From someone who's sort of quite still young 'n' that.
There's no celebration. I'm not marking any anniversary. But out of boredom (and reminiscence), I'm going to reel off my favourite Pompey XI from my 19 years of life thus far (6 of which were infancy, and thus not particularly contributive to this article). It's worth pointing out that you only get a really good idea of which players are the best aged about ten, so I think the choices are going to be from about 2002 forward. Therefore, the Premier League years will naturally dominate.
In honour of Steve Cotterill, it's a 4-4-2. Without further ado, let's get into it...
GOALKEEPER
Not really much question here. David James marked himself out as one of the most extraordinary goalkeepers to have ever worn the Pompey shirt in his four years at the club. He turned up at Fratton Park from Manchester City, with his reputation suffering from multiple high-profile blunders. Harry Redknapp knew to put his faith into James, and it paid off huge dividends. James made incredible stops and was a pivotal part of the biggest successes Portsmouth enjoyed. Indeed, in the 2008 FA Cup he was called into action many times, with a penalty save against Preston and a performance of immeasurable quality against Manchester United to help us to the trophy.
Despite being rather aged during his spell on the South Coast, his reflexes were in tip-top shape, and he consistently showed the passion and drive to perform for the team. To cap this off, David James was a great contributor to the community, cementing him as a fan-favourite. Eventually his contract ran out, and with his last game for Pompey being at Wembley in the 2010 FA Cup Final, James left for Bristol City.
Honourable mentions: Alan Knight, Shaka Hislop...
RIGHT-BACK
This isn't a particularly difficult choice either. Glen Johnson was able to rebuild himself at Portsmouth, having been shifted out of the Chelsea picture. Initially joining the club on loan, his first season showed us a great deal of attacking panache (including a wonderful solo-goal against Wigan), albeit his defensive game left a bit to be desired. Nevertheless, in making his move permanent for the 2007-2008 season he had upped his game significantly, and proved himself to be an absolute rock in defence whilst offering the attacking exploits of his game in a more thoughtful manner. It worked wonders for us and him, as he pushed himself back into the England picture.
In his third and final season at the club, Johnson stayed firmly committed to the team despite Redknapp's departure and a January exodus. He carried on putting in excellent performances, seeing him earn his place in the PFA Team of the Year. Johnson also won Goal of the Season with a spectacular 30-yard volley against Hull, which the fans that day will never forget.
Honourable mentions: No other right-back stands out...
CENTRE-BACKS
There are a few good candidates here. However, one player unmistakably deserves his place on this team-sheet, and that is Linvoy Primus. Linvoy embodies a dogged and undeterred spirit, having been told time and time again that he had gone as far as he could. Joining from Reading in 2000, Primus had a very hectic beginnings to his Pompey life with own goals, red cards and multiple managerial changes all playing a part. Eventually Redknapp was put in charge, and although Harry had initial doubts over Primus' ability, injuries forced him to play the defender and Primus rose to the challenge. His sturdy and impassioned displays during the promotion season of 2002-03 earned him the Portsmouth Player of the Year award.
As the team moved up to the Premier League, Primus once again found himself fighting a battle to win a place in the team, but persistence pushed him back into the team on multiple occasions. Undoubtedly his best period for Portsmouth was the 2006-2007 season where he formed a partnership with Sol Campbell. Together, they were absolutely unbeatable in defence, and Linvoy matched his more reputable team-mate in every department.
Sadly, a knee injury got the better of Primus the following year, and he was forced to retire in 2009. However, he continued to play a huge role in the community, and his outstanding services led to the Milton End being renamed 'The Linvoy Primus Community Stand'. He continues to get involved with the club, and the fans continue to be appreciative of what Linvoy provided for the team in so many different times of joy and difficulty.
Alongside him, I have chosen to put Sol Campbell. It's still quite extraordinary that Campbell ever chose to play for Portsmouth, given that he was a centre-back of world-class quality, without doubt up there with Rio Ferdinand and John Terry at his peak. Arriving straight from Arsenal on a free in 2006, Campbell instantly showed the fans his brilliance, forming the aforementioned partnership with Linvoy Primus in his first year. His experience and defensive skill was a major part of the team as Portsmouth finished 9th that first year.
In his second season at the club, Campbell captained Portsmouth to their FA Cup triumph at Wembley. It was the first time Portsmouth had won the trophy for 69 years, and Sol Campbell was there as the first person to hold it aloft before the Pompey fans. His strong defensive performances alongside Sylvain Distin that year meant that Portsmouth only conceded one goal during the entire FA Cup, as well as assuring the team into 8th place in the league.
