We have lost the last two PL matches leaving us 10 points behind arsenal with a game in hand. Anything but a win here is unthinkable imo. Pompey lost at home to spurs yesterday and failed to score against a side that rarely keeps a clean sheet. They have a good away record and have a good squad that can score goals. But if our aspirations are to be anything but 3rd we need to beat them. A win here can kick us into gear again for the christmas schedule which isn't that difficult against derby,man city and wigan. 12 points is crucial over the next month and given our legendary fitness we should be winning. reina finnan cara sami arbeloa babel gerrard lucas/alonso riise/kewell crouch torres if i see voronin playing I will punch the screen **im aware we have carling cup match but like many I just see it as a match for getting injured players fit again and bleeding the youngsters.
Our record against Portsmouth: 1 win in the last 5 games. City have the best home record in England, and are above us. Derby and Wigan are bankers, but getting 12 points is a tall order.
Should be a good game this. Portsmouth have done very well this season and I'd be expecting a few goals in this one. Can't see beyond a Reds win though and putting our league season back on track.
Dangerous match, they have a very stong and athletic team. The lack of pace at the back will again be a worry. Hard to think with a clear head after yesterday.... but it we don't win, then I will lose all hope for the league
xmas period is so vital we really need 5 out of 5 to try and keep in touch... babel has to start as he looked so eager to get onto the ball yesterday and showed alot of willingness to take on a man and beat him...crouch and torres up front for me maybe need to look at playing lucas cause we need someone in the middle who can distribute the ball it was frustrating to see gerrard coming deep all the time
Portsmouth at the weekend is now a pretty big game, both in terms of 'keeping in touch' and also trying to break away from the group of teams from 4th spot down. While last Sunday was a fairly big blow, it's possible that this weekend could open things up for us again, with the North London derby and Utd Everton games. Provided of course we beat Portsmouth, who are a decent side. The depression of last Sunday was bad enough without dropping points here.
Pompey are a handy side. although they conceded quite a few in the reading match. With James in goal and Distin and Cambell at CB they are pretty solid at the back. Looks like it has 0-0 written all over it ... except Torres will be fresh so I'm goin for 2-0
yeah just checked the tv listings and its on. I intended to do the xmas shopping on Saturday, but with North London Derby and Liverpool match, it could get pushed out
Arsenal will win, while Everton will lose, while we have failed to beat Portsmouth at home under Benitez. Maybe he'll learn this time.
WRONG Beat them 3-0 in November 2005 at Anfield. I was there Zenden, Cisse, Morientes If your going to make a comment like that at least have the facts under your belt. If i didnt know who you were id swear you were Andy Gray YNWA JUZ
hope the lads fly out of the blocks saturday. Don't give them anytime to settle. If we score first I think we can win it. We don't often come from behind to win games.
very rarely, its noticeable that our victories against Arsenal and Chelsea in the league came via early goals last season and allowed the players to relax. Although we did score first against them this season and only drew.
Must Win Game Juz - was at that game too! Pompey have scored 17 goals away from home this season...Liverpool have scored 16 at Anfield. So it will not be easy. They're a strong, fast counter-attacking team but at least they will not park a bus ala B'mingham. Both teams will be trying to get back on track after losing their last league games. I'm going for a Liverpool win, not because it's a 'must win' game but because this team looks strong... ----------reina----------- arbeloa-carra-hyypia-aurelio gerrard-alonso-masca-kewell -----------------kuyt----- ---------torres----------- itandje, babel, lucas, hobbs Anything less than a win and we could be in 9th at Christmas!!
mypost you really have it for Rafa after seeing some of the posts you have made recently on the site...
Was at that Pompey game also. Remembering that just shows how far they have come. They were totally toothless that day under Perrein