It was an incredible campaign that surpassed the expectations of all Pompey fans. However, that success has raised the bar and Pompey supporters now crave more glory but how can we improve on last season?
Here is my little list of what I would see as a better season than last:
- Finish in the top 4.
- Finish 7th or higher and win either the FA Cup or the League Cup.
- Win the UEFA Cup and finish in the top 10.
- Win two or more trophies without battling relegation.
So, as you can see that is quite a demanding list! Are those targets achievable? I can't see us breaking the top four this year, winning a trophy is possible but we'd need a lot of luck like last year.
That's not to say I would be unsatisfied if we failed to improve on last season. I'd personally be happy with a good crack at the UEFA Cup and a challenge for the top 6 places in the league.
With the squad we have now (provided we don't lose anyone else) I would be disappointed with a bottom half finish. Crouch was a very good signing and I'm sure he will gel with Jermain Defoe and form a lethal strike partnership in time.
I think Younes Kaboul is also another decent addition to the squad and under the stewardship of Tony Adams and Sol Campbell he should flourish, improve his defensive game and also chip in with a goal or two.
I also believe that Glen Little is one of the shrewdest signings of the summer despite his age and past injury problems. He has had a good pre-season, looks tricky and can float in a great cross.
I'm not too sure about our loan signings though. Ben Sahar has looked bright but is low down the pecking order in the striking stakes whilst Jerome Thomas hasn't exactly shone for a mediocre Charlton side these past few years. I'm willing to give him a clean slate and back him all the way, because he has the potential to surprise people.
The biggest difference this season to last, of course, is our participation in the UEFA Cup for the very first time. I'm as excited as anybody and can't wait to see who we draw in the first round and hopefully we won't crash out early on. We've got a fair chance of winning the UEFA Cup and if Rangers can get to the final then I'm sure we can too.
As for how we do in the league I believe it will be entirely dependent on how far we get in the cups. I assume we will play a second string in the Carling Cup but we will want to defend our FA Cup and try and win in Europe too which will take its toll on the squad as shown by our terrible run of form at the end of last season.
If I assume that we falter relatively early in the cup competitions then I believe we can mount a strong challenge for a UEFA Cup place in the league. Most of our rivals for the european spot(s) have either had to sell to buy (just like us) or can't seem to capture a major signing at the moment.
Spurs have brought in Modric and Bentley but have lost Robbie Keane and are almost certain to lose Berbatov too. Man City have taken a huge gamble with Jo and already look like they have problems based on their showing yesterday
Everton have lost Andy Johnson and haven't signed anyone, Blackburn have lost a couple of key players and have a mangerial novice in charge whilst I don't think West Ham or Newcastle have strengthened enough to challenge the top six.
My main worry is Aston Villa who seem to be going about their business in the right way and have made some very shrewd acquistions. If they can keep Gareth Barry at the club then I believe that they will be the team that Pompey must aim to finish above to have a great league campaign.
If Pompey can build on the defensive foundations of last season with more enterprising play then we have the talent in midfield and the strikers to make an impact in the Premier League.
One of my main wishes of the season is to see us play attractive football again and with the signing of Crouch, we should revert back to playing a fluid 4-4-2 so long as the players don't resort to lumping it up to the big man constantly. Winning is the main thing but I think we'd all like to see us win in style and play some eye-catching football.
If we can come through our tough start with a reasonable amount of points then I think we should finish in the top ten comfortably and challenge for the UEFA Cup places. If you want me to make a bold prediction then I say we will finish 7th, just falling short of Spurs and Villa who seem to have money to burn if need be.
Here is my predicted final table:
1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Aston Villa
6. Tottenham
7. Portsmouth
8. Everton
9. Manchester City
10. Newcastle
11. Wigan
12. West Ham
13. Blackburn
14. Sunderland
15. Fulham
16. Middlesbrough
17. Bolton
18. West Brom
19. Hull
20. Stoke
It's going to be another rollercoaster season at Fratton Park and hopefully there will be plenty of nice surprises (and no nasty ones) on the horizon. I would be over the moon if we could repeat or even surpass the achievements of last season, and that is what Portsmouth FC should be aiming for.
Play Up Pompey!