The Long Range 'Derby' - 172 Miles Apart (Pompey v Argyle)

[K-Win]

Plymouth have an outside chance of sealing promotion with a win at our place on Friday. I say 'outside' because Luton would need to somehow not beat the omnishambles that is Leyton Orient. Still, stranger things have happened.

On our side, we just need to keep doing what we're doing. It will be a difficult game because we know that we can out-pass Plymouth all day long but still end up on the losing side. All season long the Greens have been finding a way to win on their travels - 13 so far which is really impressive.

There are a few sideshows to add to the mix. The managers aren't fans of each other to put it mildly. Throw in three Pompey old-boys (Bradley, Taylor and Jervis) who would dearly love to put one over on us. Plus, last year's late Plymouth win at Fratton towards the end of the season, followed by the late, late play-off win is still in the memory.

I'll happily take a point from this one.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Seems a fair summary K, I'd too take a draw. Interesting that the only league two players that made the EFL team of the year will be playing at FP. I suspect the style will be similar to our game with Donnie, a passing team trying to open up a clam, and said clam hoping to grab the divers knife and bang him on the head with it.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

A slightly unpredictable feature is that the ref is Mr Sarginson. I wonder which side will be most annoyed by his non-decisions.

 

[ProfessorGreen]

We meet again...and no matter the result on Friday we will continue to for at least another season. Pompey have been in good form lately and I think this will unfortunately be one step too far for us. Pompey will be chomping at the bit to get their own back on our late away victory there last year and our (again late) playoff success. 0-2.

Looking forward to some more touchline antics as it's clear our respective management teams don't like eachother.

Despite my gloomy prediction I continued my away league match winning record of 100% this season at Crawley, and am making the trip on Friday so perhaps that's a good omen. Pompey fans any of you know if the Good Companions are doing their usual fanfest hosting thing? Always a great laugh.

 

[FarehamPompey]

Really looking forward to this. Going to say 2-2.. both teams are good defensively but I think it will be sloppy!

 

[northstandexile]

Surely it is the 'dockyard' Derby

 

[Bar Carousel]

We struggle against teams who park the bus. Plymouth are the masters of parking the bus. Chuck in a couple of ex boo boys eager to stick it down our throats, and there can only be one outcome....

 

[Pilgrim Meister]

If we do manage a win on Friday, we will then go on to lose at home to Newport

 

[Rob_of_the_green]

My gut feeling is that Pompey might be a bit more up for this, although the rhetoric in the media is trying to claim otherwise our players and fans know that we're basically promoted now and subconsciously will have already taken their foot off the pedal, Portsmouth on the other hand are peaking just at the right time in great form, in front of their own fans, and feel they have a score to settle after last seasons playoff win and the falling out of the management teams

 

[K-Win]

Not sure I agree about the motivation bit, Rob. Derek Adams really doesn't like Paul Cook (touchline antics, supposed 'tapping up' of Reuben Reid a couple of years back etc) and so he'd love to seal promotion against him I reckon. Throw in a big away following, three ex-Pompey players with something to prove, live on tv - I reckon the Argyle desire will be just as big as ours.

However, I do agree that you are basically promoted. Can't see any way that the following pack will reel in 12 points with 5 games left.

I'm actually quite nervous about this one. Plymouth know how to win away and I'm not 100% sure how we will fare if it gets close towards the end of the game. I'd bite your hand off for a 1-1 draw and both clubs moving onwards and upwards.

 

[ProfessorGreen]

Think if Pompey win, they'll pip us to second. Not that it really matters. Be interesting to see how the touchline behaviour is. I thought there was a bit more respect recently between the 2 of them. Wotton won't forget quickly though and might try it on.

 

[RampantRover]

We're all Pompey!!!
3-0

 

[Rob_of_the_green]

Not sure I agree about the motivation bit, Rob. Derek Adams really doesn't like Paul Cook (touchline antics, supposed 'tapping up' of Reuben Reid a couple of years back etc) and so he'd love to seal promotion against him I reckon. Throw in a big away following, three ex-Pompey players with something to prove, live on tv - I reckon the Argyle desire will be just as big as ours.

I can see that perhaps some of the ex-pompey players playing for us now may want to get one over on Pompey for their own personal reasons but for me the overall feeling coming out of our club for this game hasn't got that same feel and fire behind it that you would get for a derby game that really has a lot riding on it, such as for example our game against Exeter earlier in the season when they came down here on an incredible run at what was a crucial stage of the season for both sides.

Whereas I get the impression from Pompey fans and players there seems to be a real anger and desire for revenge and I think your club was affected more by that playoff defeat last season than perhaps I realised at the time, it's not something we've thought a lot about as Plymouth fans because we lost the next game and we've all since erased it from our memories and basically got rid of most of those players to move on. I mean I've just been shown an interview with Gareth Evans where he says 'I can’t stand them and I don’t like the manager, if I am honest', and a similar interview with Enda Stevens too, I just don't think you'd get that same animosity if you interviewed our players before the game, plus the fact that for us the job is basically done, I believe Pompey have more fire in their belly and will be more up for it than us.

I do however think that due to the emotion especially from the Pompey side coming into the game, if there are are controversial events and trigger circumstances in the game it could boil over and perpetuate an ongoing rivalry and dislike between the clubs going forward which could make up for losing our derby with Exeter next season

 

[K-Win]

Sounds like we can look forward to Argyle players pulling out of challenges and basically rolling over for us. Cushty!

 

[Stealthy Steve]

Pompey, do not attack them, I repeat DO NOT attack them! It's a trap! It's a trap!

 

[ambernuts]

Surely it is the 'dockyard' Derby

No no no, must be Battleship Row....

 

[WAP]

We definitely owe them one after last seasons playoffs. Plymouth could have had 3 sent off in the first leg and one in the second.

 

[FarehamPompey]

The Good Companion for pre match beverages? Going to be a good day out, and hope the ref isn't in love with Plymouth again!

 

[Boletus Edulis]

The Good Companion for pre match beverages? Going to be a good day out, and hope the ref isn't in love with Plymouth again!

He won't be, it is Mr Sarginson who was the first pro ref I have seen actually lose control of a game. He was fine for sixty five minutes and then he lost it. I say this as an ex-ref, not an argyle fan, he simply lost control, something you occasionally see at park football, but not this level.

 

[Don Tonberry]

Dodgy ref and the staff of both clubs needling each other all game?

Nailed on red card in this one surely!

 

[Green 75]

1-1

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Dodgy ref and the staff of both clubs needling each other all game?

Nailed on red card in this one surely!

I suspect that the needling is underpinned and based upon deep respect both ways.

 

[Pilgrim Meister]

Good start for Argyle so far

 

[Rob_of_the_green]

Good standard of game so far to be fair, better than league 2

 

[Pilgrim Meister]

GOAL: Portsmouth 0-1 Argyle

Jervis 12'

GTFI

 

[Rob_of_the_green]

Terrific team goal, all first touch play and headed in by ex-Pompey Jervis!

 

[Pilgrim Meister]

HT: Pompey 0-1 Argyle

Seems we have Sat back a tad

 

[Pilgrim Meister]

GOAL: Portsmouth 1-1 Argyle

Roberts 56'

Damn

 

[Rob_of_the_green]

Poor goalkeeping all game from McCormick it was only a matter of time before one fell to a Portsmouth player

 

[Super_horns]

Draw between Plymouth and Pompey would give Luton a sniff but you'd expect the former 2 to wrap up promotion.