Corners, Goals, Offsides And Nelson The Dog

Last Post

2009-07-10T10:41:00.003+01:00

So this is the end of another blog, and what a season it has been. What is going to happen next season well let me look into my crystal ball ......................... I see but I am not going to tell you!

With no official announcement on new owners yet, I have decided to take no notice of any press or fans site until it is announced on the Portsmouth FC web site. We are very close to the deal going one way or the other, I am getting fed up with one paper saying one thing and the other saying the other. The only people who know what is going on are the club and the Dr and his representatives. So untill they come out of that smoked filled room so to speak we and evryone else know nothing.

So till the next blog gets going Good Bye Pompeygary

New blog at this link BANANA AND STARFISH

Watching Idiots

2009-06-19T10:46:00.002+01:00

I used to say to myself when I watched Sunday Supplement " what are these people on?" they used to talk such utter drivel, they seemed to think they new it all. To me they were Football fans last and bully boy hacks first, they are so far removed from what the real fan is thinking it is a bit scary. So I was not surprised to find the Pompeytgate rubbish is the work of one of these morons, a none story story, what is his problem with my team? well I tell ye in hack fashion

Headline "POMPEY-HATING GEORDIE HACK FILLS THE SUN WITH LOAD OF CACK"

And there is more substance in that headline than anything this idiot has ever written.

At This Time

2009-06-18T10:46:00.002+01:00

As things stand in my mind Pompey are in the same position as we were at the end of the season, the owner wants to sell the club and will not put more money in. The club are still cutting costs and balancing the books to make the club break even. The players that are going or gone want to go, and I think there must be a clause in Glen Johnson's contract to the effect that if a big club come in for him he can go, and I think the money for him is a good deal but it is sad to see him go.
As with the proposed sale of the club to Sulaiman Al-Fahim we are in the process of Due diligence as of the time of the announcement on the club web site and to the press so we are only half way through, the announcement of the selling of the club is usually done when Due diligence is completed and finalized but with other clubs trying to tempt Sulaiman Al-Fahim away from Pompey Peter Storrie had announce it to the world. We would know nothing about this now but it has been pushed to the public for the sake of the take over.
The selling of players is ultimately up to the owner not Sulaiman Al-Fahim who is not, until the sale of the club goes through.
So until we get a new owner things will stay on course with what Peter Storrie has said all along "we need to balance the books"
By the way I am not going to waste my time talking about the rubbish in the National press over this story so I wont. Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr in the house

2009-06-06T10:10:00.002+01:00

So the good Dr made a visit to Fratton Park yesterday, I have been waiting for something more than just paper talk and to see the Dr at the park was encouraging and by all accounts he was a nice guy.
Questions on the message board and in the press are as follows.
When will the deal be completed? I don't know
What are the Dr's plans? Who knows
Where is the money coming from? Your guess is as good as mine.
This is what I want if all goes well, the redevelopment of Fratton Park, the new training facility and keeping of our best players and improvement of the squad and a new stadium.Not much to ask for then! oh I forgot paying of our debt.
The only thing the press can find to be negative about this (I do believe that some of the press hate Pompey and every year they can't wait or Pompey to fall) is the FA's Fit and Proper checks, I hope this gets the go ahead witch I think it will, as Portsmouth are one of the proposed city's for the world cup and the Dr is the only man to deliver a world class stadium for Pompey and England that may help things!. Why are we the first club to get problems when we are going to get a rich owner, they are all against us I tell you!!!!!!!!

New Owner

2009-06-01T11:19:00.002+01:00

It was one afternoon I was looking at some message boards and one of the headers came up and said "Pompey bought by Billionaire Arab" so looking at it thinking it would be a joke article or a wind up. But no as the afternoon went on it started to appear on more and more reputable web sites until this below appeared on the Portsmouth web site. I am not going to get to excited until the deal is done and dusted. The press I think were caught with there trousers down with this one, I had a feeling they were sharpening their knives for our potential fire sale and demise. So they can go and pick on someone else so to all the press I say "Fuck Of And Die"

So I am going to extend this blog until the sale goes through, so if it does well done Peter Storrie.

Portsmouth Football Club can confirm that it has accepted an offer from Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim to buy the club.

This follows initial due diligence and negotiations with Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie on behalf of club owner Alexandre Gaydamak.

Peter Storrie concluded the deal with Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim in Rome on Tuesday night.

A period of formal legal and financial due diligence will commence next week so that the transaction can be completed as soon as possible.

The club cannot make any further comment on the future structure of the club until this period has been completed.

Wigan1-0Pompey

2009-06-01T11:12:00.002+01:00

So we ended this season on a defeat, I did not even have the radio on for this one I was watching Newcastle get relegated sad I know. So that's it for another season a slightly different end to this season than the last, what will happen next term?

Wigan: Kingson, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Brown, N'Zogbia (McManaman 78), De Ridder (Routledge 90), Rodallega.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Edman, Cho, Watson, Kupisz.

Goals: Rodallega 26.

Portsmouth: Begovic, Kaboul (Kanu 72), Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Pennant (Thomas 72), Hughes, Mullins, Traore, Utaka, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Primus, Pamarot, Cranie, Basinas.

Booked: Hreidarsson, Hughes, Crouch, Thomas.

Att: 17,696

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Portsmouth 3-1 Sunderland

2009-05-24T12:36:00.003+01:00

Well what a good Finnish to the season at home. It seemed for the first half that as we were safe that we might lose this, we started with quite an attacking formation for once 4-3-3, but strangely I am glad to say when we went to 4-4-2- in the second half and went on to win from one down. But to me the highlight of the night was when Linvoy came on for the last five and it gave the game that added extra punch that we have been missing at home since the AC Milan.

It was good to go back to my old haunt and have a couple of drinks. The place soon got busy with a glow of relief that we were now safe for this season. The only downside for Mum was the lack of Stella. Well there is no accounting for taste.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play when Calum Davenport's cross was tapped in by Kenwyne Jones.

John Utaka fired in an equaliser a minute later and then forced Phil Bardsley to bundle in an own goal that gave the home side the lead.

Portsmouth went down the other end to score; Utaka finding Traore on the left and the defender drilled a shot past Fulop into the far corner to seal the win.

So except for pride and a bit more money, the game against Wigan there is not much to play for I still hope for a win, but I will be more interested in the 4 way who is going down matches that will be one afternoon in front of the box.

Portsmouth: Begovic, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Davis, Mullins, Hughes (Traore 46), Kanu (Kaboul 46), Crouch (Primus 90).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Nugent, Basinas, Belhadj.

Booked: Utaka.

Goals: Utaka 60, Bardsley 68 og, Traore 88.

Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Davenport, Ferdinand, Collins, Tainio (Cisse 80), Malbranque (Edwards 54), Whitehead, Leadbitter (Murphy 85), Richardson, Jones.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Reid, Healy, McShane.

Goals: Jones 59.

Att: 20,398

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

New Owners? Are the getting round the table?

2009-05-17T16:31:00.003+01:00

From SkySports.com

Portsmouth supremo Peter Storrie says he is in advanced talks to sell the club - and there will not be a fire-sale of players this summer.

The Fratton Park chairman says there are two interested parties looking to take over the club from owner Sasha Gaydamak.

He believes a deal will be done and dusted by the start of July and he is optimistic about the future.

Storrie told the News of the World: "I am in advanced talks (to sell the club) with two interested parties and believe a deal will be struck by the start of July.
Prepare

"That's when the transfer window opens and that's when we will need to know what money we have to prepare for next season. So I am optimistic about the club's future.

"I have heard all the doom and gloom stories about us being loaded with a mountain of debt which will mean we have to have a fire-sale of players in the summer. But I am telling you that's absolute rubbish.

"Sasha has been very open and honest about this. He made it clear earlier in the season that he would not continue to invest in the club and that he wanted to sell.

"And I can tell you he will lose a lot of money when he does complete the sale of the club - money that would make most people wince.

Long-term

"But he is prepared to do that because he is so concerned about the long-term future of this club."

Pub for Monday

2009-05-17T16:26:00.002+01:00

The good old Traveller's Joy, my old regular haunt.

Safe!

2009-05-17T16:24:00.002+01:00

So we are safe at last. Thanks to Newcastle loosing to Fulham, so Monday night I can relax a bit more and party! So I expect an announcement about a new owner very soon me thinks.

Will we be safe today?

2009-05-16T12:04:00.002+01:00

If Hull or Newcastle lose today Pompey will be safe for another season. I would go with Hull I'm afraid but it would be nice if they both lost, but knowing how it goes with Pompey they will both win so hold on tight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So still not safe

2009-05-10T15:38:00.002+01:00

I was hoping for a point at Blackburn, so with two games to go we must get about two points but I think we will need 4, never easy as a Pompey fan. Thankfully the teams below us are worse than us so we may not need the points, and by Monday it could all be over I hope. Play up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blackburn 2-0 Portsmouth

2009-05-10T15:37:00.000+01:00

Blackburn all but sealed their Premier League place with a comfortable win over a Pompey side still desperately seeking the win they need to survive.

Morten Gamst Pedersen put Rovers ahead after David James had flapped under pressure from Christopher Samba.

Benni McCarthy made victory safe from the penalty spot after Hermann Hreidarsson had needlessly handled.

John Utaka wasted a chance to set up a tense finish when he hopelessly blazed over from the penalty spot.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce:
"This has not been a great escape, it has been survival we worked hard for over several games.

"We have been clear for a while and are nearly there with two games to go. Forty points guarantees nothing but I don't think we can be caught now."

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart:
"You have to be on your toes against teams like Blackburn. They are hard to play against but I felt we gifted them two goals and that is disappointing.

"I have said all along that there will be no complacency from us in our preparation. If anyone thought we were safe already then today is a timely reminder that is not the case."

Blackburn: Robinson, Andrews, Nelsen, Givet, Warnock, Diouf, Grella, Kerimoglu, Pedersen, Samba, McCarthy (Mokoena 83).
Subs not used: Bunn, Khizanishvili, Villanueva, Treacy, Olsson, Doran.

Booked: McCarthy, Andrews.

Goals: Pedersen 31, McCarthy 58 pen.

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul (Pennant 64), Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Johnson, Hughes (Kanu 53), Davis, Mullins, Belhadj (Utaka 53), Crouch.
Subs not used: Begovic, Nugent, Basinas, Cranie.

Booked: Johnson

Attendance: 24,234

Referee: Mike Riley (Yorkshire)

POMPEY 0-3ARSENAL (Youth)

2009-05-10T15:17:00.003+01:00

Well I had this one down for a defeat before the game and I was right about that one.

Got to the pub nice and early, got the drinks and sat outside in the sun and waited for Mum. with only two tables it got a bit busy on the street. When Mum arrived there must of been about 15 odd people standing around the other table, one of them said to me and Mum " are you with us?" I said "no we are with ourselves" He said they were with an internet fan group the Vital Pompey and they had decided to meet up for an end of season bash And take some pics of the group, if you look at the pic below you will see Pompeygary (Me) and my Mum enjoying a pint in the sun on the right of the picture. It was a lovely worm day so we headed for the ground.

The first half we played badly with one up front and went 2 down in the first half, the whole team were quite pore. The second half we were all over Arsenal but they got a third and it was all over.

Pompey goalkeeper David James gifted Arsenal the opener when he fumbled Nicklas Bendtner's header into his net.

The Dane then grabbed a second from the penalty spot after Sean Davis was ruled to have fouled captain Andrey Arshavin.

Carlos Vela lashed home a third before Noe Pamarot was sent off for bringing Arshavin down when through on goal

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart:
"The boys are adamant that it was not a penalty for their second goal and I agree with them. There was no physical contact.

"I am not here to vilify referees. We have had a few decisions go against us recently but it is a tough life for referees and it is for us.

"Everyone around us in the table has lost today, so there is no change. We just have to look after ourselves."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
"I wanted to give a breather to some of the players

"I have no doubts about the younger players because I see them every day and what we work on, you could see that on the pitch today.

"We were sharp, composed and mobile with a great attitude."

Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson (Kanu 46), Pennant (Utaka 46), Davis, Hughes, Mullins, Belhadj, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Primus, Nugent, Basinas, Cranie.

Sent Off: Pamarot (78).

Booked: Campbell, Kanu, Davis.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Song Billong, Djourou, Eboue, Walcott (Bischoff 64), Denilson, Ramsey (Randall 82), Arshavin, Bendtner (Merida 77), Vela.
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Coquelin, Emmanuel-Thomas, Frimpong.

Booked: Arshavin.

Goals: Bendtner 13, 41 pen, Vela 56.

Att: 20,418

Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

PUB

2009-05-01T15:39:00.002+01:00

Drinks will be at The Milton Arms , yes this fine pub is a favorite of ours one of the few real pubs left.

Historic old Brickwoods pub which was almost demolished in the 1920s. The main bar consists of a long public bar which runs the length of the frontage and there is an old barn at the rear of the property which doubles as a lounge and function room, where live bands sometimes perform.

Football away fans beware - the pub is known to be very partisan when it comes to Portsmouth FC and the house is therefore not suitable for visiting supporters.

Newcastle 0-0 Pompey

2009-05-01T15:29:00.002+01:00

So it looks like the fat man is singing for the Toon, and with the abuse he gave the Pompey fans I hope they go down now!
What a nervy night I had with the radio on, and I am very happy with a draw. And that bloody woodwork got in the way again!
This point will be almost enough for us, but not for the Toon.

Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Guthrie 28), Smith, Butt (Gutierrez 71), Duff, Viduka (Carroll 64), Martins, Owen.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Barton, Lovenkrands, Edgar.

Booked: Bassong, Carroll.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Davis, Belhadj, Hughes, Mullins, Nugent (Pennant 65), Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pamarot, Utaka, Cranie, Kanu, Basinas.

Booked: Hreidarsson, Johnson.

Att: 47,481

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

Southampton

2009-04-24T11:41:00.002+01:00

On this I will gloat, for all the years of stick I got when Pompey were shit, the name calling in the street the "your going down" in the pub from complete strangers. I can take stick no problem, but for all the years that Saints fans looked down on Pompey it's time for us to claim Kings Of The South goodbye Southampton FC.

Southampton have been effectively relegated after being docked 10 points by the Football League.

The ruling comes after Saints' parent company went into administration, though the club and administrators say they expect to launch an appeal.

Four points off safety with two games to go, Saints will lose 10 points if they stay up in the Championship.

