After the ‘big’ cup match on Saturday we return our attentions to the small matter of the league once again. Our last league game saw us humbled in a manner that could have proved disastrous for confidence but (allowing for the much changed line-up) our boys showed grit and determination to pull themselves through the game on Saturday resulting in a 5th round spot in the cup – hopefully that display of togetherness will once again carry through and push us into another unbeaten run. Our game on Tuesday is yet another proverbial ‘6 pointer’, as we head south to Fratton Park to face a Pompey side 1 place and 1 point behind us in the table for what is sure to be a tense game in a hostile atmosphere, let’s hope the boys can turn back the clock to put in as an assured performance as they did against the same opposition earlier in the season at the CCS! I always think of Fratton Park as a 'proper' old school ground, very reminiscent of Ninian Park - we'll miss places like this when we get promoted next season!! Who Are You? John Mousinho continues in the dug out for Pompey having taken on the job as his first managerial gig back in January 2023. In his tenure across all games (109 so far) he has a very sound win percentage of just over 44%, however, this season in the league that number falls to 22.5%. Their squad has seen a bit of an overhaul during the January window with 8 players coming in and 8 also departing. Adil Aouchiche, Kaide Gordon, Ben Killip, Cohen Bramall, Hayden Matthews, Thomas Waddingham, Isaac Hayden and Rob Atkinson have all come in, with Owen Moxon, Tom McIntyre, Will Norris, Ben Stevenson, Elias Sorensen, Tom Lowery and Anthony Scully leaving whilst Sammy Silvera returned to Middlesbrough. Current top scorer by quite some margin is Callum Lang with the ex-Wigan player bagging 10 goals in 27 league games. Behind him comes ex-Bluebird and fan of the Ayatollah (at least when scoring against certain west Walian teams ) Josh Murphy on 5 goals and 6 assists. Another ex-Bluebird, good old Marlon Pack has clearly been a key part of their season thus far being 2nd in the appearance table for the season having made 28 appearances with 26 of those being starts. The Bluebird links continue with defender Regan Poole also playing 14 times this season (far more than he managed in a City shirt). Other familiar names are Scot Matt Richie (always a handful), Andre Dozzell & West Ham loanee Freddie Potts. Last Time Out & Form As alluded to at the beginning of the thready, last time out City cruised to a relatively comfortable 2-0 win at the CCS back in October thanks to an early Regan Poole own goal after a ‘cross-shot’ from Perry Ng and a Callum Robinson far post poacher’s goal just 8 minutes later after a well swung in corner. The Bluebirds were pretty dominant that day, restricting our visitors to just 2 attempts on target whilst racking up 10 accurate attempts of our own from 24 shots in total. We certainly shouldn’t expect as smooth a ride as that this Tuesday evening at Fratton Park that’s for sure! Form wise Pompey have been a bit up and down of late, having picked up 2 wins and a draw in their last 6, but no win in the last 4. They took a bit of a beating at West Brom (5-1) but at home look like a different prospect, with that draw being against Burnley, whilst also picking up wins against Middlesbrough and Stoke. Their home form is actually the 16th best in the division, picking up an average of 1.5 points per home game (they have 6 wins in 15, and have lost just 4 home games – we average 1.33 points and are 21st despite also having 6 wins, that drop in average coming courtesy of our 7 defeats!). Overall they have the 12th best goalscoring record but conversely also have the 2nd worst defence (after our exploits a fortnight ago we are now 3rd on that list!!). Their last run out saw them go down 2-1 at Sheffield Utd, though it sounds as though they were a tad unfortunate to come away with nothing from the game. In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About Things generally appear to be looking up as far as the squad goes. There was a return to action for Rambo on the weekend and a few others got some valuable minutes under their belts, none less so than Will Fish who may well need to be called upon to replace the unfortunate Jesper Daland who picked up a knock whilst conceding a penalty against Stoke. Yousef Salech had a mixed bag of a game too, scoring in open play with a determined effort but also missing from the spot in the shootout at the end. He will probably have to content himself with a place on the bench as dropping Callum Robinson at the moment would be lunacy unless it’s a forced change. Rubin Colwill is going to be an interesting one having had a big impact on the result Saturday but you’d think he will still remain down the pecking order to Alex Robertson, and with Ramsey returning too patience may yet be the watch word for him, however frustrating that may be for him personally. After struggling badly a fortnight ago v Leeds (but then who didn’t??), it wouldn’t be a shock to see Rinomhota given a rest at right back with Perry Ng stepping back in and it would be no surprise to see Callum O’Dowda come back in at left back. The wings could also see a bit of a change with young Alves now available and being seen as a winger by both his ‘home’ manager and our own. His arrival is quite timely given the continued absence of Ollie Tanner. I would guess that Willock will probably get the nod on the other side ahead of El Ghazi. Predicted Starting 11 Alnwick Ng Goutas Fish O’Dowda Chambers Robertson Ralls Robinson Alves Willock Will Fish gives a post match interview after the win against Stoke on Saturday. The Odds Bods This guy was an excellent loanee for us even if it was only briefly – just a shame he went on to play for some decidedly ropey clubs towards the end of his playing career. Match Day Melody Our boys are going to need maximum effort for the full 90 minutes plus to come away with a further vital 3 points, indeed, they’ll need to stand rock solid around the clock until that final whistle blows. Blooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!
Outstanding work as always Brizzle. You don't half spoil us This is going to be difficult and we're going to have to be up for it. From what I've seen of them this season, Pompey always give 100% and that includes players and supporters. I don't want either club to be relegated but I guess we have to take care of ourselves first. Hopefully, we'll both survive regardless of the result tomorrow. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Tick tock, I see what you did there Brizzle. Lots of references to clocks, including a bookies outside Big Ben. You're not a horologist are you? I knew a chap once, whose time is over, who had over 200 clocks he had acquired and on display in his home. It was like the Pompey chimes at midday there! A tough place to go but confidence is good at the moment and players playing well. Fully expecting City to come home with three points.
Anyone else go to that top of the table clash in 1983 when our fans decided to dismantle the clock? It was a feisty atmosphere! All I can recall of an unmemorable game was City keeper Eric Steele pulled off a Gordon Banksesque save to keep the game goalless.
Good morning my fellow Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds. I hope this finds you all in good spirits and ready for the battle ahead. Be careful of your caffeine intake today as nerves may be jangling later this evening. To Dai and all other City fans travelling to Pompey, have safe journeys and be loud. To the City players and staff (because they read this forum , tap into the spirit that demolished those jacks...I think you're gonna need it. Do us proud lads. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!!!!!
I think some of them are posters on here not just readers. They ensure our always valid views are communicated to Omer. Advisory fan management rules!!!
Hope this is not a poor omen. FA Cup Final v Pompey, sat at Faro Airport waiting for plane home. Today sat at Lisbon Airport waiting for plane home. Will be on the coach from Heathrow to Bridgend while the game is on.
No Ramsey? Alves on the bench? Salech on the bench? Seems strange but I trust you Omer. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!
