Talking Mok!

Aaron Mokoena must have endured hell, sitting out for most of the last 10 games in which he only contributed by coming off the bench. However, that is likely to change on Saturday when Pompey play Preston. He is the most likely to replace suspended Rocha.

With all due respect to Moko, the guy has had his ups and many downs throughout this whole season, and to add to his woes, on Saturday, Lawrence is expected to retain his captaincy arm band. But that is the least to worry about.

This season, Pompey has conceded 56 goals, in a total of 43 games (including cup games). Mokoena started in 27 of these, and in these games, Ashdown conceded a staggering 43. Stats don't lie. Portsmouth lost 17 games in total, and Mokoena played in 13 of them. With Moko in the side, Portsmouth have kept just 2 clean sheets; against Ipswich (0-0) and Norwich (0-2), while in total, Cotterill's defence (and that has changed a bit) didn't concede in 11 games.

As much as I like Aaron Mokoena, for all the good community work he does, I fear the worst when and if he walks onto the field. I have come up to his defence whenever he was criticised, because I love his attitude, passion and the way he encourages teammates, but at this particular time, points are at stake.

I just hope, Mokoena has benefited from the lack of football and he will be eager to prove himself to win his place again. If we concede on Saturday, (and stats point that way) he will be sitting out again when Rocha is available.

Written by Pompey Malta.

The views within this article are the views of the individual who wrote and submitted this piece, sometimes solely theirs. They are not necessarily shared by the Vital Pompey Site Journalists.

Click here to make your prediction: Pompey v Preston.

Click here to make your prediction: Pompey v Coventry.

Frippy's Virtual Bookies - latest update and place your bets!