WITH seven points from their first three games, Watford's opponents tomorrow (Saturday, August 24), Portsmouth, are the fourth-favourites for promotion.
Manager Harry Redknapp has brought in nine players this summer, backed by an expansive chairman, and with the sale of Peter Crouch swelling their coffers, they have recently recruited Paul Merson, reputed in Pompey circles to have taken a drop to £10,000 a week.
Redknapp has spent in excess of £2 million on fees as Portsmouth are hoping to steal a march on their cash-strapped rivals, and the manager strengthened his options still further yesterday (Thursday) be completing the signing of Gianluca Festa from Middlesbrough in time to make his debut tomorrow.
August 23, 2002 11:30
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