Down on the south coast, Lauren joined former Arsenal team-mate Kanu this week. So, now Pompey boast four. That's Kanu, Lauren, Sol and 'Arry. . .

True, the latter pair may be pushing the point, but what can't be doubted is Pompey's transformed status in the Premiership hierarchy as last season's relegation fighters now possess the personnel to become this season's European sighters.

Though cynics might contend that Lauren's arrival is just a case of "Another day, another Arsenal cast-off", none, except perhaps Andy Cole, at 35, have attained veteran status, and if there's a manager capable of re-kindling the fires of ambition within a player it's Harry Redknapp.

Yet, amidst such arrivals, the Pompey manager has astutely ensured continuity, maintaining a solid foundation of personnel who, seemingly, have been around as long since Fratton Park was an example of modern football architecture.

One of those, Matthew Taylor, sits in the canteen at Portsmouth's training ground, nodding as teammates arrive for work and, like an old salt on the jetty, offers his approval of the changes around him.

He's still only 25, but in the four and a half years since he was signed for £400,000 from Luton Town during Redknapp's first stint here, he's seen them arrive - players, managers, coaches, and owners - and watched many depart. During that time, he's experienced the whole gamut of emotions, from the exhilaration of the promotion run of 2003 to the moment when it was all hands on deck last season to resist the tyranny of relegation.

Since then, Redknapp, as adept at evaluating prime footballing stock as a master butcher expertly surveys a side of beef, has been doing what he does best. Dealing.

Persuading. And, all the time, continuing to resemble a manic depressive when everything around him suggests the contrary.

"The profile of the club has changed completely, exceeded everybody's expectations this season, because of the quality of footballers coming here. Now we have a playing staff of international calibre.

Look at Lauren who's joined us today. It speaks volumes about where this club is going. It was a massive coup to get Sol (Campbell), David James and Andy Cole, and Kanu has come in and done fantastically well."

But was there not sometimes a sense of awe, maybe even of trepidation, as such expensive, lustrous talent is assembled around him?

"Maybe when I'm 40 or older, I'll look back and think 'God, I played with Sol Campbell; I played with David James', these footballers who command so much respect within the game because of what they've achieved. But you look at those of us around them, and realise that me, and Sean (Davis) and Gary (O'Neill) and Linvoy (Primus), we've kicked on to another level. That's because we're good footballers within ourselves, but also because we want to be able to play with the calibre of footballer we've got coming in."

He adds: "Some (of Redknapp's signings) are massive names, but none regard themselves as Big-time Charlies. We're just players fighting for the same cause. And everybody's chipping in with goals; especially the front players."

Actually, especially Matthew Taylor, it would be more accurate to say. Though "chipping in" may be somewhat understating his contribution at times. Before yesterday's game, he was the season's second-highest scorer at the club, boasting six goals from midfield. No wonder Redknapp values the former England under-21 international so highly.

As do the Fratton faithful.

Spectators love a player who eschews caution and who'll have a shy at goal, even from the most improbable range, and Taylor's 45-yard volley which soared over Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard in last month's match will remain an indelible memory. The scorer smiles wryly at the mention.

"It was instinctive. My first touch was that bad; it was Pedro, I think, who played the ball to me, and I lost it under my foot. Fortunately, Kanu managed to get a tapin, and it sat up beautifully, and I just hit it. It could have flown over; nine times out of ten it would. The manager would probably have said to me 'what the bleedin' hell were you doing! ? Pass it simple.' But it was nice to see it fly in."

And enjoyable to read the ensuing reports linking him to England's senior squad?

"It was nice to be in the headlines, but that's not the most important thing. If it is, you get yourself in an individual sport like golf or tennis, " he says.

"We've got 11 guys who, regardless of how much ability they've got, are prepared to go out and give 110 per cent and do the horrible bit of the game first."

But, you persist, an England opportunity must now be amongst his aspirations?

"It's not something that's paramount in my mind, " he retorts.

"That's not the kind of person I am. The important thing for me is to make sure I keep my Portsmouth shirt, and perform well. What I will say is that you tend to play well if you're playing with better players. Yes, people have spoken about me being involved in some kind of England squad, but I'd have to say there's four or five other guys here who should also be involved."

For which Redknapp can accept much of the credit.

"He's an old-school manager, does things his way. He has got that certain air about him makes you want to play for him, " says Taylor.

"He has a very good knack of signing players who you wouldn't think would want to come here. Tactics-wise, he's spot-on and he has the knack of giving a kick up the backside to those who need it, and an arm round those who need that."

Taylor concedes he has some experience of the former. "I had a couple of kicks up the backside a couple of years ago. I think I'd probably done a couple of things wrong in a game. But it was nothing personal. I knew that. You take it; then you forget about it. The manager knows best.

To be honest, Harry's very easy to play for. And you know when you've done wrong."

He pauses, then adds:

"Maybe in 15 years time, I'll be the one sitting here, and I'll be the one dishing out criticism."

On Saturday, Pompey travel to Old Trafford for a fourth round FA Cup encounter. For once, on such an occasion, Pompey don't have to consider Premiership survival their priority. If they could eliminate Manchester United, maybe after a replay, who knows their destiny? But first they have to negate Cristiano Ronaldo's prowess.

"I've had the pleasure, or perhaps I should say the displeasure, of marking him, " says Taylor, his features creased with a mock grimace. "He's an immense talent. He's scoring goals from all over the pitch. He's quick, he's strong, he's got amazing technique, superb feet, and can head the ball. He can complicate the game with step-overs; he can make the game easy by pushing the ball past you and running.

People said the end product wasn't there last season, but this season he's been fantastic."

And his capacity for going to ground? "I think he's eradicated the bits from his game that everybody was complaining about, " says Taylor.

"I'd think that was partly down to his manager. He's come back a stronger person for what happened in the World Cup. He could easily have folded under the pressure. But it seems like it has driven him on. I, for one, would pay the admission fee to go and watch him."

After we speak, Taylor departs for a morning's training. Then it's straight off house-hunting. The Oxfordborn player and his wife Hannah, and 16-month-old daughter Georgia live in Wantage, Oxfordshire, but are attempting to buy a second home here. The couple met while Hannah was at university, studying for a degree in business management.

You suspect that this eloquent son of an architect could have found his niche in one of the professions if football hadn't intervened.

"When I was at school, it was imperative to my father that I did well. I did consider being an architect, like him, but I probably wouldn't have had the patience for. As it was, I fell on my feet in the world of football."

With the corresponding rewards, which for many become as much a burden as a blessing. "We're given so much so young, " he agrees.

"We're given financial gain.

We're given adoration, from the fans. In some cases, millions of fans. I really can't imagine what it would be like to be someone like a Beckham or Rooney or Ronaldo, and not have a private life, and still perform week in, week out."

His daughter's birth has changed his own outlook.

"My wife use to say I was a nightmare, " he admits. "I was inconsolable when I came home and we'd lost or I'd played badly. Now all I want to think about when I get home is bring up my daughter Georgia correctly, and instilling the correct things in her. I suppose you could say that she's given me the freedom to go and play football."