Pompey will look to bring their fine away form back to Fratton Park when they host Crewe on Saturday (3pm kick-off). It is the first of three successive games on the south coast, with Oxford the visitors on Tuesday night before an FA Cup clash with King’s Lynn next weekend. Kenny Jackett’s side are currently sitting just inside the play-off positions and are just three points behind Hull in second. Their next opponents were leading the League Two standings when Covid-19 called a halt to proceedings back in March. The points-per-game method ultimately saw them leapfrogged by Swindon in the battle for the title, but the Railwaymen were still promoted to the third tier following a four-year absence. And they have adapted to life at a higher level with relative ease, currently sitting 12th and closer to the top six than the bottom four. David Artell’s troops head south on the back of successive victories over league leaders Peterborough and Oxford. Crewe won 1-0 when the sides last met at Fratton Park back in March 2017, courtesy of a George Ray header. But that provided the spark for a fine run of Blues form, as they lost just one of the next 12 games to memorably secure the League Two title. TEAM NEWS Jack Whatmough returned from a hamstring injury to play the second half at Plymouth on Monday, while Lee Brown has recovered from a similar problem. It leaves Michael Jacobs (knee) as the only member of the Pompey squad who is currently unavailable. Crewe received some bad news earlier in the week when it was revealed that Donervon Daniels will miss the rest of 2020 with a hamstring tear. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 6 wins Crewe: 7 wins 5 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 4 wins Crewe: 4 wins 1 draw OFFICIALS Referee: James Oldham Assistants: Christopher Wade and Damith Bandara Fourth Official: Brett Huxtable BETTING Pompey are the 3/4 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 100/30.
Since our post-Premier League demise this is only the third time we have been in the same division. The League fixtures at Fratton Park on the last two occasions were: 13/10/12 - League One - Pompey 2-0 Crewe 04/03/17 - League Two - Pompey 0-1 Crewe
Pompey start the game in 6th place. Highest possible position at full time:- 2nd Lowest possible position at full time:- 10th Crewe start the game in 12 place. Highest possible position at full time:- 8th Lowest possible position at full time:- 16th
Great result. A shame about the last gasp penalty blotting the page but three points and the best goal difference in the division!
I ended up watching the game free on ifollow, hence no commentary. Not a bad match, and whilst Crewe had the vast majority of possession, they didn't seem to know what to do with it when it mattered ! Two first half goals from Ronan Curtis in the 15th and 40th minutes, and two second half goals from Tom Naylor in the 51st minute, and John Marquis in the 56th minute won us the match with ease. Crewe scored a consolation goal from the penalty spot in the 94th minute, after a cross from a Crewe player hit Lee Brown's arm. Finney scored. Full debut for Haji Mnoga today.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .........Away Team: Crewe Possession: Home 30% Away 70% Shots: Home 12 Away 13 Shots on Target: Home7 Away3 Corners: Home 3 Away 13 Fouls: Home 19 Away 9
Very happy with the result. Has Jackett changed tack, and has Pompey playing on the counter with speed, knowing that he hasn't the players in the centre of the park to play a more possession-based game?
As It Stands:- .....Team .............P GD Pts 1 Hull .................12 11 27 2 Peterborough 13 .9 .25 3 Ipswich ...........12 9 .25 4 Portsmouth ....13 12 24 5 Charlton ..........11 .7 23 6 Lincoln City ...12 ..6 23 7 Fleetwood ......13 11 22 8 Sunderland .....12 .6 22 9 Accrington .....10 .3 19 10 Plymouth .....12 .0 19
I have watched the ifollow replay. First foremost and last - a great result and that is what counts!! Having said that I am far from certain that you can consistently gather enough points for promotion while only getting 30% of possession Ides. Crewe had good scoring chances before and after Pompey's first goal in the first half. If one had gone in it would be difficult to come back by relying on scoring on the break when chasing the game. Hopefully we can take our opportunities against Oxford. PUP
