For those who can bare to look, here are some prematch stats ahead of Saturdays defeat (erm match) against Newport. Last 6 games: Newport: 1-2-3 - 5-9 - 5 - 20th Pompey: 0-3-3 - 1-7 - 3 - 24th Newport last 6 homes: 0-4-2 - 5-7 - 4 - 23rd Pompey last 6 aways: 1-2-3 - 4-12 - 5 - 18th Newport v bottom half: 21 - 7-6-8 - 1.29p/g - 18th at home only: 10 3-3-4 - 1.20p/g - 19th Pompey v top half: 20 - 3-5-12 - 0.70p/g - 23rd away only: 10 - 1-4-5 - 0.70p/g - 17th reverse fixture - 14/12 Pompey 0-2 Newport Skybet odds: Newport: 6/5 Pompey: 12/5 Draw: 11/5
I think Ryan Bird will be put straight into the squad given that he's been in form recently - 9 goals in 13 games for Cambridge - but I dont expect an immediate turn around, I hope for one but that's about it. Newport haven't been in the best of form recently so there is a chance as Awford coming in with different ideas might give our squad a kick up the backside and we might get a result but equally there's the chance that it wont make a blind bit of difference.
I do hope AA puts Ryan Bird straight into the side. We will need some good accurate crosses from Ricky & Wes aimed at him. Put Michael Drennan alongside him, and Jed in central midfield. Feeling confident we could at least get a draw up there PUP
I'm betting that Johnny Ertl gets a start, if not this game then the next. I know you're not so keen on him Wooperts, but he does put himself on the line for us.
It's about time we experience new manager syndrome. We haven't experienced it since 2010 when Paul Hart took over from Tony Adams!
Andy Awfords interview was very enlightening - he wants the players to play with freedom and creativity, not rigid and robotic. They've had 2 poor managers, (because however lovely Guy was, he was not a good manager) - so I think over the next 7 games we'll get a better idea of their talents, if AA can instil a bit of confidence in them.
if any one can do it Awfs can........have seen him take kids with no belief and make them into mini maradonas....... he has excellent man management skills.......the nearest I have seen to him is "Harry", very similar in their approach to players........players like him......thats a plus!
I just put you guys to lose in our prediction league, with the joker, based on my record so far that gives you cert on 3 pts Good luck guys, keep the faith
Portsmouth 40 Carson 03 N'Gala 36 Whatmough 13 Ertl 15 Alfei 17 Shorey 11 Holmes 19 Fogden 20 Taylor 35 Wallace 29 Hollands Substitutes 01 Smith 05 Devera 06 Bradley 23 Agyemang 31 Racon 32 Jervis 33 McCabe You guessed right 3rd eye - Johnny Ertl back into the side Should be interesting match. PUP
