We all had hopes and expectations at the start of the season and I wrote this article outlining my top ten wishes for the campaign just gone. Did my wishes come true or was I asking too much?
1) Win A Trophy
Not even close this year. Pompey fell at the first hurdle in the Carling Cup after getting thrashed 4-0 by Chelsea, were humiliated by Swansea in the 4th round of the FA Cup and were out of the group stages of the UEFA Cup. Given the season we had this was always going to be a tall order but at the start I honestly thought we'd have a good chance.
2) Bring Back The Entertaining Football
This wish wasn't really fulfilled despite playing some neat and tidy stuff at times under Tony Adams but the brand of football we witnessed during Paul Hart's reign was possibly the most boring football I have ever witnessed. Hopefully that will change next season as season tickets and away trips don't come cheap and I want to be entertained for my money.
3) Bring Back The "Famous" Fratton Park Atmosphere
This didn't happen apart from a few games, most notably the UEFA Cup games against Guimaraes and AC Milan. It has been well documented that the media now view Stoke fans as the loudest and most passionate in the Premier League but I wonder how long that will last when the novelty of being a top flight team begins to wear off.
4) No More Football Corruption
Thankfully with Redknapp's departure there were no more stories about alleged corruption in football linked to Pompey, although the club were fined for the breaking of an agent representative rule regarding the Benjani transfer.
5) No Early Exit From Europe
Thankfully we navigated the scare in Guimaraes to be rewarded with one of the toughest UEFA Cup groups of all time, one which provided many memories but was ultimately too difficult for Tony Adams' Pompey team to qualify from.
6) Keep Hold Of Our Best Players
Half and half for this one. Whilst we kept hold of Glen Johnson, Niko Kranjcar and Peter Crouch we could not prevent Lassana Diarra fulfilling his dream move to Real Madrid or prevent Redknapp from taking Jermain Defoe back to White Hart Lane. This wish may well be repeated every season for every Pompey fan but it may be easier for us once Al Fahim's takeover deal goes through.
7) A Memorable Result
I originally wrote this wish in respect to a victory over one of the "big four" but they all took maximum points from us in the league. However, I never ever expected Pompey to walk out of Fratton Park alongside AC Milan and that game will be talked about for many years to come, especially the final five minutes or so.
8) A Result At White Hart Lane
Of course, at the time of writing the first article Redknapp was still at his "spiritual home" and hadn't defected to Tottenham. When he did, this wish would have shot straight to the top of the lists of many a Pompey fan.
We did pick up our first ever Premier League point at the home of Spurs with David Nugent scoring his first ever Premier League goal, unfortunately Defoe had to stop us from winning but there is always next year (assuming Redknapp is still there).
9) A South Coast Derby
This didn't happen and it is now over four years since we last met them and humiliated them. Our neighbours have had bigger problems to worry about this season and I'm genuinely happy that they look to have found a buyer as life wouldn't be the same without them.
10) Southampton Relegated
1) Win A Trophy
Not even close this year. Pompey fell at the first hurdle in the Carling Cup after getting thrashed 4-0 by Chelsea, were humiliated by Swansea in the 4th round of the FA Cup and were out of the group stages of the UEFA Cup. Given the season we had this was always going to be a tall order but at the start I honestly thought we'd have a good chance.
2) Bring Back The Entertaining Football
This wish wasn't really fulfilled despite playing some neat and tidy stuff at times under Tony Adams but the brand of football we witnessed during Paul Hart's reign was possibly the most boring football I have ever witnessed. Hopefully that will change next season as season tickets and away trips don't come cheap and I want to be entertained for my money.
3) Bring Back The "Famous" Fratton Park Atmosphere
This didn't happen apart from a few games, most notably the UEFA Cup games against Guimaraes and AC Milan. It has been well documented that the media now view Stoke fans as the loudest and most passionate in the Premier League but I wonder how long that will last when the novelty of being a top flight team begins to wear off.
4) No More Football Corruption
Thankfully with Redknapp's departure there were no more stories about alleged corruption in football linked to Pompey, although the club were fined for the breaking of an agent representative rule regarding the Benjani transfer.
5) No Early Exit From Europe
Thankfully we navigated the scare in Guimaraes to be rewarded with one of the toughest UEFA Cup groups of all time, one which provided many memories but was ultimately too difficult for Tony Adams' Pompey team to qualify from.
6) Keep Hold Of Our Best Players
Half and half for this one. Whilst we kept hold of Glen Johnson, Niko Kranjcar and Peter Crouch we could not prevent Lassana Diarra fulfilling his dream move to Real Madrid or prevent Redknapp from taking Jermain Defoe back to White Hart Lane. This wish may well be repeated every season for every Pompey fan but it may be easier for us once Al Fahim's takeover deal goes through.
7) A Memorable Result
I originally wrote this wish in respect to a victory over one of the "big four" but they all took maximum points from us in the league. However, I never ever expected Pompey to walk out of Fratton Park alongside AC Milan and that game will be talked about for many years to come, especially the final five minutes or so.
8) A Result At White Hart Lane
Of course, at the time of writing the first article Redknapp was still at his "spiritual home" and hadn't defected to Tottenham. When he did, this wish would have shot straight to the top of the lists of many a Pompey fan.
We did pick up our first ever Premier League point at the home of Spurs with David Nugent scoring his first ever Premier League goal, unfortunately Defoe had to stop us from winning but there is always next year (assuming Redknapp is still there).
9) A South Coast Derby
This didn't happen and it is now over four years since we last met them and humiliated them. Our neighbours have had bigger problems to worry about this season and I'm genuinely happy that they look to have found a buyer as life wouldn't be the same without them.
10) Southampton Relegated
This happened and we all laughed and had much fun with the "minus 10" jokes. Another relegation may be too much to ask for though...
I'll be asking for another 10 wishes for the upcoming campaign before August. Given the outcome of these ones I may adjust my expectations a tad despite our predicted wealth!