Wigan tonight - Big test of our ambition?

[uspompeyfan]

Yes, today is a big test as Wigan are rolling on to probable promotion, so it goes without saying, a big game tonight. However, will our performance tonight be indicative of whether we can seriously mount a play-off challenge or whether the internal idea is get close but no cigar?

Just missing the play-offs will be seen as acceptable by many given our 'low key' spending this season on the team compared with the top few clubs. If we went up, our budget restrictions could mean an immediate drop again as we couldn't compete with the Championship big teams.

Would a poor home performance (not knocking a run of three wins which have a similar feel to last season's run) take our wheels off the tracks and see us slip out of the race?

Ultimately, will our performance tonight show our commitment as a club to the season or just another game?

[Pompey Penguin]

Last five L1 seasons, points for 6th (play-offs) / 7th (just missed out).
73/72
74/74
69/65
74/67
74/71
Suggests that we need about 5 wins from out last 7 games (draws are pretty useless). If we lose today, then I think we are probably out of it, given our schedule of games; win and we are still one of five teams fighting for two places; a draw is a blow, but this is probably the one game of those left where you might take it.

Even if we were to struggle in the Championship, you never turn down promotion, and the play-offs would be great experience for young players, however it ended.

[Mickemo]

2-0 up 5 mins to go...nice to bag 3 points and get one over PC

[Mickemo]

Bugger 2-1...spoke to soon
PUP

[uspompeyfan]

Hats off to the defense, including McGee - Matty Clark awesome at the back. Great atmosphere....Sky should come more often.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

Bahahahahaha....how brilliant to beat Paul Cook too.

Playoffs might come down to the penultimate game against Charlton...we don't appear to have games against the other contenders and maybe they will be taking pointa of each other.......at least, like last season, we are hitting form at the appropriate time.

A number of posters have questioned if we are ready for the Chumpionship....well....that's why you play football!....What's the point if you don't want to win and play at a higher level?
We may not set the division on fire but surely the team will be adjusted off season to give a decent account and I doubt we'll be in the worst 4.
Anyways....first things first....make the play-offs!

[itsaintfunny]

Well done to your lot but come on even we beat Wigan,

[Earl Grey]

Great focus from all the players.
Walkes appears to be a poor right-back/wing-back but a decent defensive midfielder. Up against a strong attack he managed to put off Nick Powell often enough to limit their chances.
When they did break through we saw Luke McGee's quality.
Clever bit of play by Ben Close and a Bramah of a pen by Pitman, our 20-goal hero.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

Well done to your lot but come on even we beat Wigan,

The team that beat Man Citeh!

[The Cincinnati Kid]

oh..hang on...we have Peterboro and Charlton in the last 3 games...so there's the play offs right there I should think.

[No Shot Sherlock]

Well done to your lot but come on even we beat Wigan,

I reckon an FA Cup semi-final is the last thing your lot needs though, and having seen your remaining fixture list I reckon you have been better off digging up Harry Houdini than giving Mark Hughes the job

[Selsey Bill]

Playoffs might come down to the penultimate game against Charlton...we don't appear to have games against the other contenders

We have Plymouth away on Saturday 14th April and our final game is at home to Peterborough so 3 of our last 6 games are against contenders! I see that as good news.

[Selsey Bill]

Oh, and as far as the game was concerned good to see us save our best performance of the season so far for Mr Cook and his Wigan team. And the atmosphere in the Old Lady was the best since the final game of last season. Great stuff and a great all round team performance. You could quite literally have picked nine or ten of our players as MOTM. Clarke and Whatmough looked excellent together, McGee made two top class saves, Ben Close was a revelation and Gareth Evans had his best game of the season for us - he has some engine. Our pressing throughout was exceptional, especially considering the majority of the team had only played 48 hours earlier. They were dead on their feet at the end. I went home the happiest I have been all season

[Pompey Penguin]

You could quite literally have picked nine or ten of our players as MOTM.

Who did Sky pick? I would have gone for McGee; the saves were crucial and as good as scoring a goal.

[pompeygunner]

Wonderful effort from our team, KJ also did brilliantly with his tactics. Best win of the season, heroes all.
Am I happy-floating on air. Superb stuff.