Paul Cook and his players have a shot at redemption when they travel to Crawley to play their game in hand tomorrow.
Team News
Amine Linganzi is rated 50/50 after coming off in the 1-0 defeat to Crewe whilst Paul Cook may make numerous changes following such an unacceptable performance on Saturday.
Matt Harrold is out with a long term injury for Crawley but manager Dermot Drummy has no other injury concerns.
The Match
Some Pompey fans are understandably still seething at their team following a disgraceful performance on Saturday but they will be hoping that Paul Cook's men can bounce back and make amends for such a shocking showing.
After all, Pompey will go into third place if they can beat their hosts tomorrow and Crawley are as mediocre as they come, as they currently lie 16th in the League Two table and were soundly beaten at Fratton Park earlier in the season.
James Collins and Dean Cox should be the two biggest threats for the Red Devils and will certainly get on the scoresheet if Pompey dare to reproduce their pathetic excuse of a performance against Crewe. It simply cannot be allowed to happen again.
The big pre-match talking points will be who gets dropped for tomorrow's match as they're all in the firing line. Michael Doyle needs a rest but will probably play simply because it's unlikely Linganzi will be fit, meaning Danny Rose will have to come into the side.
Any of the attacking midfield trio could quite easily be dropped although Cook won't have the balls to replace Eoin Doyle who has flattered to deceive since signing. It's a far-fetched suggestion, but why not give Jamal Lowe and Nicke Kabamba a go? They'd at least possess some pace to get behind Crawley's sluggish defence.
However, it's likely that Cook will stick with a similar side that lost on Saturday. They owe us big time for that result but who knows, playing away from home with a rocket up their backsides might see a turnaround in performance and a win? It would certainly go some way to making amends for the weekend.
But if Pompey were to lose once again, the fans may truly lose all belief that this team is capable of getting promoted not just automatically, but via the play-off route also.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Crawley
GK: Glenn MORRIS
RB: Josh LELAN
CB: Joe McNERNEY
CB: Mark CONNOLLY
LB: Lewis YOUNG
DM: Josh PAYNE
DM: Jimmy SMITH
RM: Enzio BOLDEJWIN
AM: Billy CLIFFORD
LM: Dean COX
CF: James COLLINS
Pompey
GK: David FORDE
RB: Gareth EVANS
CB: Christian BURGESS
CB: Matt CLARKE
LB: Enda STEVENS
DM: Michael DOYLE
DM: Danny ROSE
RM: Jamal LOWE
AM: Conor CHAPLIN
LM: Kyle BENNETT
CF: Eoin DOYLE
Last Time: Crawley Town 0 Portsmouth 0 (League Two - 18/08/2015)
Matt Tubbs had a legitimate goal ruled out for offside as Crawley deployed one of the most negative tactics seen in a football match to cling onto a goalless draw at the beginning of last season.
My Prediction
A reaction will be expected but it's difficult to predict a win with the bitter taste of Saturday's defeat still in the mouth. It wouldn't be surprising if this ended in a draw.
Crawley Town 1 Portsmouth 1