It's Official: JOH to Pompey on Loan

[lishiyo]

http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/?cms_id=78&qs_articleid=2792&qs_media=html


BLUES SIGN O'HARA ON LOAN

Pompey have signed 22-year-old Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara on loan until January, with an option to extend the deal until the end of the season.

The former England under-21 international joins Michael Brown, Aruna Dindane and Kevin-Prince Boateng at Fratton Park on a busy day of transfer activity.

And he is hoping to get some regular first-team football on the south coast.

“It was frustrating to be sat on the bench at Tottenham,” O’Hara said. “Hopefully I can come here and get some games under my belt.

“My agent told me that Paul Hart was really interested a few days ago and Harry Redknapp asked me if I’d like to go out on loan.

“It’s a chance to play for a side who have done really well over the last few years, so I jumped at the opportunity.

“I know Younes from when he was at Tottenham and Kevin-Prince Boateng and Michael Brown have also joined, so it’s good to meet up with them again.

“I’m always going to give 100 percent and hopefully I’ll fit in straight away and get to know the lads quite quickly.

“If we’re going to play 4-3-3 then hopefully I’ll play in the centre of midfield, where I can attack and score some goals.”

O’Hara is confident that Pompey can start picking up Premier League points quickly after three consecutive defeats.

He said: “There have been a few players added to the squad now and hopefully we can push on and get some results.

“There are some games coming up in the next few weeks where we can get a few points.”

Blues boss Paul Hart said: “Jamie’s a great prospect and we’re fortunate to get him. Tottenham have been extremely generous to let him come here.

“He wants to play every week. He’s got great ability and a great engine and I’m really looking forward to him coming on board.”

O’Hara joined Tottenham’s academy in 2003 and has made 56 appearances for the north London side, scoring seven goals.

He made his Spurs debut in a 1-0 victory over Pompey at Fratton Park in December 2007 and was named the club’s 2007/8 young-player-of-the-season.

Prior to that, he enjoyed successful loan spells with Chesterfield and Millwall.

 

[Pringle]

good move for the lad and for us........ providing we can in another player!! I am all for bringing through the youth ie Bostock but i think if we are to challenge the top 5 then we need at least 4 experienced CMs!

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

Didn't expect it really but if it is as the ITK claims (part of 4m deal for Boateng) then I can't complain.

 

[Danny1]

Surely we must have a CM already lined up to come in??? At the moment our only first team fit CM's are Hudd & Palacios....! Just 2?? Sandro, Anin, Muntari or Sissoko, I would want atleast 2 of them to be honest!

 

[teddy_sheringham_125]

TBH I'm a little disappointed as I hoped O'hara would be pushing from the bench this year and he gives us another dimension, especially away from home. Never mind, I hope he does well and comes back still in love with Tottenham, because there are very few players that are!

 

[tony_parkes]

We must be close to signing someone in CM/LW position or this doesn't add up. Good opportunity for him. The fact he has signed a new contract is proof we think he has something to offer and that he wouldn't get enough games with us.

 

[LSUY]

As others have said we must have a central midfielder already lined as I can't see Harry being happy with just Palacios, Huddlestone and Jenas. Unless we are getting a left winger and Modric shifts into the middle.

 

[walworthyid]

Agree with everybody else, we must have another player 100% tied up because Harry wouldn't risk leaving us short after the start we have made. O'Hara gets stick but he has been a very good player for us and is a great option to have on the bench. He also scores, 7 in 56 (mostly sub appearances) is very respectable for a young lad.

This will be a good experience for him. I hope he gets to play in his favoured central position.

Good luck Jamie!

 

[karennina]

Unlucky for Boateng, now O'Hara can keep him out of the Portsmouth side too. Honestly can't believe we're about to go into the new season with just two fit central midfielders plus the Luka leaving the left option.

 

[markiespurs]

The OS are a bit slow tonight in announceing the sale of Boetang and the loan of O'Hara to Portsmouth.

 

[punky]

I'm disappointed but looks like we've got another CM coming in so I guess its in both best interests to make sure he gets game time.

Hope you don't settle too well Jamie O. We want you back

 

[remember91]

Why!? O'Hara may not be our best midfielder, but he has a use in our squad, primarily this season as a more defensive sub for modric for when we wanna close games down.

He's on honest hard working squad player, who provides a service, even if only as a fringe player. If he was not playing like prince, or we got a decent fee for him fine. But I'd rather see him on our bench than in pompeys XI.

 

[brett.spurs]

Surely this means we have someone lined up?

Zoko/KPB/O'Hara all gone. 3 CM's isn't enough.

 

[Gambler]

Doesn't make sense as Jamie coming off the bench to shore up the midfield after Modric has done the damage has definitely been part of the good start to the season. I guess JJ must be staying.

 

[lishiyo]

Doesn't make sense as Jamie coming off the bench to shore up the midfield after Modric has done the damage has definitely been part of the good start to the season. I guess JJ must be staying.

JJ/Hudd/Palacios - 3 players for 2 positions, that's rather thin! I think we need another CM in, keeping our current players. I guess Modric can also play in the middle, but our left-wing back-up options aren't ideal either.

 

[punky]

Loans can be recalled can't they? In case we get really short?

 

[brett.spurs]

If Wilson and Luka suffer any kind of lengthy injured then we're going to be left pretty weak if no1 comes in Eek

On the bright side, I hope this means Gio finally gets his chance.

 

[spursgirls]

Surprised at the decision really as he was a steady player to bring on as sub. Having said that, if he improves as Defoe did while he was there, I won't complain when he comes back!

 

[Ironskull]

The good thing is though, that he will be fully match fit for the next 4 months or so, ready to come back if needed. I wonder if that's part of the logic of such a move.

 

[MrWoolley]

Surely we have somebody lined up. O'Hara was good cover for CM, LM and LB. Seems strange