In his final season, Campbell's effect had undeniably waned. While Distin continued to look solid, Campbell began to seem slower and less sharp. He left in 2009 on a free, going on to bizarrely join Notts County for a single game.
Honourable mentions: Arjan De Zeeuw, Sylvain Distin, Younes Kaboul...
LEFT-BACK
My choice here is Matthew Taylor. That's perhaps cheating a little bit, since he tended to play left-wing a lot more often, but I don't care. It's my team and I'll do what I like.
Taylor joined the club from Luton back in 2002, and was to become a strong part of Portsmouth's promotion team. As well as his forward runs down the flanks, Taylor's goals contributed to the successes of that year. Following an injury, Taylor seamlessly made the transition into Premier League football, continuing in his attacking-left-back role. His equaliser against Liverpool in the FA Cup was a memorable moment, as he sprinted the length of Anfield to celebrate with the Pompey fans.
However, Taylor was still playing intermittently for the team, and in the end it was surprisingly Alain Perrin who managed to utilise him best. Throwing him into midfield, Taylor became more effective and notably scored an amazing 40-yard goal against Sunderland. When Redknapp returned, Taylor continued in his left-wing role and scored more important goals in the 'Great Escape' of 2006. This included crucial and nerve-wracking penalties in the return fixture against Sunderland and the game away to Wigan (the latter of which sealed Portsmouth's survival).
Taylor carried on playing excellently for Portsmouth. The following season saw him score perhaps the most extraordinary Pompey goal of all time. Taylor, spotting Tim Howard off his line, launched a 45-yard volley that sailed into the back of the net, much to the awe of Fratton Park. However, as more money was thrown at the team, Taylor started to find himself left out by Redknapp, who instead plumped for Niko Kranjcar in his role. Eventually, Taylor left for Bolton, where he continued to score stunning goals.
Honourable Mentions: Hermann Hreidarsson, Dejan Stefanovic...
RIGHT-MIDFIELD
I was ready to put Gary O'Neil into this role, and I feel perhaps a little silly to stick him aside for someone who only played 13 games for the club. However, Andres D'Alessandro left such an impact on the club that for the briefness of his time at Portsmouth, he was still totally unforgettable. Joining the club on loan during the 'Great Escape', D'Alessandro wowed the fans with his incredible technique and wonderful passing. He was the sort of class that made a team 'too good to go down', and there's a definite case to say that without him, we may well have been relegated that year.
His only goal for the team was a superb dribble followed by a 25-yard piledriver, a summation of the quality D'Alessandro bought to the club. Redknapp's attempts to sign him on a permanent basis were unfortunately futile, but D'Alessandro is still a name that leaves Pompey fans drooling over the memories of his awesome skill.
Honourable mentions: Gary O'Neil, Steve Stone...
Centre-Midfielders
It'd be impossible not to put Lassana Diarra in this role. He was perhaps the best footballer ever to play for Portsmouth, bearing unbelievable power and strength, and possessing the ability to pass a ball to just about anywhere on the pitch. Having been shafted by both Chelsea and Arsenal, Diarra joined Pompey in the January of 2008. He immediately showed his worth by playing and scoring in the team's FA Cup match against Plymouth, and consequently going on to play every minute during the rest of that historic FA Cup run.
His performances saw him recalled to the France squad, and in the following year Diarra scored Portsmouth's first European goal. It was a fantastic piece of passing, movement and power that was more than worthy of such a landmark. People then started to wonder if Diarra was perhaps the most incredible player who'd ever played for the club.
As the funds suddenly dried up Diarra was sold to Real Madrid for £20m. No animosity was held towards Diarra's decision to move, and I can be certain he'd be welcome back at Fratton Park any time.
My other choice is Pedro Mendes. It's perhaps true to say that all of his Pompey flashpoints revolved around Manchester City. However, that detracts from the fact that Mendes was a key part of both the 'Great Escape', the following excellent season and the FA Cup win. Signed from Tottenham in January 2006, Mendes was the catalyst for the run that saw Pompey survive that year. With Portsmouth drawing 1-1 at home to Man City, it seemed that it would be another frustrating result and that all hope was lost. However, in the 93rd minute, a corner kick was headed clear, and Mendes picked up the ball from 30-yards out and thumped it for all it was worth. It went in, and I've never heard such a roar at Fratton Park. It was without doubt the spark that begun the fire, as Pompey went on to play with such supreme confidence and survive.
