Pompey Up Next
So come tea time we’ll be kicking off at Fratton Park our longest journey of the season (Live on Setanta Sports coverage starts at 4pm).
We certainly owe this lot one after they came and conquered us 1-4 at St. James Park. I certainly couldn’t handle that day myself but perhaps looking back it was for the best…
It started the events which led eventually to a certain Sham Allardyce packing his cash laden Louis Vuitton bags.
Then there was the turning down from PR master wide boy ‘Arry Redknapp who likes to still state Mr. Allardyce is a good manager who could manage England - get stuffed!
Did you really get offered the job Harry or was it you spun it that way as you were just approached at early stages but managed to pull a nice pay rise… Not to mention all the personal coverage and ego building exercises so your Pompey fans think your a god even more - sadly miss guided.
Apparently KK was approached the same time as Harry but it was slowed up by KK wanting to meet Ashley when he got back from his travels.
Anycase lads lets have more of the same of late and get a result which if we do will go down as Pompey’s sights and minds being firmly on the FA cup rather than any of our good hard work..
Same old… Same old…
Be nice for the lads on the long travel back to have something to celebrate! Recovery will be complete!
April 13th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Not quite the win which I think we edged to deserve. I have to ask tho? Can someone else not spot Geremi can’t beat the first man on a corner? He had a good game but for wasting about 10 corners… Great save little did he know from Owen’s shot. I thought Pompey did well to restrict our fullbacks to getting forward very little. I think it was just one of those games which come along where it doesn’t quite happen up top. Great to see another cleansheet.
April 13th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Pompey aren’t in the FA Cup final by accident, they’re a good, strong, athletic side. Even before the game, riding the crest of this little wave that has been building up, I would have definitely taken a draw. We’ve now gone five games undefeated and the defence is actually standing incredibly firm. With the Mackems losing their game I’m actually feeling confident that we can win the derby (although derbies are derbies, either team has every chance of winning with the atmosphere created) - something I didn’t believe for a second five games ago.
April 13th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Just one other interesting point to bear in mind - Bolton, despite their win, are still 10 points behind us with four games to go, therefore with a maximum possible haul of 12 points. If we win one more game or they fail to win any game for the rest of the season, we’re staying up.
I’d love us to get that one big win to take us into certain safety against Sunderland…
April 14th, 2008 at 6:49 am
been a while since i posted here, managed to watch the game on saturday, it was televised here in South Africa.. i think we deserved more than the point, but i have to agree with you Simo, i would have taken a point before kick off, Pompey are solid and are on a good run at the mo, so to go there and take a point is a great result on its own. I think the boys played really well, i especially liked martins and owen, i think owen is showing that he really is committed to NUFC, as he is playing out of position and really doing well. I think we really need to tie those two up on new contracts, they seem to be enjoying themselves under KK. I thought the defense looked ok, i still am unsure about Faye, taylor had a good game, although he still has alot to learn, and i dont think faye can teach him so much.. Enrique still has to come good in my mind, i think the 6.5 we paid for him was too much, but saying that if he carries on playing i’m sure he’ll get better, he did have some good touches, but also had some ‘titusesque’ touches as well, we’ll see how he develops. I’m enjoying joey barton, he’s running his socks off down the left and starting to look more like the player we need him to be.. Loooking fwd to the derby this weekend, would be great to stuff them 3-0, hopefully its televised here?? but we’ll see..
April 14th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
0-0 was a very good result for us before the game and I think it could have easily been 3 points on reflection afterwards. 0-0 seemed reasonably fair though. Again Martins making a complete menace of himself in the final third. He always seems capable of stretching some space and with owen and viduka you have a pair who are happy to step into that. Boring scoreline but decent game and good cleansheet.
