IT has not been the happy start I was looking for this New Year, an away defeat to the big spending Fleetwood followed by a postponed game at Portsmouth.

To be honest all I wanted for Christmas was a few points and no new injuries for the Reds, a win would have been nice but you can’t have everything.

The decision to let Ian Dunbavin go out on loan to a fellow League Two club was a tad puzzling.

However young Andrew Dawber proved a great replacement.

The January loan market has started and James Beattie has wasted no time in bringing in Marcus Bettinelli who is a quality keeper.

He has also completed the loan signing of Liverpool midfielder Craig Roddan who after reading a few Liverpool fan websites looks like a promising youngster.

I must end today’s column by complimenting James Beattie on his generosity over the weekend.

In a world where footballers are often in the news for all the wrong reasons our manager brought a smile to the world of football.

When several Stanley fans who had travelled down to Portsmouth found themselves at a loose end when the game was called off they sent a cheeky tweet to Mr Beattie.

He responded by calling in a favour from his old club Southampton and secured the four fans free entry into the Saints’ FA Cup clash against the Clarets.

A very happy ending to a wet weekend at Pompey.