Source: Team_Talk
Pompey play down wage worry
Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou has insisted the salaries offered to Dave Kitson and Liam Lawrence are the 'exception to the rule'.[LNB] Pompey's existence has come under threat in recent times as a result of a financial crisis partly caused by the hefty pay packets of players.[LNB]The wage bill is being managed much more carefully at the current time and Andronikou has assured supporters that will continue to be the case.[LNB]However, he recognises that the club will have to spend a little more to attract players such as Lawrence and Kitson that will significantly strengthen Steve Cotterill's squad.[LNB]Kitson arrived as part of the deal that took Marc Wilson to Stoke, while Lawrence has agreed a loan move from the Potters after the necessary paperwork for a permanent switch was not completed in time.[LNB]Andronikou told The News: "There has been a significant change in the wage bill this season. It is something we have had to do.[LNB]"Gone are the days when extraordinary pay packets put this club in financial trouble.[LNB]"Nowadays we are looking at a budget of £13-15m this season and around £10m for next season if we retain our Championship status.[LNB]"However, in the cases of Kitson and Lawrence, we have had to push the boat out a little.[LNB]"Their wages are £19,000s and £20,000s but it is something we are comfortable with.[LNB]"As long as our overall wage bill averages out at £10,000 a week then I am happy - and it still does.[LNB]"Obviously we would rather bring in players on £8-9,000 but there is obviously going to be exceptions to the rules."[LNB]Andronikou admits there was a desperate need for attacking reinforcements at Fratton Park and is pleased to have assisted his manager in landing a couple of transfer targets.[LNB]"In this case, Steve Cotterill wanted these players at this club so we made sure we helped him obtain them," explained the administrator.[LNB]"The team have had no forward player other than David Nugent and John Utaka, who have been pretty much ineffective.[LNB]"Players have departed but we can't keep cutting and cutting and cutting otherwise there is not a team.[LNB]"There is always an exception to the rule and in this case we have brought in two players the manager really wanted."
