Match Day Thread Pompey v Doncaster Rovers

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It has been a busy week at Fratton Park, with four new players arriving before the transfer window closed.

Now the attention switches back to what is happening on the pitch, with Doncaster visiting the south coast on Saturday.

Pompey have lost their past three league fixtures, despite enjoying positive results in both the FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy during that time.

It has seen them been overhauled by Luton at the top of the table, with Barnsley, Charlton and Sunderland now breathing down their neck.

Their visitors are slightly further back in seventh spot and have collected a single point from their two most recent third tier fixtures.

But Rovers have also enjoyed FA Cup success and last week’s victory over Oldham means that Crystal Palace will be travelling to the Keepmoat Stadium for a fifth round tie.

Grant McCann’s men have won six and lost six of their 14 away league games this term and are three points outside the play-off positions.

The two most recent meetings between the teams have ended all square and with an outfield player in goal.

Kal Naismith went between the sticks following Stephen Henderson’s injury last season, while Ben Whiteman donned the gloves back in August when Marko Marosi was sent off.

TEAM NEWS
Pompey could hand debuts to new loan signings Lloyd Isgrove, Viv Solomon-Otabor and James Vaughan, while Omar Bogle will hope to make his Fratton bow.

Oli Hawkins and Nathan Thompson are both back in contention, but Andy Cannon (quad) and Luke McGee (wrist) are injured, while there is a doubt over Bryn Morris (ankle).

Andy Butler is available for the visitors following a ban, but Niall Mason has been suspended by the club.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 10 wins
Doncaster: 6 wins
5 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 5 wins
Doncaster: 3 wins
2 draws

BETTING
Pompey are the 21/20 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 12/5.

 

A match we could and should have won to be honest. Looks a nasty knee injury suffered by Jack Whatmough, to the same knee as per previous injuries. His replacement Christian Burgess at fault for their goal from Wilks.

At half time, Pompey brought on James Vaughan for Dion Donohue, and went two up front. This worked well leading to Vaughan setting up Omar Bogle for his second goal in his first two matches. He also had a header tipped over the bar by their keeper, as did Ben Close whose volley was tipped over the bar in the second half. Omar Bogle had a good game for us, a very impressive performance. He looks full of goals !!

James Vaughan is very quick, and links up well with Omar. We do need a win though !