Complete this sentence

[Earl Grey]

Again the transfer window isnt over, but as has been mentioned if we’re trying to go for promotion shouldn’t we be also trying to start to build a squad that can/has played at that level?

So far we have Pitman who by next season will be past his prime and Naylor who got relegated with Burton (although I highly rate Naylor)

Pitman's only 30 so just because he looks 37 doesn't mean he's past it.

[OldSpice]

c) are wobbling

Of course, everyone at the club wants to see us promoted and to suggest otherwise is just plain bonkers!

[No Shot Sherlock]

c) are wobbling

Of course, everyone at the club wants to see us promoted and to suggest otherwise is just plain bonkers!

Cheers OS, and I'm not actually suggesting otherwise.

However, welcoming it if it happens, and going all out to ensure it are two different things. Going all out for it (ie adding quality to the squad in this window) would suggest the owners believe we are, or can be, ready to compete at the next level (or at least hold our own). If so then that's great, but my point is that we seem to be ahead of the curve on the field but not off of it, and that promotion could exacerbate that situation. Personally, I'd settle for a couple more seasons in League One if it allowed infrastructure improvements (or at least concrete plans for them) to progress such that we can hope to compete in the Championship on a sustainable basis, long term, rather than risk/delay that goal for the sake of a one-season wonder.

[Milkins]

c) are wobbling

Of course, everyone at the club wants to see us promoted and to suggest otherwise is just plain bonkers!

Cheers OS, and I'm not actually suggesting otherwise.

However, welcoming it if it happens, and going all out to ensure it are two different things. Going all out for it (ie adding quality to the squad in this window) would suggest the owners believe we are, or can be, ready to compete at the next level (or at least hold our own). If so then that's great, but my point is that we seem to be ahead of the curve on the field but not off of it, and that promotion could exacerbate that situation. Personally, I'd settle for a couple more seasons in League One if it allowed infrastructure improvements (or at least concrete plans for them) to progress such that we can hope to compete in the Championship on a sustainable basis, long term, rather than risk/delay that goal for the sake of a one-season wonder.

You worry far too much

[Selsey Bill]

Calm down everybody - we're safe

[RubiconCSL]

How well we do is always going to be about how deep the owners pockets are, that can be proven at Man City (and Chelsea before that). Without the Sheikh's money, they would not be as good as they are - simples. But even they, with their untold wealth, had a rocky period before Christmas, but turned it round by beating their biggest competitors this season. So maybe it is just that. Maybe every team has such a period - did Wigan, I can't remember?

We've also had to deal with losing players. If we have a lot of loan players, that's always the risk. But if we have to live within a strict budget (and I'm all for that from past experience), then that's the risk. At least this season, that has given us a damned good start. Unless it's just my tired grey cells, I seem to remember we always do better in the second half of the season. Okay, that's not probably possible this season after such a good start. But it does mean we should, anecdotally at least, have a good second half. Add that to where we are now and we should still do well. Plus, the transfer widow is still open. Maybe they can pull another Ben Thompson out of the hat.

Let's see where we are at the end of January. Luton will have played an extra game to us (due to our cup game) AND we will have played them away.

I agree that we really do need to get a good striker. But in level three football, they can't be easy to find, otherwise they would be playing at a higher level. Unless of course you have deep pockets to tempt one away from a rival, or to come down from the championship.

Let's face it, it wouldn't be Pompey if we didn't make things difficult.

[Weybridge]

Absolutely nothing wrong with a mid-season kick up the Harris.

We didn’t get to the top of table by luck, but we haven’t looked world beaters either. A wobble is inevitable.

[Locky_McLockface]

The wheels on the bus are certainly wobbling, and it's fair to say that January has been pretty poor, by our lofty standards this season.

Do Tornante want us to go up? Yes. Of course they do. Is it ideal for them? No, I'd say it wasn't, they don't want to have to invest masses of money, they've been pretty clear about that, right from the get-go. I think they would want to have the stadium able to offer multiple revenue streams, in order to use those funds to invest in the team.

Will they make us competitive in the Champs? Depends upon your definition of competitive. Challenging for a play-off place? No. Mid-table is more likely, I would suspect, but if we get relegated straight back down, well that's not the end of the world.

Tornante have obviously hit problems with their plans for the stadium. They said that they would be releasing details of the stadium plan in August, and we're still waiting. I think, on that front, we're going to need to be patient.

[pompeygunner]

Well imo Lowe, Curtis, Clarke & McGillvray would make the step up easily. Anyhow we need to get there first.

[uspompeyfan]

c) are wobbling

Of course, everyone at the club wants to see us promoted and to suggest otherwise is just plain bonkers!

Cheers OS, and I'm not actually suggesting otherwise.

However, welcoming it if it happens, and going all out to ensure it are two different things. Going all out for it (ie adding quality to the squad in this window) would suggest the owners believe we are, or can be, ready to compete at the next level (or at least hold our own). If so then that's great, but my point is that we seem to be ahead of the curve on the field but not off of it, and that promotion could exacerbate that situation. Personally, I'd settle for a couple more seasons in League One if it allowed infrastructure improvements (or at least concrete plans for them) to progress such that we can hope to compete in the Championship on a sustainable basis, long term, rather than risk/delay that goal for the sake of a one-season wonder.

I have to say I wish I had the eloquence to put it as well as NSS. We have seldom met on common ground in recent years, but I think on this one, we share the same opinion.

[New Forester]

Thought I’d continue the gloom. And Luton and Barnsley almost out of sight.

[No Shot Sherlock]

Wheels? What wheels?

[Purbrook Chimes]

Kenny's now saying he wants 8 or 9 wins from the last 10 games, we've got 8 points from the last 10 relegation form not promotion

[Berkshire Blue]

Life is full of ups and downs - if we win well tonight all will seem much more cheery!

Being a glass half full person is more fun!