Crewe Alexandra (H) 13th October 2012

Tuesday night and it was cup time again as Pompey lined up in the Johnstones Paint Trophy Second Round against Wycombe Wanderers. This was the fixture on the accumulator that everyone had done as a home win; it was the banker and the one fixture on paper that shouldn’t really have been a doubt. Going into the game after a strong first half performance against MK Dons at the weekend Pompey should have had enough in the tanks to overturn a side not only in the league below, but one who currently sit third bottom just out of the relegation zone. This was a game where Pompey could stamp their authority and build some confidence and yet someone forgot to send Wycombe their copy of the script and it took just embarrassing 13 seconds into the game for them to take the lead through Joel Grants effort. Sometimes it’s not the context of defeat that matters it’s the very manner and nature of defeat that hits home and leaves a sour taste in the mouth. I can’t imagine that anyone really cares about going out of a competition labelled by the fans as the Tin Pot Trophy, but what will have hurt is the score line and who the opposition are. Going one behind so early can sometimes be excusable if you get back on level terms quick enough, but going 2-0 down in the space of the opening eight minutes leaves real questions marks about the players commitment and the end score line of 3-1 simply isn’t good enough. That’s the magic of any cup though I suppose and good luck to the Trust owned Wanderers in the rest of the competition.

 

Back at the business end of the season and Pompey take on Crewe tomorrow who currently occupy 15^th place in the league on 13 points and a win will see us leap frog them in the table. So far on their travels Manager Steve Davis side has seen his side collect five points from a possible fifteen having won only once and drawn twice. A 5-0 win at home to Hartlepool United in the League Cup shows that on their day they are a side capable of being amongst the goals, but the 5-1 away defeat in the league to Brentford shows that they are equally as capable of conceding goals and their goal difference currently sits at a total of -5. In seven league and cup games away Crewe have only managed one clean sheet so far this season so Pompey really must go into tomorrow’s game with a stern belief that they can find the back of the oppositions net.

Crewe were promoted last season via the play offs having finished in 7^th place and like Pompey are taking a while to really find their feet in their new surroundings of the NPower League One. Mention Crewe and I automatically think of two things; Dario Gradi and their academy set up. Pound for pound the results of their academy must rank up there as some of the best in the world. With all the millions that Chelsea have spent on their academy which has born little success other than that of John Terry you’ve got to wonder what Gradi would have been able to achieve with the same level of finance. Sadly for Crewe they will remain a selling club at the end of the day but the uppermost respect should be given for what they’ve achieved and for what Gradi has achieved for the club. Sadly though, that’s modern football for you and clubs have to do what they can to survive from season to season.

Historically Crewe have the upper hand in previous meetings between the two clubs. In 14 outings Crewe have won 6, Pompey 4 and 4 draws. Crewe also have the upper hand when it comes to goals scored with a total of 21 to 19. Pompey haven’t beaten Crewe since October 2000 and are waiting on the fitness of Michalik who went off with an injury during the JPT tie. Darel Russell remains sidelined though Jack Thompson is back available for selection.

Wycombe Wanderers (H) JPT 2nd Round - 9th October 2012

Football is a game of clichés without a shadow of a doubt, but anyone in attendance of Saturday’s away match to MK Dons will have been treated to a show that suggested football really is a game of two halves. In the first half and first twenty minutes especially Pompey looked sublime on the ball; like a host of marauding lions charging forward as herds of gazelle and wilder beast did their uppermost to get out of the way and remain with their lives intact. Despite skipper Brian Howard’s second penalty miss in a week, Pompey cantered to a 2-0 lead with goals from McLeod and Gyepes and everything was looking easy. I’m not suggesting that MK Dons didn’t come close on occasions and the space and time they were given on the right wing all half should possibly have born more fruit than it did, but all was going to plan until the youngster Adam Webster inexplicably turned the ball into his own net with no one around. Half time with the score 2-1 and a game that had largely seemed out of reach with Pompey coasting in mid gear suddenly turned on its head.

