Pompey vs Colchester

3 times the charm at Fratton in 2013? I can safely say that every Pompey fan hopes this. The winless streak grows longer but at the 17th time of asking, can Pompey end their worst run since the 70's? Colchester travel also looking to improve on a bad run that saw them lose 9 times in a row before a 2-0 win against Walsall last weekend. A big game in store as the pressure piles on Pompey.

18-year-old Dan Butler has secured a first place in the first team after impressing in recent performances. Guy Whittingham has told the man who he recalled from a loan spell at Havant and Waterlooville that his place in the first team is his for good and the left-back will certainly be looking to improve on those performances against Colchester this afternoon.

No injury news concerning Pompey heading into this fixture. The only real player news going on at the moment is that of Alassane N'Diaye. The ex-Crystal Palace midfielder has been training with Blues recently and a deal is well on the cards but no news on signing him so far. Also, the comeback of Fratton favourite Svetoslav Todorov has gone quiet. Toddy sensationally told the club that he would walk away from his contract and Ukranian Premier League side Hoverla Uzhhorod given that the club wanted to sign him but again no news is really coming from this potential deal. It's a shame as many fans thought this could really rejuvenated our shattered club but with no Toddy so far, the wait goes on.

I choose this man as one to watch again after he has really impressed me at least in his second spell with Pompey. The on-loan IF Elfsporg man has yet to find the net for the Blues in his 2 appearances but he has shown real signs of making a breakthrough after he has shown his willingness to chase and battle for the ball and it should be only a matter of time before his partnership with David Connolly finally fires in the goals.

United are set to appear unchanged as they grabbed 3 points last week to move out of the relegation zone. The only real news is that forward Domonic Samuel as returned to Reading following the expiration of his loan spell. Also Anthony Wordsworth has left the club to join Championship side Ipswich Town. Ex-Pompey defender is also in contention to make an appearance against the side he didn't play for in his short spell there earlier this season.

This man will be looking to hit Pompey where it hurts after not making a single appearance in the 3 months he was a player at the club. The defender won't see any of his old team mates apart from Liam Walker following the mass of players that have come and gone at the club so it's not exactly going to be a tricky situation trying to forget old friends whilst playing in the fixture.

Only 7 times these two have met so stats aren't going to be a great incentive to which way the game might go. The only real result that can say anything about this game is the one where the two teams met earlier this season. The 2-2 draw in Pompey's first game of the season which saw them play with a completely different team... Out of the 7 in general however, Pompey have lost 4 times with only 1 win. Let's make it 2 then shall we?

Gaz Coombes

2-0. I may say a positive outcome each week but it's the only way I can bare to think. James Keene to net whilst Pompey finally put an end to their worst form in 40 years.

Pompey visit fellow strugglers Scunthorpe on Tuesday night away up north. Whit's men have had to make some very long travels this season and this is going to be right up there with some of the longest so a win will only make this journey satisfactory.

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