Rug, firstly thanks for being so helpful to us here at the BBC.
It’s often very difficult to get any kind of co-operation from a fan site without first having to weed out the ‘I just want to be a celebrity, get on the telly’ element that blights our screens these days.
I must say that the MOTD team were mightily impressed with the speed and effienccy in which you organised your site members at such short notice. Once again a big thank you.
The four guys did your site and Pompey F.C. proud, although I must admit their costumes were a little weird. One was dressed as a ‘wise old owl’, another sported a curly black wig and a shell suit straight from the ’80’s, the third, (the one that looks like Johnny Depp) donned a dinner suit, black cloak and fangs. The final guy carried a storage container and wore a Southampton shirt and although he doesn’t support them said it represented where he lived!
Anyway, each to their own I say and I’m sure, once edited we’ll have a piece good enough for transmission tomorrow evening.
I know you would have liked to have been there yourself but were otherwise engaged so as a little thank you I’ve attached the transcript of the interviews in the raw form i.e. as they were recorded so you can publish on your site if you so wish.
We have not been able to attach each response to the respondee but I’m sure you know which of your site members is which and can therefore attribute their names and answers to IV1, IV2, IV3 or IV4?
Once again many thanks.
———-
The following is the dialogue of the interviews recorded outside of Fratton Park (Portsmouth) at 14:05 on 15/12/2007
K.DAY
This week we turn our focus to Pompey, whose away form of late has been outstanding and although they have yet to lose at Fratton this season the goals seemed to have dried up somewhat in recent weeks. Since thumping seven past Reading back in late September in fact.
With me I have four Pompey supporters from what they claim is the best Pompey website on the Internet. They will try and help me get to the bottom of Pompey’s inability to score in front of their own fans as well as offer their thoughts on today’s game.
So, lets start with you. Why do you think Pompey have failed to score at Fratton since the Reading Game
IV1
Well there are a number of reasons I can think of but the main one is that Harry Redknapp has a policy of deploying a lone striker for home games is not necessarily the best tactic here at Fratton Park these days and to be honest I’m a little disappointed that we have had three consecutive 0-0 draws, the first time that has happened since 1928 when the then Pompey manager instructed his to team to play an 11-0-0 formation on the basis that if they didn’t concede they couldn’t lose.
IV2
Erm.. Well? It’s true, that is. I read an article all about it by Rug ‘the Landlord’ on VITAL Pompey just the other day. VITAL Pompey is great.
IV3
Play up Pompey, Pompey Play up!
IV4
One must concur with ones counterparts and express ones unreserved incredulity at the deficiency in goals observed at Fratton Park since that triumphant accomplishment over the Berkshire club in the autumn.
K. DAY
Ok, thanks for that fellas, what about the fact that the opposition don’t seen to score either – Is this ground totally goalless these days?
IV1
Well, that’s an interesting point but it’s not ‘totally’ goalless, we have seen goals here this season in fact after the Reading game Pompey’s home ‘goals scored average’ was 2.786 the like of which we haven’t seen since 1954 when left back Jimmy Kickalot scored 9 goals in 3 appearances during his first spell at the club. He retired soon after and now runs a brothel in Outer Mongolia. I think it’s called … Jimmy’s
IV2
Yeah that’s right, I was telling one of me VITAL mates only the other VITAL day that I was reading an article about that on VITAL Pompey.
IV3
Harry Redknapp’s Blue & White Army, Harry Redknapp’s Blue & White Army.
IV4
Once more, one would be in accord with ones counterparts, goals have hardly been in abundance at either end of the stadium, nevertheless the scarcity of goals from the opponents perspective should be attributed to the magnificence of our protective configuration and the dexterity, adroitness & suppleness of our clubs goalkeeper.
K.DAY
O..K… Now let’s turn to today. Do you think we will see a goal from either team?
IV1
I’m sure we will and I think Harry may even change the formation for today’s game as Spurs are not that hot at the back at the moment. In fact I’d go as far as to say that this is the worse defence they have had since 1916 when they conceded 17 goals in 215 minutes during the first four games of the season. They eventually finished in 17th place with a record of Pld 42, W4, D18, L20, F29 A125 Pts26
IV2
I just hope it’s not another VITAL 0-0 draw – It’s VITAL we see a goal, as I was saying to ‘Gleamer’ on VITAL Pompey just the other night – I’m VITALLY desperate to see a goal.
IV3
My eyes have seen the glory of the gates at Fratton Park, and the Blues go marching… On On On.
IV4
One firmly believes, that one’s optical analysis apparatus will behold a match winning demonstration that will thrust Pompey into the superior echelons of the Premiership.
K. DAY
Ok then fellas – What’s the score going to be?
IV1
I’ll go for 5-1 the same as it was in on November 18th 1899 when Pompey entertained the original Tottenham side called Hotspur London, the game was well documented as the Pompey left half, Johnny Walkandscore ran the length of the pick to equalise with just ten minutes to go.
IV2
I made my VITAL prediction on VITAL Pompey this VITAL morning I told Rug (The VITAL ‘Landlord’ of the VITAL Pompey site) it was gonna be a VITALLY important 3-0 to Pompey with Benjani scoring another VITAL hat trick
IV3
Two nil, two nil, two nil, two nil, two nil, t-who nil, t-who NILLLLL
IV4
Having deliberated for a jiffy and considered the intrinsic worth of the mutual opponents I am of the opinion that the desired conclusion would be a 2 to 1 triumph for Pompey, with the goals being attained by Mr Nugent & Mr Utaka.
K. DAY
Ok chaps that’s about it, but before you go and enjoy the game are you going to give us a song?
IV1, 2, 3, 4
Landlord oh oh oh oh, the Landlord oh oh oh oh
His name is VITAL Rug,
He’s got a Pompey mug
Landlord oh oh oh oh, the Landlord oh oh oh oh
He runs the VITAL site
He gives it all his mite
Landlord oh oh oh oh, the Landlord oh oh oh oh
His nephew is called Reece
Next time he wants a niece
Landlord oh oh oh oh, the Landlord oh oh oh oh
He couldn’t be here today
He’ll have to watch Match of the Day
Written by Chix.
The views within this article are the views of the individual who wrote and submitted this piece, sometimes solely theirs. They are not necessarily shared by the Vital Pompey Site Journalists.
To join the Vital Pompey debate – in the forum or with comments on articles – simply take a few seconds to register an account.
