Portsmouth F.C MM - Fratton Heroes

[Wordy]

Portsmouth Manager Mode
Up The Pompey!

S’up. I know I’m new to the forums and stuff, but I thought id get my teeth sunk into a manager mode right away. So thanks for putting up with me. I am big into the renovation seasons, taking relegation-ready clubs and getting them high in the tables, it makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside. So, without further ado, I begin.

Difficulty: World Class

[Wordy]

Redknapp Gives Up!

Harry Redknapp, after a long a lustrous managerial career in football, has retired from the post of Portsmouth manager at the age of 60. The big name in football managers stated that the job was “too much for me to handle, I’ll leave it to the young blood to be able to emerge amongst the premiership clubs.”

The team and chairman Alexandre G'damak were shocked by this decision, but respect his move from the top. The Chairman set about his search almost immediately, with a new season on the way and high prospects, he searched among the up-and-coming of today’s managers. One name seemed to ring true amongst those he searched.

Darren Ferguson (son of Sir Alex Ferguson), former manager of Peterborough United from Cambridgeshire, UK, seemed the best choice. “He has big plans for the team this season, and I’m sure he will take the club higher than anyone expected,” said an optimistic G'damack when questioned. The fans, however, did not warm to the new manager so quickly, headlines in the local fanzine spouting bold titles like “Who Is This Guy?”.

Can Ferguson have the same success he did at Peterborough?

Ferguson, in a rushed interview, told us that the board’s expectations of a top half finish and moderate cup success were “pessimistic”. The red-faced manager stated that he would take the club past the FA Cup semi-final hopes of the chair and board, and that he would consider anything less than Europe a failure.

“I have secured a new sponsorship deal with the National Daily newspaper, bringing in £180k each week, and a bonus for each cup round we survive.” The manager stated firmly in a morning press-conference. On the question of the transfer market, Ferguson, grinning broadly, stated that he would prefer to show his team the trust they needed rather than start selling and buying immediately; although it is well known that he has one eye on Sampdoria’s flamboyant striker Antonio Cassano.

Certainly G'damak’s choice will be tested in their first league match against West Ham at Fratton Park on the 18th of August.

[Galatasaray]

wow this is your first post

good luck.

[Wordy]

Portsmouth, The Fratton Heroes!!

Team Information:

Team name: Portsmouth Football Club
Nicknames: Pompey, The Blues
Team Founded: 1898
Stadium: Fratton Park
Capacity: 20,688

Honours:

Football League First Division/Premier League (first tier)

• Champions 1949, 1950

Football League Second Division/Football League First Division (second tier)

• Champions 2003
• Runners-up 1927, 1987

Football League Third Division (South)/Football League Third Division (third tier)

• Champions 1924, 1962, 1983

FA Cup

• Winners 1939
• Runners-up 1929, 1934
• Semi-finalists 1949, 1992

FA Charity Shield/Community Shield

• Winners 1939, 1949 (Shared)

Southern League

• Champions 1902, 1920
• Runners-up 1907

Southern Charity Cup

• Winners 1903
• Runners-up 1909

Hants Charity Cup

• Winners 1906, 1907

Western Football League

• Champions 1901, 1902, 1903

London War Cup

• Runners-up 1942

The Team:
(Will be updated)
(Last Update: 03rd June)

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Goalkeepers









Name: David James
Date of Birth: 01/08/1970
Age: 37
Nationality: English
Overall Skill Rating: 79
Manager’s Comment: “A solid keeper with safe hands, a definite first team choice for Portsmouth.”

Name: Jamie Ashdown
Date of Birth: 30/11/1980
Age: 27
Nationality: English
Overall Skill Rating: 68
Manager’s Comment: “A good replacement for James in case of injury or transfer, a capable keeper on the day.”

Defenders









Name: Lauren
Position: Right Back
Date of Birth: 19/01/1977
Age: 30
Nationality: Cameroon
Overall Skill Rating: 76
Manager’s Comment: “A strong man to have in the back four, capable of directing good defensive manoeuvres.”