And if they do not avoid finishing in the bottom three then the points penalty will take effect next season.

The south coast outfit had hoped to avoid the punishment as they argued that it was their parent company Southampton Leisure Holdings plc (SLH) which had gone into administration on 2 April - not the football club.

But a League investigation by "independent forensic accountants" found that the football club and SLH were "inextricably linked as one economic entity" and applied their mandatory penalty.

The League also found that: "The holding company has no income of its own; all revenue and expenditure is derived from the operation of Southampton Football Club and the associated stadium company.

"The holding company is solvent in its own right. It only becomes insolvent when account is taken of the position of Southampton football club and the other group companies."

The statement added that there was no alternative other than to invoke the 10-point penalty.

It was also revealed that the company commissioned to look into the matter reported that co-operation with them was withdrawn towards the end of their enquiries.

However, Mark Fry, joint administrator of SLH, insisted he was "shocked and extremely disappointed" with the League's decision to deduct points.

Former chairman urges fans to back club

"The football club was not even aware that the investigation had been concluded," he told the BBC.

"We remain very firmly of the view that the rules do not apply, and that the Football League has stretched the rules to meet the circumstances. The football club is not in administration.

"The Football League is a members' organisation, and with any such body of that nature, you run the risk that if there is any grey area, they can interpret the rules as they see fit.

"I think they've interpreted the rules to suit the conclusion they wanted to reach.

"It is expected that an appeal will be launched."

Leon Crouch, who has had two spells as chairman of the football club, hit out at the "terrible timing" of the League's decision.

He told BBC Five Live Sport: "Southampton Leisure Holdings and Southampton Football Club are two separate companies.

"Mark Fry is the administrator for SLH, he's not the administrator for the club. We're not in administration, we're paying our bills and I don't see how they can take these points off us.

"Southampton Football Club was set up so that if this ever happened, we would not have these points deducted - it's the way they have interpreted the rules.

"I think we have a very strong case, I hope we appeal and we now have to focus on winning against Burnley on Saturday, we need to safeguard our Championship status and then hopefully have this decision overturned - then we'll be back where we belong next season."

Responding to Crouch on Five Live Sport, Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney said: "What he said that was of particular interest of me was when he said this structure was set up to avoid the football club having a penalty if it got into financial trouble.

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney
The board is acting on sound legal advice, implementing the rules the clubs themselves wanted put in place

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney

"We have looked carefully at the holding company's annual accounts, which include the football club, we sent forensic accountants into the company - not Football League staff, but people whose expertise is to get to the bottom of relationships between companies - and we have taken external legal advice.

"It's quite clear the holding company and the football club are inextricably linked as one economic entity.

"All of the evidence pointed us to the conclusion that an administrator has been appointed that covers the club or aspects of the club as well as the holding company, and that being the case, we had no flexibility under Football League regulations - we had to apply sporting sanctions.

"It's worth pointing out that those sporting sanctions were agreed by all the clubs. This is not a runaway decision - the board is acting on sound legal advice, implementing the rules the clubs themselves wanted put in place."

The 10-point deduction for Football League clubs entering administration was introduced in 2004, with Wrexham the first League team to suffer a deduction in the 2004/05 season.

In 2007, the rule was amended so that clubs going into administration after the fourth Thursday in March would have the 10-point deduction suspended, after Leeds United and Boston United both entered administration when they were all but relegated, just before the end of the 2006/07 season.

Manchester United 2-0Pompey

2009-04-24T11:38:00.002+01:00

Well I knew we would not get much from this, especially after Manchester United left out key players for the FA Cup game at the weekend, by all accounts we played very well. Next stop the Toon!

Pomey1-0Bolton

2009-04-24T11:01:00.003+01:00

Three points nice just what the Doctor ordered.
With no pub picked for this game as Mum was staying over for the night, we thought we would pick a place to pick at random, having got to Pompey fairly early we went of in a random direction and went for a cuppa in a cafe.
We left and went in search for a pub,the Fort Cumberland was the first pub we found, after ordering the drinks we went into the Family room mainly because some bloke was talking over the bar to people on the other side in a very annoying voice, why he could not walk over and sit closer to them I do not know? Although he did ask a Pompey fan in a hat and Pompey shirt and flag wrapped round and all sorts of Pompey paraphernalia "Are you going to Cricket then?" I found that very funny.

So to the game I don't care for Bolton that much, I don't hate them but now they have Megson in charge I like them less.
This was a game I just knew we would win and we did, so now we are six points of the bottom three with a game against Manchester United coming up no points there then.
Portsmouth had dominated the first half, with Glen Johnson, in an unusual midfield role, going close to breaking the deadlock on three occasions.It was an interesting first half, especially for 24-year-old England international Johnson, whose return from suspension saw him find a series of attacking opportunities.With Younes Kaboul playing an industrious role directly behind him, Johnson frequently found himself free to drift inside and even towards the left side of the field as Bolton's defenders struggled to track his movements.Substitute Kanu's faint touch from a Nadir Belhadj corner gave Portsmouth a vital home win over Bolton.

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart: "I didn't really see what happened for the goal but we'll take it. I'm told Kanu has claimed it but it doesn't matter to me who scores as long as it is us and I thought we deserved it today.

"Bolton have a way of playing that makes them difficult to play against but I think you have to give our players credit even though we didn't dominate in the second half as much as in the first half."

Bolton boss Gary Megson: "We were poor and Pompey were not that much better than us. We've got to show a big improvement on this even though three of our last five matches are at home. We are certainly not thinking we are safe yet.

The defending for the corner was very bad, letting it go straight in like that from Belhadj's corner. Did Kanu claim it? Well, he would. I should know, having had him at West Bromwich Albion!"

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul (Pennant 90), Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Johnson, Davis, Mullins, Nugent (Kanu 71), Kranjcar (Belhadj 77), Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pamarot, Utaka, Hughes.

Booked: Kranjcar, Distin.

Goals: Kanu 78.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, Basham, McCann, Gardner (Muamba 12), Kevin Davies, Elmander, Taylor.
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Smolarek, Puygrenier, Makukula, Cohen.

Booked: Kevin Davies, Andrew O'Brien, Hunt, McCann.

Att: 20,158

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Pompey 2-2 WBA

2009-04-17T15:12:00.002+01:00

Well a game we should off won, but at least we had a point and came from behind, but we could of done with a win!

The pub was a nice one if a bit empty, only for a locals baby in a chair who seemed to enjoy dropping everything on the floor, as we left more children arrived so it must of been the baby's birthday.

The home side took the lead through Younes Kaboul who fired high into the net from 12 yards.

West Brom equalised after the break when Jonathan Greening placed his six-yard shot past a helpless David James.

The Baggies then took the lead when Chris Brunt smashed in a free-kick from 25 yards before Niko Kranjcar's 30-yard strike won Pompey a precious point.

For Paul Hart's men, who began the day three points off the relegation zone, the point will improve immensely valuable but bottom-of-the-table West Brom will feel they missed a huge chance to gain a priceless win.

So it's Bolton next we must win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pompey boss Paul Hart:
"We didn't play well today and it would be wrong to say otherwise, but we've come out of it with a draw.

"We've moved up two places and 10 points from seven games is the best run we've had since October.

"We're not sprinting our way over the line, we're crawling. But if that's what we need to do then we'll crawl."

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray:
"We've been here for a long time. We need to win at Manchester City and get on with it.

"The fans deserve a team that is playing for them right until the death and I think they are getting that.

"The desire and the commitment of the players is clearly still there."

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Pennant (Gekas 90), Mullins, Hughes, Nugent (Belhadj 64), Kranjcar, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pamarot, Kanu, Utaka, Basinas.

Booked: Hreidarsson, Kranjcar, Kaboul.

Goals: Kaboul 33, Kranjcar 65.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon (Hoefkens 77), Meite, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison (Chris Woods 75), Greening, Koren, Dorrans, Brunt (Mulumbu 81), Fortune.
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Menseguez, Borja Valero, Simpson.

Booked: Dorrans.

Goals: Greening 48, Brunt 62.

Att: 20,376

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Place to drink

2009-04-10T11:19:00.002+01:00

So it's Easter drinks in Pompey and we shall be meeting at The Druid's Arms 11-15 Binsteed Road, Buckland, PO2 7PM.

This Victorian corner pub has retained the same name since its opening in the late 19th century. Part of the local Young's Brewery since 1897, it eventually ended up in the hands of Ind Coope until being sold to Gales of Horndean in 1990. The pub sports a large L-shaped public bar offering a jukebox, pool and darts, with a smaller lounge bar facing St Stephen's Road.

The pub is an occasional entry in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide.

Lets see if they have Stella ?

Southampton Don't die!

2009-04-04T12:21:00.002+01:00

I am so happy when Scum lose and I will be happy when they get relegated! but I do not wish the scum to go out of business. No club deserves that we need each other the South Coast needs the two clubs. Who will we make fun of every Saturday? The Saints must survive this for our good if nothing else.

Southampton's future is seriously under threat, according to the man appointed to run the club's owners.

Southampton's parent company was placed in administration on Thursday and chief executive Rupert Lowe has resigned.

Trading in Southampton Leisure Holding (SLH) plc's shares was suspended on Wednesday after the company admitted it needed extra money to have a future.

"The finances are interlinked therefore the future of the club is in serious jeopardy," said administrator Mark Fry.

"The holding company owns the football club. The football club is an asset."

The holding company has been put into administration with debts of £27.5m, reportedly made up of financial liabilities of £23.1m and an overdraft of £4.4m.

It is possible that putting the parent company into administration - thus wiping out a significant proportion of the club's debt - could save the club from a 10-point deduction.

Fans' reaction to financial news

The Football League has a monthly board meeting next Tuesday, and the Southampton situation will be one of the key items on the agenda.

A spokesman told BBC Sport said it would not comment until after that meeting, and he added it was not certain the club's fate would be decided once it finished.

Clubs such as Leeds and Luton, who were hit with points deductions themselves after going into administration, would be angry if Southampton avoided such a fate.

Lowe, Saints chairman Michael Wilde and director Andrew Cowen have resigned from the company with immediate effect, although a statement from SLH said the club is "unaffected by these insolvency proceedings".

The business is heavily in debt after spending more than £30m on the 32,000-seat St Mary's Stadium, which they moved to from The Dell in 2001, before being relegated from the Premier League in 2005.

606: DEBATE
Would be a joke if Southampton escaped a penalty by putting the holding company into admin rather than the club

YouAreMyForest

The administrators will now try and find a buyer for the club although Fry, who is joint administrator, admitted that has been an-on going process for the directors.

"The directors have tried to sell or seek investment for a considerable amount of time, which they have been unsuccessful in doing," Fry said.

The controversial Lowe was chairman at the club for 10 years until his removal in 2006 but linked up with Wilde, the man who initially replaced him, to return to the boardroom last summer.

But despite introducing a number of cost-cutting measures, including loaning out big earners and closing parts of St Mary's on match days, the south-coast club remain in desperate financial trouble.

In an earlier statement Fry insisted the club "could be an extremely attractive investment for the right buyer".

He added: "We are working hard to preserve the value of the football club and produce a positive outcome for all stakeholders.

"I ask that fans continue to show their support for the team for the remainder of the season as we seek to show the best face possible to potential investors."

Last October, SLH's bank Barclays significantly reduced the company's overdraft facility.

The Saints are second from bottom of the Championship, three points adrift of safety.

And it means they are now threatened by liquidation and could drop out of the Football League, if SLH fails to attract new investment by the end of the summer.

Pompey2-1Everton

2009-04-04T12:06:00.002+01:00

Well after a two week hiatus with the international break I'm back for the hard part of the season staying up.

With an early start and no car I had to get up mega early, so no pub we decided to meet in the marquee. Getting in early we got a table for once lovely, this place is good big screens and very loud. It gets full so quick one second I drink a beer the next I look up and then it is full of Pompey.

The game, I had a good feeling we would win this one, you know what I mean you just know. The moment Everton scored with that lovely free kick I just knew we would come back and win. And we did!!!!!

Two goals from Peter Crouch helped relegation-threatened Portsmouth to a priceless victory over Champions League hopefuls Everton at Fratton Park.

Everton went ahead after just four minutes when full-back Leighton Baines fired in a brilliant 20-yard free-kick.

Crouch equalised midway through the first half when he headed in Glen Johnson's nod-back from six yards.

And the England striker scored the winner with another header from Sean Davis' corner with 15 minutes left.

This was a win we needed and with two home games coming up after Hull we could be on for for seven points? I hope.

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart:
"This was a massive win for us - we've steadied the ship and I'm not surprised with that performance.

"We started poorly from the kick off but they got their heads together and got back on track.

On two-goal hero Peter Crouch: "Peter is fantastic and he deserves the statistics of three in the last two. He works hard and get goals."

Everton manager David Moyes:
"We started well by scoring the goal but didn't capitalise on that.

"The team didn't defend well at set pieces. We knew about Peter Crouch's threat but we didn't stop it and didn't cope well.

"It's not common for us to make mistakes which is why it feels bad."

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Johnson, Davis, Mullins, Nugent (Kanu 74), Kranjcar, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pamarot, Utaka, Hughes, Basinas, Belhadj.

Booked: Hreidarsson, Kaboul.

Goals: Crouch 22, 75.

Everton: Howard, Jacobsen (Gosling 86), Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Fellaini, Neville, Pienaar, Saha, Jo (Rodwell 90).
Subs Not Used: Nash, Castillo, Agard, Baxter, Wallace.

Booked: Osman.

Goals: Baines 4.

Att: 20,388

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Drinks foe Everton.

2009-03-20T12:22:00.001Z

As the game is so bloody early, I think we should meet at the Marquee outside Fratton Park. I am taking the bus so maybe a beer or two more if we have time.

Fans Forum from Rivals

2009-03-20T12:08:00.002Z

Pompeygary says " Interesting but mostly Peter Storrie filling us up with rehashed stories but honest to a point. It's a shame Sasha has ran out of money not just for us but for him to. I had hoped he would carry on his good work, lets just hope he finds us a good new owner.

This is from Rivals.

Well firstly it was bloody freezing in there, most people felt it was warmer outside!

Peter Storrie and Paul Hart were the two main guests and the Club had also brought along some old players from the past, Ray Hiron etc.

The Asia cup and a replica FA cup were also there for anyone who wanted photos with them.

