Is it just me or does anyone else feel like this after the close of today's Transfer Deadline Day?
Pompey went in to the final day of the January 2011 Transfer Window with a playing squad that looked short on numbers and came out of it with a nil-nil stalemate: no additions and no more departures.
Every fan knows that this leaves Pompey in a risky position and in danger of being drawn in to a relegation battle.
The 'quality not quantity' strategy is frought with risk and the departure of John Utaka over the weekend to Montpellier in France has increased the risk levels even more.
It was hoped by many Pompey fans that some transfer business would be done to re-dress the balance of the squad. Reports suggest that Club officials were working hard to make some deals happen on the final day but they just couldn't get any over-the-line, to use a Cotterilism.
To be fair, Pompey have made some signings during this window: Jonathan Hogg and Ritchie de Laet have come in on loan afresh and Greg Halford has signed up for another stint on the South Coast. Liam Lawrence made his loan move permanent, Daryll Flahaven signed another one month deal and Joel Ward an improved, extended contract.
These signings combined with suspensions ending (Mokoena and Kitson) and injuries clearing (Webber, but not quite yet) may ensure that Pompey have enough quality to get through this season and survive comfortably in mid-table. But it is a big IF and it won't take much to knock them off course, spiral out of control and in to League One (as reminders: Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Manchester City have all dropped through the trapdoor in recent times).
The longer term doesn't look quite so bright with a lot of player contracts coming to an end when the 2010-11 season closes. But that's for another day.
There are still some loose ends to tidy up too: the contracts of midfielders Michael Brown and Richard Hughes remain 'frustrated' and defender Tal Ben Haim remains on the books at expensive wages, his loan to West Ham seemingly coming to an end with no news of an extension confirmed.
It is unlikely that Hughes or Brown will play for Pompey again this season unless there is some significant movement from the players or the Club. Most Pompey fans whilst understanding the principles at stake will find it distasteful that two players who should be plying their trade for the cause could spend the rest of their time with the Club drawing their wage, going through pseudo warm-ups, dishing out awards and watching the games from the stand.
If Tal Ben Haim pulls on a Pompey shirt again it will be a bonus of sorts, if it happens let's hope he puts in 100% everytime because if he doesn't the fans will be sure to remind him of his duty.
I for one remain very concerned for Pompey's future and look forward to the time when closure can finally be brought to this latest episode in the Club's post-Premier League plight.
In the meantime I'm off to find a banana...
PompeyChicken
