mike, won't be halford, as have made an official approach for peltier, i do hope though that the signings so far (exception of Kenny & Pearce) are squad players.
I don't see there being a problem, but hoping Austin gets clearance, him I am excited about..but of bite and power to our midfield...just what it needed.
MOT