Football Season Guide

Pompey boss Steve Cotterill worked miracles last season with the smallest squad in the Football League to secure his side in the Championship and enjoy a safe mid-table finish in the process. A successful fresh takeover bid was made of the Fratton Park club in the close season and under their owners - a Russian consortium - there is new hope that the club can shake off its significant debt problems of the last few years and focus on stabilising in the second tier and beyond. Despite the departure of high wage earners and key players such as David Nugent, Cotterill has been able to add to his squad. Most notable additions include former Ipswich skipper David Norris and versatile Wolves defender Greg Halford who enjoyed a successful loan period on the south coast. Cotterill’s management and playing style may not be pretty but it appears to yield results at Championship level and Pompey will be tough to beat particularly on home soil.