Portsmouth
Address: Fratton Park, Frogmore Road, Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 8RA
Stadium capacity: 21,100
Manager: Paul Cook
Carl Baker (Milton Keynes), Matthew Clarke (Ipswich Town), Tom Davies (Accrington Stanley), Milan Lalkovic (Walsall), Curtis Main (Doncaster Rovers), Danny Rose (Northampton), Michael Smith (Swindon Town) and Drew Talbot (Chesterfield).
Ben Davies (Grimsby Town), Paul Jones (Norwich City), Chad Field (released), Brian Murphy (released), Snorre Nilson (released), Matt Tubbs (Forest Green Rovers) and Adam Webster (Ipswich Town).
It took a former Boro striker and defender to end Portsmouth’s promotion quest, after goals from Jamille Matt and Peter Hartley saw Plymouth Argyle advance to the play-off final at Portsmouth’s expense. Though a devastating end to the season, it should be noted that Portsmouth had the second best defence in League Two last season, as well as the fourth best attack. Surely it’s now a matter of time for Paul Cook’s men.
The acquisition of Drew Talbot from Chesterfield adds some experience of gaining promotion from this level, having done so with Chesterfield. Curtis Main and Milan Lalkovic also add League One experience in attack, and will hope to replace the goals of Matt Tubbs. With Tubbs gone, however, it could give midfielder Gary Roberts an even greater role in terms of chance creation. With only a few changes made, Paul Cook evidently has confidence last season’s squad.
Portsmouth v Stevenage, Saturday 26th November 2016
Stevenage v Portsmouth, Saturday 18th March 2017