Name: Sylvain Distin
Position: Centre Back
Date of Birth: 16/12/1977
Age: 30
Nationality: French
Overall Skill Rating: 79
Manager’s Comment: “Another member of the back four who can tackle like the best of them, Distin is a regular first-team member.”











Name: Sol Campbell (Captain)
Position: Centre Back
Date of Birth: 18/09/1974
Age: 33
Nationality: English
Overall Skill Level: 81
Manager’s Comment: “England international and a huge presence in a defence, Sol is a worthy captain, and one that gels the team together.”




Name: Hermann Hreidarsson
Position: Left Back
Date of Birth: 11/07/1974
Age: 33
Nationality: Icelandic
Overall Skill Level: 72
Manager’s Comment: “A veteran of the game and a great man to have on the left.”

Name: Dejan Stefanovic
Position: Centre Back
Date of Birth: 28/10/1974
Age: 33
Nationality: Serbian
Overall Skill Level: 74
Manager’s Comment: “Dejan is a good player, able to take any role given to him and still play great, he will be on the subs bench for a while while I test out the younger bunch.”

Name: Linvoy Primus
Position: Centre Back
Date of Birth: 14/09/1973
Age: 33
Nationality: English
Overall Skill Level: 76
Manager’s Comment: “ Linvoy is a skilled defender, although a bit impetuous in getting to the ball. A great member of the team.”


Name: Djimi Traore
Position: Left Back
Date of Birth: 01/03/1980
Age: 27
Nationality: Mali
Overall Skill Level: 72
Manager’s Comment: “ Djimi is an experienced player, and one that can be relied on to be steadfast in defence.”


Name: Noe Pamarot
Position: Right Back
Date of Birth: 14/04/1979
Age: 28
Nationality: French
Overall Skill Level: 72
Manager’s Comment: “ Pamarot is placed in the reserves this year, but will be getting regular starts against weaker clubs, a chance to earn first team status.”

Midfield





Name: Gary O’Neil
Position: Right Midfield
Date of Birth: 18/05/1983
Age: 25
Nationality: English
Overall Skill Level: 75
Manager’s Comment: “A great man to have on the right and a good crosser of the ball, I expect to see some goals from him too!”





Name: Pedro Mendes
Position: Right Centre Midfield
Date of Birth: 26/02/1979
Age: 29
Nationality: Portuguese
Overall Skill Level: 78
Manager’s Comment: “The wonder that is Mendes holds the midfield in place, he can pass, move, and then score great goals.”





Name: Niko Kranjcar
Position: Centre Attacking Midfielder
Date of Birth: 13/08/1984
Age: 24
Nationality: Croatian
Overall Skill Level: 82
Manager’s Comment: “Niko is a force in the centre of the park, and frightening to any defence, I expect a good season form him.”





Name: Matthew Taylor
Position: Left Midfield
Date of Birth: 27/11/1981
Age: 26
Nationality: English
Overall Skill Level: 80
Manager’s Comment: “Taylor is one of my big hopes for the season, hopefully he will progress as a player and be a valued member of the team this season.”


Name: Sulley Ali Muntari
Position: Centre Midfield
Date of Birth: 27/08/1984
Age: 24
Nationality: Ghanaian
Overall Skill Level: 77
Manager’s Comment: “On the sub bench, but wil be making regular starts as the season gets into swing, Sulley is a great younger player who should improve bucketfuls.”


Name: Sean Davis
Position: Centre Midfield
Date of Birth: 20/09/1972
Age: 35
Nationality: English
Overall Skill Level: 78
Manager’s Comment: “Sean is a steadfast replacement for the centre, and shall be used as such in the season.”


Name: Arnold Mvuemba
Position: Central Defending Midfielder
Date of Birth: 28/01/1985
Age: 22
Nationality: French
Overall Skill Level: 66
Manager’s Comment: “Another young prospect, will be seen against the weaker opponents, but expect good things!”