Main topics of conversation were:

The Ground
Basinas
Conceding late goals
Gekas
New Kit
Training Ground
Reserve Team
New Owner
Games shifting ie Newcastle now on a Monday!

On the Fratton Park proposal, Peter Storrie said that planning permission had been altered slightly as the previous proposal had included residential building, which in this current climate is a no go. The supermarket option finances 70% of the cost of building 2 and 1/2 new stands, new facilities in the stands (pie and pint shops, new loos with hot running water in the taps...) The South Stand will become the away end. The capacity initially will increase by 5000 and once work is completed by November next season (work is meant to commence in May) it will have increased by 10000.

Basinas is not played as Hart believes we need tougher contact players on the field whilst we are in this relegation battle and feels Mullins is the man for the job.

Late goals issue was defended by saying we've done it all season, not just lately....also said that 5 points from last few games are great, but he knows we are in a battle and words were said in the dressing room after boro.

Gekas did refuse to play for the reserves, needless to say Hart and Storrie are not happy with this as hes contracted to the club and should do as he's told basically. Apparently he was bought after being seen on a video and that he has actually only played 2 hours 59 minutes this season, all as a late sub. Apparently Hart has spoken to him and says he needs to see him play, he cant take risks with team selection as we're fighting for survival and that if he is as good as Gekas says he is why didnt his team keep him!

New kit will be red, white and blue.

Training ground, work to start in the next month, the contracts have been awarded and all plans etc have gone through.

Reserve team, its felt that the reserves need to play more matches and there is supposed to be a proposal that the reserve league becomes an under 21 league.

New Owner, apparently a few people are interested, but until they show the colour of their money, nothing is concrete. Sasha is skint and will not put any more money into the club and if the club isnt sold by the new season, we are going to have a difficult summer, although not as bad as the last transfer window. We are running on a break even basis just now, but with new sky money etc we will be okay.

Afterwards someone asked about Diop, he has started running again today and is about a month away from a return, so good news on that front.

All in all, I thought Paul Hart was a very straightforward down to earth guy who seemed very honest.

There was a bit of joking at the start regarding winning the cup etc, players wanting to go clubbing after the win and take the cup with them, herman being held onto the side of the bus by Sasha when he tried to climb off to go to the loo....

I enjoyed it, my only complaint was how cold it was in there and that maybe it shouldve been held in one of the function rooms.

oops forgot to say about the games being shifted about. Peter Storrie said that we have no control over it, its to do with so many european fixtures etc and not just down to sky and setanta.

He did however say, that without the sky money we and probably every club in the premiership (including man utd) would be bankrupt. The sky money pays the wages and if we dont offer the wages then the best players would all go abroad, so as much as people dislike their games being disrupted theres not much anyone can do about it.

Back To Plan One.

2009-03-20T12:03:00.002Z

Pompey have announced it will freeze any plans to move to Horsea Island and instead redevelop Fratton Park.

The football club's new plan will see the club's current home increase in capacity to 30,000.

The decision was made to put on ice the Horsea Island scheme following a number of planning and financial issues.

These include:

- New exits to the Horsea Island site from the M27

- A new bridge from Tipner to Horsea Island to link the two developments

- A change to the city plan proposed by the council to accommodate the stadium will still need to be subject to an inquiry by an independent inspector appointed by the Secretary of State

- The issue of the 'credit crunch', which has affected housing and almost all other developments, as well as lenders' attitudes to large projects

In a statement Pompey said: 'The club's ultimate aim remains a 40-45,000-seater stadium at Horsea Island near Port Solent, along with a multi purpose arena and residential and retail development to help fund and support the project.'

Initial work on Fratton Park would see the pitch turned 90 degrees and see two new stands, an extension to the Fratton End and refurbishments made to the south stand.

This work would be paid for by selling off part of the site to a major supermarket.

The club would also build a new club shop, ticket office and club offices.

Pompey say work could start before the end of the year, subject to planning permission.

The capacity would initially grow to 25,000 for the start of the 2010/2011 season and 30,000 once the work is completed by the beginning of the 2011/2012 season.

A planning application for the work at Fratton Park would be submitted 'as soon as possible', the club said.

So Pompeygary says "I hope this is true, but haven't we heard this one before?"

Gekas get to work!

2009-03-20T11:52:00.002Z

So Theofanis Gekas will not play a reserve game for Paul Hart to see him play in the flesh, well in my mind Hart is right not to play him. Reputation means nothing in practice, so Pompeygary says send him home.

Boro1-1 Pompey

2009-03-20T11:38:00.002Z

Having to sit listen to this match was in the most not good for one's heart. I said I would be happy with a draw before the match, but to go one nil up and then see the opposition go down to ten men, and then concede a very late goal at the end I would have to say I am a bit disappointed. Well the one good thing at the moment is our form has improved of late but we must keep it up, so it's Everton at home for an early kick off on Saturday so Play Up Pompey!!!!!!

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate on Martin Atkinson dismissing Matthew Bates for diving:

"He is an excellent referee but it was a strange decision.

"But it changed the course of the game because the crowd then came back behind us.

"It could be a crucial point and we are still in there fighting."

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart:

"It is very, very disappointing because going into the last minute in front you think you've cracked it. But if you had asked me before if I would have settled for a point I would have said yes.

"We are not shipping goals like we were, and goal difference could turn out to be important in the final reckoning."

Middlesbrough: Jones, McMahon, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz (Taylor 46), Aliadiere (Adam Johnson 58), Arca (Alves 71), Bates, Downing, Sanli, King. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Emnes, Shawky, Walker.

Sent Off: Bates (77).

Booked: Bates.

Goals: King 90.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Pennant (Belhadj 36), Davis, Mullins, Kranjcar (Pamarot 90), Crouch, Nugent (Hughes 70). Subs Not Used: Begovic, Kaboul, Utaka, Kanu.

Booked: Belhadj, Nugent, Johnson.

Goals: Crouch 30.

Att: 24,281

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Pompey 0-1 Chelsea

2009-03-10T10:31:00.003Z

I don't know why I bother going to see us play Chelsea, we never win. But it is always fun and this was a good game and with a bit of luck and a good ref ( yeah right) we might of got a draw. With results going against us at the mo it all looks a bit grim. But I and the few others that have seen all this before just wish JKL's would stop moaning and get behind the team, I know that the players got us into this mess by not playing for Adams. I blame them not completely but we lost to many games we should have won. The day that Paul Hart and co took over I said that we would see a change in the team and we did even when we lost, but is it to late I hope not.

I have to say that the meal that my Mum got me for my Birthday (21 again) was lovely thanks Mum. The pub is a busy one on match days, with home and away fans all getting on, I like that , don't get me wrong I like a good Pompey only pub, but it is good to see everyone getting along ( I can hear the 657 turning in their graves).

The bloody rain was well bad, we woz soaked by the time we got to the ground, as were our seats, we are only four rows from the pitch lovley, we pay money to sit in the cold and rain to watch mega rich stars fall over on the pitch we must be mad, but I love it.

Didier Drogba struck late on to earn title-chasing Chelsea a vital win against Portsmouth in horrendous weather conditions.

Drogba had earlier narrowly failed to connect with an Ashley Cole driven cross as Chelsea dominated possession.

Relegation-threatened Pompey were kept at bay by Blues keeper Petr Cech, who saved from Sean Davis and David Nugent.

Both clubs had shown their ruthless side in sacking their respective managers within 24 hours of each other back in early February.

The visitors endured a nervy final 10 minutes but held on to preserve Hiddink's 100% record as temporary boss and consign Portsmouth manager Paul Hart to the first defeat of his tenure.

On the way home in the car we allways have the local radio station on, and they confirmed the Paul Hart was to be manager with Kidd till the end of the season, I think they could of announced this before the game but hay ho thts Pompey for you, so it's now time to get behind Pompey in the old way and raise the roof and snatch the sky. Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!

Pub for Chelsea Match

2009-03-02T17:49:00.004Z

2 Eastern Road, Milton, PO3 6ES

Opened in 1938, this large road house was built for the Brickwoods Brewery and is now a prominent feature on one of the city's main roads. Popular with a mainly local clientele, the pub is always packed when Portsmouth FC are playing home matches at nearby Fratton Park.
The pub serves food daily and also features a large TV screen on which to view sporting fixtures. There is ample car parking at the front of the pub.

I will be there at about 5.

Stoke 2-2 Pompey

2009-03-02T17:22:00.002Z

Bloody ref how on earth did he get that pen so wrong? I tell you it's not because it went against Pompey it's a bad decision all round (it could of happened to Stoke and I would be just as annoyed). This is starting to get bloody annoying the quality of the reffs is getting wors not better.
It was good to see Pompey fight back from going 2-1 down, we would of lost that one with Tony Adams I'm afraid. Listening to the radio I was overjoyed to be one up in what sounded like a poore game, but then Stoke got that pen and we just fell apart when they scored another, but we got a bit of what we deserved when it went 2 all with a Stoke own goal. In my living room I scared to cat as I shouted at our 90 minute leveller sorry Bobby.

Portsmouth earned a dramatic point against Stoke City thanks to an injury-time own goal by Ryan Shawcross.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis:
"It was two points dropped. When you go into injury-time leading 2-1 you hope to win but we have switched off and they have caught us.

"When they went 1-0 up I thought it would be difficult for us but we came back with the two goals and we were looking to see it out."

Portsmouth caretaker boss Paul Hart:
"We were unfortunate not to win. We scored a very good goal, had weathered the storm and defended like Trojans.

"But we didn't have time to get into a defensive shape to defend before the penalty, which wasn't a penalty, simple as that.

"Johnson leant towards the ball but his hands are nowhere near it.

"When you are faced with a decision that you feel isn't right it knocks you back. We were still reeling from it when Stoke scored again."

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Lawrence (Tonge 66), Diao, Amdy Faye, Pugh, Sidibe (Cresswell 84), Beattie.
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Whelan, Kitson, Camara, Sonko.

Booked: Lawrence.

Goals: Beattie 78 pen, 80.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Pennant, Basinas (Mullins 71), Davis, Kranjcar (Kanu 89), Crouch, Nugent (Belhadj 89).
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Kaboul, Pamarot, Utaka.

Booked: Hreidarsson, Johnson, Davis.

Goals: Kranjcar 75, Shawcross 90 og.

Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).

A drab game came alive after 75 minutes when David Nugent set up Niko Kranjcar to slide Pompey in front.

James Beattie quickly levelled from the spot after Glen Johnson was adjudged to have handled then, seconds later, he put Stoke ahead from close range.

Pompey poured forward and got their reward when Shawcross deflected Hermann Hreidarsson's cross into his own net.

Given the lack of quality that had been on display for most of the game at the Britannia Stadium, it was an unexpectedly exciting finish.

James makes record appearance and slags off Adams

2009-02-21T11:30:00.004Z

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James was quick to look ahead to playing more games as he celebrated breaking the record for Premier League appearances.

The 38-year-old James made his 536th Premier League appearance in Pompey's 2-0 win against Manchester City to surpass the record set by Gary Speed.

"I'd like to extend the record," said James. "It's about playing in the best league in the world and enjoying it."

"To have a longevity record in the best league in the world is a big plus."

James was equally o quick to urge his team-mates to keep their feet on the ground after Portsmouth recorded their first league win since November under caretaker boss Paul following the sacking of Tony Adams last week.

"We cannot get carried away, we have not done anything today that has surpassed anything we have done in the past," said the Portsmouth keeper.

"We have just got back to being a boring 2-0 winning side and we are happy with that."

James believes Portsmouth lost their way during Tony Adams's reign, which lasted just 16 games.

"We seemed to lack a lot of the basic stuff," said James.

It is not for me to to choose who the manager is but I have a hell of a lot of respect for Kiddo

James on Brian Kidd

"We were a side last season that did not expect to score a lot of goals so we knew we had to keep clean sheets - and when we did score we knew we had to hold on to it. But we lost that earlier in the season and it is difficult to get back into things."

James also praised the work of Hart's assistant Brian Kidd.

"Kidd just constantly talks about football, about how to improve," said James.

"He was talking about striker Andy Cole this morning and how he improved at Manchester United and you just think 'this guy loves it'. When someone is like that they can only help other people.
It was important we had that because the belief had gone somewhere down the line.

"It is not for me to to choose who the manager is but I have a hell of a lot of respect for Kiddo from the time I worked with him at England and I've known Harty through the Portsmouth Academy.

"If it takes a little time to appoint a decent manager, I think the club are in decent hands in the meantime."

But James reiterated his desire to see former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson take over at Fratton Park.

"I have a lot of respect for Sven. As good as Sven is he knows his limitations and that why he appoints people to help him out who have the qualities that are needed."

Pompey 2-0 Man City

2009-02-21T10:52:00.002Z

Well the sacking of Adams has given us 3 points at last, I was sad to see Adams lose his job but so far it looks like a good move for Pompey. I have not seen so much movement in the dug out at Fratton Park for a long time, every time something needed to be said to the players it was done, unlike Adams who was the compete opposite.

This was our second trip to this pub (only a few years ago I think). It is a good pub full of Pompey before the game, but the music was a bit loud I may sound a bit old but I do like a pre match chat before the game.

At the match I noticed that the place had a bit of a nervous atmosphere, if we were to lose this one we would be in the shit for sure. But from the start I noticed the team seemed more like the Pompey of old we deafened all over the pitch and we started doing the simple things again. Our defence was back to it's best again.
Many pundits said Man City were rubbish! but I would say that we made them seem rubbish.

Glen Johnson opened the scoring in the second half, drilling the ball into the top corner after Shay Given had parried his first effort.

Hermann Hreidarsson doubled their advantage with a brilliant header.

David James amazingly denied Ched Evans as he made a record-breaking 536th Premier League appearance.
City only showed occasional glimpses of the type of football they can produce and manager Mark Hughes cut a frustrated figure as he watched from the touchline.

Portsmouth caretaker boss Paul Hart:
"At the moment clean sheets are the order of the day.

"I am really pleased for the club and the players, who worked their socks off and kept to the game plan. They were very disciplined.

"There are good players here and on the back of results confidence grows and you see a lot more from the team."

Man City manager Mark Hughes:
"It is a missed opportunity. We were looking to get positive points, ideally three.

"But you cannot win if you do not have the majority of your team playing well.

"We did not really deserve anything from the match. We did not have a determination and a willingness to chase lost causes."

