Portsmouth take on Hartlepool United tomorrow looking for a win which would provide a huge step towards League Two safety.
Team News
Jack Whatmough could be available for the match as his recovery from a back injury has proved faster than expected but Danny East, Romain Padovani, Andy Barcham and Simon Ferry are still ruled out with injury whilst Ben Chorley is still suspended.
Marlon Harewood is unlikely to play for Hartlepool due to an ankle injury but defensive players Scott Harrison and Connor Oliver may make their debuts after arriving at the club on loan from Sunderland.
The Match
What a difference a week makes, eh?
The 2-1 win at Newport under Andy Awford's management has changed the entire mood around Portsmouth with fans looking forward to the visit of Hartlepool tomorrow.
There will be balloons, banners and hopefully a fantastic atmosphere at Fratton Park with fans calling for another famous "wall of noise" similar to that of the infamous Stockport game of 1998. Only time will tell just how loud the ground is going to be but it's good to look forward to a home match again after Richie Barker's reign of dreadful football.
Confidence is high and Hartlepool should be the ideal opposition to play as they are rooted in mid-table after a run of three straight defeats ended any hopes they had of finishing in the play-offs.
Their season is practically over but despite the optimism around Pompey right now, it would be wise to remember that the performance last weekend saw Awford's men having to hold on against nine men and so we shouldn't be complacent when it comes to tomorrow's match, especially if our players buckle under the pressure of playing in front of what should be an intense crowd.
However, Awford made changes to a losing side and it seemed to have worked. Eyebrows were raised when Johnny Ertl was reintroduced to the team but he proved his doubters wrong with a solid performance. Danny Hollands and Wes Fogden also ensured there was plenty of energy in a midfield that battled all game.
The interim manager only played one striker up front against Newport and you wonder if he'll revert back to two rather than commit the seemingly cardinal sin of "playing one up top at home" although he shouldn't change a winning side, if Whatmough is fit enough to play tomorrow.
Tomorrow has the potential to be a great day if Pompey can perform and all players give everything against the noisy backdrop of Fratton Park. If not, there will be more than a few keen eyes on Northampton's result at Accrington.
Play Up Pompey!
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Trevor CARSON
RB: Daniel ALFEI
CB: Bondz N'GALA
CB: Jack WHATMOUGH
LB: Nicky SHOREY
RM: Wes FOGDEN
CM: Danny HOLLANDS
CM: Johnny ERTL
LM: Ricky HOLMES
SS: Jed WALLACE
CF: Ryan TAYLOR
Hartlepool
GK: Scott FLINDERS
RB: Michael DUCKWORTH
CB: Sam COLLINS
CB: Christian BURGESS
LB: Darren HOLDEN
RM: Simon WALTON
CM: Brad WALKER
CM: Jack BARMBY
LM: Jack COMPTON
CF: Jonathan FRANKS
CF: Luke JAMES
Last Time: Portsmouth 1 Hartlepool United 3 (League One - 26/01/2013)
Rock bottom Monkey Hangers came to Fratton Park and inflicted a defeat which would give Pompey fans no doubt that the season would end in relegation.
Jack Baldwin glanced in a long ball and James Poole scored in the second half after running clean through on goal. Wallace pulled one back but Greg Rutherford scored on the break late on to seal a terrible result for Pompey.
My Prediction
The feel good factor is back at Fratton Park and whilst Pompey will typically make it difficult for themselves, some common sense management and a large crowd backing the Blues should steer them to a vital win.
Portsmouth 2 Hartlepool United 1