With the transfer window long gone Fratton Faithful looks back at the ins and outs along with what happened to the targets we did not get. This is a long journey so belt up!
Benjani Mwuruwari
Signed for £4.1 million quid, record signing yet nothing to show for it so far.
Danny Murphy
Mainly paper talk this one. I said in a previous article "I think he'll stay with Charlton" I was right until January 31st 11:45pm when Spurs snapped him up. He is yet to play for Tottenham.
Nigel Quashie
One midfielder we didn't end up going for as Quashie himself reportedly admitted he wouldn't be welcome back at Fratton Park. Now Baggies fans have to watch theirselves if they have a seat in row Z behind the goal as he was snapped up on deadline day.
Laurent Robert
Left for Benfica early on after an unsuccessful spell at Fratton Park. He's yet to score for his new club unsuprisingly.
Azar Karadas
He was also supposed to go to Benfica along with Robert but Harry has stuck by him and to be honest he hasn't been too bad for us in 2006 and has scored a great volley to earn us a point against Bolton. Hopefully there is more to come as he's the only striker who possesses any great arial threat.
Giannis Skopelitis
Skippy went back home to Greek side Aigaleo who are currently lynched in mid-table in the league.
Dean Ashton
Harry was after him but wouldn't pay "over the odds" for a striker with only half a season in the Premiership to his name. West Ham did though and Ashton has already found the net which is more than can be said for any of our January striker buys.
Andy Johnson
Paper talk more than anything. Stayed at Palace to enhance their promotion chances.
Jermaine Defoe
Another one counjoured up bylazy journalism because he once played under Harry Redknapp. Jol was never going to let him leave Spurs and he's starting to find his form once again.
Paolo Di Canio
Stayed at Lazio and has only got 3 goals to his name all season. I don't think Pompey fans would want him here after his facist salutes either.
Chris Sutton
We missed out on him and he went to Birmingham where he took part in the 5-0 massacre of Pompey recently and according to the Brummies he has been instrumental in their recent resurgence. One we might rue missing out on.
Cameron Jerome
Dave Jones managed to hold onto the Championships second top scorer as Cardiff make a play-off push. Could be a target in the summer regardless of what happens to us.
Zvonomir Vukic
He now is back with Partizan Belgrade following an unsuccessful loan spell scoring only one goal during his time at Pompey and no doubt will be branded a "Perrin" signing (aka useless).
Emanuel Olisadebe
Has hardly featured for us at all. I'm not sure why but he needs to play sooner or later surely? I hope he doesn't turn out to be another "Mbesuma"!
Carlo Cudicini
Hold on a sec whilst I chuckle to myself at this one...
Benni McCarthy
The South African international was linked to us many times during January and didn't want to join because of our "lack of ambition" apparently that is despite all the money we spent. The rumour re-emerged and a deal was on the cards until Porto allegedly pulled out at the last minute.
Lee Bowyer
Would have provided some much needed thug like grit to our team. This move never looked likely though.
Lee Hendrie and Mark Delaney
Villa pair who wanted out in January and were, of course, linked to us however both have re-established theirselves in the Villa side and Delaney is performing very well recently and now Villa are on the up.
Tareq El Taib
Some trialist who never made the grade. (Who!?)
Wayne "Scummer" Bridge
When we needed a left back Bridge was supposed to be an option despite the fact he has always been hated by Pompey fans. Now on loan to Fulham and doing a great job for them. Git.
Alexei Smertin
Yawn... heard it all before about a million times!
Mark Schwarzer
A move for the Aussie looked likely when he stuck himself on the transfer list but then took himself off again so we opted for Dean Kiely instead.
Gary O'Neil
Middlesbrough and Wigan were supposed to be in for him. Bullshite by my reckoning.
Antti Niemi
Another Scummer we were after who opted to join Fulham instead. Get the "Are you Scummers in disguise?" chants ready for the visit to Craven Cottage!
Steffen Iversen
Another one on trial who never made it for one reason or another. Now being trialed at Everton. Could this be another one of Redknapp's trial screw ups? (Remember Diop)
Peter Lovenkrands
Another winger linked to us but stayed with Rangers instead; who are doing just as bad as us recently.
Julio Arca
Yet another left winger who opted to stay at Sunderland. Foolish man. He'll be gone in the summer.
Sander Westerveld
Looked almost certain to be leaving Pompey but is still here as third choice keeper and will certainly leave for Spain in the summer.
John Viafara
"Perrin Signing" who left on loan to Real Sociedad. I doubt we'll ever see him in a Pompey shirt again.
Gregory Vignal
"Perrin Signing" (Has it stuck yet?) who was also supposed to be leaving in January but was rejected by French clubs and Newcastle United so now we're stuck with him.