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Pennant (Belhadj 86), Basinas (Mullins 67), Davis, Kranjcar, Crouch, Nugent. Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pamarot, Utaka, Kanu, Gekas.

Booked: Hreidarsson.

Goals: Johnson 70, Hreidarsson 75.

Man City: Given, Logan, Kompany, Onuoha, Bridge, Zabaleta (Evans 78), De Jong, Ireland, Elano, Bellamy, Robinho (Caicedo 66). Subs Not Used: Hart, Garrido, Fernandes, Berti, Weiss.

Booked: De Jong, Ireland, Bellamy.

Att: 20,018

Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

The White House

2009-02-13T16:37:00.002Z

This prominent Victorian tavern sited at a busy road junction has retained its name for around 150 years. The pub once stood on the abandoned Portsmouth and Arundel Canal. This two bar pub is frequented mostly by locals, though its car park ensures that it also takes advantage of passing trade.
Maybe we will see Barack Obama and George Bush at the bar before the game!

Kidd ing

2009-02-13T16:32:00.000Z

Portsmouth have appointed former Manchester United assistant Brian Kidd to assist caretaker manager Paul Hart.

The 59-year-old will work alongside Hart while Pompey continue their search for a new manager after Tony Adams was sacked on Monday.

"Brian is a fantastic coach with a great track record," Hart told the club's website.

"We have known each other for an awfully long time and I'm delighted he's coming here to assist me."

Adams was dismissed along with first-team coach John Metgod after winning just two of 16 Premier League games since taking over on 28 October.

606: DEBATE
He worked with Sven for over a year so perhaps this is the first step

Pompeyskipper
Dutchman Metgod has accused the club of not giving the coaching staff a chance to show what they are capable of at Fratton Park and believes they weren't helped by the departures of key players in January.

"For three months I worked well at Portsmouth," he said. "We often put on good performances

"The personal situation of club owner Alexandre Gaydamak played an important role. The financial crisis meant he was having problems and therefore sold players for millions.

"In the Premier League no other club has given up as much quality as Portsmouth. We were a ticking time bomb."

He added: "Adams is an excellent coach, I got on really well with him and as a craftsman I have him high in my mind.

"If there is a chance, I want to work with him again - in England or Holland."

Kidd started his managerial career at Preston before moving to United as youth team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson.

In 1991 he became Ferguson's assistant at Old Trafford, helping the club win four Premier League titles and two FA Cup's, before a brief spell in charge of Blackburn Rovers.

He later spent over a year as Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant with England and also worked under Neil Warnock and Bryan Robson at Sheffield United.

Any reunion with Eriksson, however, is unlikely after the Swede played down reports linking him with the vacant position, insisting he is happy with his role in charge of the Mexican national team.

Portsmouth have said that Kidd's position will be reviewed when a new manager is appointed.

Pompey begin new manager search

2009-02-13T16:29:00.000Z

Portsmouth have begun the search for a new manager following the sacking of Tony Adams - but an appointment is unlikely to be made before Saturday.

Several names are thought to be in the running, including Sven Goran Eriksson, Avram Grant and Alan Curbishley.

Other people in the frame include Terry Venables, Slaven Bilic, Roy Keane, Glenn Hoddle and Graeme Souness.

Paul Hart has been placed in charge of first-team affairs at Pompey, who host Manchester City on Saturday.

Adams, 42, left the club after winning just two of 16 Premier League games since taking over on 28 October.

The club are only one point above the relegation zone and were dumped out of the FA Cup last month, losing to Championship side Swansea City.

With the club facing an uncertain future on and off the pitch, securing a new manager may be harder than Portsmouth think.

ODDS FOR NEXT POMPEY MANAGER
Avram Grant
Avram Grant - 6/4
Sven Goran Eriksson - 9/4
Alan Curbishley - 11/4
Slaven Bilic - 5/1
Terry Venables - 16/1
Odds supplied by William Hill and correct on 10 February
The south-coast club is currently up for sale, which means plans for a new stadium and training complex have been put on hold.

They were also forced to sell key players in January, losing striker Jermain Defoe and midfielder Lassana Diarra.

Of the leading candidates for the post, Grant has close links with owner Alexandre Gaydamak, having previously served at the club as a director of football.

He is currently out of job after leaving Chelsea at the end of last season following the defeat to Manchester United in the final of the Champions League.

Eriksson, the former England coach, is currently coach of Mexico's national team but is facing an uncertain future if they fail to beat USA in a vital World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Pompey 2-3 Liverpool

2009-02-13T15:51:00.002Z

I write this almost a week after the game so much on you know! As I woke in the morning I had that feeling that you get when you know your team are going to win. But it was not to be we were beaten at the end again, we just can not hold on, we had been in front twice, but I will have to say we played better than we have for a long time, but looking back now I just get the feeling that some of the player did not want to play for Tony. That is a shame as to me that means they are not playing for me or the rest of the fans, but Tony will have to take his blame for the defeat as well , his tactics were naive and to go 2-1 up and lose 3-2 is not good enough. I know it was Liverpool but we have beaten them before. As it would have it Adams was sacked on Sunday night, I had hoped that Adams would get much more time. but as we must survive he had to go.

It has to be said that the strangest thing to happened on the way to the ground after the pub was this weird couple that came up to Mum and me and said " I hope Pompey do it tonight! I said "I hope so to" as I looked at him he was wearing a Pompey hat and a Southampton away shirt strange but there you go.

The pub in Guild Hall Walk was shut or closed down I think, so we ended up at a student bar and watched some Rugby on the box with some cheap beer lovely.

So with the match against Manchester City at home coming up with Paul Hart in temp charge with Brian Kidd we I hope we will get something from this game, we need it.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Basinas, Davis, Mullins (Kranjcar 46), Belhadj, Crouch, Nugent.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Lauren, Mvuemba, Pamarot, Kanu, Gekas.

Booked: Hreidarsson.

Goals: Nugent 62, Hreidarsson 78.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Dossena (Alonso 67), Arbeloa, Mascherano, Aurelio, Babel (Torres 76), Ngog (Kuyt 56), Benayoun.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Riera, El Zhar.

Goals: Aurelio 69, Kuyt 85, Torres 90.

Att: 20,524

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Boozer

2009-02-06T13:45:00.003Z

26 Guildhall Walk
So it's time for another drink before the match and I have chosen The White Swan.This ornate Edwardian pub, designed by A H Bone in 1906, includes six ornately carved caryatids flanking the entrance doors and is of similar design to the former Air Balloon at Mile End. Being located on Guildhall Walk, the pub caters for clubbers most nights, with high volume music being the general rule.

After a short spell as a pseudo-American-style sports bar called Pitchers around the late 1990s it has since thankfully regained its old identity. As of January 2009 the pub is presently closed - however, the lease has recently been taken over by J D Wetherspoon, which should result in a significant improvement to the premises once refurbished and reopened.

So we get another two in

2009-02-06T13:42:00.001Z

Portsmouth have signed Bayer Leverkusen striker Theofanis Gekas on loan until the end of the season.

The loan deal includes an option for Portsmouth to sign the 28-year-old Greek international permanently.

Portsmouth have also signed Greece's Euro 2004-winning midfielder Angelos Basinas from AEK Athens on an 18-month deal.

The 33-year-old, who has made 97 appearances for his country, joins the club for an undisclosed fee.

Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie told the club's website: "He's exactly what we need in the situation that we're in.

Fulham 3-1 Pompey

2009-02-06T13:30:00.002Z

Well this has to be the last big defeat for Pompey, not that it will be our last . But we must start scoring goals it's ok playing well and having lots of possession, but our defence and strike force are letting us down. This loss was not expected a point for me was on the cards, this is not good enough. So I hope with the new recruits on board we can just get out of this mess. I hope for a bwtter result against Liverpool.

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams:
"I do my job to the best of my ability. It has been a tough period. The last two months have been difficult both on and off the pitch.

"I'll be delighted when the transfer window closes. Heads have been turned up and down the country. Once it is closed we can get on with business.

"We made mistakes. We gambled on offsides. It is disappointing because we worked hard in training on that."

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson:
"They are a good team and playing quite well. I am sure if they continue to do that they won't be losing every match 3-1.

"There is no magic wand in this game. It is work in the end which brings its rewards and, of course, the quality of the players you have at your disposal.

"I was pleased by the solidity of our performance and delighted by the runs of our front players to get in behind their defenders."

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey (Gera 90), Etuhu, Murphy, Davies, Zamora (Nevland 63), Johnson.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Teymourian, Gray, Stoor, Kallio.

Goals: Johnson 14, Nevland 71, 80.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Kaboul (Pamarot 76), Distin, Hreidarsson, Pennant, Davis, Mullins, Armand Traore (Utaka 63), Kanu (Nugent 46), Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Lauren, Mvuemba, Little.

Booked: Mullins.

Goals: Nugent 84.

Att: 23,722

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

Pompey 0-1 Villa

2009-01-31T14:29:00.002Z

Well as I sit hear waiting for the Fulham game to come on the radio, I still feel confident we will turn things around starting at Fulham.

With the old main door to the pub closed with the a sign saying use the other door, I headed for the other one. Ordered the drinks and sat down. Mum tried to come in the main door too when she arrived, after a couple of drinks we headed for the park.

The game although we lost was a fantastic one, all in all we should of got a draw out of this one. We had more corners and shots on goal, and I think we played so well and if we play like that for the rest of the season we will be ok. Anyway Pompey are at our best when are backs are against the wall.

Emile Heskey scored on his debut as Aston Villa moved up to third in the Premier League table and heaped more pressure on Portsmouth boss Tony Adams. Heskey smashed the ball home with a first time right-foot strike after Gabriel Agbonlahor's flick-on.

Adams made four changes from the team that lost to the Swans as he sought to manufacture a change of fortune.

Mullins made his first appearance since his transfer from West Ham, while Kanu made a rare start alongside Peter Crouch up front.

Pompey's passionate home support really got behind their team and the players tried to respond, with Mullins' 20-yard shot deflecting off Carlos Cuellar but flying narrowly wide of Brad Friedel's goal. Crouch really should have levelled the scores but he failed to hit the target with an instinctive shot inside the six-yard box after Pennant drilled the ball towards him.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell (Kaboul 46), Distin, Hreidarsson, Pennant, Davis, Mullins, Belhadj, Crouch, Kanu (Utaka 74).
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Nugent, Pamarot, Mvuemba, Armand Traore.

Sent Off: Belhadj (71).

Booked: Belhadj, Johnson.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Knight, Davies, Luke Young, Gardner (Sidwell 65), Petrov, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor, Heskey (Shorey 83).
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Salifou, Osbourne.

Booked: Petrov, Milner.

Goals: Heskey 21.

Att: 19,073

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Pub for Villa

2009-01-26T17:39:00.004Z

Well it seems like an age since we have been to Fratton Park or had a drink!. So for this game I think we should meet up at the The Froddington Arms 55 Fratton Road, Fratton, PO1 5AB a pub we have not been to for a few years.

Named after the old word for Fratton, the Froddington is very much a local's local on the main shopping street, close to Fratton railway station.

Former pubs on the same site include the Plough & Spade and the Swiss Gardens.

This former Brickwoods pub now attempts to draw in punters by offering drinks promotions to potential customers, but it will inevitably lose out to the Wetherspoon establishment located diagonally opposite. Many of the Fratton Road pubs owe their existance to their proximity to Portsmouth Football Club's Fratton Park ground, located within a fifteen minute walk of the Froddington.

Portsmouth sign Mullins and Pele ( Not That One!)

2009-01-26T17:35:00.001Z

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams has bolstered his midfield options with the double signing of Hayden Mullins from West Ham and Pele from Porto.

Mullins, 29, has agreed a three-and-half-year deal at Fratton Park and moves to Pompey for an undisclosed fee.

Portuguese attacking midfielder Pele, 21, joins on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent move.

"Hayden and Pele have been on our radar for some time," said Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie.

"They will add strength to our midfield. Central midfield is an area we have needed to strengthen - that's why we brought in two players."

Both players have been signed in time to play Aston Villa on Tuesday and they will add some much needed cover in Portsmouth's midfield.

Papa Bouba Diop, Richard Hughes and Niko Kranjcar are all out injured, while Lassana Diarra departed for Real Madrid earlier this month.

The signings continue a busy transfer window for Adams, who has already brought in Jermaine Pennant on loan from Liverpool, while Jermain Defoe left to rejoin Tottenham.

Mullins has spent the last five years at West Ham after joining from Crystal Palace and he has made 21 appearances for the Hammers this season.

"It was in a little bit of a shock," he told Portsmouth's website. "I trained on Sunday with West Ham and then it all happened very quickly, but I'm very pleased to have joined.

"It was a great experience to have worked under Gianfranco Zola but it's a great challenge here to come and work with some really talented players.

"I enjoyed my time at West Ham but I was there for five years and thought that maybe it was time for a change.

Adams happy with with new recruits

"Portsmouth are a club with a lot of history. They won the FA Cup last year, so I'm very excited to be here."

Portugal under-21 international Pele, whose full name is Vitor Hugo Gomes Passos, is an attacking midfielder and has previously played for Inter Milan.

"It's always been an ambition of mine to play in England, to play in the Premier League," he said. "I've always watched English football, and the crowds are always great here.

"England is the home of football, so it's fantastic to get this opportunity."

Pompey0-2 Swansea

2009-01-26T17:08:00.004Z

I heard that Pompey had an F.A. Cup game on Saturday and I don't think the players new we were playing either. I think Swansea deserved the win by all accounts, I am so glad I did not pay to go to this game. Our F.A. Cup run had to come to an end at some time, but to play so bad and at home is not on. I think we seem to play poorly when Glen Johnson is out, which is a worry to me as we must not be a one man team roll on Villa Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!

Portsmouth: James, Cranie, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Nugent (Kanu 46), Hughes (Kaboul 84), Davis, Armand Traore (Hreidarsson 46), Pennant, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pamarot, Utaka, Mvuemba.

Booked: Distin, Belhadj.

Swansea: Konstantopoulos, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Tate, Britton, Pratley, Allen (Pintado 61), Gomez, Scotland, Dyer (Gower 79).
Subs Not Used: De Vries, Orlandi, Tudur-Jones, Bauza, Serran.

Booked: Pratley, Tate, Rangel, Britton.

Goals: Dyer 26, Scotland 45 pen.