April 14th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I dont think we tested James enough mind on a day he seemed willing to offer some of his former calamity self…
April 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Yeah, I don’t disagree but when you put everything into perspective, to be more than matching a very decent pompey side away bodes well I think. Quite a bit of experience in that side and I suspect they would have beaten us quite comfortably 5-6 weeks ago.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
True, pity not to take advantage of James’ blunders (if Martins could have got onto that air-kick and found a way to put it in it would have been brilliant), however they had a few chances that they really should have scored, so I’m more than happy with 0-0. In fact it just shows what a rapid improvement we’ve made - if we can keep this up next season should hopefully see us challenge for a UEFA spot, which would be great all things considered.
So, as Snick says, it’s the visit of the not-so-great unwashed next sunday… Any predictions?
April 14th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
If it were a game of top trumps then we would clearly win but I think it will be quite frantic and a great game for any neutrals. I expect us to commit quite heavily and if it pays off early on then that could be all we need to go on and kill the game.. I think after feeling much happier recently they will be pumped for a home win against the mackems. Shake those keys!
April 15th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Unfortunately im in Florida for this one
So i’ll be looking to find a bar with it on early morning. Should be a great game and gutted to be missing it but I still expect us to come out on top. A few weeks ago… nope. I think KK will have them well drilled and there is players in that team will know what its about. I certainly expect one of our strikes to get a goal or 2. We need to put the unclean in their place…
April 16th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I feel we need to move in and buy Kasper Schmeichel - we may need to cash in on Given (our great servant - who is not going to be happy having to fight for his place). But would prefer him staying and helping Kasper along. He is a good player with a top future. Maybe I am blinded by his dad’s greatness but he looks tidy enough. Any thoughts - kind of an off the rail idea I know but thought it was worth the mention.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
He’s a cracking young keeper, but I’d avoid bringing any more in at the moment. In terms of young keepers we’ve got Forster (who apparently is coming along well although doesn’t look to be pushing Given/Harper yet), Krul (Holland youth team regular and very promising talent) and Soderburg (I think that’s his name - either way we’ve only recently bought him but paid a fair whack so he must be worth something).
I actually think we’ll see either Given or Harper sold on in the next season or two due to the amount of talent we have coming through. My assumption is that we’ll see Krul in the first team in about two years.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Like Simo I’m kinda lead to believe we have a lot of potential in the keeper dept.
Something a bit different, KK mentioned his ‘mini-league’ in the battle to save our PL status. Rather than player of the season how about player of this mini competition to stay up? Who do you think has so far responded best to the challenge and put the will to win ahead of the fear of loss?
April 17th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Owen and Beye seem to have come into their own more than anyone since we got things together again…
April 17th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Yeah I would agree that Owen and Beye have responded well followed by Martins and Geremi then the likes of Viduka, Butt and Barton.
Bare with me guys im off to Florida tomorrow so i’ll get some derby stuff on Saturday. Im gutted im missing it so i’ll count on you guys to keep me informed of prematch and postmatch activities
Thanks guys!
April 17th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Don’t be gutted - you’re going to Florida! I won’t be at the game, as ever, so will only be able to fill you in on the smaller details… Anyway, enjoy!
April 20th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Wew, okay we got the win we wanted but wasn’t it a scrappy game? Some really sloppy possessional play from both sides. Some extra quality upfront making the difference but wasn’t a convincing win. A win is a win though especially in the Derby but it did underline the fact we do need more quality in the squad next term. Happy overall of course!
April 21st, 2008 at 5:26 am
Its been hard getting net access guys! Managed to get access to some of the match at times. Looked a bit up down but derbies are like this and what matters if the win at the end of the 90 mins no matter how it was played. History states the score not the performance. Great to see Owen bagging 2 and the first was a great header. Still gutted to have missed as the atmosphere sounded awesome!
