OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

So today, Russell takes his squad on a team bonding swimming exercise around Loch Lomond. Then there's a news item that the police have found human remains in Loch Lomond! What's RM gone and done now?

Damn, someone who knows what they're talking about now in charge of one of our competitors. That stated, there doesn't seem to be any stand out teams this year. Ipswich starting to look good, though their manager was spotted at West Ham recently. Mmmnn, is Potter's tenure coming to an end?

When you sit in the Chapel in the block closest to the away fans, I find their noise almost deafening. When you're in the Northam, you can't hear them and your atmosphere sounds great. Yesterday, from the Kingsland, the Northam sounded great but could hardly hear the Pompey fans. Don't know the answer. Personally, I liked the away fans where they were before. Then the two sets of noisier fans are together which creates a better atmosphere in general and there was that banter between the Northam and Itchen going across the away support which was quite special. As someone who likes going to away games, I also find it disrespectful tucking away fans in a corner. And Newcastle are a disgrace.

We just need a statement win like Ipswich did last Friday and things could gel very quickly. Two years ago, we played very average at the start of the season and got away with it, then lost a couple and suddenly it changed and went on a winning streak. Can't exactly remember but think the catalyst might have been Jack Stephens getting injured 🤔. The players could gel this game. I'd like to see Archer and Stewart both start but other than that agree with most of the other pundits on this thread.

They could have played for 2 days and the score would still have been 0-0. The only way we were going to score was through a error preferably by the keeper but we hardly tested him.

There was a spell when it went Baz to Jack to Manning to Portsmouth player to go out for a goal kick. Back to Baz to Jack to Manning to Portsmouth player to goal kick. So they changed it and it went Baz to Jack to Mads to Portsmouth player. No originality, no spark, no sense of purpose. That's where Azaz needs to come in and take control. Or by all means hoof it to Archer (who I thought did well to buy free kicks because there was little else he could do), but be near him to pick up the second ball. I've always been a fan of long goal kicks. Yes it's a lottery but the ball is far away from our goal and if you get to the second ball, there's often space to make things happen. And Will, I know it's trendy to have all players inside the penalty area when defending a corner, but don't. Have one on the half way line and one between the half way line and the penalty area ready for the break.

To be fair, the Fanzone was pretty good. Charles was again my MOTM. Thought Azaz was anonymous but then with balls sailing over his head all the time on route to Archer, that wasn't surprising. Liked Joe Aribo when he came on! Yes the announcer got it wrong but how people could start singing the Joe Aribo song when it was obviously Ross Stewart. Don't know what the team practised during the international break, but they need to up the tempo and stop those floaty crosses. Would like to see Stewart and Archer start together in the next match.

Yes a good set of results today (liked the Oxford/Leicester draw), but with teams like Coventry salvaging a point and the league table starting to take shape, we can't get too far behind the pace setters.

One of the most depressing games I've seen was when we lost 4-1 in the cup around 15 years ago but their squad then was miles better than us. Now our squad is technically miles better. We'll thump them. That stated and not really the thread to say this but for some reason Pompey really aren't on my hate list. Always the victims, Liverpool yes. Leeds yes. But Portsmouth...they're just the losers down the road and let's keep it that way.

So Will tells the team that that are "hopefully" aware of the importance of this derby game. "Hopefully" - Will, it's your job to tell the players that they will give it their all otherwise it's a red hot poker up their arse!

Guy behind me at Watford kept saying 'stop being arrogant' and he had a point. Our lads need to show they're the best and not think it just because they're one of the most expensive assembled squads. As it'll be a 'who's up for it?' game, Jack S, THB, Charles & Downes would be straight in to my team. Don't know why, but I also think Azaz, Fellows, Fraser & Archer would be psyched up.

That's exactly how I see him. Too much of a lightweight and although he's tall, he can't seem to head the ball. It's almost as if he doesn't want to ruin his fancy hair style. At the moment, I've got more faith in Stewart working out this season.

And QPR also sometimes played him as a defensive midfielder. Maybe he got more chance of getting in to the team in that role if there are injuries or Downes continues getting ill and Shea Charles builds up his yellow card tally.

So is the consensus a flat back 4 or keeping with the back 5 and two wing backs? Such an important game, I can see Will Still keeping with his recent formations. I liked Azaz'z contributions against Watford and I'm guessing Fellows will also be in the starting line up though don't know about the other recent acquisitions and how they'll fit in.

Wade G will be proud of you!

Think he got stopped from entering when he came to an England game at St Marys dressed in all his shit. Apparently even the Portsmouth fans are sick of him with that irritating bell and often coming in pissed and falling over everyone. Complete and utter knob.

Good to see the club isn't just selling the family silver, but they're also taking the dross to the car boot sale. BBD out on loan as well. Happy Days.

I also don't accept his reason that he's waiting for the right moment to change. Maybe it's his way of fitting Jack Stephens in to the team, but I agree, for someone who has a reputation for adapting to circumstances (which doesn't just mean throwing on all your forwards when you're 1-0 down), he seems pretty set in his way playing 5 at the back the whole time.

And they are miles too slow. There's an argument to put in Quarshie if you're doing 5 at the back because he's fast and can track back quickly; he gets his head on the ball and we shouldn't underestimate his long throw-ins. Just a pity he can't kick a football. Just watched the highlights. What was Will Still getting all wound out about at the end of the game?

He's a bit like marmite with our fans. I still like him. He covers a lot of ground (as does the contents of his bowels apparently!), breaks up opposition play, is usually in space to receive a pass and seems to have got over the needless yellow cards. In fact, I think he's already had a couple of good games for us this season. But he does need to find a new chef. What was it this time?

Sat down at half time saying Archer was having a good game, Azaz ok, Wee man was making a nuisance of himself and generally felt we were in control against a bang average Watford side. But there's almost an arrogance that's crept in to the team where they feel they're the big fish. They were actually quite sloppy in the second half. Of the subs, Matsuki came on and was good and Stewart seemed to get involved in his cameo but when Downs and AA came on together, you knew it wasn't going to end well.

For the first time in a while, actually looking forward to this game. Only Aziz of the new signings is ok to play tomorrow but just feel we're a club on the move at the moment - hopefully upwards!

That's exactly it. This team we're building (especially with today's additions) sound like solid Championship contenders, but all our premier league quality players are gone. Oh well, let's get promoted first then think about next year.

I'm hoping Archer and Stewart can do well together too. I would like to see them closer together than they were at Norwich but given who we've signed today, they won't have to go chasing balls out wide anymore and instead can work on the distribution coming to them.

Yes, he hasn't exactly lit up the games he's played this season. And it was noticeable he wasn't in the squad against Norwich so with hindsight, you could see he was off. Come to think of it, Adam Armstrong wasn't in the squad either. Here's hoping.