The next season, Mendes once again found himself in the middle of things as Man City defender Ben Thatcher threw an elbow at Mendes in a disgusting challenge. It left Mendes unconscious and he suffered a seizure on his was to hospital. Thatcher was rightly punished. Later on in the year, Mendes repeated his famous goal against Man City with another beautiful 25-yard screamer before Joey Barton's hefty challenge meant once again, he was stretchered off with injury.
Amidst these incidents were breathtaking and passionate performances, which enamoured him to the Pompey fans. He left in 2008 for Rangers.
Honourable mentions: Paul Merson, Jamie O'Hara...
LEFT-MIDFIELDER
I'm perhaps taking a few extra liberties on positioning here, but Robert Prosinecki was so good, you could stick him anywhere in midfield and he'd be tremendous. Again, his time at the club was limited to just one season (that being the rather unremarkable 2001-02 season). However, Prosinecki's legendary performances will forever go down as one of the great joys of watching Portsmouth throughout the years.
His transfer to the club is one of those barely credible tales of a player putting himself well below his level of quality. Prosinecki's signing was met with bafflement, as well as excitement. He delivered all he promised, with his one-man displays showing he was still world class and helping the team notch up enough points to stay up that year. One highlight was his hat-trick during the 4-4 draw with Barnsley, with his free-kicks and dribbling on top form that day.
Prosinecki left after that one season, but is extremely highly regarded by Pompey fans.
Honourable mentions: Patrik Berger...
STRIKERS
Tough one. Yakubu is certainly worthy of mention though, with his goals being perhaps the most important part of our early stability in the Premier League. The Nigerian joined Portsmouth from Maccabi Haifa in 2003, after Sir Alex Ferguson recommended him to Harry Redknapp. Though his addition to the squad was late on into the promotion campaign, Yakubu still managed to score 7 goals in his first season, playing a crucial role in those later months. He then really announced himself to English football by having a marvellously prolific season the following year. He scored 19 goals (It may well have been 20, but Redknapp promised him a bonus if he reached 20... on the last day of the season Yakubu had scored 4 against Middlesbrough with 60 minutes gone, so Redknapp decided to take him off and spare himself a bit of extra cash).
His demeanour was perhaps not that of someone like Benjani, who battles away and works for every ball, but Yakubu had the killer instinct when it came to goalscoring. Despite interest from clubs in 2004, Yakubu chose to stay at Portsmouth and put in another good season's worth of goals, before eventually moving to Middlesbrough.
It was very difficult to pick my other choice. Just look at the honourable mentions below, and you'll see the amount of worth candidates for this role. In the end, I went for Benjani. Yes, he may not have had the goals that Yakubu had, and he may not have had the iconic moments of someone like Kanu. Despite that, Benjani's work ethic made him a firm favourite and contributed bucketloads during his first spell at Portsmouth. Joining in January 2006, Benjani took a painfully long time to find his maiden goal in the league. The fans remained faithful to Benjani though, recognising his willingness to throw everything in for the team and the way he played such a key role in attacking build-up.
His first goal finally came away to Wigan, in the game that sealed Portsmouth's survival that season. Although the goals didn't come flooding in for Benjani the following year, he did play a key role in the club's high league position. He scored winners against Wigan, Liverpool and Newcastle that year, and his magnificent work-rate never waned.
In the 2007-2008 season, Benjani became the goalscorer he'd always threatened to be, with hat-tricks against Reading and Derby pushing him to the top of the scoring charts in December. However, in January Redknapp decided to replace Benjani with Defoe, and the Zimbabwean was shipped out to Man City (in spite of his best efforts to remain - Benjani "fell asleep" and missed two flights to Manchester). He has since returned to Portsmouth for this season, but has yet to really regain full fitness and show the former class he possessed.
Honourable mentions: Nwankwo Kanu, Svetoslav Todorov, Lomano Lua-Lua, Teddy Sheringham
So that's my Portsmouth XI (I could have written all day about that). Let's hope the next few season give the fans more entries to consider.
GK: David James
DR: Glen Johnson
DC: Linvoy Primus
DC: Sol Campbell
DL: Matthew Taylor
MR: Andres D'Alessandro
MC: Lassana Diarra
MC: Pedro Mendes
ML: Robert Prosinecki
ST: Yakubu Aiyegbeni
ST: Benjani Mwaruwari
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