Pompey in trouble

[Hitesh]

I really think they will be relegated this season and with only 14 or so outfield players its not exactly the best ways to prepare for a new season! Their takeover hasn't been completed yet either so it means Paul Hart doesn't have any money to spend and to make things worse, 2 of their players have had a bust up and been fined. Not the best of pre-seasons for them and it doesn't look like its going to get any better!

From BBC:

Portsmouth duo fined over bust-up

Portsmouth's David Nugent and Marc Wilson have been fined two weeks' wages after a "serious breach of club discipline" on a trip to Portugal.

The striker and defender were reportedly sent home early following an altercation in a hotel after Saturday's 4-0 friendly defeat by Benfica.

"The matter has been dealt with internally and there will be no further comment," read a club statement.

Portsmouth lost the other game of the tour 2-0 against Vittoria.

It has been a troublesome summer for Portsmouth.

Prospective new owner Sulaiman Al Fahim's takeover of the club has still not been completed and two of last season's stand-out players - top scorer Peter Crouch and defender Glen Johnson - have both been sold - to Tottenham and Liverpool respectively.

Nugent, 24, played the first half against Vittoria but took no part against Benfica because of a toe injury.

He has struggled since arriving from Preston for £6m in the summer of 2007 but may be Portsmouth's first-choice striker this season following the sale of Crouch.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 international defender Wilson, 21, made his debut for Pompey in a Carling Cup tie against Chelsea last September and has made three Premier League appearances.

[Edmund]

Such a stark contrast from last season when under Arry they were looking a strong European team.

I believe they will struggle this season, wether they get relegated or not depends on how Hull, Burnley, Wolves, Birmingham cope in the big time.

[Lillehamring]

if they're in such a mess, they probably shouldn't be pre-seasoning in protugal

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

If they don't go down it will be a miracle. They seem to almost want to go down, and I heard that they can't buy anyone because that Gaydmak is still actually in full power so Al Faim or whatever his name is won't spend anything yet!

[Budweiser]

I was thinking this the other day. They might stay up because of all the shite teams around them.

Burnley, Hull and Wolves are bound to be down their so, you never know...

Suprised Kranjcar is still at Pompey.

[Jimmy]

aint they just been taken over by some mega rich arabs, probably just clearing all the dead wood out

[StanSP]

aint they just been taken over by some mega rich arabs, probably just clearing all the dead wood out

They haven't left themselves with much time to get replacements before start of the season.

[Hitesh]

aint they just been taken over by some mega rich arabs, probably just clearing all the dead wood out

The deal hasn't gone through yet so they can't sign anyone/have access to the money yet.

[Ashley]

I think they'l be relegated this season.

[Jon the Hat]

Pompey are a small club with a small fan base, crap ground anf training ground and little income potential beyond TV money. They overspent their means big time, and now they are reaping what they have sewn. They need to cut back big time on thir wage bill.

[purpleronnie]

They'll be fine a lot of weak teams in the prem this year.

[Bryn]

Relegation mire til Jan when they'll bring some new players in and be ok.

[Ultra]

Many of those involved in the original Arab consortium have pulled out - allegedly because the Premier League have become stricter about who are fit and proper people to own football clubs.