MK Dons came out of the starting blocks, no doubt with a flea in their ear from manager Karl Robinson and from that point on it became a case of when they would equalise and not if. Post game manager Michael Appleton hailed the side’s performance as the best of the season but the Pompey fans in attendance will be left wondering how a side so in control in the first half had failed to come away with a third straight win for the first time in 18 months. They simply capitulated to the onslaught of a side that is yet to lose at home all season. The points were theirs in the bag on the first half display yet in the second half the game plan seemed to go out of the window. In the end Appleton’s side gamely held on for a point. It should have been such a different story. Whilst the Dons manager made full use of his substitutions, Appleton once more failed to act quickly enough, waiting until the last few minutes of the game to bring on Jordan Obita and new signing Akos Buzsaky with no real time for either player to make an impact on the game. In the end a game that promised so much ended with just a point to make seven from a possible nine in a week but it should have been all nine. Appleton seemed the only person behind Pompey that afternoon that believed his side was good enough to defend a 2-1 lead for a full 45 minutes and it was no surprise that they’re not good enough just yet to do such things. The one real credit from the second half was the performance of Adam Webster who wouldn’t let his head drop and battled on superbly despite his mistake in the first half which brought MK right back into the game. This month will see the 26^th anniversary of my first game at Fratton Park and I can say hand on heart that I’ve seen the heads of players far more experienced drop for far lesser mistakes which only serves to make the way Webster came through the second half all the more impressive.

All moaning aside though about what could have been the fact remains Pompey are now three games unbeaten and if they can replicate the first half performance over a full 90 minutes of play then fans will have genuine hope for the remaining months of the season. A few games ago Michael Appleton stated publically before the Notts County game that the season started now. Whilst we may have lost that game quite convincingly, seven points from nine will be a clear indication that finally the season is now underway and with the threat of losing ten points on exit of administration still hanging over the clubs head, at least now when it comes Pompey will start with their points tally in the plus rather than the negative, even if it’s only two points for now. The weight of a huge albatross will have been lifted from their shoulders and tonight’s game will be a timely distraction away from league matters. There will be no pressure on the player’s shoulders even if cup games bring the possibility of an upset no matter who is playing. Whist the JPT brings about a chance of reaching Wembley and a nice day out for the fans, no one will really be disappointed if Pompey are left to concentrate on the league having been knocked out.

The tie against Wycombe Wanderers brings interest not in the cup competition especially, but more for the fact that the opposition are owned now by their supporters trust having been taken over in June of this year. Caretaker Manager Gareth Ainsworth will be hoping a shock win will kick start their season for his side which currently sits third bottom in NPower League Two, one place above the relegation places. Wycombe’s solitary away league win this season came against York City (3-1) with the remaining four games all ending in defeat. On paper with the clubs away record this season, a caretaker manager in charge and being a league below Pompey, the games result shouldn’t really be in doubt but as always cup games always throw up the chance of a potential banana skin in what will be the first ever competitive game between the two teams.

MK Dons (A) 6th October 2012

Michael Appleton’s men travel to MK Dons tomorrow off the back or a rare double winning streak in the league. The last time the club won two games on the bounce was back in April of this year when they overcame Doncaster Rovers (4-3) away and Crystal Palace at home (2-1). During the 2011-2012 Pompey’s best run of consecutive wins was just two in total, a feat they managed to achieve on three separate occasions. The last time Pompey won three or more consecutive games you have to go back over 18 months when a 2-1 loss away to Bristol City in March 2011 brought an end to a six game winning streak under previous manager Steve Cotterill. With the threat of a ten point deduction still remaining on exit of administration, the wins against Scunthorpe United (2-1) and Yeovil Town (2-1) means the club are now finally on their way towards a final points total they’ll hope will avoid relegation to NPower League Two.

Karl Robinson’s men currently occupy 5^th position in the table amongst the play off places and go into the game five games unbeaten. Their two leagues losses this season were both recorded on the road and they remain unbeaten at home having only dropped points against Notts County in a 1-1 draw in their five games. The news of the midweek retirement of Jimmy Bullard will have come as a deep disappointment to the club I’m sure and football has lost one of its last true characters on the pitch. However on a positive note for Pompey Bullard quite frequently reserved some of his best performances during his career against us so the timing of his announcement whilst a pity for the game of football, won’t be too disappointing for the Fratton faithful travelling to the game.

Over 2,000 fans are expected to make the journey tomorrow and will recognise a familiar name in the Dons squad of midfielder Scott Allan currently on loan from West Bromwich Albion. Allan made fifteen appearances on loan for Pompey last season and scored once as they were unable to avoid relegation. The other notable names on the squad sheet are ex-Manchester United players Luke Chadwick and Alan Smith who add valuable experience and quality and it’s no surprise to see them doing as well as they are this season.

