Pompey will return to an expectant Fratton this Saturday with a dissatisfied crowd awaiting them.
Pompey are 4 games into the new campaign and have yet to find victory as well as being knocked out of the EFL Cup.
A 2-0 loss on Tuesday to Morecambe was another setback in what’s been a stuttering start to say the least for Cookie’s side.
Recently relegated Colchester are Pompey’s next task. The U’s are yet to taste defeat in League Two after their 18 year absence came to an end last season.
United are third in League Two currently, enjoying 2 wins out of 3.
Pompey however are one of 5 teams in League Two yet to win, sitting in a gloomy 20th.
WE MUST DO BETTER
These are the words of Pompey’s skipper, Michael Doyle, following Pompey’s unimpressive start.
He claims it’s the player’s fault for their slow start and more specifically the loss up north in the week.
He now says it’s the players’ responsibility to deliver their fans a win on Saturday.
Yes, you do owe us.
Pompey Team News:
Pompey remain without Brandon Haunstrup, Matt Clarke and Ben Close ahead of United’s visit.
Jack Whatmough joins them on the sidelines, after suffering a minor knee setback against Morecambe that forced him off early.
Conor Chaplin is set to feature vs the U’s, after missing the Shrimps game with a slight calf strain.
Player to watch: The Team
As yet, no player has proven themselves fully and the team will undoubtedly be under intense scrutiny following their poor start.
With only 1 goal scored, 3 conceded and only 2 points earned out of 9, there’s certainly more the team could do.
There could easily be a reshuffle in the team to face Colchester, and I’m sure many fans will be looking to see players like Noel Hunt, Chaplin, Bennett, Roberts and Baker, as a sign of attacking intent.
Colchester United Team News:
Matt Briggs and Owen Garven are the only two absentees for the U’s as they travel to the south coast.
Player to watch: Brennan Dickenson
3 goals in 2 games, is our defence going to be ready?
Match Facts & Stats
This is only the 9th meeting between the two sides and Pompey have only won one of the previous 8 meetings. That win came in 1980…
The most recent meeting between the two came back in 2013, with Pompey losing 3-2 away at home.
Ref Watch:
Lukas Wooler
Match Prediction:
Oh wow I have no idea. My brain tells me we’ll only earn a draw, but my heart desperately wants a win.
Optimistically I’ll say 2-0 Pompey- it’s about time the team bucked up and earned themselves a good win.
Next Fixtures: Exeter Away
Exeter are one of the few teams to have started worse than Pompey.
3 straight defeats for City means they sit rock bottom of League Two, 8 dyas before facing the Blues.