Having played 1st and 3rd away from home in consecutive weeks, and picked up 4 points, we welcome 2nd placed Portsmouth to Oakwell on Saturday. Despite a commendable 73 points last season, due to the way league 1 panned out, that was only good enough for 10th place for Pompey. 10 points shy of the play offs. In response, Danny Cowley has signed 12 players and thus far, it seems to have paid off. Away from home so far in the league, Portsmouth have comfortably beaten Bristol Rovers, narrowly beaten Port Vale, and been held to a late draw at Hillsborough. Only Ipswich have a better ppg away from home. Portsmouth have found Oakwell a difficult place to visit historically. Just 1 away win in the last 14 meetings at Oakwell, stretches as far back as 1989. In that time, the reds have been victorious 10 times, 8 of which have been to nil. Even that solitary Pompey win during that run was over 20 years ago, with Robert Prosinecki running the show and assisting 3 goals. The last 2 league performances certainly point to things beginning to click under Michael Duff. Whilst there may have been an element of fortune in the draw with Ipswich, we comfortably saw Wednesday off last weekend, in as dominant an away performance I've seen since Stendel was in charge. It's another tough task, but buoyed by our display last week, and considering Portsmouth's record at Oakwell, I'm going for a 2-1 home win, with Aitchison and Thomas on the scoresheet.
3-1 home win. Norwood to score again, possibly 2, with one from midfield. 14,500 crowd. I can’t be there but will be on my iPhone watching it from mosquito infested Poland!
They've got a lad on loan from Spurs - Dane Scarlett - looks like some player, if we can keep him quiet I think we'll win.
Pompey look to have formidable forward options this season. Think we’re in for a great game tomorrow and we’ll nick it 2-1. Hope we’re not again talking about a poor referee though. Mistakes happen but inconsistent treatment of players is not on. You Reds
Aye. Keep an eye out for Scarlett, and an eye out for a young lad from Hemsworth with a box of Kleenex
I'm a little weary after such a great result and performance. We've yet to produce back to back wins this season and they're a decent side with 5 wins on the bounce. I'm going for a score draw, probably 1-1.
Do’h, this retirement Mallarkey, one day just morphs into the next. However, the alternatives are not an option
I went to watch us at Oakwell one year. The entire club, team, supporters etc, all made the mistake of thinking we were playing away that afternoon? Opposition too. What's odds on that?