April 21st, 2008 at 9:52 am
Yup, I was watching in the pub and the atmosphere sounded brilliant. I’m guessing there’ll be a party atmosphere at the Chelsea game so don’t worry! It was a bit of a mixed performance, in the end the quality of our players won through. We were still a bit overrun in midfield though, probably as a mix of being outnumbered and having a lack of pace. Geremi, other than “that” cross simply wasn’t up to scratch and needs replacing with someone with a bit of pace and skill. Barton didn’t stand out either. Still, as you say, it’s all down to the scoreline and we won! Just great knowing I can go wind up a couple of Mackem mates of mine now…
April 21st, 2008 at 9:59 am
Just as a talking point, who thinks will see Owen sign a contract to stay this summer? I’m pretty 50/50… On one hand I think if he can see us making some big signings and challenging for something he might stay. He’s also settled here now finally and may like the idea of being at a decent sized club where he knows he’ll be captain and will play week in week out.
Having said that, he has about four more years where he’s at the top of his game. If Newcastle isn’t going to get right up there challenging quite quickly, is he not missing an opportunity to go to somewhere like Man Utd and win championships, FA Cups, try for the Champions League etc..?
April 21st, 2008 at 12:47 pm
While really trying to not be subjective about Owen, I think he would be foolish to move at least for another full season. He has been in the footballing wilderness since he left Liverpool and is only now finding his grounding again. He knows his form is returning and his manager is wanting to play the kind of football he will revel in. I’m sure we can pay him whatever other clubs would be prepared to pay him and he looks happier than he ever has in black and white recently. I really hope he stays now as if he can stay fit for the important parts of a season I think he can fire us to a trophy in the big games. Man United would be a big tempter I guess as they can almost guarantee medals of some sort. These are very positive comments from him:
“I was really enthused by what he had to say. Everyone connected with the club is looking forward to next season with great anticipation.
“These last few weeks have given me a real appreciation of what Newcastle is all about. It has been my best spell since my arrival.”
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:02 am
Great news if Owen stayed he is by far and away our best player and he is world class.
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
apparently oba martins has been offered a new contract - 4yrs and 90k a week, i think thats great news, as i have always liked him, although he is not quite yet the finished article the potential is there… could you guys please tell me why everyone(especially newcastle managers) refuse to play owen and martins upfront in a 4-4-2 formation?? it baffles me.. i mean man u have tevez and rooney upfront (both small strikers) england used to play with owen and rooney (both small strikers) i’m not sure why we havent tried with them both upfront together? (unless we have, and one of you can correct me) also on my fifa08 i play with martins and owen upfront, and they both have 25+ goals in a season.. hehehe.. (ok i know that doesnt really count)
April 24th, 2008 at 3:20 am
If anyone tries it will be KK. Look at more for pre season.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Apparently we’re now trying to tie up a deal for Luca Modric… From what I’ve seen and heard of him he’s a cracking player, just the kind of creative force we want. Plays through the middle or on the left. If it happens, bye bye Zogs/Emre, you’re no longer needed here…
April 24th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Luka Modric would be an amazing signing. I hope there’s substance to that.
April 26th, 2008 at 8:06 am
“The Henry story, I went to a talk-in and a 10-year-old kid asked me: ‘If you could fetch one player to Newcastle United, who would that be?’, and I said Thierry Henry because I think he is the best player the Premier League has ever had.
“From that, we are now signing him, which is fantastic, really.”
HAHA
April 26th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
See spuds have landed Modric. Good luck to him, I’m not bitter at all (bites lip)..
Interested to see where he plays though as he actually looks very right and one footed to me. Anyway hope we have plenty more targets on that list!
April 26th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I still hope we go for Arshavin from Zenit St.Pettersburg. I hope hes on that list. I am bitter as im not a fan of Spuds fans
There are players out there other than Modric. We have to remember we signed Maric from Zagreb who was supposed to be a great player and he couldnt handle the premier league. There are plenty more fish in the sea and its early days. Im just a bit amazed Modric is jumping early… sounds a bit fishy to me thinking about it.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I’m a little gutted, he looks like a very, very good player… Still, it’s good to see we’re after players early. My hope is that we’ll make a big signing early on, which will be a signal of intent. It’ll make signing other top players (including Owen) a lot, lot easier…