Att: 17,357

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

Pennant

2009-01-26T17:00:00.002Z

So the man that turned us down by all accounts, has come to us on loan from Liverpool till the end of the season. I think he is doing the correct thing and I would do the same. and if we stay up he would be good to have on a permanent deal.

Spurs 1-1 Pompey

2009-01-26T16:51:00.002Z

I had real trouble watching this game on the T.V. i'm sure my heart wont take much more of this. When we went one nil up with Nugent scoring his top flight goal ( take that one Redknapp you twitchy so and so) I then was wishing for a draw at least. And as you would expect Defoe got the equaliser. So all in all I was happy with this result, so lets put the Redknapp and Defoe thing to bed( till next time!)

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King (Dawson 44), Bale (Bentley 68), Lennon, Zokora, O'Hara, Modric, Pavlyuchenko (Bent 28), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Huddlestone, Campbell, Taarabt.

Goals: Defoe 70.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Nugent (Utaka 73), Davis, Kaboul (Wilson 88), Kranjcar (Hreidarsson 90), Armand Traore, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pamarot, Little, Kanu.

Booked: Davis, Kaboul.

Goals: Nugent 59.

Att: 36,011

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

Bristol City 0-2 Portsmouth

2009-01-18T12:12:00.005Z

Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar got the goals that settled a pulsating replay and ensured FA Cup holders Portsmouth avoided a third-round exit. I noticed that we seem to play better without Defoe I wander why that is?! I'm very happy that we made it to the next round, as we are defending our Cup Play Up Pompey!!!!!

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Carey, McCombe, Fontaine (Adebola 82), Skuse (McIndoe 71), Elliott, Johnson, Sproule, Styvar (John 68), Maynard.
Subs Not Used: Henderson, McAllister, Brian Wilson, Williams.

Booked: Johnson.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Kaboul, Wilson, Nugent (Utaka 66), Armand Traore (Hreidarsson 86), Belhadj, Kranjcar, Crouch (Kanu 90).
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pamarot, Mvuemba, Little.

Booked: Johnson, Kaboul.

Goals: Crouch 38, Kranjcar 88.

Att: 14,302

Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).

Spurs

2009-01-18T12:04:00.003Z

So when the game last week was postponed, I said to myself that we may not of had a better time to beat Man City. With big big offers for players like Kaka we could meet a very good City side, but that is for another day.
The Spurs game looks like it will be a good one. I just hope we get a result but I fear whatever happens on the pitch what happens off it will make the headlines we shall see. So it's time for Pompey to do what we do best and back the team Play Up Pompey!!!!

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"What happened last time with the treatment of Sol - there's no place in football for that.

"What kind of reception should I get and what reception will I get is two different things.

"What do I deserve? I had six fantastic years there and brought the club nothing but success."

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams:
"We have to stay focused and professional and look towards the next job and that job is our next opportunity to pick up points.

"I can't condone what went on with Sol Campbell at Fratton Park, but I got my share off the Spurs fans when I played for the other north London club.

"But the majority of fans from both Portsmouth and Spurs are fantastic."

Pub for City

2009-01-09T16:40:00.002Z

The Froddington Arms 55 Fratton Road, Fratton, PO1 5AB a pub we have not been to for a few years.

Named after the old word for Fratton, the Froddington is very much a local's local on the main shopping street, close to Fratton railway station.

Former pubs on the same site include the Plough & Spade and the Swiss Gardens.

This former Brickwoods pub now attempts to draw in punters by offering drinks promotions to potential customers, but it will inevitably lose out to the Wetherspoon establishment located diagonally opposite. Many of the Fratton Road pubs owe their existance to their proximity to Portsmouth Football Club's Fratton Park ground, located within a fifteen minute walk of the Froddington.

Owner Speaks

2009-01-09T16:24:00.001Z

In this weekend’s matchday programme, Pompey owner Sacha Gaydamak and executive chairman Peter Storrie will address the fans regarding recent media speculation and player movements.

Below is the message in full:

“First of all may we wish you all a very happy new year.

“We want to take this opportunity to update you directly on our plans to continue the success we have achieved over the last three years.

“Since the January 2006 takeover we have spent substantial sums on both transfer fees and players’ wages.

“As a result we have built a high-value, quality squad which has brought success over that period and allowed us to build a club based on sound and sustainable business principles.

“Recently, with the approval of the board and Tony Adams, Peter Storrie has negotiated the sale of Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid and Jermain Defoe to Tottenham, for similar club-record fees.

“Both of these sales have deferred payment terms, in addition to outstanding fees payable to their previous clubs.

“As a result, we are on course to achieve a turnaround from a loss-making business to a break-even position, which gives us a solid platform to recruit new players to the squad and move the business forward.

“We are now operating in a more volatile economic environment in the UK. This, together with the international nature of our player trading leaves us susceptible to adverse movements in exchange rates.

“To counteract this we have reviewed all areas of the business, including salaries and overheads, with a view to making reductions where possible.

“Forefront in our minds will always be our Premier League status.

“The resultant changes will ensure that as a club we come through these difficult times for businesses and football clubs in a stronger position for the future.

“We have no further need to sell any players from our squad. Indeed, we are looking to offer new contracts to players that Tony sees as part of the future beyond the end of this season.

“In addition we are currently working on the permanent acquisition of three players along with two loan deals to the end of the season, one from the UK and one from abroad.

“These acquisitions will increase the size of the squad that Tony has by five players. We are confident that a couple will be concluded shortly, but that all five players will be here well before the transfer window closes.

“Over the last three years we have all worked closely together and have always updated our supporters on club matters, as we are now.

“We are not in a financial crisis as sections of the media would have you believe. We have simply adjusted the business to deal with the current climate until we move into the new stadium when our revenue streams will be increased.

“The sales of Sulley Muntari and Pedro Mendes in the summer allowed us to purchase Peter Crouch and Younes Kaboul and pay loan fees for both Armand Traoré and Nadir Belhadj, the latter of whom we have now purchased.

“During this window the players that have left us are one who wanted to go and another who openly stated, on joining us, that one day he would leave for a bigger club. We have helped both achieve their ambitions.

“The strength of this club has always been derived from the support that you, the fans, give the team and the club. Working together as one, we can continue that success.

“We hope we have given you all a clearer picture of the positive way forward for the club. We will always keep you updated directly via our website and the programme.

“On a final note, we want to reassure our faithful supporters of our commitment to the sustainable longevity of Portsmouth Football Club.”

Good News

2009-01-09T16:20:00.003Z

Johnson signs new Portsmouth deal

Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract with the club.

The 24-year-old right-back, who arrived at Fratton Park from Chelsea initially on loan in the summer of 2006, has committed himself to Pompey until 2013.

Also it was good news that Pompey signed Nadir Belhad on a permanent deal and we have Guy Whittingham who has joined the club's first-team coaching staff.
So things look up I hope Play Up Pompey!!!!!!

Defoe has gone

2009-01-09T16:15:00.002Z

A good striker but bad influence on the team in the dressing room by all accounts. Only rumour I know but I did read that Nugent had decked Defoe in the dressing room at Arsenal for his bad attitude good one if true. I have to say Defoe's Dick Van Dyke impression at Spurs as he was presented on the pitch was a sight to behold, very funny.

Portsmouth 0-0 Bristol City

2009-01-09T16:11:00.002Z

So we stared our defence of the F.A. Cup at home to Bristol City, and it will have to go to a replay as we could not break them down.

Despite the lack of goals there was plenty of goalmouth action with both sides creating a hatful of chances.

David Nugent and Peter Crouch went close for the hosts, while defender Sylvain Distin forced Adriano Basso into a fine save after half an hour.

After the break, Niko Kranjcar headed wide when it looked easier to score and fired straight at Basso soon afterwards.

While defending admirably, City had created nothing of note until Orr met Stern John's cross with 20 minutes to go and forced a flying save out of James.

Portsmouth: James, Wilson, Distin, Campbell, Belhadj, Cranie (Pamarot 82), Nugent, Mvuemba, Davis, Kranjcar, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Little, Kanu, Lauren, Hreidarsson, Armand Traore.

Booked: Belhadj.

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, McCombe, Carey, Fontaine, Skuse, Elliott, Johnson, Sproule (Williams 64), Styvar (McAllister 83), John (Adebola 62).
Subs Not Used: Henderson, Noble, Akinde.

Booked: John.

Att: 14,446.

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

F.A CUP

2009-01-03T14:26:00.002Z

Bristol City come to town for the FA Cup game at Fratton Park, I will not be going so I hope we win this potential banana skin. It will do Pompey some good to get into the next round. I can't wait for the transfer window to end so we can settle down to a team that all want to fight for the badge Play Up Pompey!!!!!!

Defoe to go?

2009-01-03T14:16:00.002Z

I don't know what to think of this one, I always say if a player does not want to play for the club then he should leave. That is how it should be and I think with him gone we can go back to 4-5-1 formation away and play 4-4-2 at home with Kanu and Crouch. So long and thanks for the goals. Play Up Pompey!!!!!

Belhadj

2008-12-31T10:37:00.001Z

This came out of the blue and I for one am happy with this, o we do have a bit of money apparently. Welcome to the fight Belhadj.

Portsmouth have signed defender Nadir Belhadj on a permanent contract after a successful loan spell at Fratton Park.
The 26-year-old Algeria international has signed a four-and-half-year deal after Pompey agreed a fee of £4.4m with French club Lens.
Manager Tony Adams told Portsmouth's website: "I'm delighted to have secured Nadir as a permanent signing - he is an excellent acquisition for the club.
"He has great pace and energy and is a terrific crosser of the ball, too."
As well as shining in defence, Belhadj has also scored twice in his 23 appearances so far this season.
Adams added: "Even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger commented on his ability to spring from defence to attack so quickly.
"At the moment he is playing at left-back and developing a good relationship with Niko Kranjcar, but he can also play left midfield."

Arsenal 1-0 Pompey

2008-12-31T10:33:00.002Z

Now this is a game all our players seemed to have all turned up for. I know we lost but from what I heard we were back to our best, thats all I ask from them win lose or draw.
Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Silvestre, Clichy, Eboue (Vela 66), Denilson, Diaby (Ramsey 75), Nasri, Adebayor, Bendtner. Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Toure, Van Persie, Wilshere, Gibbs.
Goals: Gallas 81.
Portsmouth: James, Wilson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Nugent (Defoe 88), Diop (Pamarot 90), Davis, Hughes (Mvuemba 50), Kranjcar, Crouch. Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Little, Kanu.
Booked: Hughes.
Att: 60,092
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)

January

2008-12-31T10:25:00.002Z

I think this January will be very interesting, all I want and hope is that the players who want to go go! and we get players in who want to play. I believe that we would be a better squad if we had 11 player on the pitch who all wanted to play, than what we have nowis that only half the teamt seem to turn up.
Play Up Pompey!!!!!

Pompey 1-4 West Ham

2008-12-31T10:05:00.002Z

" I will be there in about 5" said the text on my mobile phone . 30 odd minutes later my Mum arrived! This was about the only funny thing that happened today I mean that. I said to myself that if we did not win today then we would struggle and we lost big time. And with the transfer window just about to open and it looks like every player is going according to the national papers we could be in a bit of trouble,or is this the call for what the Pompey fans are the best at. Look we Pompey fans are at our best when everything and everyone is against us, the manager left players want to go the owner wants to sell the papers are against us so I say PLAY UP POMPEY!

Portsmouth: James, Wilson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Little (Armand Traore 71), Davis, Hughes, Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe (Kanu 73). Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Diop, Nugent, Pamarot.
Booked: Wilson.
Goals: Belhadj 8.
West Ham: Green, Neill (Faubert 46), Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Collison, Noble (Boa Morte 73), Parker, Behrami, Cole (Tristan 87), Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Mullins, Collins, Di Michele.
Booked: Noble, Behrami, Parker.
Goals: Collison 20, Cole 67, Bellamy 70, 83.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent).

Pub for Boxing Day

2008-12-24T09:30:00.002Z

The Traveller's Joy my old regular pub for football Stella is it?

This pub name has existed on this site since at least the early 19th century and was once owned by the Peters Brewery. The present house has a public bar at the front, with a larger lounge at the rear (which may not be open at all times). Owned by Friary Meux (Allied Brewers) until the 1990s, the house is now part of Punch Taverns. It is now sadly run down and in much need of a refurbishment. Popular when Portsmouth FC are playing at home.

Bolton 2-1 Pompey

2008-12-24T09:24:00.003Z

I put the radio on a couple of mins into the game and was shocked to find out we were one nill down all ready, we sounded rubbish. This team needs to wake up now! It's not loosing per say it's the way we are dropping points. And to hear Sol complaining it has somthing to do with whats going on at board room level in rubbish, he has to stand up or ship out!

Pompey 3-0 Heerenveen

2008-12-23T13:47:00.002Z

Well this pointless game ended up a very good one, with a big change in the squad like Ashdown and Willson. And Willson was a revaluation putting in the cross for Crouch to score. He played very well I think he is one for the future.

Peter Crouch scored twice as Portsmouth ended their Uefa Cup campaign with a comfortable victory over Heerenveen.

Pompey, who went into the game knowing they could not progress from their group, went in front when Crouch headed home a Marc Wilson cross.

The tall striker added a second less than two minutes later when he tapped in after a mesmerising run from Kanu.

Hermann Hreidarsson completed the scoring when he headed in from a Glen Little cross in the last minute.

Portsmouth: Ashdown, Wilson, Pamarot, Hreidarsson, Belhadj, Mvuemba, Diop (Davis 84), Hughes, Armand Traore (Little 63), Crouch, Kanu.
Subs Not Used: James, Defoe, Distin, Kranjcar.

Goals: Crouch 40, 42, Hreidarsson 90.

Heerenveen: Vandenbussche, Popov, Breuer (Smarason 30), Dingsdag, Bak Nielsen, Vayrynen, Grindheim (Janmaat 84), Svec, Beerens (Elyounossi 46), Sibon, Henrique.
Subs Not Used: Zeinstra, Kopic, Jong-a-Pin, Deekman.

Booked: Vayrynen.

Att: 19,612.

Ref: Richard Havrilla (Slovakia).

Diarra Off

2008-12-17T10:22:00.002Z

In what seems a good deal for Pompey, we will let Diarra go to Real Madrid for about 20 Mill.I expected to see him go this window, I think and hope this will be the biggest name to go. Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!