Dario Silva
"Perrin Signing" who has actually done alright for us. There were rumours of getting rid but I think he should play more often. He isn't seeing any action at all now which I think is a bit unfair as he's not done anything wrong and is arguably more effective than Benjani and Lua Lua.
Sean Davis, Pedro Mendes, Noe Pamarot and Wayne Routledge
This Tottenham four have had some sort of impact on the team. Davis and Mendes are finding their feet, Pamarot has been injured and Routledge has had a stormer and an anonymous game for us. Time is running out for these to gel I just hope they do so quickly.
Michael Brown
One of the Spurs players who got away. He went to Fulham instead on transfer deadline day.
Robert Green
Norwich goalkeeper linked to us but didn't arrive as we signed Keily. He didn't go to Charlton either and remains a Canary for the time being.
Dean Keily
The goalkeeper who finally signed for us. Had an indifferent game against Bolton followed by a blinder against Newcastle on Saturday. Let's hope for the latter against Manchester United!
Matthew Taylor
Ah the Matthew Taylor saga! Fulham officially bid for him but got Bridge instead and Spurs were looking to steal him on the last day. Neither move materialised in this long and confusing saga but then as Pompey fans we are guaranteed this sort of thing and it's usually down to the agents.
Souleymayne Diawara
Big tall African centre back who we were trying to sign to bolster our defence. Pompey and Sochaux reportedly could not agree a fee and he remains in France.
John Hartson
Tall strong striker that can score headers. One that we needed but he wanted to stay with Celtic, who weren't too pleased about our approach.
Jacek Krynowek
Another left winger linked to us when we were in dire need of one. Stayed with Leverkusen after snubbing us.
Andy Reid
Yet another Tottenham player we might have got on loan but we ended up with Routledge instead. He's now injured himself.
Kostas Chalkias
Released after a torrid year at Pompey. I have no idea where he is now. He could have been swallowed up by a cyclone for all I know! If anyone does know where he is please report to the nearest missing persons office immediately. Or alternatively you could just let me know!
Ognjen Koroman
Haven't seen him play myself yet but he apparently put in a good performance against Arsenal reserves who we beat 3-2 (despite them having Walcott on their side.) I'm intrigued to see how he'll play if or when he gets his chance.
Andres D'Alessandro
Brought in on loan from Wolfsburg and similar to Routledge, had an outstanding debut but was nowhere to be seen against Newcastle on Saturday.
Phew! Kudos to anyone who managed to read all of that! I take my hate off to you (which should be seen as an honour as I rarely take my hat off full stop.) What a long journey it has been and the good news is, I get to do it again in the summer!
Benjani Mwuruwari
Signed for £4.1 million quid, record signing yet nothing to show for it so far.
Danny Murphy
Mainly paper talk this one. I said in a previous article "I think he'll stay with Charlton" I was right until January 31st 11:45pm when Spurs snapped him up. He is yet to play for Tottenham.
Nigel Quashie
One midfielder we didn't end up going for as Quashie himself reportedly admitted he wouldn't be welcome back at Fratton Park. Now Baggies fans have to watch theirselves if they have a seat in row Z behind the goal as he was snapped up on deadline day.
Laurent Robert
Left for Benfica early on after an unsuccessful spell at Fratton Park. He's yet to score for his new club unsuprisingly.
Azar Karadas
He was also supposed to go to Benfica along with Robert but Harry has stuck by him and to be honest he hasn't been too bad for us in 2006 and has scored a great volley to earn us a point against Bolton. Hopefully there is more to come as he's the only striker who possesses any great arial threat.
Giannis Skopelitis
Skippy went back home to Greek side Aigaleo who are currently lynched in mid-table in the league.
Dean Ashton
Harry was after him but wouldn't pay "over the odds" for a striker with only half a season in the Premiership to his name. West Ham did though and Ashton has already found the net which is more than can be said for any of our January striker buys.
Andy Johnson
Paper talk more than anything. Stayed at Palace to enhance their promotion chances.
Jermaine Defoe
Another one counjoured up bylazy journalism because he once played under Harry Redknapp. Jol was never going to let him leave Spurs and he's starting to find his form once again.
Paolo Di Canio
Stayed at Lazio and has only got 3 goals to his name all season. I don't think Pompey fans would want him here after his facist salutes either.
Chris Sutton
We missed out on him and he went to Birmingham where he took part in the 5-0 massacre of Pompey recently and according to the Brummies he has been instrumental in their recent resurgence. One we might rue missing out on.
Cameron Jerome
Dave Jones managed to hold onto the Championships second top scorer as Cardiff make a play-off push. Could be a target in the summer regardless of what happens to us.
Zvonomir Vukic
He now is back with Partizan Belgrade following an unsuccessful loan spell scoring only one goal during his time at Pompey and no doubt will be branded a "Perrin" signing (aka useless).
Emanuel Olisadebe
Has hardly featured for us at all. I'm not sure why but he needs to play sooner or later surely? I hope he doesn't turn out to be another "Mbesuma"!
