Team News
Steve Cotterill has a job on his hands to even select a full team tomorrow. Dave Kitson is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card in stoppage time at Leeds whilst Jamie Ashdown is a major doubt as he struggles with a knee injury picked up in the same game.
Michael Brown and Richard Hughes cannot play because of contract wrangles and so 20-year-old Tom Kilbey could be drafted in to replace them, if Millwall agree to waive the £50,000 they would receive if the youngster makes an appearance.
Joel Ward is also a doubt after taking a knock to the back on Tuesday, and there is news that another player may also miss the match due to circumstances out of Steve Cotterill's control, but he won't mention who.
There are no such problems for Malky Mackay who has a few players returning from injury to bolster his squad numbers, though he may well select the same team that hammered Cardiff on Tuesday.
The Match
2010 is a year that will be remembered by every Pompey fan as the ultimate roller coaster ride, albeit with more downs than ups but at least the club has survived.
A lot about Pompey's future will be revealed in January by what happens off the pitch as Steve Cotterill still waits to speak to Balram Chainrai, but the fixtures in this month are tough and the results from these games should give fans an idea of where Pompey will finish this season.
Barebones Pompey couldn't have picked a tougher fixture to open up the new year as Watford are flying after three successive victories, the last two being thrashings of the Championship's top two in Cardiff and QPR.
Vicarage Road has also been an unhappy place for Pompey fans to visit in recent years too, having just won once in ten attempts at the Hornets' home ground.
Given that Steve Cotterill will barely be able to field a team tomorrow, the signs look ominous for Pompey, especially given that Watford have the best goals-to-games in the league whilst Pompey only kept three clean sheets all season.
However, given our away form you cannot write us off, especially as David Nugent has now hit a purple patch whilst Kanu may be an improvement on Kitson. Darryl Flahavan may well make his Pompey bow so it'll be interesting to see how he performs as he is surely going to be tested regularly tomorrow.
As for who plays in midfield alongside Mullins, I have a feeling that Aaron Mokoena will be pushed forward from defence which would leave Ibrahima Sonko to partner Rocha at centre back.
Liam Lawrence should be able to play too, providing the documents to procure his permanent deal have been signed of course! So despite the problems, Cotterill should still be able to select a fairly strong looking side on paper.
Much will depend on keeping Danny Graham, who has 14 goals this season, quiet whilst hoping that Nugent can work his magic at the other end of the pitch. Both teams score many and concede a fair few too, so don't bet on 0-0 tomorrow!
I do hope Balram Chainrai is watching this game on TV tomorrow whatever the result, then he might finally get his brain in gear and contact Cotterill to tell him what his plans are, if he even has any.
If not, I really fear the worst for Portsmouth FC.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Watford
GK: Scott LOACH
RB: Lloyd DOYLEY
CB: Martin TAYLOR
CB: Adrian MARIAPPA
LB: Andrew TAYLOR
RM: Will BUCKLEY
CM: Jordan MUTCH
CM: John EUSTACE
LM: Don COWIE
CF: Danny GRAHAM
CF: Marvin SORDELL
Pompey
GK: Darryl FLAHAVAN
RB: Greg HALFORD
CB: Ibrahima SONKO
CB: Ricardo ROCHA
LB: Carl DICKINSON
RM: Liam LAWRENCE
CM: Hayden MULLINS
CM: Aaron MOKOENA
LM: John UTAKA
CF: David NUGENT
CF: KANU
Last Time: Watford 4 Portsmouth 2 (Premier League - 09/04/2007)
Pompey followed up a win against eventual Champions Manchester United with a woeful defeat to the worst team in the league. Matty Taylor put Pompey ahead with a slick right-foot curler but Hameur Bouazza equalised from the penalty spot after Djimi Traore tripped Tamas Priskin.
Gavin Mahon scored a stunning volley to give the Hornets the lead just before half-time and then goals from Priskin and Bouazza completed the victory. Arnold Mvuemba netted a neat consolation goal to make the scoreline more respectable at the end.
My Prediction
You must think I'm negative by predicting constant away defeats but it seems to be working. However, our suffering squad may find this match a game too far, especially as Pompey can't defend and Watford score plenty.
Watford 3 Portsmouth 1
And Finally...
Thank you to everyone who has read the site over what has been an extremely difficult year for everyone associated with Portsmouth Football Club.
Here's hoping 2011 brings happier times, but we shouldn't forget that 2010 did give us another 4-1 win over our bitter rivals as well as two more trips to Wembley.
On behalf of Fratton Faithful, I wish you all a Happy New Year!