Pompey 0-1 Villa

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

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!)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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!!!!!