Pompey fans will be hoping to see the debut of new signing Akos Buzasky who came through 70 minutes of a behind-closed-doors game this week. Injuries mean they will be without Thompson, Rodgers and Russell once more. Forward Izale McLeod will be hoping to be amongst the goals again as he looks set to start against the side he scored 54 times for in a 117 appearances. Since 2007 the MK Dons board have maintained that the club is a new one distancing itself from the history of Wimbeldon FC and on that basis this will be the first time that the two clubs have met in any competition.

One final thought about Jimmy Bullard; if he’s stuck for things to do in his retirement he could always consider a new life as a Pete Winkleman lookalike. Well, you never know!

Yeovil Town (A) 2nd October 2012

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 96^th minute. So typically Rodgers was out injured but we did win by the one goal margin and the winner happened in the 89^th 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 1^st 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.

Notts County (A) 22nd September 2012

If you were asked the question about what Notts County are most famous for in English football the most obvious would be that they are the oldest professional football club in existence anywhere in the world having been formed way back in 1862. If you were a real football anorak you could trot out the line that the current Serie A League Champions Juventus based their black and white kit on that of Notts County’s. Ask what they are most famous for in the past decade or so and the chances are unless you are a Notts County fan you might be left scratching your head somewhat for an answer. The answer to that particular question will be of interest to Pompey fans in particular as it resembles our recent history in more ways than one. Whilst Notts County may not have lifted the FA Cup recently or have played in the English Premier League there are many similarities between the two sides off the field namely; financial difficulties, involvement of Supporter’s Trusts, winding up orders from the HMRC and worse of all for Notts County – ownership issues of the highest degree. The odd thing is that the tale of Notts County’s ownership issues seems to have been forgotten by many. I have lifted the following extract from a blog that I wrote about the Fit and Proper Persons Test in June 2012 in relation to what went on and why the test has failed not only Portsmouth when it comes to letting dodgy owners take over football clubs but many clubs including that of ours and Notts County. The title comes from a BBC Panorama documentary on what happened;

The Trillion Dollar Con Man of Notts County

In 2009 the oldest club in the history of the football league Notts County were under the ownership of a supporters trust. They took the decision to sell out to an investment group called Qadbak Investments Ltd, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, for the sum of just £1 after being promised that millions of pounds were to be lavished upon the squad.

All started seemingly well enough when the ex-England manager Sven Goran Eriksson was appointed manager of the struggling League Two side. He was quickly joined by ex-England International and former Pompey player Sol Campbell.

The deal had been ratified by the football league and the football league approved Abid Hyat Khan who passed their fit and proper persons test. Khan claimed to be a Royal Prince and had managed to provide the Football League with a guarantee from First London Bank for the sum of Five Million pounds in the form of a legal affidavit. What the football league checks failed to show up was the money was being guaranteed by part of the bank that didn’t exist anymore and Abid Hyat Khan was no more of a prince than you or I and is wanted by British Police in connection with a one million pound fraud.

It was claimed by the BBC Panorama programme that the man actually being the takeover of Notts County was a convicted fraudster by the name of Russell King. King had been convicted of fraud when he claimed the insurance on a car he had claimed had been stolen and subsequently served time for this offence. This conviction would have seen King unable to pass the fit and proper persons test but with Khan as a front man he was able to bypass any checks that were undertaken by the football league.

Within months everything has started to unravel at Notts County with everything having been paid for using credit. Bills went unpaid and the club was left holding a debt of seven million pounds in the red and facing administration. The takeover was subsequently investigated by the Serious Fraud Office.

Thankfully for the followers of Notts County the club managed to survive but their tale remains as a cautionary one that if something sounds too good to be true then the chances are it’s exactly that. Both Pompey and County fans will have a great deal of sympathy for each other’s clubs off the field and what took place I’m sure.

On the field Notts County finished last season in 7^th place and missed out on a spot in the play offs by virtue of goal difference. Ex-Pompey player Martin Allen was replaced as Manager mid way through the season by current boss Keith Curle and at the time of writing they currently occupy third position in the league amongst the play off spots. County’s current run see’s them go into tomorrow’s game five games unbeaten. In nine league and cup games they have only lost two so far this season having been beaten in the League Cup first round at home to Bradford City AET (1-0) and at home in the league to Walsall (1-0). Home wins have come against Hartlepool United (2-0) and Shrewsbury (3-2) and they remain unbeaten in the league away from home so far this season with wins against Crewe Alexandra (2-1), Bury (2-0), Scunthorpe (2-1) and two successive draws in their last two games against Oldham Athletic (2-2) and MK Dons (1-1). Given the abysmal last two performances for Pompey against Swindon Town in mid week and Walsall last Saturday, County will start the match as firm favourites tomorrow.

