With the Premier League about to spark into life this weekend, reporter Adam Hennessey casts his eye over the players he feels will have an impact this coming season, but players who readers may not know much about.

Sports News - January 27, 2009

A contentious inclusion in the usual ‘Who Are Ya?’ feature, is new Portsmouth loanee, Frederic Piquionne, 30. The French forward joined the South Coast outfit on loan from French powerhouse, Olympique Lyonnais, days after Peter Crouch left for Tottenham, took his vacated number 9 shirt, and is looking to score the goals that Pompey need for Premier League survival this term.

At the age of 30, Piquionne brings a lot of experience to a depleted Portsmouth squad, and with Champions League and International experience, this can only be a plus for the club. Whilst not being a particularly outstanding goalscorer during his time in France, with Nimes, Rennes, Monaco and Lyon, he is capable of better, and will look to showcase that over the coming season. Piquionne has already endeared himself to the Portsmouth faithful at Fratton Park already, with two debut goals in a pre-season game against Scottish Champions, Rangers in a 2-0 win. With the likes of Peter Crouch, Jermaine Defoe, Sol Campbell, Glen Johnson and Lassana Diarra all leaving Fratton Park recently due to the poor financial state at the club, the board, and fans alike will hope Piquionne can keep up the goalscoring, and stave off relegation to the Championship.

Don’t forget to check out Online Football Manager!