Letter in newspaper

Yesterday an edited version of the following letter appeared on page 47 of the Portsmouth News.

Following the old football dictum that the best defence is to score more goals than the opposition, I am pleased to see that Harry Redknapp is looking anew at the Pompey strike force. Lack of firepower has put undue pressure on the side. This is not to downplay the present forward quartet's contribution to our position in the Premiership. However, for my money, they are all second string strikers - we lack the forward that strikes fear into the opposing defence.

We match Chelsea recently for football and approach work but we lackeda Drogba!

Mr Redknapp seems to be targetting "someone strong, quick and raw, a young African playing in Europe somewhere." (quoted in the News page 54 Tuesday March 6th). Im pressed by his acknowledged track record in transfers, he may very well be successful. However, foor a club with ambitions, should Pompey not be looking at Dean Ashton? He is a proven Premiership striker who many football analysts think could have rescued West Ham if he had been available to them this season. Yes, he will cost millions but he will help the club to make millions. You have to spend to get.

With Ashton as our main striker supported by a Kanu or Lualua, we would be a force to be feared.

I also wanted to add that David Nugent of Preston would make a good substitute striker for when Ashton is not available and could play in cup competitions giving Ashton a rest.