The Pompey Chimes: 21st March-28th March 2009

Welcome to the unofficial Pompey news round-up.

Club News

It was a long time coming but we finally picked up the full three points against Everton last weekend. A fantastic performance from our boys, particularly after an early setback as Leighton Baines put the visitors ahead after just 4 minutes. Crouch's goals on both sides of half time were enough to secure the three points, and we could have made it more after Davis hit the post. For match details see the links below:

Match Report

Stats

From the first team to the reserves, who took on Fulham's reserves at Westleigh Park this week. The mysterious man Pele was on the score sheet as Pompey drew 2-2, with what sounds like an absolutely stunning goal. Sounds like the boy's coming good, but make your own mind up by reading the match report here.

Pompey ladies returned to winning ways, beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1, whilst the academy succumbed to what was a tough game against Bristol City. The academy side lost 3-0, but the side was largely made up of first year scholars, and the inexperience showed. Still, it's a learning curve, and you can watch highlights and read the match report on the Official Site.

Back to first team affairs now, and obviously spirits are high after the 2-1 win against Everton. Plenty of squad reaction, you can check out on the Official Site, including Niko Kranjcar saying that results are more important than playing 'pretty football', Peter Crouch thanking the team for the excellent quality crosses and Paul Hart praising the entire team for holding it together, and picking out Johnson and Kaboul in particular as the excellent performers.

Plenty of speculation over Fratton Park's future too, what with the stadium redevelopment and proposed new training ground all seemingly going ahead. Read Dave's take on matters here.

Pompey are the target of much bad press lately as well know, so read the latest Pompey tabloid rubbish here. Not only that, read Portsmouth Football Club's official response here. Personally, I wouldn't read too much into anything The News, The Mirror or anyone else says for that matter. Let's get behind the team and stay up!

Looks like we sold out our Hull away allocation too....read all about it here. Fantastic that there will be a lot of us up there considering it's quite a long trip, and get behind the team!

Squad News

Despite the relegation battle, Pompey have been playing very well, and this was rewarded with three England call-ups for Pompey's lions. Johnson, Crouch and James were all called into Fabio Capello's squad for this weekend's internationals. Read all about it here.

As the future of Pompey is uncertain, the players that are out of contract this summer must be feeling nervous as to whether or not they will be getting a new contract in the summer. Two players who will be boosted, however are Linvoy Primus and Sean Davis. Find out more here.

Injury news spread as Peter Crouch was ruled out of Saturday's England game with a torn calf. Read all about it here, although of course he did eventually play, and got injured again! Also keep up to date with Pompey's injury table here. If you'd rather listen to the injury news, check out the Official Site for a video interview with Gary Sadler.

Peter Shilton has come out of his hiding place to give everyone his opinion (albeit wrong!) that David James is not reliable enough to be England's Number 1. Quite why he says this is totally beyond me, but read his views for yourself, as well as Rug's take on it, here.

Vital Pompey News

Toast is always a thrilling read, check out the last edition here .

Don't forget to take part in the weekly competitions here on Vital Pompey. Click here for information on getting your score prediction in before the Hull game.

I also thoroughly recommend reading Rug's nostalgic look back at his favourite Pompey memories here. A brilliant and fascinating read, and make sure you leave your comments if you can relate to the experience too.

Following Gekas' little outburst last week, Pompey Malta blames Adams for the strange signing Gekas. Do you agree? Have a read of it here and leave your comments.

Pompey's latest A-Z is also up, written by myself and Chix, we look at Jimmy Dickinson, Ray Daniel, Lassana Diarra, Andres D'Alessandro and John Durnin. Read it here. Be sure to vote for the E's for the next edition in the forums.

Gino's Fact of the Week

Pompey's name was the first opposition team name to be printed on the front cover of Manchester United's matchday programme, way back in 1951.

Gino's Teaser

The five sets of brothers to have faced each other in the Premier League was a tough one, and Rug was closest with three of the five. The five were:

Rio & Anton Ferdinand (They are brothers and not cousins!)
Gary & Phil Neville
Rod & Danny Wallace
Michael & Andy Dawson
Andy & David Linighan

Shaun & Bradley Wright-Phillips have never faced each other, with Bradley being on City's bench in a match Shaun played for Chelsea.

This week's question is a bit easier:

Who is the only player to score hat-tricks in all four tiers of English football, the FA Cup, the League Cup and at international level?

Submit your Answer below!

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