Team vs Gillingham (EFL Trophy)

[Jack_Tinn]

Devlin, Lane, and Poole are all not available since they are available on international duty. I am not sure if Robertson is available as he is one stand by for the Aussie squad and I think they want him training with the team during the week. Pack and Scully are not available with injury.

So there are a few players not available for this game. Mousinho could go with a lot of youngsters but also Pompey don't have a game for a couple of weeks after this game and a win would set them up to get into the next round.

Mousinho said after the Port Vale game that he probably wouldn't risk Oglivie. I'm going to go with a mix of getting some time for those players who need it but it is still a strong line up in my opinion.

My team:

Schofield,
Swanson,
Raggett,
Towler,
Sparkes,
Stevenson,
Robertson,
Whyte,
Anjorin,
Saydee,
Yengi,

what would your team be?

Subs:
Norris, Hume, Shaughnessy, Kamara, Morrell, Mottoh, Academy player.

[Pompey55]

With due respect who cares

[eltorrro]

With due respect who cares

Actually, all those 'fringe' players on that list who need these games a) to keep match fit and b) some of these guys will be the unsung heroes of Pompey when they are called upon to fill vacancies due to injury or suspension.

You shouldn't knock the minor competitions, they have a purpose for some players!

[Pompey55]

With due respect who cares

Actually, all those 'fringe' players on that list who need these games a) to keep match fit and b) some of these guys will be the unsung heroes of Pompey when they are called upon to fill vacancies due to injury or suspension.

You shouldn't knock the minor competitions, they have a purpose for some players!

I don’t really care what team we put out in this competition as long it doesn’t affect the important league games anyway we have tickets for the game come what may

[NSRailings]

With due respect who cares

If you don't care then why bother posting on a thread.

[Pompey1984+1]

I don’t really care what team we put out in this competition as long it doesn’t affect the important league games anyway we have tickets for the game come what may

Who cares!

[BlueinPLtwenty]

I care, who remembers the Cup Final versus Sunderland. There were 40,000+ Pompey Supporters there, they cared!

[Pompey1984+1]

The treble is still on.

[BlueinPLtwenty]

I took my Grandson to the semi final versus Exeter in 2020. It was an amazing match all five goals coming in the last 12 minutes plus 6 minutes of injury time. Nearly 15,000 fans were there that night, they cared. 50,000 people bought tickets for the Final!

[Jack_Tinn]

I care.

There are higher priorities of course but as others have said this is a game that allows Pompey to work on certain things such as fitness, partnerships, tactics, player development etc in a live game setting and ultimately this game can lead to a Wembley final and a trophy.

From a sporting perspective the club should be striving to be successful every game and in every competition. Winning and being successful makes Pompey a desired destination for player recruitment.

From a playing squad perspective. This is a great opportunity for Saydee, Yengi and Anjorin to get playing time and to build form, confidence and fitness.

From a financial perspective these games matter too - not that the EFL trophy generates significant financial rewards for the club but there are secondary financial (merchandising) benefits as well as sponsorship and ticket sale opportunities.

It does matter therefore and more people care about this lower priority games than you might imagine.

[Sam_Brown]

I care, who remembers the Cup Final versus Sunderland. There were 40,000+ Pompey Supporters there, they cared!

I say this every time but I don’t care. That was the best game I’ve ever been to in terms of atmosphere.

[Berkshire Blue]

I still have the Pompey flag from that day on the wall in my den. Truly a day to remember.

[NSRailings]

My team:

Schofield,
Swanson,
Raggett,
Towler,
Sparkes,
Stevenson,
Robertson,
Whyte,
Anjorin,
Saydee,
Yengi,

Subs:
Norris, Hume, Shaughnessy, Kamara, Morrell, Mottoh, Academy player.

Team tonight:

Schofield, Swanson, Towler, Raggett (c), Sparkes, Stevenson, Anjorin, Whyte, Saydee, Kamara, Yengi

Subs: Oluwayemi, Rafferty, Shaughnessy, Morrell, Jewitt-White, Aston, Mottoh

[GreenBlue]

5 different scorers so far. Great for players' confidence. A pointless match? Nah, I think not.

[eltorrro]

We didn't have a great deal to beat but as soon as Morrell came on it was game over. He completely dominated midfield plus kept their playmaker Williams quiet. MoM for me tonight. But didn't everybody else do well also!!
A very good squad performance showing our squad depth.