Attack





Name: John Utaka [INJURED]
Position: Striker
Date of Birth: 08/01/1982
Age: 25
Nationality: Nigerian
Overall Skill Level: 81
Manager’s Comment: “ One of the better attackers in the league, and capable of multiple goals per game. Watch him closely!”






Name: David Nugent
Position: Striker
Date of Birth: 02/05/1985
Age: 23
Nationality: English
Overall Skill Level: 78
Manager’s Comment: “David is a keen player and loves a challenge, it will be fun to see how he plays against the big clubs.”





Name: Nk'wo Kanu
Position: Striker
Date of Birth: 01/08/1976
Age: 31
Nationality: Nigerian
Overall Skill Level: 79
Manager’s Comment: “Kanu is a veteran of the game and one that can be reliedon to score goals when needed.”



Name: Benjani
Position: Striker
Date of Birth: 13/08/1978
Age: 29
Nationality: Nigerian
Overall Skill Level: 74
Manager’s Comment: “A player I will be watching closely over the season.”

The Starting 11
Also updated.

GK – D. James (79)

RB – Lauren (76
RCB – S. Distin (79)
LCB – S. Cambell (81) [Captain]
LB – H. Hreidarsson ( 72)

RWM –N. Kranjcar (85)
RCM – P. Mendes (79]
LCM – S. Davis (78]
LM – M. Taylor (80)

RS – Benjani (81)
LS – D. Nugent (78]

[Galatasaray]

for some reason, Utaka always scores on me when i play against Portsmouth.

[Wordy]

Originally Posted by Galatasaray

wow this is your first post

good luck.

Cheers, i was musing around and it caught my interest.
I hope Pompey get a few veiws.

West Ham match update shall be in the morning, after ive had a hearty sleep ^^.

[Wordy]

Transfer News!
Pompey Manager Attracts Players!

No modest number, Darren Ferguson, new boss at Pompey, has been given a £20m budget for spending during the season. Although that manager has stated that he did not wish to move around players immediately, there are many big names on the market.

Steven Naismith, 20, of Kilmarnock, is available for a fee of £9,300,000, the striker having been influential I the previous season for the Scottish club; definitely a young player with much growth ahead of him.

German Goalkeeper Robert Enke is also a big name this window, the safe-handed keeper up for £2,900,000. However, Ferguson dispelled question on Enke, sticking firmly by England favorite David James, whom he believes is a “Great asset protecting the goal.”

A shock was found in the way that 6”5 Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has been put up for transfer, £2,500,000 his price tag. The former Pompey player has little hope for a move to his former club, as Ferguson declared the current Pompey attack as solid as he wished.

Meanwhile, the new Manager’s eyes have been drawn to free agent and Argentinean defender Gabriel Milito, 26; minimum contract terms have yet to be sent by the player’s agent to the club.

Milito, A strong choice?

Despite his declaration that he would not move the club around, whisperings of the possible exit of right back Richard Duffy and defending midfielder Richard Hughes via transfer, and French right winger Franck Songo’o on loan. Ferguson has said that these are to allow the promising youth players emerging to take a place in other squads that they wouldn’t get at Pompey, and to reduce the wage packet of the club, which is a dent in the finances. Fan groups have yet to comment.

Could Naismith bring goals to Pompey?


Onlytime will tell of Hamilton's decision, but with only two games until the end of the transfer window, he will have to make a decision fast.

[Chelsea11]

don't sell Utaka!!! I bought of a free transfer when I was Schalke, and he scored 30+ goals for me. Eventually I got offered $25 million for him so I sold him, but definately keep him and start him

[Wordy]

August 18th – Match Day!

Portsmouth Vs West Ham

Home At Fratton Park

Disappointment as Bellamy-Ashton partnership ends Pompey hopes of an opening win!

Fan Support: Low - Moderate

Formation & Starting 11:
Unchanged

Game Events:

1st Minute - Nugent fires a shot outside the box, but it sails wide.

