Portsmouth have gone through some hardship in the last few seasons being relegated three times in four seasons, former premiership team changing hands on what felt like an almost weekly basis at one point where possibly dirty money was being cleaned. 18 months of administration have resulted in a fans supporters trust taking over the reins of Fratton Park. Leaving admin has cost a ten point deduction and relegated them to League Two where I'm sure some teams will love the crowds that Portsmouth will bring. The PST have continued with Guy Whittingham as the manager of the club. Interesting Portsmouth facts: The first known dry dock in history was built at Portsmouth? It was constructed in 1495 during the reign of Henry VII Pompey goalkeeper John Milkins once saved three penalties in a match against Notts County in September 1973. The referee twice ordered a re-take and each times Milkins was equal to the task. Pompey lost the game 2-1 The first substitute to be substituted in the Football League was Portsmouth striker John Kerr in September 1987, when he came on and then went off during the game at Watford in the old first division [TABLE="class: outer_border, width: 600"] [TR] [TH="class: norm league, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]Team[/TH] [TH="class: norm league, bgcolor: #F9F9F9, colspan: 2"]Sequences[/TH] [TH="class: norm league, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]CS[/TH] [TH="class: norm league, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]FtS[/TH] [TH="class: norm league, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]Last 8[/TH] [TH="class: norm league, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]Form[/TH] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Shrewsbury Town[/TD] [TD]W1[/TD] [TD]WD2[/TD] [TD]12[/TD] [TD]13[/TD] [TD]3-3-2[/TD] [TD]WdLlWddw[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Portsmouth[/TD] [TD]W1[/TD] [TD]WD1[/TD] [TD]9[/TD] [TD]15[/TD] [TD]3-3-2[/TD] [TD]WlDWdWdl[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] CS=Clean Sheets FtS=Failed to Score Recent form for both teams has seen an improvement and the points per game is sitting at 1.5 for both teams which is mid table across a season. Portsmouth have beaten Sheffield 3-0 at home and lost 3-2 to Brentford, with previous two games only giving them one goal. Top scorer for Portsmouth is Izale McLeod who left for MK Donks in January, current top scorers are David Connolly (7), Jed Wallace (6) and Gabor Gyepes (4). Luke Rodgers came next on the list... There will be a bumper away crowd on Saturday with plenty of singing to be had and I think a lot more fans travelling that tickets available hence the priority points stipulation by the club. I think that quite a few coppers will be walking their dogs in the area too. Town have possibly or possibly not lost Marvin Morgan and Ryan Doble in the last week, Shropshire Star ran a story headlining that 'dropped duo need to respond' indicating that MM was still here. Richards was on the bench on Tuesday so he obviously has done. Then again Morgan wasn't so he might have too! Most of Tuesday's team played well against a mixed Oldham squad and I guess we might see the likes of Wildig, Gayle, Bradshaw and Asanti start the game. What team will GT put out to start on Saturday is anybodies guess it'll either be a string squad to finish in style or one similar to Tuesday's. Any other info you think I've missed stick below and don't forget your predictions. I will get my derrière in gear and do a final update of the predictions once it's all over and all we've got to fret about is Grandison's hip, Jone's shoulder, whether Taylor will sign a contract or not and how many strikers do we need to sign being as most other clubs seem to have a minimum of four.
Another excellent thread. I'm looking forward to this, hopefully the atmosphere's good and my expectations of the quality of football have been raised by the second period on Tuesday night. Town 4-4 Pompey (Bradshaw 4) in front of 6,892.
another good one matster. i wonder if bradders will be played again, if he is benched, i suspect his career may lie elsewhere. but given his 2 x 90 min. games, his confidence should be on the rise, and goals may come on saturday. otely road show 2 hms testyclees 2 att 6688 bradshaw parry
Richards to return and score the winner after Bradshaw's opener - 2-1 to Town in front of 6500 fans wondering what they are going to do on a Saturday in a long close season.
Who do people anticipate starting? It practically mirrors our last game a year ago against the wombles, a dead rubber for both. Joe Anyon has had 20mins all season, might be getting itchy on the bench.
I expect an unchanged side. Woods is supposed to be getting a bit more game time tomorrow than on Tuesday, but I think he'll come off the bench earlier rather than start.
Shrewsbury 2 v Portsmouth 1 Bradshaw McAllister 7700 Come on you blues, come on Bradshaw get a hatrick, come on mambo & McGinn sign up for us!
This is a game that neither side has anything to play for - we are relegated, going on a League Two tour, and you are safe - so it should be a good game with the lads just playing for the fun of it. We had an absolute cracker of a game last week, if they repeat that it will be fun. I'd love to be there, I've heard it's a really friendly place, but the tickets were sold out in less that 48 hours so no chance. Enjoy the game today and good luck next season.
Hopefully a good day and trouble free with the police levels expected to be high I hope they have nothing to do.
