Deadline Day (and injuries)

[Jimski]

So what are we expecting from Deadline Day? A lot depends on how long-term most of our injuries are. As I see it of our 17 "non youth" first team players, 7 are injured:

Raynes
Wright
Whing
Potter
Williams
Kitson
Meades

This leaves us with:
GK: Clarke
Def: Mullins Newey Hunt
Mid: Rose Rigg Wroe Davies
Fwd: Constable Smalley

A central defender looks a must, unless Raynes is back immediately. But we are woefully in need of back-up all over the pitch really. I know Ruffels and Bevans have impressed, but I hardly see their playing every game as a recipe for promotion.

Thoughts? Do you expect that we'll make (m)any signings today?

[amershamwrighty]

I wonder if Dubes is fit enough/up for a short term deal ? I would go with Bevans tomorrow but you could do far worse if you are looking for cover.

[theox]

Radio Oxford saying we are trying to bring in David Connolly from Pompey.

[JoeyBeauchamp]

Connolly confirmed. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompe ... -1-5847269

[Jimski]

36 year old striker hampered by niggling injuries, sounds like just what we need.

[slappy]

Daniel Boateng linked with a move to Hibs.

[Kairdiff Exile]

Good signing, I'd have said. Old, obviously, but we could use some experience at this stage of the season.

Bit surprised it's in the Porstmouth press before our official site has announced it, mind...

[Werthers Original]

I remember him being pretty good in about 1998!

[A-Ro]

36 year old striker hampered by niggling injuries, sounds like just what we need.

I can't find any evidence of him playing a game this season yet so he may be lacking match fitness. [/understatement]

[Mooro]

Reports suggest he is training with us first, then will sign after that - RadOx and the Pompey papers are reporting it as a done deal, but the clubs probably have to wait until pen is on paper, just in case Kenzer Lee flattens him in training!

Lewis seems to be hinting Raynes may not be out for that long, so would hope we can get through in the mean time with Bevans and Hunt moving inside.
I'd class Bevans, Ruffels & Max as those Devvers you could rely on for a run of games.

Lewis also said that player Wilder signed at Noton yesterday was not one we'd been chasing....for us it has been Connelly all along.

[Mooro]

36 year old striker hampered by niggling injuries, sounds like just what we need.

I can't find any evidence of him playing a game this season yet so he may be lacking match fitness. [/understatement]

According to the official Pompey club site, he has made 20 appearances and is their top scorer with 5 goals...local reports suggest he had quite an impact in his last appearance coming on from the bench against Mansfield, with fans bemused by him not being involved at all in their next game. Sounds like a falling out with Barker more than anything else...

[OUFC4eva]

Connolly has looked after himself - not worried about his age.
We need a finisher in and around the box. Connolly is intelligent too.

Duberry was still a class act at 36.

I can find no evidence that OUFC have signed the said David Connolly though !

[OUFC4eva]

Daniel Boateng linked with a move to Hibs.

Hibs don't know what they are doing.

[OUFC4eva]

Ok - I'd go with:

Clarke

Bevans
Hunt
Mullins
Newey

Smalley
Wroe
Rose
Ruffels

Connolly
Constable

(Two CON men up front !)

[Jimski]

Connolly has looked after himself - not worried about his age.
We need a finisher in and around the box. Connolly is intelligent too.

Duberry was still a class act at 36.

I can find no evidence that OUFC have signed the said David Connolly though !

I was more worried about this injury business. And the older a player is the longer it can take them to return to full sharpness.