13th Minute - Throw in to West Ham, who lose the ball to Pompey.

17th Minute - Bellamy breaks free and smashes a shot wide, inches from the right post.

24th Minute - Ashton pressures the defense, but Pompey hold strong and knock the ball forward.

27th Minute - Gooooooooal! Bellamy picks up a through ball that cut through the Pompey defense, slotting it past the dive of Keeper James.

34th Minute - Gooooooooal! Ashton picks up a loose ball in the box and fires it into the top corner of the net, wheeling away in triumph. David James hangs his head in disappointment.

36th Minute - Nugent attempts a shot from range, but it flies over the bar.

45th Minute - Kranjcar pulls of a low shot, but its blocked and the ball rolls out of touch for a corner.

45th Minute - O'Neill takes the corner, but it's headed away and Bellamy picks up the ball, already heading for the Pompey goal.

45th Minute - Bellamy lofts the ball into the box, and only a last minute tackle from Cambell prevents a strike from Ashton.

Half Time

Substitution: D. Nugent < N. Kanu

46th Minute - Chants of "Pretty Bubbles" course throughout the stadium, jeering the Pompey supporters who remain silent and sombre. Kanu stretches his legs and a James swings on his crossbar, preparing for any new challenge.

47th Minute - Kranjcar fouls Bellamy, free kick 24m from the goal.

48th Minute - The wall blocks the shot and the ball is cleared.

50th Minute - Taylor breaks free and sends a spinning ball low, but the outstreched fingers of the West Ham keeper flick the sot out for a corner.

51st Minute - Corner to Pompey, O'Neil to take

51st Minute - Kanu heads the ball low, but it skims the post on it way out.

57th Minute - Thrown in by Ljunberg, straight to a Pompey player.

59th Minute - Ashton picks up the loose ball and thunders a shot over the bar, James sighs at the lack of defence.

60th Minute - Kanu makes an attempt, but it tackled and the ball lost.

64th Minute - Another attack is broken down and Pompey go back on the defencive, Hamilton watches anxiously from the touchline.

67th Minute - West Ham lose the ball and Pompey go on the attack.

68th Minute - A midfield battle ensues.

80th Minute - Kanu breaks free and tries a shot, but a West Ham defender cuts the ball from his feet. Hamilton tells his team to go on the attack, and to put pressure on the West Ham front men.

90th Minute - O'Neill struggles free of a packed defence, shimmies his way past the goalkeeper, only to strike the ball against the post with a twang. He falls to the floor in disappointment.

90th Minute - The Referee signalls 2 extra minutes of time.

91st Minute - Gooooooooal!! Taylor sends a wild cross wide of the box, but it falls directly into the lap of Pedro Mendes, who controls the ball on his chest, then slams a volley into the top right corner of the West Ham goal. But is it all too late?

92nd Minute - The Whistle blows.

Final Score:
Pompey 1, West ham 2

Goal scorers:
Bellamy, 27th
Ashton, 34th
Mendes, 91th

Manager’s comment: “Well, it was a real disappointment not to grab three points out of the game, but we must look forward to our next game against Birmingham with high heads.”

[Wordy]

Duffy and Songo’o Gone!

Transfer News From Fratton Park

It has been announced today that Richard Duffy of Portsmouth F.C has signed a deal to move to Nice for a fee of £270,000. Manager Hamilton had managed to secure £20,000 more than the market value of the player.

Righ winger Franck Songo’o is to leave for a loan spell to French football club Caen. The players said he was happy about the short-term move, as he could get more games and come back ready to play some first team Premiership football.

Meanwhile, Ferguson seems quiet about his choices in the market, with only a week to go, he has a choice to make as to whether to purchase a new player or not. He was unavailable for comment.

We wish the former player luck, and the loaned player all the best at his new club.

[Wordy]

August 25th – Match Day!

Portsmouth Vs Birmingham

Away at St.Andrews.

Pompey put rumours to bed with great win!