Pompey 0-3 Toon

2008-12-17T10:11:00.002Z

Well I don't have much to say about this except what a load of crock, this is the biggest league defeat in about 10 years at home.
The drinks at the pub were nice and all felt good before the game.The only bad point was they had Spurs on the TV YUKK!!!!

Well I was very happy with the first 20 or so mins, but I did notice that we could not hit the target, both our target men were below pare. We should of been 2 or three up at half time, with a pen turned down and those missed chances. The second half Toon deserved the win we were poor very poor nuff said.

Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Mvuemba (Armand Traore 58), Davis, Hughes (Kanu 70), Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Hreidarsson, Nugent, Wilson.

Booked: Distin, James, Davis, Defoe.

Newcastle: Given, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Butt, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Martins (Ameobi 79), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Duff, Geremi, Taylor, Viduka.

Booked: Gutierrez.

Goals: Owen 52, Martins 77, Guthrie 89.

Att: 19,416

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside

Pub for the Toon.

2008-12-13T16:07:00.002Z

I like us playing Newcastle, I quite like them so are we ready for another draw with the Toon?
So for the pub as it's an early Kick off we will be going to The Brewers Arms 170 Milton Road, Milton, PO4 8PN is that a Stella Mum?

One of three pubs stood near the junction of Milton Road and Priory Crescent, and by far the best. This former Gales pub (now owned by London brewers Fuller Smith & Turner) replaced an earlier pub of the same name which occupied the same site (see bottom left-hand photograph).

The interior is divided into two main areas and an enclosed verandah can be found at the front of house.

Pool and darts are both played, and a jukebox is sited near the pool table. The Brewers Arms is a recommended pub for both home and away football supporters travelling to Fratton Park football ground which is located a short distance away. The pub has traditionally been a good source of well-kept real ale.

West Brom 1-1 Pompey

2008-12-13T16:05:00.002Z

So we got a draw at Wast Brom, and that is a good result for us so it's the Toon next at home.

Pompey For Sale

2008-12-07T11:28:00.002Z

A Statement From PFC.

Following recent articles in the press, notably The Observer and News of the World, Portsmouth Football Club categorically deny that any discussions are ongoing with the South African consortium regarding an acquisition of the club.

While the consortium did express an interest a number of weeks ago no offer has been received, nor has there been any further contact with them and today’s reports are entirely misleading and incorrect.

Alexandre Gaydamak has accurately reported the current situation in an article in the Sunday Mirror (also featured on this website) which is in contrast to the misleading reports that seem to emanate from ill-informed agents and their representatives.

Portsmouth Football Club considers itself privileged to have Tony Adams in charge of the team. Tony is a manager able to deliver performances like that recently displayed at Fratton Park against AC Milan.

The club’s board wish the team, and Tony in particular, all the best for the remainder of the season and beyond, including this season’s defence of the FA Cup.

And this from Alexandre Gaydamak.

Alexandre Gaydamak has put Portsmouth Football Club up for sale.

The club’s owner has already rejected two offers because he is determined to find the right buyer who can build on the outstanding work he has done at Fratton Park.

Gaydamak cited growing business commitments for his decision but admitted it would be tough to leave a club “with the best supporters in football”.

He said the buyer had to guarantee their commitment to a new stadium and training ground for the club.

“I have come to realise over a period of time that I can no longer invest the time required to oversee the running of the club,” Pompey’s owner told the Sunday Mirror.

“I think it’s only right to consider the sale of the club to a group or individual who can come in and invest the time and money to ensure the club reaches its true potential.

“First and foremost it is far more important for me to find the right buyer, with the club’s best interests at heart, rather than sell out at the first opportunity.

“I have already rejected two very good offers for the club because I didn’t feel the buyers motives were in the best interest of the club’s long term future.

“Making money from the sale of the club does not interest me. Finding the right buyer is far more important.

“The credit crunch is having an adverse effect on everyone but we are addressing the key issues affecting every single club and readjusting accordingly.

“I have a very fit and able board that have worked tirelessly to evaluate the current financial problems impacting on everyone and deal with them accordingly.

“We are not in financial meltdown and it is nonsense to suggest we have to start selling key players.

“As regards the stadium and new training ground it is sensible to revaluate things in the current market, but I stress that it is imperative that they go ahead.

“And until I find a buyer who will give me cast iron assurances that this will be the case, I will remain at the club.”

Gaydamak brought into the club in January 2006 and became the sole owner later that year.

During his tenure Pompey have become an established top-10 Premier League club, won the FA Cup and played in a major European competition for the first time.

Gaydamak said: “Only last week during the historic game against AC Milan it dawned on me just how heartbreaking it will be when I eventually have to leave.

“The hardest part being that I am walking away from the best supporters in football.

“Last season’s success was one of great personal satisfaction, one of the proudest moments in my life.

“But I would like to think I am leaving the club in far better shape and with immense future potential.”

Gaydamak said the team was in safe hands under Tony Adams, who he appointed manager in October.

He said: “There was one outstanding candidate for the job – Tony Adams.

“He is bright, innovative and committed and I have tremendous respect for him and faith in his ability to be a major success at this club.”

Pompey 3-2 Blackburn

2008-12-05T11:28:00.002Z

Well at last Tony Adams got his first home win, and I for one am happy for him and Pompey. And it has been coming.
The pub was one I have not been to for some time, the last time I went there it was for some Rock/Metal road show and I was a bit drunk, not today I am driving. As the club is close to the ground it had one or two Pompey fans in it. I arrived a little bit late for a change, we sat and spoke about the AC Milan game wishing for three points today.
The game was a bit flat in the first half, Rovers and Pompey looked a bit tired.But the second half was a belter, but when Rovers got level I said oh no not again. It was a game I think we needed to win and in the end we did, but what is up with the back five?
Peter Crouch hit his own post in the first period but easily nodded in the opener after 48 minutes.Jermain Defoe soon slotted in Pompey's second but Blackburn hit back through substitute Matt Derbyshire's looped header and Tugay's fizzing 20-yarder. Davis clipped in late on to leave Paul Ince's side winless in nine games.
Looking at the other results we needed that win to keep us in the top half. Tony is doing ok so far, Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Distin, Pamarot, Belhadj, Little (Kranjcar 46), Diop, Hughes, Armand Traore (Davis 76), Crouch (Kanu 69), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba, Nugent.

Goals: Crouch 49, Defoe 53, Davis 79.

Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Andrews, Kerimoglu, Pedersen (Villanueva 87), Roque Santa Cruz, McCarthy (Derbyshire 61).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Mokoena, Simpson, Fowler, Roberts.

Booked: Ooijer.

Goals: Derbyshire 62, Kerimoglu 67.

Att: 18,111

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Pub for Sunday

2008-11-29T15:45:00.002Z

The Rutland Arms, 205 Francis Avenue, Southsea, PO4 0AL.

The Rutland was built as a hotel shortly before the turn of the 20th century and was another pub designed in a brewers tudor style by A E Cogswell. It was originally a Pike Spicer pub and eventually ended up in the hands of Whitbread. The large one-bar interior is divided into two distinct areas, with comfortable furnishings. A small selection of quality ales is served.

Pompey 2-2 AC Milan

2008-11-29T15:07:00.007Z

Wow what a game that was!, ok we should have won the game but this is the best Football Club in the world. I for one was very proud of Pompey and that was the best I have ever seen them play.

It was raining and a bit cold but we headed for Gunwharf for a meal and a drink, Bar 38 was the chosen place to eat, I had Pasta and Mum had Fish and Chips. We stopped of at Guildhall walk on the way to the ground. We went into Walkabout which seemed to have a lot of Police about inside and out, as we drank the Police frisked the AC Milan fans, but all was good natured so we drank up and went on our way to FRATTON PARK.

It was raining harder now,the AC Milan fans were singing loudly for now. I heard the roar from all sections of the park as the two teams came out and then the best game of my live took place before my eyes. I could not hear the away fans now the noise from the Pompey fans was amazing and the team were to. Both teams wee to be honest were light with players out, so we both had players out, with our line up with no Defoe,Campbell,Diarra and Kranjcar I was expecting to get thumped.
Bit what happened this night was magical.

Younes Kaboul headed in Glen Johnson's pin-point cross to put Pompey ahead and Kanu doubled the lead from close range.
Then On came Ronaldinho, who quickly made an impression when he curled in an exquisite 25-yard free-kick to give Milan a lifeline. The visitors searched for an equaliser, which they got when Inzaghi struck after his sublime first touch set him up to earn his side a vital point in the 92nd, we were half a min from a famous win dam Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Belhadj, Little (Mvuemba 66), Diop, Hughes, Traore, Crouch, Kanu (Davis 81).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Pamarot, Wilson.

Booked: Hughes.

Goals: Kaboul 62, Kanu 73.

AC Milan: Dida, Zambrotta, Favalli, Senderos, Antonini, Gattuso (Seedorf 65), Emerson, Flamini, Kaka (Alexandre Pato 74), Inzaghi, Shevchenko (Ronaldinho 74).
Subs Not Used: Kalac, Kaladze, Pirlo, Bonera.

Booked: Antonini.

Goals: Ronaldinho 84, Inzaghi 90+2.

Att: 20,403

Ref: Serge Gumienny.

Another Stadium Announcement

2008-11-26T12:38:00.003Z

From the Portsmouth Site.

Portsmouth Football Club (PFC) and Sellar Property Group can announce further evolution of the Masterplan to deliver a stunning Waterfront Stadium and Arena on Horsea Island.

Following a series of discussions with the principal politicians and leading members of the City Council’s Executive, PFC and Sellar have identified a two-stage approach as the appropriate way forward to deliver the stadium in the current economic climate.

A former refuse tip will be transformed into a real destination and new home for Portsmouth Football Club.

The landmark stadium will be accompanied by a fashionable mixed-use development. The Masterplan enhances the environmental qualities of this part of Portsmouth while regenerating the area with new life and utilities.

PFC and Sellar Property Group identified this remarkable location on Horsea Island’s waterfront as the most suitable site for a new stadium for the club that will act as a catalyst to a wider transformation of the gateway to the city of Portsmouth.

Given the prominent location of the site, which is adjacent to both local and national motorway junctions off the M27 and M275, and the multi-purpose nature of the project, PFC and Sellar Property Group decided upon a two-stage approach to this urban regeneration project.

This followed a series of discussions with the principal politicians and leading members of the City Council’s Executive and will ensure on-time completion in the current economic climate.

The first stage of this process will involve the submission of separate planning applications for the Retail and Housing components at Fratton.

The funds generated by this initial stage will then finance the Horsea Island Masterplan, which will contain the new stadium and all-purpose arena.

The dramatic form of the stadium will create a world-class architectural landscape at the gateway to the city of Portsmouth and create a new identity for both the city of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Football Club.

The new stadium sits on the waterfront and acts as the focus for a new destination where people can meet, shop, eat and be entertained, all while enjoying dramatic views of the city.

This exciting intervention will also develop a dramatic new access to an area of the city which has historically been isolated and, in accordance with the naval tradition of Portsmouth, will provide the Royal Navy with a new Diving Centre.

A sustainable approach to energy consumption for the whole Horsea Island scheme will ensure that the scheme generates the lowest possible carbon emissions.

Portsmouth Football Club has already engaged consultancy services from ecologists to ensure the project is delivered following the necessary environmental targets.

Since the new stadium site at Horsea Island was first unveiled in the summer of 2008, there has been much speculation on the scope of the final development. Given the importance of the project, Portsmouth FC and Sellar Property Group want to restate their commitment to deliver not just a new stadium to the Pompey fans, but a new landmark that will enhance Portsmouth’s growing reputation as an outstanding tourist destination.

Although still evolving, the Masterplan proposal includes the following identifiable components:

• Herzog and de Meuron-designed stadium with 35,000-plus all-seater capacity including a 3,000-spectator family enclosure, hospitality suites, catering, club offices and shop etc.

• Multi-purpose Arena: 100,000 sq ft (c. 9,300 sq m)

• Four-star hotel: 40,000 sq ft (c. 3,700 sq m)

• Replacement Royal Navy Diving Centre

• Medical centre

• Dental surgery

• Sports rehabilitation clinic

• Casino: 25,000 sq ft (c. 2,320 sq m)

• Budget Hotel: 30,000 sq ft (c. 2,800 sq m)

• Offices: 30,000 sq ft (c. 2,800 sq m)

• Restaurant and catering: 25,000 sq ft (c. 2,320 sq m)

• Residential: approximately 1,000 units

• Retail: 320,000 sq ft (c. 30,000 sq m) plus car parking

• New access to M275 and improved public transport infrastructure and pedestrian access with the potential for a new bridge link to Tipner

• Approximately 3,000 car parking spaces for the stadium and retail and the potential for park & ride with 1800 spaces and approximately 100 coach parking space.

I for one hope this happens we need the stadium, and I hope the arena brings some good bands to the Pompey area to , Play Up Pompey!!!!

AC Milan

2008-11-26T12:30:00.002Z

I am looking forward to this match very much. It is not a case of us playing AC Milan it is a case of AC Milan coming to us, Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A bit on AC Milan

The club was founded as a cricket club in 1899 by British expatriates Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin, who came from the British city of Nottingham. In honor of its origins, the club has retained the English spelling of its city's name, instead of changing it to the Italian Milano (though it was forced to do it during the fascist regime, like Genoa and Inter); it should be noted that the Italian pronunciation is actually MEE-lan, coming from the local dialect. AC Milan won their first Italian championship title in 1901, and then again in 1906 and 1907.

In 1908 the club experienced a split caused by internal disagreements over the signing of foreign players, which led to the forming of another Milan-based team, F.C. Internazionale Milano. Following these events, AC Milan did not manage to win a single domestic title until 1950-51. In 1963 they ensured their first continental title, winning European Cup beating S.L. Benfica in the final. This success was repeated in 1969, and followed by an Intercontinental Cup title the same year. Following retirement of Gianni Rivera, Milan started a declining period, during which they were involved in the 1980 Totonero scandal and were relegated to Serie B as punishment, for their first time in history. The scandal was centred on a betting syndicate paying players and officials to fix the outcome of matches. AC Milan quickly returned back to Serie A, but returned to Serie B only one year later as they ended in the relegation zone their 1981-82 Serie A campaign.

