Pompey v Rovers

Pompey entertain the only other winners of the Premiership outside the usual top four, a feat indeed, but they are now a par side for ourselves.

A comment by Steve Coppell caught my eye this week, he pointed out that if this was Reading's first season in the Premiership, people would be saying they had a right go at staying up, as its their second and after a stormer last year, it is looked at as failure. He rightly points out that teams like Reading are punching above their weight in terms of infrastructure. After comparing their set-up and our own, I couldn't help but think Pompey are a bit of a fly-weight knocking out the heavies.
Back to the game, and this would have been a battl;e for Europe a couple of weeks ago, Blackburn look too far on the fringes now though, but although only winning one of their last 6 games, they have drawn another 3, making them a hard side to beat.

Hreidarsson is suspended after his misdemeanour last week, but this should be offset by the return of Glen Johnson to the fray, allowing Lauren to switch to the left, or Aubey to step in.
The midfield seems to remain the same week in, week out these days, but you never know, Diop having been shown his stats in front of goal this week, may just keep one under the crossbar, rather launching it at Fratton station.
Utaka made a goalscoring return last week, and he has gone on record as saying now is the time for him to deliver, brave words, and if he was to fulfill them we would have one hell of an asset.
Up front in will be Defoe +1, Kanu and Baros look like scrapping it out to partner him, it all depends if Harry wants to risk his talismanic Nigerian before the Battle of Britain at Wembley in 3 weeks.

He's made a couple of ricks in the last couple of weeks, a solid performance from him normally results in 3 points for Pompey, so best foot forward Jamo.

Brad Friedel had an absolute stormer last week against United, and he will be the man to beat again tomorrow.
One time Pompey target Nelsen and Samba are the line in front of the Yank, while Bentley is the architect in midfield.
Mark Hughes will probably stick with the same 11 that performed well against Man U last week, so Matt Derbyshire will have to wait for another chance upfront.

He's a bit mouthy in the press for my liking, he always seems to have an opinion, but he is a flair player no doubt, there is talk of big money to be offered on him in the summer, hopefully his value won't soar tomorrow.

3-0 last season, could have been worse for Rovers, but Kanu turned down the chance of hat-trick by fluffing his penalty. But in the Premiership, that remains our only success at Fratton over the Rovers.

Clive Thomas

Pompey's reliable defence went awol last week, a return to form this week? Blackburn have already left Fratton successful this term also, a 2-1 defeat in the League cup is surely enough incentive for some payback, but place your guess here.

Boro up North in our last away fixture.

Use your social login to comment on front page articles. Login using you Facebook, Twitter, Google or LinkedIn accounts and have your say!