The transfer merryground is spinning nicely, some faces have arrived and some departed, but the drought still lingers.
Vital Quotes:
Pompeys drought now rivals the one from 1975, in fact Bob Geldof has organised a benefit gig to aid the Pompey fans in their time of need.
Seriously if we can’t score against a Derby side with more leaks than Max Boyces’ back garden, we may as well call it a day.
Pompey nil Team News:
Diarra should step straight into the breech against the Rams, Richard Hughes looks most likely to slip to the bench along with Mvuemba who may not feature at all. Glen Johnson looks like making a welcome return at right-back, so Redknapp heas the dilemma of which other full back to drop, Pamarot went missing more tham once at Sunderland, but he could switch to the left with Hermann dipping out. Sean Davis apparently has an outside chance of featuring, but as his last appearance was on December 15th, will be short of match fitness and will probably make the bench at best. If we stick with 4-4-2 Nugent should get another chance alongside Benjani.
Player to watch: Nugent
Was starved of any real service at Sunderland, but knows he must start finding the net soon, he has looked good against the lower division clubs in the cups, maybe a struggling Derby could be the place for him to start a scoring streak. If not his place will be in doubt once more.
Derby Team News:
Top scorer Miller is a major doubt, his groin injury kept him out at Wigan, and he is drowning in his efforts to make this one.
Claude Davis is suspended (shame) so big Bruno himself will make a welcome return to Fratton, no doubt in XXXL shorts.
Lauren Robert will face the boo-boys, the original LeSulk returns to Fratton for the first time, he has quality in his left boot however, its just if he can be bothered to motivate it.
Player to watch: Barnes
Giles Barnes is undoubted quality, he is over his injury problems now and will be out to prove that if Derby drop down, that he deserves to stay in the top flight.
Match Facts & Stats
2-2 on the opening day last time we met, but one of the goalscorers for Pompey that day is a couple of continents away, so step forward a new hero please, in fact step forward anyone!
Ref Watch:
Mike Dean
Match Prediction:
Last time we met at Fratton was a 6-2 treat if I recall, but a scrappy 1-0 win wouldn’t go amiss either, Derby are not down and out yet and will scrap for everything, place you guesses here.
Next Fixtures:
Plymouth in the cup next week, and then 3pts at Old Trafford