Holloway is top choice for Pompey job

THE Pompey public have had their say on who they would like to see elected – and it’s a landslide victory.
Fans' favourite Ian HollowayFans' favourite Ian Holloway
Fans' favourite Ian Holloway

If the battle to become the next Blues boss went to the polls, Ian Holloway would be the runaway winner to be handed the top job at Fratton Park.

After voting finished, more than 1,500 responses came in on our News web poll at portsmouth.co.uk to guage fans’ thoughts on who the club should appoint to replace Andy Awford.

As you might expect, the views were wide and varied.

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But the statistical data suggested there was a clear trend, with the former Millwall, Crystal Palace and Blackpool boss claiming more than a quarter of the voting share.

With 27-per-cent share of the total vote, Holloway was clear favourite.

The 52-year-old is renowned as a colourful character and many clearly believe he is the right sort of fit for Pompey.

But he also has vast managerial experience with seven jobs behind him and has either played or managed throughout the English divisions during his long career.

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While Holloway was the stand-out, number-one choice, it perhaps underlines the number of potential candidates out there that the ‘other’ category was in second place in the standings (18 per cent).

In a poll of just 10 options, the choices were limited and it is by no means a scientific or conclusive result.

But among those ‘others’ picked out were Nigel Adkins, Glenn Hoddle, Gianfranco Zola, Paolo Di Canio, Mark Warburton, Gus Poyet, Paul Tisdale, Brian McDermott and Paul Cook.

Plenty still want to see an appointment with a previous Pompey connection, with Paul Hardyman, Steve Claridge, Harry Redknapp, Teddy Sheringham, Lee Bradbury and Linvoy Primus all gaining support.

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But it’s worth noting that none of those named in the ‘other’ category gained more votes than the top-six candidates.

Adkins and Redknapp led that separate battle with around 50 to 60 votes (around four per cent) each.

But the second most popular choice was much-travelled boss Neil Warnock with around 14 per cent of the vote, which in real terms was around 200 fewer than Holloway’s total of more than 400.

Southend’s Phil Brown (12 per cent), former Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson (11 per cent) and ex-Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington (eight per cent) also featured strongly.

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Next came Martin Allen (five per cent) and Dave Jones (three per cent), while Shefki Kuqi (one per cent) and current caretaker boss Gary Waddock (one per cent) failed to gain much support among the voting public.

Some felt now is the time for Pompey to make a real statement of intent.

If Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez or Jurgen Klopp were appointed, it would certainly show some serious ambition from the Pompey board.

Of course, some took the vote rather more seriously than others.

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And if Mr Bean does end up getting the job, as one voter suggested, it might make for some amusing antics in the technical area next term.

Then again, looking back at some of the club’s appointments down the years, we’ve had worse...