In 1986, entrepreneur Silvio Berlusconi acquired the club, and immediately invested a lot of money in the team, appointing rising coach Arrigo Sacchi at the helm of the rossoneri and signing a Dutch trio of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard. This was the beginning of the most successful time in the club's history, as AC Milan won seven domestic titles, five UEFA Champions League trophies, and three Intercontinental Cups.

More recently, Milan were involved in the 2006 Serie A scandal where five teams were accused of fixing matches by selecting favourable referees. Milan were initially punished with a 15 point deduction and consequently did not qualify for the Champions League. An appeal saw their penalty reduced to 8 points and allowed to retain their 2006-07 Champions League participation, where they won the competition.

Pompeygary Radio Show

2008-11-26T12:29:00.002Z

The show will be back this Sunday the 30th so tune in then.

Pompey 2-2 Hull

2008-11-26T12:05:00.002Z

I had hoped we would get three points from this one, but bad defending and an awful Ref's assistant decision for a corner we would of won this game.
The pub was a friendly one if a little cold. As we got to the bar we were welcomed with a hello from the bar girl and it was not an American false hello but a genuine one. We got round to the other bar and sat next to the fire that warmed us up a bit. A small stage with a big TV screen at the back showing some Rugby match was on, all in all I liked this pub and I will come hear again.
The match was most entertaining if a little disapointing, but I just knew if we didn't kill Hull of then they would come back at us. I got quite animated with the lino, his decision to award a corner to Hull was wrong, I was shouting to him about "this costs me a lot of money!!!" you can watch Match Of The Day and then give me my money back!!!" I must sound like an idiot by I like shouting at morons.
Crouch headed wastefully over from a John Utaka cross but the tall striker made no mistake after Johnson's deflected shot fell to Kaboul and the defender crossed for the England striker to put his team in front. The equaliser come when Kamil Zayatte flicked on a corner at the near post and Turner headed home at the far post. There seemed to be nothing on when the ball fell into Johnson's path but the England defender chested the ball and volleyed it into the top corner with his next touch while Tigers keeper Boaz Myhill stood motionless.

Brown brought on Dean Windass and Peter Halmosi - and the former had a significant role to play in the game's final goal.

Pompey failed to clear the danger and when the ball came back into the six-yard box Windass was on hand to head it goalwards.

His effort lacked power but it bounced off Pamarot and into the net.

Well we are still in the top half, but we must start getting max points soon to keep us out of truble.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Pamarot, Diop, Davis, Hughes (Nugent 58), Belhadj (Armand Traore 58), Crouch, Utaka (Kanu 74).
Subs Not Used:Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba, Little.

Booked: Diop, Davis.

Goals: Crouch 20, Johnson 63.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Ricketts, Marney (Giannakopoulos 82), Ashbee, Boateng (Halmosi 72), Geovanni, King (Windass 72), Cousin.
Subs Not Used:Duke, Doyle, Barmby, Garcia.

Booked: Windass.

Goals: Turner 54, Pamarot 89 og.

Att: 20,240

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

Pub For Hull

2008-11-21T09:57:00.002Z

Drinks for the Hull game will be at The Fat Fox,11/13 Victoria Road South, Southsea, PO5 2Sp.
This latest venture by well-known Portsmouth bar owner Mike Hughes has been established with the intention of making it a replacement for the Wine Vaults, which has since been sold to Fuller's. Divided into two distinct areas, the Fat Fox offers eight cask ales, plenty of seating and live bands covering a wide variety of musical tastes. Good quality, good value food is available all day and an upstairs function room can be hired for parties and meetings. The pub curiously received a brand new façia only months after opening for business.

West Ham 0-0 Pomey

2008-11-21T09:53:00.002Z

So we get a draw at Upton Park, so our good run at this ground goes on. By all accounts we could of won this game, but I am happy with a point away.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga (Faubert 61), Behrami, Parker (Mullins 75), Collison, Sears (Etherington 46), Cole, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Davenport, Bowyer, Di Michele.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Pamarot, Diop, Davis, Diarra (Armand Traore 19), Belhadj, Crouch (Kanu 75), Defoe. Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Nugent, Mvuemba, Hughes.

Booked: Pamarot.

Att: 32,328

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

West Ham

2008-11-15T10:34:00.001Z

So it's WHU today away and we do have a good record at this place so I hope we get another three points today, Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!

Metgod

2008-11-15T10:31:00.000Z

Former Nottingham Forest and Tottenham midfielder John Metgod has become the new first-team coach at Portsmouth.

The 50-year-old has left his scouting role at Dutch side Feyenoord and signed a three-year deal to join new Pompey boss Tony Adams at Fratton Park.

Still no assistant uet then!

Sunderland 1-2 Pompey

2008-11-15T10:26:00.002Z

This was a very important win for us, if we had lost we would be very much in the bottom half of the table now, so I am happy with that win. Oh yeah what a strike by Nadir Belhadj top goal.

Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Nosworthy, Collins, Malbranque (Leadbitter 80), Whitehead, Reid (Healy 80), Richardson, Cisse, Murphy (Diouf 46).
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Tainio, Miller, Henderson.

Booked: Collins, Whitehead.

Goals: Cisse 4.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Pamarot, Davis, Diarra, Kranjcar (Utaka 75), Defoe (Hughes 90), Crouch (Kanu 69).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Kaboul, Diop, Armand Traore.

Booked: Diarra.

Goals: Belhadj 51, Defoe 90 pen.

Att: 37,712

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

Joe

2008-11-08T09:59:00.002Z

Joe Jordan has left Pompey, I am surprised by this as I had him down as a loyal man, but for all we know he may not of got on with Adams or Adams wants to get his own boys in. As a footnote I think Adams will play the long game as a manager and slowly get his own set up over time.

Pompey 1-2 Wigan

2008-11-08T09:37:00.002Z

Oh dear!!!!! This was a very wet day in Pompey, winter had started for real. I took the long road to the pub passed St Jaime's Hospital, which is a (Mad House). And I was about to see some mad defending at Fratton Park ( Not A Joke).
The pub was a good one with Pompey picture and stuff all around, This was one of those pubs Ihad not been in since my youth, and it was good to see it still going strong.

The game well what can I say, hoe could we hit the post and bar so many times and lose, we also had a couple of the line to, if a had a cat with me I would of kicked it! I think the first half was the worst we had played all season, and I give credit to Wigan for the way they played against us even though we hit the post and bar, and if Crouch was a bit shorter we would of hit the net! , but the second half was much better. With Wigan one up we got the goal from Kranjcar (who had just got back from injury) and all looked well with a draw, and first points for Adams. But in the dying seconds of the game our defence went all soft and let Heskey score his 100th Prem goal Gutted!!!!

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj (Pamarot 90), Diop (Utaka 73), Diarra, Davis, Armand Traore (Kranjcar 46), Crouch, Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Kaboul, Hughes, Kanu.

Goals: Kranjcar 82.

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole, Koumas, Heskey, Zaki (Camara 89).

Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Taylor, Scharner, Kilbane, Brown, De Ridder.

Booked: Cattermole, Bramble, Figueroa.

Goals: Zaki 45 pen, Heskey 90.

Att: 18,416

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Pub For Saturday

2008-10-31T16:18:00.003Z

The Old Oyster House

Rebuilt to a design by A E Cogswell in 1930, this pub replaced another of the same name which had existed since the 19th century. A former Portsmouth United Breweries pub, it was latterly owned by Whitbread. Nowadays the pub is well-known locally for its high quality ales and real cider. The outside terrace is handy during the warmer weather.

Rumour of the week

2008-10-29T17:34:00.002Z

According to reports, Pompey's new stadium plan is set to go ahead thanks to a cash injection from supermarket chains.

It is rumoured that Asda have won the race to buy Fratton Park when the move to Horsea Island has taken place whilst Tesco and Sainsbury's are battling each other for the site next to the proposed waterfront stadium as the retail giants have now been integrated into Pompey's new stadium plans.

These rumours would be backed up by Peter Storrie's recent statement about ditching the plans to combine the development with new housing and instead combine them with new supermarkets, a hotel and other retail outlets.

Pompey spokesman Gary Double expects planning permission for the new stadium development to be submitted in early 2009, whilst the finishing touches are being put into place so that Pompey's new training facility can be built.

Storrie also claims that Pompey have no financial problems and that we won't need to sell our prized assets in January and if we are offered silly money for our best players then Pompey will take it and use it to replace them with other quality players.

Jermain Defoe is one of those prized assets and according to Premier League rules he cannot return to Tottenham within a year of leaving them and because we officially bought the former Spurs striker in February after his initial "loan" on deadline day the ruling rules out Redknapp taking Defoe with him to White Hart Lane.

Of course, that doesn't stop other clubs coming in for him and Premier League rules have been known to be bent before, such as the Benjani situation last year.

Let's hope what Storrie says is true and that we really don't have to sell. Better yet, if this new supermarket investment actually happens then we may have some money to spend in January.

But that would be too good to be true, wouldn't it?

The New King

2008-10-29T17:30:00.002Z

Tony Adams has been confirmed as the new manager of Portsmouth following the departure of Harry Redknapp.

"I'm very honoured, it's a great opportunity," he said. "I would have been mad to turn it down."

And the 42-year-old vowed to do everything he could to keep first-team coach Joe Jordan at the club.

"Joe is Portsmouth through and through, he's part of the woodwork," said Adams. "But he's a big man and will make his own decision."

With Adams yet to name his number two at Fratton Park, his former Arsenal team-mate Martin Keown has been linked with the position.

Keown has completed the requisite coaching courses but said that he has not been contacted by Adams.

"It's not a call I've had to take," the former defender told BBC 5 Live.

"It would be a life-changing decision to go into football but I've not had to make that decision because I've not had any offers yet."

Adams had refused to comment on the speculation over the assistant manager's position but added: "I'm going to take my time. I've got Joe and Paul Groves [reserve-team coach]."

Adams took charge of the team alongside Jordan for Sunday's 1-1 draw with Fulham following Redknapp's move to White Hart Lane.

The former Arsenal and England defender was named as Redknapp's number two in 2006, after an ill-fated spell in charge of Wycombe and coaching jobs in the Netherlands with Feyenoord and Utrecht.

"We've got some great players here at Portsmouth and I've been kind of responsible, with Harry, for bringing them to the club," said Adams.

"It is a risk because Harry's done a fantastic job for this club and he is a hard act to follow. But I think it is my time, I think I am ready."

Former Bolton and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant, who worked as technical director at Fratton Park in 2006, were reportedly among the favourites to take over from Redknapp.

But Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie insisted Adams was the best man for the job.

"Right from the beginning I liked the idea of continuity," said Storrie. "Although Harry was the manager it was always about three or four of the coaches working together.

The right and correct thing was to see who else was available but I couldn't see anything better than Tony and that's why we decided he was the man to go for.

"We hope Tony will be here for as long as he wants to be here. He's an icon in the game of football. We will give him all the support we can and we hope he will do a great job."

Storrie had said on Sunday that the south-coast club would take their time in finding a new manager, but revealed that the "huge, huge shock" of Redknapp's departure to Tottenham made a quick appointment imperative.

Adams begins his reign as Portsmouth boss with a trip to league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.

Speculation linking a number of Portsmouth players with moves to Spurs in January has already begun, but Adams says he will fight to keep hold of the those he wants to remain at Fratton Park.

"They're here because they're good players and other clubs will be interested in good players," he said. "But my job is to keep them here and to get them to play well.

"At the moment they're responding well - they might not like me but at the moment it's going well."

Adams rejected the suggestion that he had been affected by his disappointing experience at Wycombe, where he won only 12 of his 53 games in charge, losing 20.

"I'm one of those annoying people who gets back up. I didn't know what way it's going to go but sooner or later I was going to get an opportunity to manage a very good team.

"At Wycombe my job was to save the club - they were losing £6,000 a week at the time but this is a different ball game"This is the next step for me. It's like Christmas. It's the best job in the world. I'm scared to bits, of course, but another bit of me is really excited. I couldn't sleep last night.

"I would have been gutted not to get the job but thanks to them [Storrie and Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak] for having the courage to put me in place.

"Harry is a tough man to follow and sometimes it [a number two becoming a number one] doesn't work.

"But I think this is my time. I've got great support from the owner, Peter, the fans, my wife, my family and the players. It gives me fantastic optimism that it will be OK."

Storrie reiterated that the club was not faced with financial problems: "The club is fine, we're moving on, the owner is here and he continues to put money into the club."

So Redkapp Has Gone!

2008-10-29T17:19:00.002Z

I wish Redknapp well in his new job at Spurs I do, he has done the impossible and has given me and many others some very good times. The FA Cup, Europe and top 10 finishes and I for one thank him for that. Redknapp leaving us is a disappointment, but I do wish he could have kept his mouth shut when he left and he did lie to us about "Pompey Till He Dies" so thet is the reason people are angry at him, not leaving us for the seconed time but the lies and misinformation. We get enough of that from the newly elected Executive Chairman Peter Storrie.

Pompeygary 08

Pompey 1-1 Fulham

2008-10-29T16:51:00.002Z

So it was time for Pompey's new era. This was the first match without Harry Redknapp since he left us for Southampton!!!!

The weather was wet and a bit windy, I went to Fratton Park on the way to the pub to get an idea of the atmosphere and it was one of shock and a bit of gloom. I watched the TV crews and eadio people talk and interview the few fans outside the ground, only loud voice I could hear was Mark Moodie from 107.4 The Quay. He is the fan in the stand at the live bradcasts, he chips in with his thoughts as the game is going on. He was talking on his phone and he was not happy about what Redknapp had said, not happy at all.
So I got to a very crowded pub, but I was able to find a seat. This pub has TV'S in it showing Football for a Weatherspoons thats good, I could of told them a silent pub don't work. When Mum arrived the topic of conversation was Redknapp and who would be the next Manager.

The ground was a bit quiet as most people were in shock, but as the ground filled up the chants started to grow pace. Once the game got going I noticed the crowd did not sing about Redkapp untill we scored, and rhe classic "Who the Fuck is Redknapp" And we sang and sang, a bit nore like the old days. Even when we let Fulham score with three minutes to go we still sang strong. Tony Adams Blue and White Army sounded good to me.

Pompey took a 60th minute lead through Peter Crouch, who tucked home from close range after being played in by the lively Jermain Defoe.
And with the game heading for a home victory Dempsey found himself unmarked at the near post to equalise.
We played well and it seemed like the players were up for it. Play Up Pompey!!!!!

