Isn't it good of me that while you're all away probably getting drunk, playing your new video games, out partying or still recovering from that Christmas Eve hangover, I can still find the time to write a match preview for our little boxing day fixture tommorow!
One of 'Arry's old teams come down south for a festive treat as we entertain West Ham United. And if the game two Saturdays' ago was mega important then this one is just as vital for us due to the fact we're still at least 3 points from safety though a win could take us out of the drop zone should West Brom take a hammering by Man United tommorow.
I'm sure you'll agree with me that this game is bound to be tougher than our last one due to the fact that West Ham are currently sitting comfortably in the top half of the table when many thought they'd struggle after just scraping promotion last season. The good news for tommorows game is that influential midfielder and former Pompey target Yossi Benayoun is out however the bad news is that influential midfielder and former Pompey target Nigel Reo-Coker is back after a few games out with injury.
As for ourselves Diao and Lua Lua might be forced to play through injuries due to our squad being wafer thin already. However Dario Silva might end up playing a part in tommorows match. I reckon Jamie Ashdown should be fit to play too (well I hope so anyway..)
There will be a few reunions tommorow. The Harry Redknapp one is obvious but lets not forget that Teddy Sheringham and Shaka Hislop will be returning to Fratton Park and I'm sure both will recieve a good reception should any of them take part in tommorows game. Another player to be reunited with his own club is our own Svetoslav Todorov who really didn't make the grade at West Ham so hopefully he can prove to his former employers that he is indeed Premiership quality.
I feel we really do need to win this one as we can certainly take advantage of the other teams' mishaps and be within touching distance of our relegation rivals. However what this means is that we've got to win back to back Premiership games and correct me if I'm wrong we haven't done that since way back at the start of last season when we beat Fulham and then Crystal Palace consecutively. Whatever happens let's pull together and create a terrific atmosphere and have a cracking Boxing Day!
One of 'Arry's old teams come down south for a festive treat as we entertain West Ham United. And if the game two Saturdays' ago was mega important then this one is just as vital for us due to the fact we're still at least 3 points from safety though a win could take us out of the drop zone should West Brom take a hammering by Man United tommorow.
I'm sure you'll agree with me that this game is bound to be tougher than our last one due to the fact that West Ham are currently sitting comfortably in the top half of the table when many thought they'd struggle after just scraping promotion last season. The good news for tommorows game is that influential midfielder and former Pompey target Yossi Benayoun is out however the bad news is that influential midfielder and former Pompey target Nigel Reo-Coker is back after a few games out with injury.
As for ourselves Diao and Lua Lua might be forced to play through injuries due to our squad being wafer thin already. However Dario Silva might end up playing a part in tommorows match. I reckon Jamie Ashdown should be fit to play too (well I hope so anyway..)
There will be a few reunions tommorow. The Harry Redknapp one is obvious but lets not forget that Teddy Sheringham and Shaka Hislop will be returning to Fratton Park and I'm sure both will recieve a good reception should any of them take part in tommorows game. Another player to be reunited with his own club is our own Svetoslav Todorov who really didn't make the grade at West Ham so hopefully he can prove to his former employers that he is indeed Premiership quality.
I feel we really do need to win this one as we can certainly take advantage of the other teams' mishaps and be within touching distance of our relegation rivals. However what this means is that we've got to win back to back Premiership games and correct me if I'm wrong we haven't done that since way back at the start of last season when we beat Fulham and then Crystal Palace consecutively. Whatever happens let's pull together and create a terrific atmosphere and have a cracking Boxing Day!