How Portsmouth's starting XI might look if the League One season started now
Five players who started Pompey’s last game of the 2020-21 season have since left the club.
By Mark McMahon
Published 18th Jun 2021, 13:38 BST
Updated 18th Jun 2021, 15:03 BST
Meanwhile, six of the seven who occupied the bench that day against Accrington have also departed.
That’s 11 players in total who had hopes of taking the Blues to the play-offs that match-day before ultimately failing saying goodbye to Fratton Park in the near seven weeks that have proceeded.
It’s left Pompey with just 14 players – a number which is due to be reduced further with Ellis Harrison expected to join Oxford – less than a week before the fixtures for the latest campaign are released.
So how would Danny Cowley’s men look if they were asked to fulfil a fixture today under current circumstances?
We’ll, here’s one predicted 4-4-2 starting XI we’ve come up with.
Some might disagree – but when the numbers are so low, it would be hard to come up with alternatives...
It’s left Pompey with just 14 players – a number which is due to be reduced further with Ellis Harrison expected to join Oxford – less than a week before the fixtures for the latest campaign are released.
5. Left-back - Lee Brown
Danny Cowley's one and only signing so far has been young Bromley left-back Liam Vincent. He'll provide competition for Brown, along with the other left-back the Blues are expected to sign this summer. It's unlikely, though, at this stage that Pompey will see the left-back position as a problem area that needs radically fixed. That will give Brown the green light to not only make our starting XI but also continue to add to his 109 Blues appearances in the real world! Photo: JPIMedia
At last, an easy one to select. The winger is the most naturally gifted player at Pompey - an accolade he's worn ever since he moved to Pompey from Burton in 2019. That doesn't mean, though, that he should take his place in the team for granted. Ten goals and 11 assists last season are okay. But, ideally, we'd like more - and that point would be rammed home in out pre-match team talk. Photo: JPIMedia
The defence was easy to sort, but now we're in central-midfield territory - an area that seriously lacks numbers. It's so serious, in fact, that the Blues currently have NO midfielders on their books. Luckily, there are options to fill the void - for the time being at least. James Bolton is one such option, with his versatility a key attribute to his game.
But, no offence, let's hope it's not a position he'll be asked to play when the season begins. Photo: JPIMedia
Okay, so right-back Callum Johnson would be Bolton's partner in the middle of the park. Not ideal, we know, but at least Johnson has featured there before during his time at Accrington. He's been a steady performer for Pompey since his move last summer - and we've no doubt he'd do a decent job in the centre of midfield if asked. Again, though, let's not make a habit of it! Photo: JPIMedia