Battling for possession.

Fan Support:
Low

Formation and Starting 11:
Unchanged

Game Events:

1st Minute – Birmingham start with the ball.

2nd Minute – Campbell commits a foul, free kick 15 metre from the goal.

3rd Minute – McShefferey fires an unimaginative shot into the hands of David James.

6th Minute – McShefferey powers a shot at goal again, but James is well up to it and catches comfortably.

10th Minute – Gooooooooal! After some patient build up play and quick passes, the ball falls to Krancjar outside of the box. Twisting past a bemused defender, he slides a low ball into the bottom right of the net out of the keeper’s reach.

12th Minute – Goooooooooal! Straight from kick off the Pompey attack get the ball, Nugent passes to a sprinting Pedro Mendes, who looks up and slams a shot into the net from over fifteen metres.

24th Minute – After holding possession for a long time, Birmignham gove the ball away to Nugent in the middle.

25th Minute – Gooooooooooal! Nugent sprints forward, knocking Birgmigham defender Rafael flying, as the stricken defence call for a foul, the Pompey forward powers towards goal, before slotting a low ball under diving keeper Taylor’s body.

35th Minute – After a lengthily midfield battle, the ball is crossed into the Pompey box, but is punched away by a leaping James.

43rd Minute – Birmingham force a corner from the Portsmouth defence, James comes out of goal and snatches the ball from the air.

45th Minute – A deflection concedes a corner against Pompey. James catches the flighted ball and rolls it out into play.

Half Time
No changes made

52nd Minute – Pompey go straight into the attack, and Utaka lofts a ball behind keeper Taylor, only a Birmingham scramble preventing Nugent’s head from meeting the ball.

54th Minute – Birmingham make a rushed attack, but the ball is cleared to Nugent, who immediately starts a counter attack, to his right, Utaku screams for the ball.

55th Minute – Utaka receives a through ball from his teammate and shoves defender out of his way, but crowded out by the entire Birmingham defence; he loses the ball.

61st Minute – Chants from the relatively small Pompey following of “Blue Army” are making manager Ferguson smile on the touchline.

65th Minute – Utaka makes a shot from a bad angle swish against the side netting, with a shake of the head, he moves on.

69th Minute – Larsson fouls Krancjar outside of the center spot.

70th Minute – The ball comes in and is headed out, but Lauren picks it up and drives a low shot towards goal. The ball curls away and out.

76th Minute – The Pompey faithful begin to chant “going down” to the Birmingham fans, although a little premature, it rings true and the City fans are remarkably quiet.

79th Minute – Utaka breaks free from his marker and slides a pass infront of Mendes, who drives a solid strike into the post with a clang.

86th Minute - O’Neil attempts a shot at range, and it skims the crossbar by a few inches.

90th Minute – The Referee blows the whistle for full time.

Nugent celebrates his fantastic goal.

Final Score:
Birmingham City 0, Portsmouth 3

Goal Scorers:
Krancjar, 10
Mendes, 12
Nugent, 25

Manager’s Comment:
“I am delighted with the performance, especially away from home like this. This proves that Portsmouth is a team worthy of the top 10, and that’s where they will be heading with play like this!”

Breaking News: Surprise departure of Hughes and Craine!

Portsmouth defender Craine and midfielder Hughes left the club this morning after signing contracts with other teams. The two had been placed on the transfer market and neither was happy with their reserve status.

Ferguson stated today that he and the club had made an offer for Argentine defender Milito, but the player rejected the weekly salary offered on grounds of the team being "beneath him".

With the transfer window now firmly closed, Ferguson will have to work with the team he has.

Next fixture: Liverpool on the 1st September

[Wordy]

"We Can Beat Portsmouth"

A confident Benitez speaks.

At a press conference for Liverpool F.C, the Spanish manager speaks about his next opponents.

Reporter: "Mr. Benitez, after a somewhat dissapointing start, a loss and a draw, albeit to the stronger of the Premiership's teams, how do you think you team will cope against seventh placed Portsmouth?"

