January...

I for one would like to know more about the Hoolahan situation, with teams like Hull rumoured to also be after his signature - and articles in nationwide newspapers indicating his strengths to prospective buyers, now is the time to get a deal hammered out so that himself and the team as a whole can focus entirely on the promotion push.

Fantastic news before the FA Cup game last week in the form of Ian Evatt's signing on a permanent deal for 18 months at the least, 2 and a half years maximum with there being a year option for the club. As above, now that things are sorted off the pitch for the player, surely performances can only get better what with there being no distractions in the back of his mind. Either way, it's a sign of how much the club has moved on in the last year, can you honestly say that we would have signed Mr. Evatt in January '06, even if the Latvian 'investment' was here? I think not...

Of course the biggest news last weekend was 'Pool progressing into the 4th Round of the FA Cup, despite a tricky tie with Aldershot Town who, in all fairness, troubled us for the 80minutes after they were 2-0 down. A home tie with Norwich brings about a few questions; can we win? will it be another sellout? will we get a Premiership team in the 5th Round if we win?

Given our recent home form, I believe we could win. As it is a 'bottom half' Championship side, with higher ticket prices than the league games with Carlisle and Doncaster, I don't think it'll be a sellout and I very much doubt getting a Premiership team should we get through - sods law we were the ball picked AFTER Pompey!!

With only two league games left this month, against Port Vale and Leyton Orient, 6 points is a must. Home form is again on our side against a Port Vale side that have slipped away from the top teams despite their fantastic start to the season. I think 3 points is the least we can expect, especially as we weren't that bad a team when we played them away earlier in the season. No offence to Orient, but I think this should be a walkover...the reverse fixture kicked off our fantastic run of form back in September and there's no reason why we shouldn't beat them again on their home turf.

It would also be nice for work on the south stand to start, but then again...we can only hope! It's been 2 months now, going on 3, and still no CLEAR indication of work on the south-west stand - other than a few porta-cabins which, for all we know, could be for workers on the Tangerine Hotel. It would also be nice to hear something official from the club, not just hear-say on internet messageboards or a spur-of-the-moment interview in the paper saying 'i'm willing to take a gamble'.

I think a New Year's Resolution for Mr. Oyston should be to turn over a new leaf and actually involve the fans that put money into the club on a weekly basis, in matters regarding the stadium development, which has been in the pipeline since 2000...yet is still only half completed!

Even Wembley will be completed before Bloomfield Road is finished!! Puts it into prospective doesn't it!

So, expectations for this month then...

Wes Hoolahan deal to be finalised, or at least cemented for signing permanently in the summer.

Progress to the 5th Round of the FA Cup with a giant-killing performance against The Canaries, then finally have some luck *prays to god* and draw a Prem team away from home - preferably Arsenal for me, perfect day out!

6 points in the league, hold up a comfortable position in the playoffs and push for automatic promotion.

SOMETHING regarding the South(-west) Stand would be nice, but i'm not getting my hopes up!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.