The latest international break threatened to leave Pompey with yet another blank weekend in this stop-start season. But the Blues made the decision to go ahead with Saturday’s fixture against Gillingham and try to build some more momentum. Back-to-back victories over Bolton and Doncaster mean that Kenny Jackett’s side are slowly starting to climb the League One standings. But they will be targeting higher than their current position of 16th, which is one place and one point behind this weekend’s Fratton visitors. The Gills – who appointed Steve Evans as boss over the summer – have played two more matches than their hosts. They enjoyed a relatively comfortable 3-1 victory over struggling Southend last Saturday, with former Pompey loanee Stuart O’Keefe among the scorers. It was not a happy day for every member of the Kent outfit, however, as Mikael Ndjoli hit the post with one penalty and saw another saved. They were, like the Blues, in Leasing.com Trophy action during the week, although a much-changed side were thrashed 4-0 at Ipswich. Gillingham have yet to win on their travels so far this term, but have tasted success in each of their past two league visits to Fratton Park. TEAM NEWS Pompey are without first choice keeper Craig MacGillivray and midfielder Ross McCrorie, who are away on Scottish international duty. Ronan Curtis withdrew from the Republic of Ireland squad with a tight hamstring, but has recovered and been given the green light to feature. Tom Naylor and John Marquis have both recovered from knocks, with Oli Hawkins (foot), Bryn Morris (groin) and Jack Whatmough (knee) all sidelined. Both sides are likely to make multiple changes after resting key players for Leasing.com Trophy matches during the week. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 19 wins Gillingham: 9 wins 7 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 12 wins Gillingham: 2 wins 4 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure their seat by visiting the Anson Road ticket office. Subject to availability, they can also be bought from both ticket offices from 9am on Saturday. OFFICIALS Referee: Graham Salisbury Assistants: Christopher Wade and Paul Kelly Fourth Official: Lee Collins BETTING Pompey are the 4/6 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 18/5.
Their 'orrible manager Steve Evans came for a draw with no real attacking instincts, and sadly achieved his aim
Sounds like a game where we needed a goal to make the other side come out of defence (but we couldn't make it happen).
Looking at the highlights you can't complain about the performance. It was just one of those days where we didn't get the rub of the green. On another day it would have ended 3 or 4-0. PUP
