Yes Fratton Park is a dump, but at least our new owners are slowly revamping it. And at least it doesn't look the same as lots of other stadia.
Ah mate, I wouldn't pay much attention to the Fratton Park jibes. Sure it looks a bit naff on TV or whatever, but as a fan attending a game, hoping for some atmosphere, I'd choose Fratton Park over St. Mary's all day long. It's just another football fan inconsistency. We all argue over who has the biggest, shiniest stadium, and then complain when - in said big shiny stadium - some of the seats are taken up by 'plastics' and so forth. Clubs our size are only going to have 15-20,000 hardcore fans, so stadiums accommodating that number will create the best atmosphere. Simple really. As soon as you put Pompey fans in a 32,000 stadium, it won't be as good.
Always better in some ways for the lower side...have less to lose and will be really up for it because you never know in a one off cup game. For Saints, losing is a greater blow, not only because it's against Pompey, but because it is a missed opportunity to progress.
Go to the living room just across the river liffey. Its where us Irish Saints meet up when we can and has cheaper booze!