Pompey welcome Stoke to Fratton Park tonight for the chance to avenge their 6-1 defeat at the bet365.com Stadium in October.
The midweek defeat is arguably the Blues’ lowest point of the season to date, and no doubt there’ll be plenty in the Pompey camp desperate to make amends.
The chances are, though, only a limited number of the side that were humbled by the Potters that night will actually start tonight’s game at PO4.
Selections issues and injuries means the likes of Will Norris, Tom McIntyre, Regan Poole, Paddy Lane, Mark O’Mahony and Abdoualye Kamara won’t be called upon this evening. Meanwhile, Sammy Silvera and Elias Sorensen have both left the club this month and, therefore, will never get the chance to rectify that autumn evening’s abject showing.
For the likes of January arrivals Rob Atkinson and Isaac Hayden, the visit of Stoke will represent another obstacle to Championship safety and nothing more. Head John Mousinho will also want to adopt that mentality, too. But with this Pompey squad often reminded about nights like that as they continue to struggle on the road, tonight’s game provides the opportunity to once again show that Fratton can be a fortess and that their home form can help them achieve their ambition of Championship surivval.
Latest signing Thomas Waddingham wasn’t registered in time to feature against Stoke, so will watch on from the sidelines as he gets his first taste of P04. But here’s who we think he’ll be watching as Pompey look to secure their sixth win in seven games on home soil and potentially leapfrog tonight’s visitors in the Championship table.
1. Pompey welcome Stoke City to Fratton Park tonight – just days after their come-from-behind win against Middlesbrough
Pompey welcome Stoke City to Fratton Park tonight – just days after their come-from-behind win against Middlesbrough.
2. Goalkeeper – Nicolas Schmid
The Austrian stopper has taken his opportunity with both hands after Will Norris paid the price for the six goals he conceded against Stoke back in October. | National World
3. Right-back – Zak Swanson
The full-back saw himself dropped to the bench for the visit of Middlesbrough after Jordan Williams was handed his first league start since the beginning of November. Williams did well against Boro and staked his claim for the role, but two starts in a row after two months out might prove too much at this stage of his comeback from a hamstring injury | National World
The club captain will be forgiven for having nightmares following his role in Middlesbrough’s opener at Fratton Park on Saturday. The thought of Conor Shaughnessy and Regan Poole closing in on their returns – plus the impending arrival of Hayden Matthews – might cause further sleepness nights for the midfielder. Yet, there’s no denying he’s helped steady the ship by filling in as a makeshift centre-half and will do everything he can to retain his starting place.
5. Centre-back 2 – Rob Atkinson
The on-loan Bristol City defender continues to impress as the Blues build up his fitness. John Mousinho will soon have a welcome selection headache as his numbers in the centre-back position will soon be boosted. But on first impressions, there’s no doubt Atkinson is going to be a huge player for him in the relegation battle.
6. Left-back – Connor Ogilvie
Anyone who can keep Ben Doak quiet deserves a lot of credit! Ogilvie did that on Saturday as the £20m-rated Liverpool winger couldn’t prevent Boro suffering defeat at Fratton Park on Saturday.
7. Centre midfield 1: Isaac Hayden
The Newcastle United loanee made an encouraging appearance for the Blues after being handed his full debut against Middlesbrough on Saturday. Pompey will be keen not to over-work the experienced campaigner due to his lack of games this season, but he should get the nod to start against Stoke.
8. Centre midfield 2 – Freddie Potts
It will be interesting to see if talk of a potential move back to West Ham this month will impact the loanee – or influence Mousinho’s thinking heading into tonight’s game. The quality that saw Potts pick out Matt Ritchie with a pass for his opener on Saturday would be a huge miss, though!
9. Right-wing – Matt Ritchie
Ritchie was rightly named as Pompey’s man-of-the-match after his two goals saw off Middlesbrough on Saturday. Fans will be hoping for the same again from the Fratton favourite for tonight’s visit of Stoke.
10. Attacking midfield – Callum Lang
The forward was back to his attacking best on Saturday without scoring. He’s due one, though. Six games have now lapsed since he found himself on the scoresheet against Coventry with four goals that day.
11. Left-wing – Josh Murphy
The former Oxford man continues to be a constant threat for the Blues down the left flank. Three games without a goal or an assist, though, could be considered a concern.
12. Centre-forward – Colby Bishop
The striker continues to lead the line with distinction – which is very useful at the moment, given the lack of numbers to provide back-up for the frontman.
13. Substitute 1
Jordan Archer
14. Substitute 2
Jordan Williams
15. Substitute 3
Ryley Towler
16. Substitute 4
Terry Devlin
17. Substitute 5
Andre Dozzell
18. Substitute 6
Tom McIntyre
19. Substitute 7
Owen Moxon
20. Substitute 8
Christian Saydee
21. Substitute 9
Harvey Blair
Discussion about this post