I have been meaning to write a blog for PompeyNewsNow for quite a while, however I never got around to doing it until now as I have just come back from spending three months working at a summer camp in the States, however I still kept up to date with everything Pompey whilst I was away and I’ll try my best to express my views and opinions in this blog.

I’m going to start in pre-season. I was impressed with the signings we have made during the summer. The signings of Carl Baker, Milan Lalkovic and Noel Hunt are the stand outs for me. Some signing have taken me by surprise and been underwhelming, such as Linganzi, Main, and O’Brien, but I understand why these signings were made. For back-up.

Although I have been away, you can be rest assured that I have been keeping up to date with results, both during pre-season and the league campaign. I know most people don’t read a lot into results during pre-season, however, after the draw with Bristol City, I tweeted “our squad wouldn’t look out of place in the Championship”. I still think this. On paper, Forde, Baker, Doyle, Roberts and Hunt have all played in the division, and players like Burgess, Stevens, Rose, Lalkovic, Chaplin all have the potential to.

All that being said, football isn’t played on paper. It’s been a mixed start to season. Following the season opener against Carlisle on social media in America was so frustrating. Literally all I saw on my timeline Pompey this, Pompey that, then out of the blue (no pun intended) Carlisle scored, then it went back to the familiar pattern. As I following the game, when the score was 1-1, I was thinking to myself “we’re going to score again”. Of course that second goal never came.

I wasn’t so bothered about the Coventry game in the EFL Cup. Don’t get me wrong, I would have been happy if we won, but I really couldn’t of cared less.

I don’t remember much about Crewe game, which probably tells you all you need to know, although a 0-0 away from home against a decent team could be seen as a good point.

The following game against Morecambe, well, where do I start? As with every game when I was away, I was following the game in my cabin, and I have to tell you, I had to stop following it after the second goal went in, I was that annoyed. Normally if we play badly, I will stop following the game in the hope that it will help us get back in the game, however on this occasion I just didn’t feel it.

I was on a plane flying to LA when we played our next game against Colchester. I managed to find out the score during my stop over in Washington Dulles. I don’t have much to say about this game because I didn’t follow it for obvious reasons, but me being on a plane is probably what did the trick! We got our first win of the season.

And then we come to Saturday. I had only been back in the country for a few hours when we played Exeter. I followed this game as much as possible, however I did fall asleep. It had nothing to do with the game, just that I was extremely tired!

Our start to the season has been mixed. We probably haven’t got as many points as most people would of expected, but with 12 new signings and expectations through the roof, it was never going to be easy.

One thing I have noticed this season, after every game this season, there have been moaners, which is completely different to last season. Why are us fans complaining more this season even if we win? Is it still out of frustration we didn’t get promoted last season? Whatever the reason, it is incredibly annoying. Us fans must stick together, support the team and show why we have a reputation for being one of the best supporters in the country.

On that note, I am looking forward to attending my first game of the season against Crawley on Saturday and witnessing what I believe is the best squad in the league.

Keep the faith and Play Up Pompey!

Steve Larham 

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