Source: Daily_Mail
Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill has no cash, no men and no ideas
Critical: Steve Cotterill's has big problems at Portsmouth just a fortnight short of the start of the season[LNB]Steve Cotterill claims Portsmouth are in a 'critical state' after touring North America with just six registered players.[LNB]The new Pompey boss is lacking a fully-fit squad or ready cash and admitted he is clueless as to the line-up for his opening-day match at Coventry in a fortnight.[LNB]Just two months after the club gave Chelsea a fright in the FA Cup final, Portsmouth are now facing the fallout of their financial largesse.[LNB]Cotterill is hauling a squad depleted by injury and post-World Cup holidays on a gruelling trip around Canada and America with a cast of trialists and youngsters as he battles to circumvent a transfer embargo.[LNB]At home, the club is embroiled in a row with HM Revenue and Customs over the proposed Company Voluntary Agreement that would see Pompey emerge from administration. While that remains the case, the Football League's block on transfers continues, leaving Cotterill handicapped.[LNB]The League consented on Friday to judge any recruitment on a case-by-case basis, accepting that their constitution demands proper competition and giving Pompey a chance to avoid another miserable year.[LNB]The club have 17 senior professionals on their books but many have not been on the pre-season tour and officials expect to lose Kevin-Prince Boateng, John Utaka and Tal Ben Haim in the next week as creditors continue to circle the club.[LNB]Playing college side Ventura Fusion last week, the average age of Cotterill's team was just 20.[LNB] Kick 'em while they're down: Goalkeeper Jon Stewart suffered a suspected broken leg during pre-season[LNB]When defeating Edmonton on penalties last Wednesday, Cotterill fielded three second-year professionals and two trialists as his back five, and saw goalkeeper Jon Stewart taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.[LNB]'We are in a really critical state. It's impossible,' the manager said.'I don't think people realise just how difficult it is. I wouldn't mindthese games being back in England so people could see how light we are.[LNB]Moving on: Tal Ben Haim is one of several players expected to move on [LNB]'I have got no chance of nailing down a starting XI as it stands. I don't know quite where we will be, even in a couple of weeks.[LNB]'The people over here have been first class. But there are eight flights scheduled, along with four games in 14 days, flying through different time zones. We are doing that with 13 or 14 players.[LNB]'It is far from ideal, to say the least. The players are fatigued. They keep getting 90 minutes and then back on an aeroplane again. It's a bit of an embarrassment.'[LNB]The High Court is trying to push through an early hearing on the appeal lodged by the tax authorities against the current CVA. Portsmouth chief executive David Lampitt is confident it will take place before the season begins. [LNB]Until then, the main beneficiaries of Portsmouth's plight will be Coventry at the Ricoh Arena on August 7.[LNB]Adding insult to injury while they have been away, David Nugent's Range Rover has been relieved of its wheels and had a window smashed, as Hampshire's criminal fraternity join those putting the boot into the club. [LNB] Portsmouth must pay £100k to nine ex- employees after employment tribunalSunderland join the race to sign Pompey and England keeper James Portsmouth win High Court judgment to bring case forward Celtic open James talks after Pompey run out of patience with keeper[LNB]
