GREAT EXPECTATIONS

On Saturday, Pompey embark on their third season in League Two.

After two failed attempts to win promotion, supporters could be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu. 

Many blamed the failures on the managerial appointments of former players who, whilst passionate about the club, were possibly too close to bring objectivity and clear-sightedness in moving things forward on the field. 

Players arrived who were competent, but little more. Results fell away and the club was in danger of stagnating.

The Pompey board, determined not to suffer a third unsuccessful season in the Football League's basement division, cast their net wide in the search for a formula to bring the success they and the club's fans craved.

They found it in a Scouser managing a League One side.

Paul Cook has a track record of success. Wherever he has managed, results have usually followed. Good players play in a recognisable and attack-minded system.

Cook decided to move south, but came with a blueprint for moving the Fratton Park side forward.

Some called it ruthless, but for Cook it was necessary to strip away the vestiges of past failures and build a new team based on his principles and footballing credo.

Several out of contract players left, most deemed surplus to requirements. High-profile names Jed Wallace and Ryan Taylor moved to Wolves and Oxford respectively, the former keen to test himself at a higher level. 

In came players from mainly League One sides, including Cook's former club Chesterfield. A pattern began to emerge.

Cook's philosophy is based on 4-2-3-1, enabling a lone striker to benefit from a trio of players sat just behind, with a defensive midfield duo in front of a back four with attacking full-backs.

This system and style of play saw Cook's former Chesterfield side win promotion from League Two and achieve a League One play-off spot the following season.

The new players were integrated during a team bonding trip to Portugal, backed up by punishing training sessions once back home.

Cook was spotted cycling along Southsea seafront, urging his players to push harder. The players also trained at a local boxing gym.

Once the pre-season games started, the value of the hard work began to show itself and Pompey went through their campaign of matches undefeated.

Johnny Ertl and Paul Robinson, both popular with fans, left the club, with Robinson's departure a particular surprise. Cook, however, remained unfazed and emphasised the bigger picture.

As the final squad takes shape, Pompey fans are eager to see what the Cook revolution will produce once the season proper gets under way this Saturday. Dagenham & Redbridge are the first visitors to a newly renovated Fratton Park, with a capacity crowd anticipated.

Everything that Paul Cook has uttered attests to his belief in allowing players to operate in a clearly defined system. The proof of how successful that system will be can only be measured by results.

Pompey fans have great expectations this season. Past glories are all very well, but it is high time we created some new ones.

Promotion to League One would represent a good start.

(Article by Alison Perkins; pictures copyright via www.portsmouth.co.uk (Jed Wallace) and www.portsmouthfc.co.uk (training run picture))