Marching into March

Admittedly I'm not referring to things on the pitch here. As far as that goes, only two games - matches we'll do well to get anything out of - within the space of thirty-one days is hardly much to get excited about, although we do get our first home game in five weeks. How generous of the FA to decide we might actually like to give our season ticket holders a match to watch.

But that aside, it's off the field matters that I would expect to be dominating the headlines in the next few weeks.

1) New sponsors. According to rumour, the deal has already been tied up and now it's just a case of sorting out the small print. As a visit to the Pompey Shop will tell you old stock has been reduced to ridiculous prices in an attempt to clear the shelves; change is a-coming and it'll be interesting to see who is going to be splashed across the shirts. Although we all cringed when the red love heart first appeared there's no denying it's been linked to a period of immense success for the club, so let's hope the new bunch are equally blessed.
2) Season tickets. Apparently the new prices will be announced within the next month and, although that's more than enough to worry most of us and send us running to the bank manager, we've got the possible worry of relocation to come. With proposed developments to the stands and pitch, who is going to be sitting where next season and how are we going to make sure people end up where they want? I pray to god we don't make a complete hash of it, although I think it's inevitable some people are going to end up unhappy. I can't think of a single ticket related issue at this - or indeed any - club where everyone has walked away content.
3) New contracts. Velimir and Milan have long said that March is the time when those with time ticking away will be sat round the table and see what comes forth. Steve Stone, Patrik Berger and Shaka Hislop are the three biggest names with talking to do - I wouldn't be surprised if the last two left as Paddy has said he'd like to return home at some point, whilst Shaka is firmly out of the first team picture, seemingly. Admittedly this might not actually take place this month - as far as I've heard the idea was to discuss contracts when we're secure in the Premier League, and the chances of that happening this month look slightly slim.
4) The new stadium is set to be... oh, never mind.

Interesting times ahead then, even if we are starved of the actual act of 22 men chasing a bit of leather around. To be honest it can't be much more dull than the last couple of weeks before Saturday were.