Let's talk about the Portsmouth game

[selby]

    Another big game looming for both clubs, with both teams in the last few seasons meeting on a regular basis, and every game being tight affairs with two well matched sides.
  Portsmouth have been probably the outstanding team in league 1 this season, very consistent, still involved in the FA cup and the semifinals of the Chekatrade Trophy, so are doing well on three fronts, and have a tremendous following with most of their home games being sold out in the home sections.
   Our game follows their home league game against Luton Town on Tuesday, their FA cup game at home to Q.P.R. yesterday which they drew, so they must be viewing this seven day period as one of the more important periods for them of the season.
    Ably managed by Kenny Jackett, and led on the field by the dangerous Bret Pitman they have a solid team of good players who have generally been well known to us from past meetings who are added to every season, a long way from me putting twenty quid in the bucket to get them going again a few seasons ago, the woman collecting being very pleased and appreciative of the Rovers  Fans generosity that day.
   A hard game in front of us, but at least we have a week to plan, recover, calm down, and go again.
   With just a few days of the transfer window left, both clubs will be hoping their better players feel settled and stay put, some of the teams competing to go up could be disrupted including ourselves.
   So, How do you see it going?
   With more competition for places, what team would you Pick?
   Do you think cup fever is a distraction?
   Are you  going to the game?
   Will you ever forgive Portsmouth for having Kitson play for them?
   These and lots more questions to be discussed about this game, please have your say.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Tough game this and then a huge one at home the week after. Huge run of games coming.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Definitely winnable. Wasn't impressed with them at the Keepmoat. If our young players can keep their heads, there's no reason we can't get a good result.

[tyke1962]

A Rovers win would be most welcome over here .

Wasn't that impressed with them at Oakwell and they were very fortunate to get a point .

You can beat them in my opinion .

[Jim Dobbin]

Portsmouth will struggle to make the play offs, l wouldn't say they are the outstanding team. They are also on a bad run.

[IDM]

Portsmouth will struggle to make the play offs.??

I have little time for them but they need to have relegation form for the rest of the season to finish outside the top 6..

[les@donr]

Aren't we their jinx team?

[Paul Simpson]

A very winnable game if we play to our ability. Start Tyler Smith and downing alongside butler imo .

[Chris Black come back]

Our record there is pretty good and they are now t generally on a great run of form at the moment.

[Campsall rover]

We have won 3 and drawn 1 of our last 4 matches at Fratton Park.
They are on a sticky run at the moment so if we are on it then it’s a winnable game.
Good time to be playing them as they have a match this Tues v Luton in the league and the replay at QPR on the following Tues.

[dknward2]

Just need 3 red cards and injures for both teams on Tues all 2 yellows plus any players on 9 bookings to be booked too

[drfchound]

Not much then.

[dknward2]

Ha no never ask for too much

[drfchound]

Don’t ask don’t get mate.

[scawsby steve]

A very winnable game if we play to our ability. Start Tyler Smith and downing alongside butler imo .

How on earth can you justify dropping Tom Anderson?.

[selby]

  Steve, I agree with your sentiments, Anderson has played very well and has been a big part of us playing well in recent games and until he loses form should keep the shirt.
   It does show however how the strength of the squad has improved since Christmas that players like Tommy Rowe are not automatic choices, the lad from Sheff U and Sadlier will put pressure on the front men, and  the lad from Swasea will be pushing to get in the side. Coupled with Wright returning and things look a lot better.
   Only hanging on to everyone, especially Marquis and Whiteman could cloud the horizon.

[since-1969]

It has the hall marks of a season defining game , with our new fortunes in the cup is showing the boards trust in McCann to stear the club to a higher level has been right from day one . McCann’s astute loans have installed belief and character that’s  within the teams abilities to progress .
With Kane and Mason returning it has steadied the ship and with Stadlier Lewis and Downing to select from it gives Pompey a real headache prempting our selection to start the game . A win is more important now if we are to slow down their progress and others in the mix . I feel we now have momentum on our side and should get a result .

