Christmas is a time to relax for many of us, providing an opportunity to eat, drink and generally be merry. But it is one of the most challenging times of the season for Pompey, who host each of League One’s top three clubs between now and Boxing Day. There are clashes with Ipswich and Wycombe to come – as well as a long trip to Accrington – but first up is a visit from Peterborough. Darren Ferguson’s men are currently sitting in third spot, four points behind the second-placed Tractor Boys, having played one game more. Those sides actually met in the Leasing.com Trophy on Wednesday evening, with a much-changed Posh outfit going down on penalties. It is the collection of points that will be the priority, however, as United try to return to the Championship for the first time since 2013. Their haul of 40 league goals so far this term is comfortably more than any other third tier side, with only Manchester City from English football’s top four divisions managing more. Trying to keep them out at the other end are former Pompey full-backs Dan Butler and Nathan Thompson. The Blues enjoyed two wins over Saturday’s opponents last season, although a 3-2 defeat at Fratton Park in April ended their hopes of automatic promotion. TEAM NEWS Tom Naylor will be aiming for a return to the side, with Pompey’s skipper back in full training following a hamstring injury. But Marcus Harness received a knock to the knee in Tuesday’s Leasing.com Trophy win over Northampton and is a doubt. Jack Whatmough needs a reserve game before he will be considered for selection, while Bryn Morris (groin) is out. The visitors have doubts over three key players, with Siriki Dembele hurting his wrist and Joe Ward his groin in the midweek shoot-out defeat to Ipswich. Marcus Maddison missed that match through illness, while Frazer Blake-Tracy (ankle), George Boyd (knee) and Josh Knight (thigh) are all carrying injuries. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 11 wins Peterborough: 8 wins 8 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 7 wins Peterborough: 6 wins 2 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure seats by visiting the Anson Road ticket office, although there is now limited availability. OFFICIALS Referee: Charles Breakspear Assistants: Carl Fitch-Jackson and Leigh Crowhurst Fourth Official: John Flynn BETTING Pompey are the 19/20 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 12/5.
Peterborough 1 Pym 24 Mason 5 Beevers 6 Kent 15 Thompson 14 Reed 4 Woodyard 3 Butler 27 Kanu 7 Eisa 17 Toney Substitutes 16 Bennett 20 Tasdemir 26 Chapman 30 Cartwright 31 Barker 32 Burrows 37 Jade-Jones
Final match stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Peterborough Possession: Home 52% Away 48% Shots: Home 12 Away 9 Shots on Target: Home 6 Away 4 Corners: Home 5 Away 1 Fouls: Home 20 Away 17
Sounds like, from commentry & the stats, a fair result half way between a Pompey win and the draw - if that makes sense! Hard to argue with Jackett's conclusion that it was two points lost rather than one gained but, on the other hand, at least the momentum of the unbeaten run has not been broken.
Was there yesterday. The lads tried hard and gave everything. Big problems in defence though - those who recruited to replace Clarke need a telling off. Hawkins covering at CB is not good enough for this level. He horrendously miscuid a cross leading to a gift of a first goal and totally lost his man giving a free header for the second. Dross although I don't particularly blame him. We looked okay at parts and the atmosphere reflected that. We are not particularly easy on the eye - every time I go it's a hard watch and I wonder how we scrape through games. It's not good to watch at all. KJ missed a trick not bringing on a sub earlier yet again. We were on top after our second but then ran out of steam. The whole ground new we needed fresh legs, we didn't get any, and Peterborough rallied. In conclusion decent performance but we are just not a great team with a poor defence and a limited manager. Still, the league is inconsistent and if we can bring in a CB in Jan we can make play offs.
I agree with your comments regarding Oli Hawkins, Sharpe*. He is good in the air, but not good enough on the ground, as proved by his failed clearance leading to Ivan Toney's opening goal. We need a fully fit Jack Whatmough back alongside Christian Burgess in the centre of defence to steady us. Losing Brandon Haunstrup to what looked a nasty injury was not good news, so hopefully Ross McCrorie will slot into place there ahead of Anton Walkes and James Bolton.
