Time to get it up again this time with feeling. This is THE South Coast Derby, Us and Them, Scummers vs Skates, brought about by our humiliating relegation and Pompey surviving relegation against the odds given their modest budget. This game is about who does the bragging in pubs, workplaces and families for months afterwards raising feelings for the reverse fixture 26th January next year. Pre 60s many supported both teams going to alternate home games. The hatred grew as did the commercial rivalry between the cities along with the rise in hooliganism during 70s with fearsome confrontations bringing about huge coordinated efforts to avoid clashes. I'm sure many of us have fond, if that's the right word, memories of the matches, mine is from 1976 when Mick Channon scored a last-minute goal for us at Fratton Park to all but relegate them. That followed by Portsmouth born Bobby Stokes scoring the cup winning goal at Wembley. The September 2019 4-0 victory at Fratton Park one of the most comprehensive. There have been 71 derbies, less than you might think but contrasting fortunes saw the teams in different leagues. The head to head count sees Saints with 35 wins 15 draws and 21 losses all listed here. https://www.11v11.com/teams/southampton/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Portsmouth/ Stay safe all those attending, it's going to be some atmosphere at St Mary's. COYR! Edit:- 1. Match officials to be added when available C/O St Osprey 2. The ladies derby games in the WLC 8th Oct (h) 12th (a) and WSL 2, 11th Jan '26 (h)
Arranged my trip from Wales to the south coast to watch the game with my Pompey mate. There's a slap up meal at stake here, loser to pay. Feeling confident, but just in case there's always Wetherspoons in Bognor
Only one thing matters here: WIN! Don't care how we do it. Just ****ing win. Biggest thing for me is matching their physicality. Get those crunching tackles in early and let them know we're not going to be bullied. Do that and we win the game imo. Any player who's not hurting in the morning after doesn't deserve their wages for the week. Every fan in the ground has a part to play too, even if your part of the ground is normally quiet. No excuses.
Absolutely all of this. Doesnt have to be pretty, as long as we win If the players aren't puffing at 95+ mins, then they haven't put a full derby shift in I don't really sing as I don't sit in a singing section (Itching Centre), but I will be loud and so will everyone around me. This as Libby said is the game of the season. Forget a play off final or a game to secure promotion. All that does is take us into the PL to be whipping boys again. This is bragging rights for years and years and years. When I was just a little boy, I asked my mother what should I be....
I'm going to sit here and pretend this game doesn't exist. Gutted isn't the word I'd describe at missing it, to be honest
How many players have we got who've been involved in other derbies? Fellows and the black country, Charles presumably for Sheffield. Both similarly intense derbies which is good. Any others?
Will be interesting to see who ref's this game. I'm hoping for a SG1 referee as I don't have much faith in Championship referees managing the first league meeting between Saints and Pompey for 13 years TBH.
Jander and Quarshie played against each other in a derby last season in the German 2nd division. I'd assume Aribo played against Celtic when he was at Rangers. Downes played for Ipswich vs Norwich. He also played for Swansea v Cardiff. I'd guess THB played against Blackburn when at Burnley. Theres probably others but I can't be bothered to go through our whole squad and check Picking players who will have the right mentality for a game like this is important. We need players who are going to stick to their job, not get rattled, but also not shy away from the atmosphere or the physicality that Pompey will likely bring. Don't think it's a game for Robinson to start for example, and thankfully we shouldn't need to start him now we have options. And this may be unfair, but Scienza sounds like too much of a loose cannon to start this one to me.
I would far prefer the new guys had a more normal game to bed down in. This derby is probably the most random match of the season.
