Source: Team_Talk
Smith keen on Williamson link-up
The south coast club has gone through a frantic 24 hours in the transfer market, with Smith and Wigan's Michael Brown both joining.
They were followed on Friday by Tottenham midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng, striker Aruna Dindane - who has joined on a year-long loan from Lens - and Jamie O'Hara on loan from Spurs.
But manager Paul Hart admits he is short-staffed at the back after former captain Sylvain Distin's move to Everton.
Smith reports Hart asked for his opinion on Williamson as a possible replacement for the Frenchman, and the 29-year-old is certain he would thrive in the Portsmouth rearguard.
He said: "I have spoken to the gaffer here about him and was asked what I think, and I certainly think he can step up.
"He's a good player, somebody who is hungry for the challenge and a very hard worker.
"I think he would be a great acquisition for the club."
Smith was on the brink of joining Championship club Reading and was en route to sign his contract with the club after passing a medical.
But he opted against linking up with former Watford manager Brendan Rodgers when he heard of Portsmouth's interest.
While he was looking forward to the challenge of pushing for promotion at the Madejski Stadium, Smith admits taking the step straight into the top flight with Pompey was too tantalising to resist.
He said: "I had done the medical and everything else at Reading and I was happy to make the move.
"I knew the manager from Watford, and he was great - I was really happy with that deal.
"But then the Portsmouth call came, and the lure of the Premiership football was just too good.
"Any footballer wants to play at the top of their game, and that's the Premiership.
"I've got quite a few years under my belt in the Championship, and it was always a case of looking for promotion or trying to find the right move. I feel I've done that."