County have scored in every single league game this season and in nine league and cup games their only blank so far this season came in the cup defeat to Bradford City. County’s best known player is the former West Bromwich Albion striker Lee Hughes but they’ve been far from reliant on him to score their goals with an impressive tally of eleven players so far having found the back of the net in all competitions in a total tally of fifteen goals. County’s top scorer is the Ivory Coast striker François Zoko with three league goals to his credit.

Head to head Pompey have the slight upper hand over the years with 9 wins to County’s 8 between the two sides with 6 draws. Pompey’s goal tally stands at 37 to County’s 32 but that total includes Pompey’s record victory against any side when we ran out 9-1 winners in the 1926/1927 season. Going into the game Pompey are unbeaten against County in their last seven outings and you have to go back to September 1990 to find the last time we lost a league encounter against them.

Luke Rodgers is in contention to return to the starting line up against his former club having been dropped to the bench in the midweek loss against Swindon Town which saw Pompey experiment with Izale McLeod playing as a loan striker. Manager Michael Appleton was waiting on the outcome of the injury to central defender Kevin Long before deciding whether to extend his loan spell from parent club Burnley so Gabor Gyepes could partner Lubomir Michalik in Portsmouth's defence. Pompey have however taken up the option of extending the loan period of Reading youngster Jordan Obita.

Crawley Town (A) 9th September 2012

Preview time again and this one is a little earlier than usual if only for the fact that I get to write the words for the first time this season that we actually won our last game. So if you’re a regular reader of these previews (don’t you have anything better to do?) I would like to say on the record how wrong I was when I wrote in the last blog that I didn’t care if we lost the Tin Pot Trophy tie to AFC Bournemouth. I could try to deny it on many fronts but unlike in the case’s of the Guildford 4 and the Birmingham 6 there was at least one witness to the crime that was me sat on a bar stool kicking every ball for the last twenty minutes all the more nervous than when my first born entered the world. That might sound an incredibly bad thing to say on my part as a father but my little girl was in a room with 21 highly trained medical professionals whilst we were trying to survive the onslaught of a man who looked like a ginger Robbie Rotten from the kids TV programme Lazy Town and he’d already managed to find the back of the net twice. My heart was genuinely beating like the clappers every time the ball came anywhere near our 18 yard box. I won’t lie – I walked out of the pub and around the corner and pumped my fists in celebration. I don’t care if it’s the Tin Pot Trophy – Sometimes a win is a win and they all count at the end of the day. So confession out of the way I’ll try restore some normality to proceedings; namely the fact that for the third game on the trot I don’t have a clue who the opposition players are and I’ve had to cheat.

 

I was surprised to learn that Crawley were actually formed all the way back in 1896 and even more surprised to find out that looking at the current league table that if you turned it upside down we’d swap places with them. I mean no disrespect to Crawley Town but I’m making it obvious that I have paid no attention to the lower two tiers of the English league the past couple of decades or the non league for that matter either. ‘Call yourself a football fan?’ some might ask. No I’m a Pompey fan – I call that a ’Gluten for punishment!’ So whilst I might not be totally surprised that we find ourselves fourth bottom given the way we began the season with a team of debutants, the fact that they find themselves fourth top following last season’s promotion having finished 3^rd in League Two was a surprise especially running through the names in their squad.

The more observant will pick out the name of Shaun Cooper who Pompey released back in 2005 to AFC Bournemouth. The Isle of Wight born defender made just 7 appearances total in a five year period so you’ll be forgiven if the name isn’t instantly recognisable. The other obvious name on the team sheet will be that of Jonathan Forte the 26 year old forward who is on loan from our neighbours down the M27 and who will no doubt get a warm welcome from the travelling fans throughout the game as is customary at such junctures.

Crawley’s Broadfield Stadium with its capacity of just 5,996 will be the smallest ground that Pompey have played a league game at for since the early 1980s or even late 1970s and manager Richie Barker will be full of confidence that his side will maintain their 100% home record to the season against a Pompey side still looking for their first league win. Apart from a 3-0 away loss to Paolo Di Canio’s Swindon Town, Crawley’s record this season in all competitions makes impressive reading to say the least; They began their season beating Championship Millwall away on penalties 4-1 in the League Cup following a 2-2 draw in normal time before beating fellow Championship side Bolton in the next round 2-1. Mid week saw a 3-2 win at home to Gillingham in the Tin Pot Trophy and their league campaign has taken in two home wins to Leyton Orient (1-0) and Scunthorpe (3-0) and a third away to Doncaster Rovers (1-0).

