Don't be scared of the P word at Fratton
Wednesday, 20th May 2015 22:58 by pompey-fans.com staff

Pompey chairman Iain McInnes says the club mustn't be scared of going for promotion - or saying that's their target.

Last season some at Fratton were coy about expectations - but this time, manager Paul Cook has been quick to say he wants to get the Blues back out of the bottom tier of the Football League.

And McInnes told The News: 'The aim is promotion and let’s not be frightened of it. We want promotion — and Paul (Cook) made that comment before I did. The budgets have already been discussed between the executives and Paul and he is more than happy with what he has got, which is well within the capability of the club to finance.

‘It is very similar to this season’s. Like all budgets it is flexible, only ours tend to go up, not down, and that is great credit to the fanbase. Andy’s budget was increased around January for Matt Tubbs and one or two other players based on the fact we felt at that stage we needed some strengthening and that cannot happen without some financial clout to go with it.

‘Paul is starting with a budget he is more than happy with. If and when that budget proves inadequate for the right reasons — such as we need just a bit more to do something extra or something special — as always we will sit down as a board and discuss it.

‘There is the ability to sign players for transfer fees. Again that will be Paul’s decision and the budget includes transfer fees, not just salaries. If Paul wants to allocate some of that money to transfer fees as opposed to just salary then it is up to him.'

Pompey are reported to be closing in on the signing of Doncaster winger Kyle Bennett - while Fulham are said to be ahead of Wolves in the race to recruit Jed Wallace.