Portsmouth vs Tottenham match preview

I don't know about you, but this season really doesn't feel like it's started yet. You just about get into the groove of a couple of matches in a row, and then some sodding international match pops up and that's it - everything goes on hold for two weeks. Two months into the season, and we've only played seven league games?! Even most teams in the Premiership have played nine - and in the Championship, thirteen!

Given how the international "excitement" is now over until March, finally the games start to come thick and fast - beginning with the visit of Spurs on Monday. It's the beginning of a run of games which sees four matches in under two weeks - three of them at Fratton Park. Not only that, but it's the fourth game of the season that Sky have picked to broadcast from Fratton - hence the silly 20:00 kick off on a Monday night.

Some were surprised that Spurs have made such a good start to the season - this is a team, after all, who we actually finished above last season. But then you look at some of their players, and you see why they SHOULD be doing well. They've got England's current number one, Paul Robinson. They've got fantastic options up front with Jermaine Defoe, Robbie Keane, and Frederic Kanouté. They've got young internationals such as Ledley King and Simon Davies, all of whom are starting to really shine after a few seasons of plying their trade at the top. Not only that, but it's the slightly lesser-known signings that have really done the business; Atouba, Edman, and former Pompey loanee Pamarot, for example. The squad Jacques Santini has as his disposal is certainly a quality one.

Of course, this doesn't mean it's going to be all one way traffic. We've certainly got some quality players of our own, although my only concern is the injuries we have. Whilst we're not exactly overwhelmed with wounded, it's more a case of the important positions they play in. Steve Stone, for example, is a huge loss - as long as his mystery achilles injury keeps him out, the more we'll struggle to find a replacement. I especially feel sorry for Andy Griffin, who has had absolutely no cover in front of him on the right wing - Berkovic and Quashie, both previously appointed to play there, simply drifted into the middle and left him to deal with everything that came his way.

And obviously, the defence is another area of concern. With Dejan and De Zeeuw probably both out - barring medical miracles - it'll be a return to the flat back four who played against Norwich; Taylor, Unsworth, Linvoy and Griffin. This worries me somewhat because, as talented as Taylor is, I really don't think he's much of a defender. We saw at Norwich how he gave away a penalty and got beaten in the air for their second goal, but he's only young so hopefully he can learn from it.

Midfield tends to pick itself, except for the troublesome right hand side. Whilst Berger, Faye and Quashie (if he's recovered from hs injury picked up on international duty) will probably start, the remaining position is a mystery. Berkovic could play a half to try and unlock a stubborn Spurs defence, or maybe Richard Hughes could get a start. Finally, up front, the options are numerous and many - Tottenham defenders didn't like our pacey strikers last season, and we've certainly got many of them. Yak is a nailed on starter, although who accompanies him is anyone's guess.

A few points of interest to look out for in this match, too. As previously mentioned, one time Pompey player - back in the "good old days" - Noe Pamarot is now lining up for Spurs at the back. Michael Brown, who also had a fleeting appearance on loan, is now also on the books at White Hart Lane. Michael Carrick, who could well have been turning out for us, also signed for Tottenham instead in the summer - and I'm sure some fans won't let him forget that choice. Jamie Redknapp is suspended, and so again misses out on the chance to come face to face with his Dad, after avoiding both matches last season.

Personally, I'm hoping for a draw out of this one. Tottenham's record on the road is fantastic - out of their last six, they've won four, and drawn two. They're not often sensational, but they get the job done. Look at when they went to Everton, a team who play tactically and grind out results; Spurs played them at their own game and ran out 1-0 winners. It won't be easy at all, and a point would be a well earned one.