Are we playing the Cherries or the Germans?

For those film fans out there, many could be forgiven for thinking that today’s eagerly anticipated opening game against south coast rivals AFC Bournemouth is somewhat reminiscent of scenes taken from the 1981 cult classic ‘Escape to Victory.’ In the film Michael Caine plays Captain John Holby a man who is given the task of assembling a team of allied prisoners from inside a German prisoner of war camp to take part in an exhibition match against the Germans in a propaganda stunt. Whilst Pompey Manager Michael Appleton may not be taking part in today’s game on the pitch, his last 48 hours or more must surely have been reminiscent of Caine’s squad selection as he desperately tries to find a squad capable of providing him with enough players to play a game of 90 minutes of football.

In the film Caine is able to call upon the likes of Pele, Moore, Wark, Ardiles, Summerbee, Osman, O’Callaghan and Beattie. Many of you that have seen the film I am sure will have winced at the sight of ex-Pompey player Kevin O’Callaghan having to have his arm broken so Captain Robert Hatch played by Sylvester Stallone can take his place in the starting line up. I do hope that poor Sam Magri isn’t forced to place his arm between two benches in the changing room anytime before kick off today in a similar stunt although it’s probably worth pointing out that O’Callaghan was playing in goal in the film and not is his customary favoured role up front so Magri should be fine on that score.

Like the film, today’s squad is made up of players who’ve been picked up quicker than a last minute panic buy on the BBC’s programme Bargain Hunt. Whilst many have been given time to gel on the training pitches and during pre-season friendlies together, there will be the odd name that has been drafted in at the very last minute who will be expected to instantly slot into the starting line up and do a job for the club. It would be unfair to suggest that there won’t be the odd mistake made during the course of 90 minutes today. A lifetime supply of Brylcreem  wouldn’t be enough to ensure there is enough gel to make sure the entire games goes without any slips up. Sometimes with a bit of luck however those little mistakes will happen further up the field and won’t prove too costly. Remember at the end of the day this is a game of football; and in football anything can happen.

The last couple of seasons have been marred by some awful refereeing decisions which has lead to many fans in some quarters claiming there has been some sort of conspiracy against the side week in week out which eventually helped our demise back into the third tier of the English game. However whilst it remains true that some decisions were shockingly bad in the latter half of last season, the officials weren’t half as bad as those giving for the German side in Escape to Victory and the POW side remembered that the key to winning was to place the ball in the back of the opposition net first and foremost. Shame Mr Kitson seemed to forget that pretty much throughout his entire career with Pompey.

So whilst Appleton may not have been able to call on the likes of Pele and Bobby Moore to play today he has managed to assemble a squad in record time. Today see’s a new cast in what many fans have dubbed Fratton Enders in the past few months. Come the end of 90 minutes play a new role call of names will roll down the screen; Andersen, Long, Clifford, Connolly, Howard, McLeod, Eastwood, Dumbuya, Harley, Rodgers, Compton, Williamson, Dijilali and Walker. Whether the Fratton Faithful will be chanting “Victoire! Victoire!” over and over again on the brink of full time, ready and waiting on the sidelines with their coats primed to run onto the pitch and disguise the players helping them to make their escape remains to be seen as we fast approach kick off.  One thing is for certain, the sun is shining and whether the rest of football likes it or not we’re still here!