Benitez: "Portsmouth are a team that should not be underestimated, but we are playing at Anfield and with the team in great shape."

Reporter: "Do you think you could pull a win from them then? What players will you be watching out for?"

Benitez: "Well, without trying to temp fate, i believe that a win is a must in this game, I expect no less from my players. The Portsmouth midfeild is a well-working team, so our players will need to negate this in order to get the goals. We can beat Portsmouth."

Reporter: "Thank you Mr.Benitez."

Benitez: "Any other questions?"

Catching up with Portsmouth's new manager, Darren Ferguson, outside of Fratton Park, we asked him a few questions...

Reporter: "Mr. Ferguson, Liverpool, a tough fixture?"

Ferguson: "Oh the big four are always a tough fixture, especially away like this."

Reporter: "Do you think you could make an upset and beat the Reds?"

Ferguson: "Anything is possible, to coin an old phrase, its a funny old game, and I think based on our performance against Birmingham that the team is ready to play the big clubs."

Reporter: "Thank you Mr. Ferguson."

Ferguson: "Any time."

Will Portsmouth manage an upset at the Kop on the 1st of September? Only time will tell.

[Mariners!!!!!!]

Looks like a good thread, KUTGW.

[Raynaldo-7]

Peterborough Fan?

[Wordy]

Just a tad.

[Raynaldo-7]

Cool, promotion this year, they did well.Godd luck with this thread.

[Wordy]

Thanks, any predictions against the Reds?

[Raynaldo-7]

well being a Liverpool Fan, I'd like to think you'd lose but I'll cheer for you

[The Stig]

This is a great thread, it would of been unrealistic for Pompey to get Militio anyway.

[Wordy]

Cheers, the game will be played shortly.

[Wordy]

September 1st – Match Day!


PortsmouthVs Liverpool


Away at Anfeild.

Kuyt Dashes Pompey Hopes In Controversial Fashion!

Fan Support: Moderate

Formation and Starting 11:
Defensive formation,
Stefanovic > Hreidarsson
No other changes.

Game Events:

1st Minute – Liverpool start with the ball.

2nd Minute – Tackle by Nugent forces throw in for Liverpool. Is knocked out for a Pompey throw.

4th Minute – After some quick passes, Utaka slips past the line defence of Liverpool and drives a low shot at Reina, the curling shot flies wide by inches.

9th Minute – A high through ball from Nugent to Utaka frightens the Liverpool defence who scramble the ball clear.

15th Minute – O’Neil sprints up the right side of the pitch and releases a cross into the box that misses Nugent’s head by a whisker, Liverpool clear.

25th Minute – Liverpool refuse to play the ball forward, resulting in boos and jeers from the travelling Pompey faithful.

27th Minute – A sloppy pass from Xabi Alonso is intercepted by Utaka who threads a pass to a sprinting Nugent…

28th Minute – Reina sprints from his line to meet the threat and dives at the feet of Nugent, who trips and shoutsfor a penalty. None given. Liverpool clear.

32nd Minute – Pedro Mendes passes to Kranjcar, who takes a rushed shot, the ball sails wide, and Utaka crosses to have a word with the angry midfielder.

36th Minute – After another Liverpool attack is stopped, a frustrated Steven Gerrard shoves Taylor to ground. Free kick to Portsmouth 36 metres from the goal. Mendes places the ball down and looks up at the goal. Its clear what his intentions are. Reina jumps up and down on his goal line, the sun in his eyes.

36th Minute – Goooooooooal! Mendes takes a run up and strike the ball sweetly; the spinning shot flies over the jumping wall, and slots itself into the postage stamp of the goal – the top right corner. Reina looks on in disbelief and Kuyt falls onto his back, head in hands. Mendes is swallowed by a wave of celebrating Pompey players.