[Colemans Left Hook]

my best mate omar bogle has just gone on loan there …. now spot on 2 years since he flew the Grimsby nest 

[steve@dcfd]

Two players Thompson and Hawkins have missed the last 8/6 games respectively. Hawkins could play some part tonight but both will be ready for our game on Saturday. Plus new signing Bogle will add to there fire power.

[Jim Dobbin]

Portsmouth will struggle to make the play offs.??

I have little time for them but they need to have relegation form for the rest of the season to finish outside the top 6..

Like sitting at the top of the table and losing 4 games out of their next six? They are on relegation form alright.

[selby]

  Yes Jim, and we have a long history of taking that attitude into a game and getting that team back on track. 
   The upsetting story to break about Mason is forced to be an issue at least in the near future, with the management having to make a decision on how the club should handle it, and they  will realise that they will not be able to do right for doing wrong. Some supporters wanting him sacked, while others will still want him to play.
   I can only say how disappointed I am with the player whose actions have brought bad publicity to the club, something we can well do without.
   Certainly there will be repercussions with the club and Mason,and I think we the supporters should take a step back and let them sort their business out themselves, his value as a saleable asset to the club probably now gone.
  Portsmouth will be smarting from their recent form, and will be a tougher proposition because of it, and may have a couple of new signings by the end of the window to  throw at us.
   Only at our best will we be able to come away with a result, both teams having different pressures on them Portsmouth on the field and us off it now. 

[sedwardsdrfc]

Not sure on the team i'd pick for this I've not seen pompey play other than at the keepmoat earlier in the season where they didn't look anything special. In big games i always find the temptation to fit Blair in the team maybe for one of the front 3 because he'll work his b*llocks off both going forwards/defending and makes decent runs which give Kane etc space(our Park Ji-Sung).

But we are dangerous going forward and it'd be against McCann's style to try to be more solid so i expect a 433 as usual. I hope Alfie starts but reckon Wilks and Copps will be either side of Marquis with Crawford back in the middle

[selby]

  My thoughts  on last weeks game was that Herbie Kane played much deeper with Crawford missing from the team. We press much higher up the field when Crawford plays giving the rest in midfield more space to play in the centre of the field which is  our strength.
   Instead we were on the receiving end in that area with Oldhams big midfielder No 42 having a great game against us, and making a battle of it, although we were the better team.
  Portsmouth will be man for man much better than Oldham, and will have more of the game, Blair or  the lad from Swansea  probably playing the right back area will I think be one change, where we are likely to be playing part of the game on the counter, I would prefer Wilks to start up front with Marquis assuming he is still our player at least until the end of the season.
  Better to stick to talking football for the rest of this week and not be distracted by other events.

[steve@dcfd]

Looks like they might be signing Lloyd Isgrove( winger) from Barnsley

[drfchound]

On the back of their losing run, Pompey will be under pressure from their supporters.
If we could score first, especially an early goal, then the crowd will be right on their case and it will become an uphill battle for them.

[godlike1]

After the loss at Luton is a massive game for pompey who will be all guns blazing at us. We need to be strong, bide our time and sneak an unlikely away goal. We need to keep in touch with the top 6 so I think this is a very big game for us

[dknward2]

Swap mason for butler then could work

[drfchound]

Swap mason for butler then could work

I know Ferguson is in the news again.........but........three at the back, no thanks.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Yeah lets not drop our team shape and way of playing to fit players in. Blair at right back for me I'd like to say Lewis would play but when Mason was out recently GM looked to Blair which makes me think Lewis is still a bit green.

[since-1969]

Swap mason for butler then could work

Play 5 across the middle to slow them down . We have brilliant midfield who have ability to play close and get behind their defenders with Marquis the best striker in FL .


                    Marquis
                May OR Wilks .
  Rowe Kane Whiteman Crawford Copps
         Andrews Downing Mason
                      Marosi