Concerned Pompey skipper calls for help

The club captain has spoken out after Blues boss Michael Appleton admitted he is unable to bring in any new faces at present to boost his squad.

The Football League are currently closely monitoring all transfers at the club, firmly applying the handbrake to any potential moves.

However, when contacted by The News they refused to discuss the situation amid fears of a transfer embargo in place.

Few Blues fans expected Pompey to be spending vast sums on transfer fees during the transfer window as they search for new owners.

But Appleton is currently unable to even extend the loan stay of Joe Mattock.

And there are now growing fears Pompey will be unable to bring in any loan recruits during the whole of the January window.

Lawrence said: ‘If I say “we need some players”, I’m not saying anything that nobody else is thinking.

‘It’s no secret to anyone. We all know we need at least a couple of players.

‘The gaffer knows it, everybody knows it.

‘The club is in this situation again and we’ve all stood here about 10 times having the same conversation – and I’ve only been here for a year and a bit.

‘Just when we get up and start walking and get ready to run, we seem to get kicked down again.

‘But hopefully we can forget 2011, get some new owners in and get some stability again.’

Lawrence, who has just returned from an ankle injury, has played in three different positions himself in the past three games as Appleton has attempted to plug the gaps in his side.

And Pompey had to make do without suspended pair Greg Halford and Joel Ward for the 2-0 win over Watford, stretching their resources even further.

Lawrence said: ‘It’s the way we are.

‘We haven’t got the biggest squad to choose from.

‘So if I can do a job in a number of positions and help the manager out, I will play anywhere for the team.

‘We haven’t got too many to choose from already and it becomes even harder with a couple of those being suspended.

‘But as professionals, we have to get on with it and I think we’re doing that.

‘You can see the performances are getting better at home and away.

‘And we just have to hope for a change of fortune for this club in the new year.’

Pompey paid the price for their small squad during the latter stages of last season as they ran out of steam and failed to win any of their last eight games.

Yet the Football League are holding up Appleton’s aspiration of strengthening.

And a Football League spokesman said: ‘The issue of embargoes is not one we discuss. We have a long-standing policy not to comment on the subject of transfer embargoes, either way.

‘That is something we stick to. We regard any conversations with any football club as private and confidential.’

Blues chief executive David Lampitt yesterday declined to comment when contacted by The News.