So, it turns out it wasn’t the Victorians, the Ancient Chinese or even the perpetual PR machine at Sky Sports – it was Manchester United all along. Yep, do make your cheques payable and glory be to the Red Devils for creating this funny old game of ours. Not least because it rears its once pretty head again this weekend and we like to make sure we’re getting the royalties in on time…
Stevenage v Portsmouth: Pomp It Up…
Even the idea of England’s four biggest clubs (and Liverpool) trailing a diamond-encrusted carrot is enough to make you wonder why we all bother even at such a lofty level of the footballing food chain as League Two. And, frankly, it’s an existential crisis that we can do without right now, having come away with three-eights of sod all from two matches in which we were the better side.
It’s almost coincidence that rolling into town this weekend are a club who can tell you all about how money taketh away as much as it giveth in this game. Portsmouth sit a respectable fifth in the standings, although ought to be miffed at the wedge they drove between themselves and automatic promotion on their tumble from the top that began in October and featured a cameo from us.
The South Coast side are fond of conceding late on, much like ourselves to be honest. If there’s one tip we’ll hand out for free, it’s not to leave before the 85th minute – there could be the type of hilarity not seen since Anthony Elding bagged a late goal at home to Gravesend, Northfleet and Ebbsfleet and ran the length of the East Terrace only to see our defence squander the precious lead.
So, what are we looking at here. Pompey have the second best defensive record in League Two thanks largely to nine clean sheets at Fratton Park. It’s not to say their defence doesn’t hold out on the road, but they’ve not returned from their travels with all three points as a souvenir since before Christmas. We’ve been a charitable host this season, but sometimes charity begins at home too.
And on that matter, our good selves. The lads. Here together now. Out of the purgatory of 19th place and, well, it’s a bit “out of the frying pan and into the fire” really. Still, we can redeem ourselves this weekend and even take two steps forward if results are kind to us. It’s in us, you can tell – but then again the Premier League title has been in Arsenal for 12 years and still we’re waiting.
Kevin Johnson is the referee for this one. We’ve had him twice before. We’ve drawn them both. If that fact isn’t taking you down a certain path of thinking… Courtesy of the chaps at https://www.hityah.com/, you can compare your betting options for this game. After all, we can’t be doing everything for you – such as enjoying your weekend, which we’re now inviting you to do. If you can…
BoroGuide’s Portsmouth club profile – It’ll ring your be-ee-ll, ring your bell…
