Eight points from safety, Eleven games to accomplish what seems impossible. It can be done, in fact if you want to look at it from an extremely optimistic point of view there are 33 points up for grabs. If were to win the rest of our games we would finish on 51 points. Safe as houses.
But still, the task ahead is a perilous one. Some pundits say it's impossible. Fratton Faithful looks at the final eleven games of the season and what needs to be done in each to achieve "Mission Accomplished".
Game One: Aston Villa: Villa Park
Some early team news, Mark Delaney is injured and Olof Mellberg is suspended. Their best two defenders will be out and Villa haven't been consistant at home all season. If there was any time to break our duck at Villa Park, we won't have a much better chance than next Saturday.
Game Two: Manchester City: Fratton Park
Early team news in this one too. Joey Barton got sent off at City's game with Liverpool today and will be suspended for this crucial home game. City haven't been good away from home all season so it's imperative we win this one.
Game Three: West Ham United: Upton Park
This one will be difficult going back to Harry's former home and with West Ham putting up a decent fight for Europe. However, they're still a promoted side and are always vulnerable to a bad result but I would take a draw from this one as on paper it's probably the hardest game we have left.
Game Four: Arsenal: Fratton Park
Don't let the name fool you, this is one game we should be looking to win. Arsenal have been terrible away from home this season and have suffered many defeats away from Highbury. If we can get in their faces and constantly pile on the pressure we can win this one.
Game Five: Fulham: Craven Cottage
A harder game than it looks given Craven Cottage's fortress like stature for Fulham. They also have a team full of scummers which is never a good thing for us. A repeat of the home result would be nice.
Game Six: Blackburn Rovers: Fratton Park
This one looks to be a frustrating one just like last season however they're even better now and currently have a genuine chance of making the top four. However on our day we can beat the likes of Liverpool and Man United at home so Blackburn is one we should look to win.
Game Seven: Middlesbrough: Fratton Park
We're their bogey side but they have Yakubu who did the damage last time. Still, they haven't won at Fratton for ages and we always seem to get the better of them no matter how bad we are. Pencil us in for a win here then.
Game Eight: Charlton Athletic: The Valley
This one is unpredictable as it is let alone the fact we could be on a roll or already down by the time this game comes along. Still.. at least we won't have Shaka to fumble it into his own net.
Game Nine: Sunderland: Fratton Park
If we don't win this one then we don't deserve to stay up full stop.
Game Ten: Wigan Athletic: JJB Stadium
Final away game of the season. How heartbreaking would it be for Arjan De Zeeuw to head in a winner that sends us down? Wouldn't bet against it though would you? Still.. I saw them get pasted by United today and if we are in with a chance, we can win.
Game Eleven: Liverpool: Fratton Park
The final day of the season. This is not the game we'll want to see should Pompey still have a chance of avoiding the drop. It can be done though I'm just hoping that if this situation arises then Liverpool are in a cup final and wouldn't mind resting Gerrard, Alonso, Carragher and co. (only for Crouch to score the winner and send us down..)
"This isn't Mission Difficult Harry this is Mission Impossible" Charlie Nicholas said.
But still, the task ahead is a perilous one. Some pundits say it's impossible. Fratton Faithful looks at the final eleven games of the season and what needs to be done in each to achieve "Mission Accomplished".
Game One: Aston Villa: Villa Park
Some early team news, Mark Delaney is injured and Olof Mellberg is suspended. Their best two defenders will be out and Villa haven't been consistant at home all season. If there was any time to break our duck at Villa Park, we won't have a much better chance than next Saturday.
Game Two: Manchester City: Fratton Park
Early team news in this one too. Joey Barton got sent off at City's game with Liverpool today and will be suspended for this crucial home game. City haven't been good away from home all season so it's imperative we win this one.
Game Three: West Ham United: Upton Park
This one will be difficult going back to Harry's former home and with West Ham putting up a decent fight for Europe. However, they're still a promoted side and are always vulnerable to a bad result but I would take a draw from this one as on paper it's probably the hardest game we have left.
Game Four: Arsenal: Fratton Park
Don't let the name fool you, this is one game we should be looking to win. Arsenal have been terrible away from home this season and have suffered many defeats away from Highbury. If we can get in their faces and constantly pile on the pressure we can win this one.
Game Five: Fulham: Craven Cottage
A harder game than it looks given Craven Cottage's fortress like stature for Fulham. They also have a team full of scummers which is never a good thing for us. A repeat of the home result would be nice.
Game Six: Blackburn Rovers: Fratton Park
This one looks to be a frustrating one just like last season however they're even better now and currently have a genuine chance of making the top four. However on our day we can beat the likes of Liverpool and Man United at home so Blackburn is one we should look to win.
Game Seven: Middlesbrough: Fratton Park
We're their bogey side but they have Yakubu who did the damage last time. Still, they haven't won at Fratton for ages and we always seem to get the better of them no matter how bad we are. Pencil us in for a win here then.
Game Eight: Charlton Athletic: The Valley
This one is unpredictable as it is let alone the fact we could be on a roll or already down by the time this game comes along. Still.. at least we won't have Shaka to fumble it into his own net.
Game Nine: Sunderland: Fratton Park
If we don't win this one then we don't deserve to stay up full stop.
Game Ten: Wigan Athletic: JJB Stadium
Final away game of the season. How heartbreaking would it be for Arjan De Zeeuw to head in a winner that sends us down? Wouldn't bet against it though would you? Still.. I saw them get pasted by United today and if we are in with a chance, we can win.
Game Eleven: Liverpool: Fratton Park
The final day of the season. This is not the game we'll want to see should Pompey still have a chance of avoiding the drop. It can be done though I'm just hoping that if this situation arises then Liverpool are in a cup final and wouldn't mind resting Gerrard, Alonso, Carragher and co. (only for Crouch to score the winner and send us down..)
"This isn't Mission Difficult Harry this is Mission Impossible" Charlie Nicholas said.