Davy Jones' Soccer vs Davy Jones' Locker (Pools vs Pompey)

[K-Win]

And so, an ex-sc*mmer stands between Pompey and another three promotion-necessary points. He was a poorly treated sc*mmer, but a sc*mmer nevertheless.

Eoin Doyle will be missing with a groin strain. Not exactly sure who will replace him but Conor Chaplin seems likeliest. Christian Burgess is back from suspension.

Hartlepool have Billy Paynter missing and also ex-Pompey keeper Trevor Carson. They have hit form at home recently with three wins and two draws in the last six.

A draw wouldn't be a disaster for us with a six point gap to fourth place and Yeovil at home next week.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Looking forward to this, be good to see a full away end, should make for a decent atmosphere for a change.

We haven't scored past your lot since 2013, that's 8 games now, you're in good form, we're hit and miss, mainly miss, we really need Thomas to stop thinking about his summer transfer move and focus on the game if we're gonna get anything out of this, would be very happy with a point.

Optimistic 1-1...

 

[FarehamPompey]

I'm going for 3-0 Pompey.

Burgess back is a huge boost, and id like to see Kabamba given a chance. Big and strong, and scored in all of his reserve appearances.. why not.

Bennet to get his 5th in 5 games??

 

[Chief Rocka]

Best team won by a long distance, Naismith ran the show helped greatly by our team of kamikazi defenders.

 

[FarehamPompey]

Good result! On we go.. 80 points should do it, fingers crossed.

 

[K-Win]

Best team won by a long distance, Naismith ran the show helped greatly by our team of kamikazi defenders.

And to think Cook wanted rid of Naismith in the summer. After a slow start last season he definitely showed flashes of what he was capable of towards the end of the campaign. However, he was still told to look for another club and there was a feeling that his face didn't fit with Cook questioning his attitude more than once.

It was a surprise to see him still at the club at the end of the summer transfer window and he looked set for a long period out in the cold. Since then he's become steadily more and more influential to the point where he must now be one of the first names on the teamsheet. He's a joy to watch now. Not blessed with pace but can beat players with ease, has a brilliant shot and is probably our best crosser of the ball too.

 

[PoolieTom]

He was a class above in his short spell with us last year. Think he had just came back from injury (?) but was still surprised to see him loaned to us. We probably should've stuck a bid in for him if Cook wanted rid in the summer, shame.

 

[K-Win]

I'd forgotten his loan spell up there, Poolie. I don't think there was much interest in him last summer and it probably wouldn't have taken much to pick him up. He's won plenty of points for us recently, and is probably the reason we're currently in the auto places and not the play-offs.

 

[Chief Rocka]

The notion of Pools spending money on a player..

 

[K-Win]

Pretty sure we weren't expecting money for him, Chief. It would have been a "takeover his contract" type of deal I reckon.