Alex Bass

Sadly it’s not just the keeper, would anyone miss any of our back line like our defences under Parky for instance?

 

Oh I know that, but if I had to choose between bringing in another defender or a striker or 2 this January, I'd choose the latter. (obviously I'd like to bolster the defence as well but I'm not sure that's on Derek's to do list this month).

 

I'd be more impressed if like Walker his contract was up in June and we'd signed him with a view of making if permanent Adams starting to bring in players he'd like to sign .

 

Portsmouth might not be so keen to take him back now that he's slagged off their training facilities after seeing how superior ours are to theirs.

 

Do they train at a nursery?

 

Is he Bass, as in the fish, or Bass (Base) as in the guitar. Asking for an ex friend.

 

signed him on footy manager a while ago and he did alright on there so why not I guess. Don't know much about him but seems well thought of, I doubt he'll go straight into the team but once he's up to speed and it's clear if he's actually any better he'll be our Number 1 for the rest of the season.

 

We've more keepers than fit strikers, that'll get us up the table and crowds back eh?

 

He will surely go straight into the team. He hasn't come up here to swap subs bench at Pompey for subs bench here. Actually, maybe he has heard about our heated subs bench

 

Nah he moved because of our superior training facilities

 

Alex Bass who ?, he needs to have a word with Stephen Warnock he's the guy who knows his training facilities.

 

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/why-shot-shy-portsmouths-hunt-for-creativity-and-goals-meant-a-goalkeeping-exit-for-alex-bass-to-bradford-3539580

Meanwhile, off the pitch, the ‘creative thinking’ often trumpeted by Danny Cowley and Andy Cullen is well underway.

The approach is designed to reinvigorate Danny Cowley’s playing budget during the final week of January’s transfer window.

Certainly Alex Bass is a fine example of a policy which can be seen as a little off-the-wall.

Many have questioned the logic of replacing a back-up goalkeeper at a club boasting the third-best defensive record in League One.

Particularly at a time when Pompey’s goal potential desperately requires unlocking, an issue becoming more glaring with each blank fired.

For while Bass’ loan exit for Bradford provides the 23-year-old with the opportunity for regular football for the first time in one-and-a-half years, there is also a bigger picture here.

Namely prising open up room within Cowley’s budget to strengthen his outfield options ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

Danny Cowley's 'creative thinking' over Alex Bass has boosted room in his playing budget to recruit. Picture: Will Matthews/PA Wire
In January 2020, the home-grown keeper signed a three-and-a-half year contract, coinciding with his toppling of Craig MacGillivray as Pompey’s number one.

Bass remains highly regarded after 41 Blues outings and continues to possess a future on the south coast, irrespective of his Bradford switch.

Yet Cowley is prepared to be without the stopper for the remainder of the season – in exchange for boosting his recruitment finances.

Simply put, savings from replacing Bass’ wage with a rookie youngster on a six-month deal can be reallocated elsewhere in his squad rebuild.

For Pompey’s head coach, that can take the form of being able to table greater contract terms for targets – or contributing more towards a transfer fee.

It’s a calculated plan he previously considered in the summer following the capture of Gavin Bazunu on loan from Manchester City to serve as first choice.


The opportunity to bolster the Blues’ playing budget by loaning out Bass has been far from knee-jerk in a January transfer window which traditionally sparks desperate actions.

Neither does an incoming keeper, such as Crystal Palace rookie Ollie Webber, signify Cowley’s priority over strengthening attacking positions.

Bass’ exit leaves just Toby Steward as a potential back-up, a highly-rated 16-year-old in his first year of Academy football, thereby a new number two must be brought into Pompey. Although Bass can be recalled if Bazunu gets injured.

As Cowley himself told The News after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland: ‘He (Alex) needs to play so that was always our long-term strategy. It will create money as well, which will help us in terms of finance and other areas of the team.

‘And we will be getting a young goalkeeper for the cover that we need.’

Despite some claims, John Marquis hasn’t been replaced by a goalkeeper – and neither have Miguel Azeez, Ellis Harrison, Gassan Ahadme and Paul Downing.

Bass’ short-term exit requires a replacement and, in turn, will provide a financial boost to Cowley as he scours the transfer market.

Now it’s about Pompey utilising it effectively, accompanied by ‘creative thinking’, of course.


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So while Portsmouth try to solve their chronic goalscoring issue by getting shut of the back up keeper to free up funds, what are we doing? Bringing in a keeper

On the plus side, it's quite clear that he's considered more than good enough for L1 level.

 

Bass’ exit leaves just Toby Steward as a potential back-up, a highly-rated 16-year-old in his first year of Academy football, thereby a new number two must be brought into Pompey. Although Bass can be recalled if Bazunu gets injured.

 

I think we all know how this is going to play out. ROD leaves, Bazunu gets injured, Bass gets recalled and Hornby gets a straight red and 3 match ban.

 

Surely there is no recall clause, if so, bad business as far as City are concerned, as I reckon ROD will be on his way in the next few days

 

Danny Cowley has confirmed a recall clause in case of injury or loss of form to their keeper

 

Could be a reason why Adams said he wants to keep 3 keepers then, didn’t know you could recall a loan once the window was closed stupid deal for us in that case.

 

The mind boggles as to how we have agreed to such an unsettling deal for us, dear me, we dont half make it difficult for ourselves dont we

As Wilsden says, I didnt know you could have a recall now

 

Only applies to keepers I think doesn't it...?