Six wins out of seven in all competitions including two against Championship opposition will see Crawley start the clear favourites with the bookies but Appleton’s men will take heart and confidence from the midweek win against AFC Bournemouth on penalties capped by the fine solo effort of skipper Brian Howard to make the game level at 2-2. Pompey will be without the influential Mustapha Dumbuya who has been called up for Sierra Leone and the on loan Conor Clifford away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under 21s. Jordan Obita sits out the second game of his three match ban following his dismissal last Saturday at home to Oldham Athletic and Paul Connolly is set to return to parent club Leeds United following his injury in midweek. Gabor Gyepes the ex-Cardiff City defender has been signed on a one month contract and is awaiting international clearance ahead of the game. Could there be a familiar name on the team sheet in fans favourite Herman Hreidarsson who’s offered his services to the club free of charge for the time being? One’s thing for certain is that if the Icelandic player pulls on the Pompey shirt again he will receive a hero’s welcome from the Fratton Faithful.

Whatever the result on Sunday at least I won’t be sulking tomorrow tonight as is growing customary again once more every Saturday. Can we dare to hope for two wins in one week?

A Tale of Two Cities (19^th August to September 3^rd 2012)

To trot out the old cliché – A week in football is a long time. Never has there been a truer statement when it comes to the trials and tribulations of the remains of Portsmouth FC on and off the field. I’ve been somewhat pre-occupied with other projects of late since the last Tale of Two Cities blog published on August 18^th 2012 so I will try recapping all the latest going’s on both here and down the M27 as neighbours Southampton continue their season in the upper echelons of the English footballing world.

The opening two games of the NPower League One Season had seen Pompey record two straight draws at home to AFC Bournemouth and away to Colchester United whilst Southampton had seen a 2-1 lead slip away at the home of current Premier League Champions Manchester City to eventually lose the game 3-2. We pick up the tale as Pompey travelled away to Brunton Park to take on Carlisle United and Southampton hosted Wigan Athletic in their first home game of the season.

Carlisle United 4 Portsmouth 2

Pompey’s unbeaten start to the season came apart in spectacular fashion thanks in part to some kamikaze defending which saw them leave empty handed from Brunton Park on the wrong side of a 4-2 score line. Trailing 2-0 going into the 90^th minute with only ten men following the second half dismissal of Kevin Long, substitute Ashley Harris scored his first league goal for Pompey with a short range header before Michael Appleton saw his side concede for a third time in the game. Fellow substitute Conor Clifford (on loan from Chelsea) calmly slotted the ball home to make it 3-2 before Pompey again came unstuck at the back and the fourth injury time goal was registered.

Pompey: Andersen, Dumbuya, Harley, Long, Connolly, Webster (Obita), Walker, Howard, McLeod (Clifford), Rodgers (Harris), Compton. Subs Not Used: Eastwood

Southampton 0 Wigan Athletic 2

The game saw manager Nigel Adkins restore Rickie Lambert to the starting line up as Southampton looked to secure their first home win in the Premier League for seven seasons as they took on a Roberto Martinez side who had lost their opening game of the season to Chelsea and were without the influential Victor Moses who had been sold to Roberto Di Matteo’s men. Saints fans were surely expecting their side to begin their home campaign with all three points following their performance the week before which had stunned the Etihad faithful into silence having come from 1-0 down to take the lead.

A somewhat lifeless first half saw the sides go in at half time 0-0. The best chance fell to Lallana whose 25 yard drive was tipped onto the bar by Ali Al Habsi. Southampton started the brighter in the second half and Lambert went close with a header before Wigan opened the scoring a minute later through a Di Santo shot which beat Kelvin Davis from a tight angle. Chasing the game in the final minutes Southampton came undone when Fonte hesitated just in front of the half way line and was disposed by Kone who ran on with the ball and slotted past keeper Davis to make the final score 2-0.

Saints: K Davis, Clyne, Hooiveld, Fonte, Fox, Schneiderlin, S Davis (Ward-Prowse), Rodriguez (Sharp), Lallana, Guly, Lambert. Subs Not Used: Gazzaniga, Richardson, Shaw, Seaborne, Puncheon

Stevenage Borough 1 Southampton 4

The first ever meeting between the two sides took place in the Carling Cup second round as Adkin’s men finished comfortable victors in a 4-1 win which saw him change his complete starting line up from the side that lost 2-0 to Wigan at the weekend. Despite holding their Premiership visitors 0-0 at half time the League One outfit went 3-0 down to goals from Lee, Sharpe and Puncheon before substitute Thalassitis's 20-yard effort pulled one back for the home side. Reeve completed the scoring for the visitors to earn his side a place in Round Three against Dave Jones’ Sheffield Wednesday at home.

