|
· Last Year's Game - 4-3 to Spurs
· This week - last year
· What happened in the Premiership in Match 26 2003-4
Full Record of Spurs -v- Portsmouth
Prem Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 1 1 0 0 4 - 3 3
Away 2 0 0 2 0 - 3 0
=========================================
Total (Prem) 3 1 0 2 4 - 6 3
=========================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 1) 13 4 6 3 27 -22 14
Away (Div 1) 13 3 5 5 14 -22 11
=========================================
Total(Div 1) 26 7 11 8 41 -44 25
=========================================
Total (Prem) 3 1 0 2 4 - 6 3
Total(Div 1) 26 7 11 8 41 -44 25
=========================================
Grand Total 29 8 11 10 44 -50 28
=========================================
Last Six Premiership results:-
Spurs
Spurs 1-1 C. Palace
Spurs 5-2 Everton
Man Utd 0-0 Spurs
Spurs 0-2 Chelsea
C. Palace 3-0 Spurs
Bolton 3-1 Spurs
Portsmouth
P'tsmouth 0-2 Chelsea
P'tsmouth 1-1 Norwich
Everton 2-1 P'tsmouth
P'tsmouth 0-1 Blackburn
Chelsea 3-0 P'tsmouth
P'tsmouth 2-1 M'brough
Pos P W D L F -A GD Pts
9 Spurs 25 9 6 10 30-29 1 33
13 P'tsmouth 25 8 6 11 28-35 -7 30
Despite the fact that this is only the fourth game we are playing against Pompey since their promotion two years ago, it seems strange not referring to "Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth". However it is Velimir Zajec's Portsmouth now, ably assisted by First Team Coach Joe Jordan, who used to be a formidable centre forward in his day for Leeds United and Manchester United. (Isn't it strange how many players seem to cross the Pennines when the clubs' supporters hate each other so much?)
Jordan seems to be doing most of the public appearances for the Portsmouth management. Zajec ( a former Yugoslav International) was formally announced as manager on 21st December, although he effectively took over on November 24th. Since then, Portsmouth have won 4 out of 12 Premiership games, two of which have been away at Bolton and Crystal Palace, where we have recently failed dismally. Portsmouth were busy beating Middlesbrough 2-1, whilst we lost this week at the Reebock.
For all their current consolidation in mid-table, Pompey fans would probably rather have seen a better result at St. Marys Stadium two weeks ago, that saw Redknapp's Saints beat them 2-1, thanks to a penalty that looked as dodgy as that given against Erik Edman this week. It's a shame, because Spurs might have liked to have played against Portsmouth in the FA Cup, as we have gone on to win the trophy the last time we met in the tournament (1967 and 1991)
There were three new names in the Portsmouth squad on Tuesday. Goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias played whilst Aleksandar Rodic and Giannis Skopelitis appeared from the bench. They have lost Nigel Quashie to their hated rivals, and Andy Faye has gone to Newcastle. Despite these changes to personnel, Portsmouth can be expected to give us a tough game, with Yakubu always a thorn in the side.
Last year's home game took place on the same week-end, and Gus Poyet's knee ensured a last gasp 4-3 win for Spurs in front of the Park Lane stand. Jermain Defoe had opened the scoring for Spurs on his debut, but it was not a glorious victory. Another debutant against Portsmouth was Michael Carrick in this season's away game, which we lost 1-0. Portsmouth also beat us on a miserable wet Boxing Day 2003, so it is time (isn't it always?) for Spurs to be resuurgent and give their fans a treat.
With so many incoming transfers, predicting the team becomes ever more difficult, with most of the squad fit. Even Sean Davis has started training again, and Reto Ziegler and Rohan Ricketts are the only two current injury problems according to the excellent Physio Room site.
I would have thought that Andy Reid will get a debut on the left, and maybe Atouba will be benched following his error at the end of the Bolton game. Pamarot, Naybet and Mendes may return to the fray at the expense of Kelly, Gardner and any one from Carrick, Brown or Davies. It's a luxurious position for Martin Jol to be in, but he still has to come up with the right blend.
I am predicting an emphatic 3-1 win for Spurs.
Top of page | Index to 2004-5 Match Reports
| 
