Anyway, back to the matters at hand and that would be the small matter of Arsenal's re-arranged visit to Fratton Park tonight. The scenario is simple. We win, we get out of the bottom three for the first time in what seems forever. We draw, and we jump a place and it seems a good result. We lose, and there's massive pressure on us to beat Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Harry has hinted that he will change the team around today because of a congested fixture list so Koromon and Routledge could possibly start today as well as Andy O'Brien who has recovered from injury. The main issue of course is whether to stick with Benjani or go for Todorov. If I were Harry I would start Toddy, it's about time he started a game because he has scored crucial goals for us and always has a positive impact when being subbed on. You know when you're playing a team like Arsenal you have to take any chances you get and Benjani simply isn't taking any, even when handed to him on a plate.
Arsenal will be making changes too because they know that they really have to win this game to stay on course for 4th place as they're currently five points behind arch-rivals Tottenham. Sol Campbell will "definately" start according to Arsene Wenger so let's hope he doesn't pop up with a 40 yard screamer like last season. Theirry Henry is also likely to start having been rested against Man United on Sunday. Harry has told the press how he can rip us apart, whether he is genuine about those comments I don't know but I feel maybe this is a ploy to play him up and maybe put more pressure on him, or to keep the defenders focused on trying to stop him. If we can stop Henry tonight, we have a chance of winning.
I would take a draw from this match simply because it's Arsenal but this game is far from unwinnable. Arsenals away form has not been much better than ours this season and their recent run has once again been put to an end by Manchester United and last season, an Arsenal loss to United triggered a bad run for them and so maybe the confidence of the Gunners has been rocked a bit, or at least I hope it has.
This should be a cracking match whatever happens, as both teams love to attack and I'm sure the ground will be bouncing again as it was on Saturday. It's time to see how far we have come since that soon to be famous last minute winner against Manchester City.
Play Up Pompey!
Pundit Watch
Sky Sports: Away Win (0-2)
Charlie Nicholas: Away Win (2-3)