Saints: Gazzaniga, Richardson, Shaw, Seaborne, Butterfield, Hammond (Chambers), Ward-Prowse, Chaplow (Reeves), Puncheon, Sharp (Moore), Lee. Subs Not used: K Davis, Stephens, Hoskins, Sinclair.

Portsmouth 0 Oldham Athletic 1

A crowd of 12,635 saw Michael Appleton’s Pompey side slip to their second successive defeat in the space of a week and finish the game with ten men again as the young Reading loanee Jonathan Obita saw red in the second half along with Oldham’s Cliff Bryne for violent conduct. Pompey had started the game without the suspended Kevin Long who was serving a one match ban following his dismissal away to Carlisle United the previous weekend. A Jonathan Grounds shot was deflected past Andersen in the Pompey goal by debutant Ertl just before the hour mark for the only goal of the game. The result see’s Pompey drop into the relegation places for the first time this season laying fourth bottom in the league.

Pompey: Andersen, Harley, Connolly, Obita, Russell, Dumbuya, Walker (Harris), Howard, McLeod, Compton, Ertl (Rodgers). Subs Not Used: Eastwood, Webster, Clifford

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3

Nigel Adkins men found that there is no room for rest bite in the Premier League following their 4-1 mid week cup victory away to Stevenage Borough as they took on last season’s Premier League Runners Up Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1,000^th game in charge of the Red Devils. The Saints opened the scoring from who else but Rickie Lambert when he headed in from close range in the 16^th minute. United levelled the scoring through £24 million signing Robin Van Persie who scored his second goal in two games with a sublime volley which Davis could do little about from the left edge of the penalty area. Davis however would get the better of RVP as he turned the Dutchman’s spot kick around the post to keep the score at 1-1 before the Saints regained the lead through a Morgan Schneiderlin header.

Looking to protect his side’s lead in the closing third of the game Adkin’s took off Lallana and Lambert whilst Fergie brought on Scholes, Nani and Hernandez as his side pressed on looking for a share of the points. Van Persie made amends for his earlier penalty miss as he levelled the scores in the 87^th minute before claiming his 100^th Premier League goal and the match ball with his hat trick in injury time to condemn Nigel Adkin’s side to their third straight Premier League defeat leaving them bottom of the league with 0 points.

Saints: K Davis, Clyne, Hooiveld, Fonte, Fox, Schneiderlin, S Davis, Ward-Prowse, Lallana (Rodriguez), Puncheon (Mayuka), Lambert (Guly). Subs Not Used: Gazzaniga, Richardson, Seaborne, Lee.

Michael Appleton’s men face AFC Bournemouth at home in the First Round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tonight before travelling away to Crawley Town in their next league fixture. Nigel Adkins men face another big test when they take on Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side away at the Emirates who’ve so far haven’t conceded a league goal in their opening three games of the season and beat Brendan Rodger’s Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield in their last game.

Tales of the Two Cities – Off The Field

Pompey’s squad saw two new faces as Ex-Sheffield United midfielder Johnny Ertl and the ex-Norwich City player Darel Russell joined Appleton’s squad on one month deals alongside Josh Thompson who also signs having appeared for the club in pre-season. Kieran Djilali was let go by mutual consent and youngster Sam Magri signed for Premier League Queen’s Park Rangers having been told he wasn’t part of the club’s long term plans.

Mustapha Dumbuya has been named in the Sierra Leone squad for their Africa Cup of Nations game with Tunisia on Saturday September 8^th which means he will miss the away game with Crawley Town the following day.

Pompey administrator Trevor Birch has given both the Portsmouth Supporter’s Trust and Balram Chanrai’s Portpin a fortnight to finalise their bids for the club.

Southampton have brought in Zambia forward Emmanuel Mayua from Young Boys Berne on a five year deal; Japanese defender Maya Yoshida from Dutch side VVV-Venlo for a fee reportedly worth £2 million; American goal keeper Cody Cropper who had been training with the club having been released by Ipswich Town and the club record signing of Uruguayan international midfielder Gaston Ramirez from Bologna in a deal set to be worth in the region of £12 million. Dean Hammond has rejoined former club Brighton and Hove Albion and Billy Sharp has signed for Nottingham Forest both on season long loans.