42nd Minute – Torres is played the ball from the centre and he strikes it on the bounce, but it flies wide. Meanwhile, an argument has broken out between Kranjcar and Gerrard, and the two scuffle near the centre spot. The ref Yellow Card’s Kranjcar, who mouths something and walks on.

45th Minutes – A bad goal kick by James is collected by Torres, who passes to an open Kuyt. The Liverpool striker takes two more steps and powers a shot at goal. James dives and fumbles the ball, but Campbell kicks the ball out into touch. Liverpool throw in.

45th Minute – The throw in is straight to a Pompey player, but he is intercepted and Kuyt runs into an empty box, he lines up a shot and beats James hands down… Clang! He hits the post, and James pounces onto the rebound. Pompey clear.

Half Time
No Change

46th Minute – Pompey start with the ball but lose it, the Liverpool players passing smoothly around the centre.

56th Minute - After a long midfield battle, suddenly Torres breaks free. James is on him in a moment, and Torres leaps over the diving keeper, unfortunately, the ball is in the arms of James. Pompey clear.

57th Minute – James rolls the ball out but Torres intercepts and lofts a ball over the keepers head. It lands on top of the goal, and the kop sighs in annoyance.

59th Minute – Utaka tries a shot from range, it misses. Liverpool clear.

64th Minute – Gerrard collects the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and powers a shot towards goal. James leaps for it and plucks it from the air.

77th Minute – After a long time playing outside the Pompey box, Pennant crosses into the area, but it is collected by James. Chants of “Blue Army” can be heard amongst the Kop’s noise.

79th Minute – Another Liverpool attack breaks down.

81st Minute – A silly tackle by Distin takes down Kuyt on the edge of the box for a free kick. Gerrard steps up to take the kick and there is a sharp intake of breath in the Kop

Substitutions by Pompey
Lauren > Hreidarsson
Primus > O’Neil
Muntari > Kranjcar

82nd Minute – Goooooooooal! Gerrard flicks the ball into the goal over the head of a stationary David James, who doesn’t seem to know the kick has been taken yet. Gerrard wheels away to celebrate and the Kop breaks into song.

84th Minute – Primus crashes into Aurelio. Free kick in Liverpool’s half.

90th Minute – Referee signals 2 minutes of stoppage time.

91st Minute – Torres skies a shot in the Pompey box. Pompey clear.

92nd Minute – Goooooooooal! A cross from Pennant flies into the Pompey box, James moves to clear, but a sprinting Kuyt arrives to plough the ball into the back of the net. Pompey players wheel about in protest that the keeper had both hands on the ball when he kicked it, but it’s futile.

Full Time.

Goal Scorers:
Mendes, 36
Gerrard, 82
Kuyt, 92

Manager’s Comment:
“Well, for a moment we looked like we were heading for a win. But that’s what happens when you play the big teams, we let our guard down for a second and they took control.”

[Wordy]

Ferguson Spends £8m On Upgrades!

Word has spread that Pompey manager Darren Ferguson has spent £8,000,000 on upgrades to Fratton Park.

We caught up with the manager, who simply said that the stadium needed renovation, and that extra seats meant more people could watch their team play. We asked him if it was really all about increasing income in the club, he smiled and protested that funds were not everything in football.

Fratton Park: Will the new renovation pay off?

16th Placed Portsmouth will play Middlesbrough at Fratton park on the 8th of September, and after their defeat at Liverpool, did manager Ferguson have doubts about his team.

"Of course i dont have doubts. Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world,and we showed we could play just as well as they could. I believe it was one of their strongest teams as well. Middlesbrough will be an interesting game in order to test out how the team can do in various situations."

Darren Ferguson, like father like son?

[Wordy]

September 8th – Match Day!


PortsmouthVs Middlesbrough


Home at Fratton Park

“Straightforward win” Brings Pompey Up The Tables To 11th!

Mendes battles for the ball.

Fan Support: Low

Formation and Starting 11:
No changes.

Game Events:

1st Minute – Pompey start with the ball.

3rd Minute – Nugent gets the ball, turns and shoots, keeper saves.

