Growing up I was the original
fountain of knowledge on football and earned myself the nickname Statto. (That’s
the nicer way of admitting that I was somewhat plump and didn’t have a good
record with members of the opposite sex.) Today I showed how far that knowledge
has fallen when hearing of Pompey’s new signing. I did find it odd that we’d
signed the Italian cyclist Aless Petacchi but apparently we’d actually signed
the ex Queens Park Rangers Akos Buzsaky. I will be honest and say that I spent
most of yesterday stripping paint off with a hot gun and may have inhaled a few
too many fumes during the course of the day. I will also be honest and say
whilst I vaguely know the name, the career of the Italian cyclist is better
known to me that what he actually achieved during his time at QPR and other
fans seem pretty chuffed so hopefully a good bit of business for Michael
Appleton. Let’s hope the injury curse that is striking left right and centre
has claimed enough victims now and that we can have a few months injury free to
our squad. Why did I just write that? Sure to be another kiss of death. *Rolls
eyes.
In my last blog for the preview
against Scunthorpe United I wrote that Michael Appleton’s side needed a bit of
luck and I didn’t care if the winner came in a scrappy 1-0 win which saw the
winning goal cannon in off the back of Luke Rodgers head in the 96th
minute. So typically Rodgers was out injured but we did win by the one goal
margin and the winner happened in the 89th minute so I wasn’t far
off and the relief was there for all to see on the faces of the players and
fans alike. I don’t know why but I always feel the notion of scoring such a
late winner when the chips are down has a great galvanising effect on a side
which carries them on a good bit of momentum. So obviously watch us lose 3-0 to
Yeovil Town later on tonight. In all serious though hopes will have been raised
after our first home win of the season and the possibility that the loan
signing of Thomas will prove to be the key to start winning regularly. Taking
two wins into Saturday’s game away to MK Dons who will be without the newly
retired Jimmy Bullard will give us real impetus and hope for the month of
October.
Gary Johnson’s men have stuttered
of late and go into tonight’s game off the back of five straight defeats having
last recorded a victory back on September 1st when they beat
Doncaster Rovers 2-1 at home. On top of that they haven’t kept in a clean sheet
in six so Appleton will be hoping that the new forward line of Thomas and
McLeod will pay dividends. Despite the run of losses Yeovil on their day remain
a side very much capable of finding themselves amongst the goals. Sadly for Gary
Johnson which end they go in seems isn’t always as he’d like. Wins in all
competitions have included; Bristol City (3-0), Scunthorpe (4-0), Brentford
(3-1) and Colchester (3-0) which shows on their day with their shooting boots
on Yeovil are very much a side not to underestimate. Losses to West Bromwich
Albion (4-2), Preston North End (3-2)and Leyton Orient (4-1) demonstrate that
on the flip side things don’t always go to plan for the Somerset based side.
This will be the first time the
two clubs have ever met in any competition so full bragging rights will be on
offer come kick off. Appleton will be without Darel Russell, Josh Thompson and
Luke Rodgers though Gabor Gyepes is expected to overcome a knock to the ankle
and start. Midfielder Johnny Ertl looks set to replace the injured Russell.
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