POMPEy now have a new physical threat in their attack, according to caretaker boss Guy Whittingham.
Strikers Patrick Agyemang and John Akinde signed up yesterday and were joined by midfielder Therry Racon to take Whittingham’s threadbare squad back up to the 20-man limit.
Whittingham has been desperate to add some height to his striking options since Paul Benson left last month.
And he believes both Agyemang and Akinde will add a new dimension to his side’s attacking options and help fill that void.
‘It’s good to have them all on board,’ said Whittingham.
‘John is a big, strong centre-forward. He can get the ball into feet and doesn’t mind working the channels.
‘But with his size and strength, it means we can get the ball into him and build off him.
‘He just gives us another option that we haven’t had lately. Patrick gives us another alternative as well so it’s about having those options.
‘James Keene and David Connolly will work their socks off for you but they don’t have that height.
‘Since Paul Benson left, we have missed that striker who can cause a few problems in the air.
‘John was released by Crawley lately and we will see how it goes. I think he’s got a point to prove because he wasn’t used that much there.’
With three new recruits, the Pompey boss has a few selection decisions to make again but was coy on whether the trio would all be thrown into the starting line-up against Bournemouth today – especially as they will all be short of match fitness.
He said: ‘They are in the squad but it might be a big ask for them all to play 90 minutes straight away.
‘I’m sure if they are asked, they will do their best for us.
‘But it’s good to have a bit of competition for places again.’
– STEVE WILSON