Carlo Cudicini
Hold on a sec whilst I chuckle to myself at this one...
Benni McCarthy
The South African international was linked to us many times during January and didn't want to join because of our "lack of ambition" apparently that is despite all the money we spent. The rumour re-emerged and a deal was on the cards until Porto allegedly pulled out at the last minute.
Lee Bowyer
Would have provided some much needed thug like grit to our team. This move never looked likely though.
Lee Hendrie and Mark Delaney
Villa pair who wanted out in January and were, of course, linked to us however both have re-established theirselves in the Villa side and Delaney is performing very well recently and now Villa are on the up.
Tareq El Taib
Some trialist who never made the grade. (Who!?)
Wayne "Scummer" Bridge
When we needed a left back Bridge was supposed to be an option despite the fact he has always been hated by Pompey fans. Now on loan to Fulham and doing a great job for them. Git.
Alexei Smertin
Yawn... heard it all before about a million times!
Mark Schwarzer
A move for the Aussie looked likely when he stuck himself on the transfer list but then took himself off again so we opted for Dean Kiely instead.
Gary O'Neil
Middlesbrough and Wigan were supposed to be in for him. Bullshite by my reckoning.
Antti Niemi
Another Scummer we were after who opted to join Fulham instead. Get the "Are you Scummers in disguise?" chants ready for the visit to Craven Cottage!
Steffen Iversen
Another one on trial who never made it for one reason or another. Now being trialed at Everton. Could this be another one of Redknapp's trial screw ups? (Remember Diop)
Peter Lovenkrands
Another winger linked to us but stayed with Rangers instead; who are doing just as bad as us recently.
Julio Arca
Yet another left winger who opted to stay at Sunderland. Foolish man. He'll be gone in the summer.
Sander Westerveld
Looked almost certain to be leaving Pompey but is still here as third choice keeper and will certainly leave for Spain in the summer.
John Viafara
"Perrin Signing" who left on loan to Real Sociedad. I doubt we'll ever see him in a Pompey shirt again.
Gregory Vignal
"Perrin Signing" (Has it stuck yet?) who was also supposed to be leaving in January but was rejected by French clubs and Newcastle United so now we're stuck with him.
Dario Silva
"Perrin Signing" who has actually done alright for us. There were rumours of getting rid but I think he should play more often. He isn't seeing any action at all now which I think is a bit unfair as he's not done anything wrong and is arguably more effective than Benjani and Lua Lua.
Sean Davis, Pedro Mendes, Noe Pamarot and Wayne Routledge
This Tottenham four have had some sort of impact on the team. Davis and Mendes are finding their feet, Pamarot has been injured and Routledge has had a stormer and an anonymous game for us. Time is running out for these to gel I just hope they do so quickly.
Michael Brown
One of the Spurs players who got away. He went to Fulham instead on transfer deadline day.
Robert Green
Norwich goalkeeper linked to us but didn't arrive as we signed Keily. He didn't go to Charlton either and remains a Canary for the time being.
Dean Keily
The goalkeeper who finally signed for us. Had an indifferent game against Bolton followed by a blinder against Newcastle on Saturday. Let's hope for the latter against Manchester United!
Matthew Taylor
Ah the Matthew Taylor saga! Fulham officially bid for him but got Bridge instead and Spurs were looking to steal him on the last day. Neither move materialised in this long and confusing saga but then as Pompey fans we are guaranteed this sort of thing and it's usually down to the agents.
Souleymayne Diawara
Big tall African centre back who we were trying to sign to bolster our defence. Pompey and Sochaux reportedly could not agree a fee and he remains in France.
John Hartson
Tall strong striker that can score headers. One that we needed but he wanted to stay with Celtic, who weren't too pleased about our approach.
Jacek Krynowek
Another left winger linked to us when we were in dire need of one. Stayed with Leverkusen after snubbing us.
Andy Reid
Yet another Tottenham player we might have got on loan but we ended up with Routledge instead. He's now injured himself.
Kostas Chalkias
Released after a torrid year at Pompey. I have no idea where he is now. He could have been swallowed up by a cyclone for all I know! If anyone does know where he is please report to the nearest missing persons office immediately. Or alternatively you could just let me know!
Ognjen Koroman
Haven't seen him play myself yet but he apparently put in a good performance against Arsenal reserves who we beat 3-2 (despite them having Walcott on their side.) I'm intrigued to see how he'll play if or when he gets his chance.
Andres D'Alessandro
Brought in on loan from Wolfsburg and similar to Routledge, had an outstanding debut but was nowhere to be seen against Newcastle on Saturday.
Phew! Kudos to anyone who managed to read all of that! I take my hate off to you (which should be seen as an honour as I rarely take my hat off full stop.) What a long journey it has been and the good news is, I get to do it again in the summer!