December Games - 9 points
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2018 10:17 pm
So we enter December still top of the league - and four points clear - who would've thought i!
this month though there are a few games that I think will test Pompey; the opponents mostly but the games coming thick and fast won't help.
First Up:
Southend at Home tomorrow. The weather isn't great and nor is Southend's form. Four losses in the last five games but they managed to win the last game. The manager is talking up their ability to come to FP and attack but I suspect that the opposite may be closer to the truth. This seems to me a game when having a big strong CF like Hawkins can make all the difference. I think Pompey start the season with a 2-0 win. Target 3pts
Charlton at Home on Tuesday night is a real test in my book. Charlton are a top 6 team - only a win of the game in hand to be top 3 - and their form is good. I was worried to read that last week against Rochdale the team was looking a little leggy and this game might be a good time to bring in some fresh legs. Perhaps Green for Lowe and perhaps rotate Thompson and Close. I would not be surprised with a 1-1 draw but I wouldn't be surprised to see Charlton win this game. I'd settle for a point now and this will be the first test of Pompey's promotion credentials during December. Target 1pt
Barnsley (a) on Sat 15th is a tough tough game. Barnsley and Sunderland are hard on the heals of Pompey and despite Pompey's unbelievable away form I would take a draw now. If Pompey are not on their A game they will get handed their first away loss of the season. Given that Pompey will be playing their third game in a week and Barnsley only their two I can see this might be a bridge too far - I am predicting a 2-1 win for Barnsley. Target 0 pt (anything is a bonus from this game)
Sunderland (h) on Saturday 22nd gives Pompey a terrific home game just before Xmas. Pompey helpfully have a week to recharge their batteries and Sunderland are travelling the length of the country. I am surprised this is not a game on the TV! I think this will be a tight game with very few chances and the type of game where one moment of quality can win it all for one team. This is a game for a player like Curtis to stamp their quality. I'm predicting a 1-1 game. Target 1pt
Gillingham (a) Boxing Day (Wednesday). Pompey had better not get carried away on Xmas Day because there is a game on Boxing Day that is a prime opportunity to get a win. Gillingham are hovering around the relegation zone and have a leaky defence. It seems to me to be a bit of a banana skin but with Pompey's away form (and following three tough games on the bounce) KJ needs to have them out of the traps early and playing ruthless football. Gillingham need to be put to the sword and 3 pts need to be taken. Target 3pts
The last game of the year is away at Fleetwood. A tougher game away than Gillingham and Fleetwood have a stingy defence. Its a game much like Coventry away where the first game may be decisive. Pompey may be wise to freshen up the team again and Fleetwood's smaller squad may be a factor. I'm predicting a draw - another 1-1 type game but the more important thing here might be for Pompey to go to the game with the clear intent to keep a clean sheet and then look to hit Fleetwood on the break. Target 1pt
Monthly Target - 9pts. I think this will be a tough month. I am aiming for Pompey to get to 9pts from 18 and I think this is achievable and is not setting too hard a target. With a four point head start on 2nd and 6pts on 3rd this should mean that Pompey finish 2018 at least in the automatic promotion places.
I have a feeling that Andre Green may be an important player this month. If he comes off the bench or gives Lowe/Curtis a breather I can see that he may add something different into the team during this challenging period.
Pompey have the momentum, quality and squad depth to come through December but there are some tough games to come. If Pompey can keep their head and cash in fully vs Gillingham and Southend then this helps set them up perfectly for the tougher games vs Charlton, Barnsley, Sunderland and Fleetwood.
this month though there are a few games that I think will test Pompey; the opponents mostly but the games coming thick and fast won't help.
First Up:
Southend at Home tomorrow. The weather isn't great and nor is Southend's form. Four losses in the last five games but they managed to win the last game. The manager is talking up their ability to come to FP and attack but I suspect that the opposite may be closer to the truth. This seems to me a game when having a big strong CF like Hawkins can make all the difference. I think Pompey start the season with a 2-0 win. Target 3pts
Charlton at Home on Tuesday night is a real test in my book. Charlton are a top 6 team - only a win of the game in hand to be top 3 - and their form is good. I was worried to read that last week against Rochdale the team was looking a little leggy and this game might be a good time to bring in some fresh legs. Perhaps Green for Lowe and perhaps rotate Thompson and Close. I would not be surprised with a 1-1 draw but I wouldn't be surprised to see Charlton win this game. I'd settle for a point now and this will be the first test of Pompey's promotion credentials during December. Target 1pt
Barnsley (a) on Sat 15th is a tough tough game. Barnsley and Sunderland are hard on the heals of Pompey and despite Pompey's unbelievable away form I would take a draw now. If Pompey are not on their A game they will get handed their first away loss of the season. Given that Pompey will be playing their third game in a week and Barnsley only their two I can see this might be a bridge too far - I am predicting a 2-1 win for Barnsley. Target 0 pt (anything is a bonus from this game)
Sunderland (h) on Saturday 22nd gives Pompey a terrific home game just before Xmas. Pompey helpfully have a week to recharge their batteries and Sunderland are travelling the length of the country. I am surprised this is not a game on the TV! I think this will be a tight game with very few chances and the type of game where one moment of quality can win it all for one team. This is a game for a player like Curtis to stamp their quality. I'm predicting a 1-1 game. Target 1pt
Gillingham (a) Boxing Day (Wednesday). Pompey had better not get carried away on Xmas Day because there is a game on Boxing Day that is a prime opportunity to get a win. Gillingham are hovering around the relegation zone and have a leaky defence. It seems to me to be a bit of a banana skin but with Pompey's away form (and following three tough games on the bounce) KJ needs to have them out of the traps early and playing ruthless football. Gillingham need to be put to the sword and 3 pts need to be taken. Target 3pts
The last game of the year is away at Fleetwood. A tougher game away than Gillingham and Fleetwood have a stingy defence. Its a game much like Coventry away where the first game may be decisive. Pompey may be wise to freshen up the team again and Fleetwood's smaller squad may be a factor. I'm predicting a draw - another 1-1 type game but the more important thing here might be for Pompey to go to the game with the clear intent to keep a clean sheet and then look to hit Fleetwood on the break. Target 1pt
Monthly Target - 9pts. I think this will be a tough month. I am aiming for Pompey to get to 9pts from 18 and I think this is achievable and is not setting too hard a target. With a four point head start on 2nd and 6pts on 3rd this should mean that Pompey finish 2018 at least in the automatic promotion places.
I have a feeling that Andre Green may be an important player this month. If he comes off the bench or gives Lowe/Curtis a breather I can see that he may add something different into the team during this challenging period.
Pompey have the momentum, quality and squad depth to come through December but there are some tough games to come. If Pompey can keep their head and cash in fully vs Gillingham and Southend then this helps set them up perfectly for the tougher games vs Charlton, Barnsley, Sunderland and Fleetwood.