Pompeygary's MOTM Diarra Slow start but what a player

Pompeygary's Worst Defoe Could not hit a barn door today.

Pompey verdict 7 out of 10 could of scored a few more

Ref watch 9 out off 10 good let the game flow.

Pub watch 8 out of 10 busy and a good atmosphere.

Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, Kaboul, Distin, Belhadj, Diop, Diarra (Mvuemba 83), Hughes, Armand Traore (Kranjcar 84), Crouch, Defoe. Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Kanu, Djimi Traore.

Goals: Crouch 61.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil (Nevland 84), Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Bullard, Gera (Dempsey 71), Johnson, Zamora. Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Ki-Hyeon, Milsom, Kallio, Baird.

Goals: Dempsey 87.

Att: 19,233

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Portsmouth F.C. Statement

2008-10-26T09:34:00.001Z

Portsmouth Football Club can confirm that manager Harry Redknapp has left the club to join Tottenham Hotspur after he was approached for the manager's job.

Pompey received an official approach from Spurs. Club owner Alexandre Gaydamak and chief executive Peter Storrie spoke to Redknapp and reluctantly granted permission after it became abundantly clear that Harry wanted the opportunity to talk to the north London club.

Storrie said: "Harry is a great manager and we, of course, did not want him to leave. We tried everything we could to keep him at Portmouth.

"However, he made it clear that although he has achieved great success here at Fratton Park, apparently Spurs is one of the only clubs he would consider leaving for.

"We have subsequently agreed a substantial compensation package with Spurs, although our overwhelming desire would have been to retain the manager.

"On his return to Fratton Park, Harry performed a near miracle in keeping us in the top flight and we have since gone on to become an established top ten side. Last season we won the FA Cup for the first time in nearly 70 years and qualified for European competition for the first time.

"Everyone at the club has enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Harry and he has been a very good friend to me personally.

"The last thing I wanted was to see Harry leave this club but the lure of Spurs proved too much for him to turn down."

Gaydamak added: "I am personally very disappointed that Harry has left. We did all we could to keep him and up until early evening Saturday I was under the impression that he would be staying as Portsmouth manager."

Assistant manager Tony Adams and first team coach Joe Jordan will be in charge for the Premier League game agaist Fulham at Fratton Park later today.

Pub this Sunday!!!!

2008-10-25T09:20:00.004+01:00

The John Jacques, 78-82 Fratton Road, Fratton, PO1 5BZ.

Housed in the former Victory Hall, this was the third J D Wetherspoon house to open on Portsea Island. In typical JDW style, everyone knows exactly what to expect at these establishments. Sadly, the company has recently seemed fit to install televisions in many of their pubs, though thankfully the volume is kept to a minimum at most times. Beware however, that despite the attraction of serving high quality real ales, this pub does have a down side - there is a small minority of undesirables who use the pub on occasions, which hopefully the management has since cracked down on.

So one is not to get lost A map.

Brag 3-0 Pompey

2008-10-25T09:15:00.002+01:00

Now I can take a defeat, but the way we played in this one is not good enough lads. All you hear from players is things like "I can't wait to play in Europe" OR " Europe is why I signed for this club" so when you do get a game in Europe then plaese try!!!!!!!! (Rant Over).

Braga: Eduardo, Frechaut, Moises, Alberto Rodriguez, Evaldo, Vandinho (Paulo Cesar 86), Alan, Matheus (Cesar Peixoto 63), Aguiar, Renteria (Stelvio Cruz 83), Meyong.
Subs Not Used: Mario Felgueiras, Mossoro, Jorginho, Joao Pereira.

Booked: Renteria.

Goals: Aguiar 8, Renteria 46, Alan 87.

Portsmouth: James, Campbell, Pamarot, Armand Traore (Kanu 62), Distin, Davis, Diop, Hreidarsson (Belhadj 46), Little, Defoe, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Utaka, Mvuemba, Hughes, Wilson.

Booked: Pamarot, Belhadj.

Att: 12,000

Ref: Darko Ceferin (Slovenia).

Braga

2008-10-23T18:04:00.004+01:00

So we play in Europe again tonight, I can't wait. I hope we get a good result Play Up Pompey.
A bit about Braga.

Sporting Clube de Braga ,also known as Sporting Braga, is a Portuguese sports club, from the city of Braga, that was founded in 1921.

Its football team plays at the Braga Municipal Stadium, which was built for Euro 2004. In the 2000's, the club gradually became one of Portugal's most successful clubs after the Big Three, and they have also competed with relative success in European competitions.

Portsmouth are again likely to be without French international midfielder Lassana Diarra, for their opening Group E encounter in Portugal.

Diarra has a knee injury and will be joined on the sidelines by compatriot Younes Kaboul, who has a back problem.

Another Frenchman, Noe Pamarot, could keep his place in defence after an impressive display in Saturday's goalless draw at Aston Villa.

Richard Hughes is out, but Sean Davis can play before his ban kicks in.

Braga - who have never beaten an English side in five European attempts - are likely to field five Brazilians in their starting line-up.

And up front, Cameroon international striker Albert Meyong, is likely to partner Colombian Wason Renteria.

Villa 0-0 Pompey

2008-10-23T17:58:00.003+01:00

So we got a good result at Villa, I think both sides are quite similar so I am pleased. Except for the coin that got chucked and if it was aimed for Redknapp what a bad shot.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Davies, Laursen (Luke Young 88), Milner, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Carew.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Sidwell, Harewood, Knight, Shorey, Gardner.

Booked: Ashley Young.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Armand Traore (Belhadj 78), Little (Utaka 71), Davis, Diop, Pamarot, Defoe (Mvuemba 82), Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Thomas, Kanu.

Sent Off: Davis (81).

Booked: Johnson, Davis, Diop.

Att: 37,660

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

I'm back

2008-10-23T17:55:00.002+01:00

Sorry for the short delay in post activates, with the international break and a complete PC reinstall down to some dodgy software I'm back.

AC Milan

2008-10-08T18:14:00.002+01:00

I don't care about the others in our group except us I can't wait to ses this lot at Fratton Park Play Up Pompey.

Portsmouth have been drawn in the same Uefa Cup group as AC Milan. Pompey, who host Milan on 27 November.

Group E
AC Milan
Heerenveen
SC Braga
PORTSMOUTH
Vfl Wolfsburg

Pompey 2-1 Stoke

2008-10-08T17:57:00.002+01:00

On a rainy Sunday I went to the pub to meet my Mum at the pub I had chosen but when I got ther it looked dark and closed, but next to it was another pub with Pompey flags and a flat roof with a trampoline on it so it did not take much yo decide what pub I was going to drink in. The pub The Traveller's Rest was a proper Pompey pub with big screen and full of Pompey fans nice. This traditional local includes an unusual single storey area at the front of house - presumably a later extension to compliment the original Cogswell design. The pub has a two bar interior and for many years was owned by Burton brewers Bass - one of only six such pubs in the city in the 1980s. The other pub we may try again...... well maybe not.

The game was not as hard for Pompey as I first feard. Stoke only had one threat Delap with his long throws, and with Pompey playing in Portugal well passed midnight Pompey could of been a bit tired.

Jermain Defoe netted the winner and Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch scored with a spectacular overhead kick as Stoke were beaten at Fratton Park.

Crouch acrobatically fired Defoe's cross into the bottom corner.

Stoke equalised when Rory Delap's long throw was flicked on by Dave Kitson and Ricardo Fuller headed home.

This game could have panned out very differently had Kitson not failed to take an early chance to open the scoring.

Pompeygary's MOTM Crouch what a goal

Pompeygary's Worst Kitson bad miss thank God

Pompey verdict 8 out of 10 could of scored a few more.

Ref watch 7 out off 10 good

Pub watch 9 out of 10 good other pub 1 out of 10

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Diop, Davis, Hughes, Armand Traore (Hreidarsson 90), Crouch, Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Little, Kanu, Hreidarsson, Kaboul, Mvuemba, Pamarot.

Goals: Crouch 25, Defoe 50.

Stoke: Simonsen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Delap (Cresswell 73), Olofinjana, Amdy Faye, Tonge (Soares 65), Fuller, Kitson (Sidibe 61).
Subs Not Used: Whelan, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Sonko.

Goal: Fuller 48.

Booked: Olofinjana 22, Simonsen 66, Amfy Faye 76.

Att: 19,248.

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

Pub

2008-10-04T18:46:00.002+01:00

The Castle Tavern, Somers Road, Somerstown, PO5 4PT

Guimaraes 2-2 Pompey (2-4)

2008-10-04T18:40:00.003+01:00

So why do Pompey make it so hard? We were so rubbish in the first half I would off had no complaints if we lost this game. But in the second half and extra time our class and fittness showed Play Up Pompey!!!!!!

Guimaraes: Nilson, Luciano Amaral (Fajardo 79), Roberto (Carlitos 62), Wenio, Gregory, Danilo, Douglas, Desmarets, Andrezinho, Flavio Meireles, Joao Alves.Subs not used: Serginho, Moreno, Tiago Ronaldo, Momha, Jean Coral.
Booked: Flavio Meireles, Danilo, Douglas.
Goals: Douglas 19, Joao Alves 32.
Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Pamarot, Davis (Mvuemba 73), Diarra, Hughes (Belhadj 99), Traore, Crouch, Defoe (Kaboul 106).Subs not used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Little, Kanu.
Booked: Johnson.
Goals: Crouch 105, 111.
At: 18,000
Ref: Selcuk Dereli.

Europe again

2008-10-01T18:45:00.002+01:00

Uefa Cup first round second leg
Venue: Estadio D Afonso Henriques Date: Thursday, 2 October KO: 2135 BST

So we play in Portugal tomorrow for Pompey's first trip into Europe eva sort of. So it's time to get to the group stage so Play Up Pompey!!!!!!

Pompey 2-0 Spurs

2008-10-01T18:12:00.002+01:00

Well Pompey beat the new Derby if the chants from the Fratton End (Side?) were anything to go by, and I don't know what that makes Sol Campbell if you could hear what they sang at the Milton End (Apollo Stand!).

Well it was a return to my old pub, this is the pub I used to go to before every match now with a big screen TV LOVLEY!
So after a few drinks we headed for the ground and this was a game we just had to win to put the last two results behind us 10 goals in two game is a bit to much. The talk before the match was about is the club up for sale (aren't most clubs for a good price) Well that is what the club statement said on the official Pompey web site, this was a reaction to a paper article earlier that day. If someone is to by the club I hope he is rich!

So to the game I think it was very even until we got a pen when Jermain Defoe put us ahead when he drove in a penalty after Jermaine Jenas needlessly handled a Glen Little free-kick.Spurs lacked a goal threat but were denied a penalty after an Aaron Lennon cross struck Lassana Diarra's arm.That was close!!!! Peter Crouch nodded in Pompey's second before Diarra was sent-off late on for two bookable offence silly boy will we miss him when Stoke come to town?
So that puts us up to 9th and Spurs stay rock bottom!

Pompeygary's MOTM Campbell back to his best

Pompeygary's Worst Spurs fans sang well but got a bit personal.

Pompey verdict 8 out of 10 good

Ref watch 7 out off 10 good.

Pub watch 8 out of 10 good pub indeed.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Little (Utaka 61), Diarra, Hughes, Armand Traore, Crouch, Defoe (Kaboul 89).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Pamarot, Mvuemba, Kanu.

Sent Off: Diarra (88).

Booked: Diarra, Belhadj, Crouch, Hughes.

Goals: Defoe 34 pen, Crouch 68.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Jenas, Zokora (Giovani 58), O'Hara, Gilberto (Lennon 46), Pavlyuchenko (Bent 73).
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Huddlestone, Modric, Gunter.

Booked: Woodgate, O'Hara, Lennon.

Att: 20,352

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral)

Spurs

2008-09-27T15:12:00.002+01:00

So its time for Pompey to return to good form against Spurs this Sunday Lunch time so Play Up Pompey!!!!!

In 1882 the Hotspur Football Club was formed by grammar school boys from the bible class at All Hallows Church. They were also members of Hotspur Cricket Club and it is thought that the name Hotspur was associated with Sir Henry Percy (Sir Harry Hotspur) who was "Harry Hotspur" of Shakespeare's Henry IV, part 1, and who lived locally during the 14th century and whose descendants owned land in the neighbourhood. In 1884 the club was renamed Tottenham Hotspur Football and Athletic Club to distinguish itself from another team called London Hotspur.

At first Spurs played in navy blue shirts. The club colours then varied from light blue and white halved jerseys, to red shirts and blue shorts, through chocolate brown and old gold and then finally, in the 1899-00 season, to white shirts and navy blue shorts as a tribute to Preston North End, the most successful team of the time.

In 1888 Tottenham moved their home fixtures from the Tottenham Marshes to Northumberland Park where the club was able to charge for spectator admission. An attempt to join an aborted Southern League, instigated by Royal Arsenal (later Arsenal), failed in 1892 when they were the only club of the 23 applicants to receive no votes. They turned professional just before Christmas 1895 and were then admitted to the Southern League and attracted crowds nearing 15,000. Charles Roberts became chairman in 1898 and stayed in post until 1943.

In 1899 Spurs made their final ground move to a former market garden in nearby High Road, Tottenham. In time the ground became known as White Hart Lane, a local thoroughfare. Tottenham were the considerable beneficiaries of the escalating unionisation of the northern professional game in the 1890s. Both John Cameron and John Bell, formerly Everton players came to play for Tottenham as a result of the conflict caused by their organisation of the Association Footballers' Union, a forerunner of the Professional Footballers' Association. As a direct result of this in 1900, Tottenham won the Southern League title and crowned this achievement the next year by winning the FA Cup - becoming the only non-League club to do so since the formation of the Football League. The cup was presented to Spurs captain Jack Jones with coloured ribbons on, tied there for the first time by the wife of the Spurs director, Morton Cadman, thus starting the long held tradition of tying ribbons in Cup competitions, which continues to this day.

Pub

2008-09-27T15:08:00.002+01:00

This pub name has existed on this site since at least the early 19th century and was once owned by the Peters Brewery. The present house has a public bar at the front, with a larger lounge at the rear (which may not be open at all times). Owned by Friary Meux (Allied Brewers) until the 1990s, the house is now part of Punch Taverns. It is now sadly run down and in much need of a refurbishment. Popular when Portsmouth FC are playing at home.