Match Day Thread Pompey v Bolton Wanderers

please log in to view this image

 

A few weeks ago, a match against Bolton appeared to offer the promise of a guaranteed three points.

Unable to make signings until their takeover was complete, a threadbare squad had to be topped up with academy players.

So it was not exactly a surprise to see Wanderers concede five goals in four successive August fixtures or the departure of fed-up manager Phil Parkinson.

Keith Hill came in to replace him and Football Ventures (Whites) Limited are the new owners, leading to a raft of deadline day signings.

It took a while for the newcomers to gel into a cohesive unit, but things are slowly moving in the right direction.

Still awaiting their first victory this term, the Trotters head to Fratton Park on a two-match unbeaten run, with draws against Oxford and Sunderland.

Having started the season on -12 points due to entering administration, they have only climbed to -9 and are still cut adrift at the bottom of the League One table.

The decision to postpone a previous clash with Doncaster – as well a game last season that could not be fulfilled – may yet result in a further deduction.

But fans at least know the club’s future is secure and Bolton will be aiming to break their victory duck with a first Pompey meeting since 2010.

Both clubs were in the Premier League back then and a brace from Aruna Dindane saw the Blues battle from behind to draw 2-2 in the north-west.

TEAM NEWS

Oli Hawkins is set to spend four-to-six weeks on the sidelines after injuring his foot in the south coast derby.

Pompey are also without Lee Brown (Achilles), Bryn Morris (groin) and Jack Whatmough (knee), but Marcus Harness is fit again and Ellis Harrison returns from a one-match ban.

Bolton will be missing defender Jake Wright (hamstring), while there are doubts over the fitness of Ben Alnwick, Daryl Murphy and Chris O’Grady.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 33 wins
Bolton: 42 wins
22 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 24 wins
Bolton: 9 wins
15 draws

TICKETS
There is still limited seating available for this fixture and tickets can be bought online here or 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: Darren Drysdale
Assistants: Stuart Butler and Stephen Brown
Fourth Official: Adrian Waters

BETTING
Pompey are the 1/4 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 10/1.

 

You can say that again, dev !!

 

To be perfectly honest Ides, Ronan Curtis had a poor match, with inaccurate passing and shots. No surprise to any fans there that he was substituted in the second half. The lad needs to be rested, or put on the bench for a few matches to regain his form of last season.

 

We won despite not playing that well yet again. Three points that we were very lucky to get. Commiserations to Bolton Wanderers who came to play, and left with nothing.

Poor first half. Slightly improved second half thanks to fit again winger Marcus Harness coming on at half time. When John Marquis was fouled in the box, I think every fan in the ground believed that Brett Pitman would score, and give us the lead. Nope ! His shot in front of the Fratton End hit the right hand post, and everyone sighed....

He made amends with a nice headed finish seven minutes later from a cross by full back James Bolton.

The way we are playing at the moment, mid-table is the best we can hope for this season, as far as I can see.

 

Final Match Stats:-


Home Team: Portsmouth ..........Away Team: Bolton

Possession:

Home 61%
Away 39%

Shots:

Home 10
Away 10

Shots on Target:

Home 4
Away 3

Corners:

Home 4
Away 4

Fouls:

Home 10
Away 18

 

Match Highlights:-

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/1002446077?-11209:804