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.
9. Left-wing - Reeco Hackett-Fairchild
A selection that might divide opinion - but with Michael Jacobs injured and Ronan Curtis needed up front as Ellis Harrison prepares to join Oxford, needs must. The 23-year-old hardly set the world alight during his loan spell at Southend last season. However, maybe Danny Cowley can repeat the trick he's shown with plenty of other fledgling talents in his career, and get the best out of the forward. All we can do is hope! But if Jacobs miraculously makes himself available, he's back in. Photo: JPIMedia
The chances of Curtis being at Fratton Park come the opening day of the season are remote. But a club still has to offer Pompey the right money for them to do business, and that could mean his wish to leave could drag on for a bit. Playing up top is something the Republic of Ireland international has done at Derry City and Pompey. He's impressed there, too, so guarantees some quality in the attacking third. Photo: JPIMedia
If Jayden Stockley had signed instead of choosing Charlton over the Blues, then a totally different front pairing would be on the cards. We still don't know whether Stockley would have played alongside Marquis or instead of him - and it's unlikely we'll ever know. Yet, for the purposes of this exercise, Marquis gets the nod. He clearly has the ability to score at this level. But just like Harness, a quiet word in his ear might be needed. Photo: JPIMedia