7th Minute – Aliadiere controls the ball and makes to shoot, but stops as the referee blows for offside.

22nd Minute – After a long time in the centre of the park, Aliadiere makes an attempton goal, but it flies well wide.

23rd Minute – Goooooooooal! Jameskicks the ball far, and Utaka controls it on his head, he stumbles as a M’brough player slams into him, but reforms enough to slide a pass to Nugent who twists and slots a shot to the left of Schwarzer.

26th Minute – Rochemback passes the Pompey defence and crosses into the area alone, James rushes out but Distin tackles hard to regain the ball.

30th Minute – Lauren catches Boateng on the ankle and brings him down. Referee hands out a Yellow card to him.

31st Minute – Pompey reclaim the ball but their attack breaks down. Ferguson shouts from the touchline to opt for a man release tactic.

40th Minute – Utaka find himself in a crossing position with no target, so holds onto the ball. Pogatetz attempts to tackle but the Pompey player slides the ball to the left and skips past him. His cross is headed out for a throw in.

Half time
No changes made

46th Minute – The M’brough fans are loud and rambunctious despite their team trailing, but the Pompey fans seem not to want to respond, sitting quietly.

56th Minute – After a series of failed attacks on both sides, the ball is cleared for a Pompey throw in.

Pompey Substitution
Utaka > Kanu

60th Minute – Mendes is cut down by Downing, but the referee plays advantage as Kranjcar picks it up, he is tackled and Mendes picks up possession. He looks up and fires a shot that produces a flying save from Schwarzer.

71st Minute – Campbell is fouled inside Pompey’s half.

74th Minute – Pedro Mendes tackles Aliadiere to the ground. It’s a free kick 31 metres from the goal. Mendieta to take. He runs it and blasts a shot wellvwide.

77th Minute – Aliadiere taps a shot towards goal, James saves easily.

82nd Minute - O’Neil runs down the right and seems to shoot, although it sails over everyone’s heads and the goal. Kanu seems to have an angry word with him.

84th Minute – Distin Fouls Downing, M’brough free kick near the box. Mendieta to take from 29 metres.

Pompey Substitution:
Lauren > Stefanovic
Pedro Mendes > Muntari

87th Minute – Mendieta’s shot hits the wall and it is cleared.

88th Minute – Muntari ploughs into Pogatetz, free kick in the centre.

90th Minute – Mendieta fouled by Distin. Free kick on the edge of the box. Referee signals 2 minutes of stoppage time.

91st Minute – Shot goes well wide.

Full Time

Nugent; On the mark for Pompey.

Goal Scorers:
Nugent, 23

Manager’s Comment:
“Straightforward win for us I felt, we played well, had a few disciplinary issues with the lads tackling a little hard, but nothing a little training cant rectify. A nice three point buffer.”

[Wordy]

News from Fratton! Whats happening at Pompey?

It has been rumoured that Darren Ferguson has spent £70,000 on a scout to search europe for attacking talent.

Benjani and Kanu: replaced?

We caught upwith the young manager and he had to say this:

Reporter: "Mr. Ferguson, there is talk of you looking for young talent?"

Ferguson: "I am indeed, it would be a good turn for Portsmouth."

Reporter: "Do you not think you have a good supplement for your attack in the shape of Benjani and Kanu?"

Ferguson: "Kanu and Benjani are great players, but i felt an injection of pace and youth into the attack would be a boost to the team's performance. Dont get me wrong, its not like the player is going to arrive and take the place of veteran players immediatly, we would need to test his skills, and move from that."

Reporter: "Thank you Mr. Ferguson."

Ferguson: "Cheers."

Portsmouth Fixtures Lastest!

15th September: Blackburn - Away

18nd September: Cheltenham (Carling Cup) - Home

22nd September: WiganAthletic - Home

29th September: Fulham - Away

[Andrés]

Good work, Cassano is great for me on my Lazio MM, i play him in CAM and he always scores