Happy Joel for Pompey

Wednesday, 21/12/2011

by Martin Cooper, Shoot's Portsmouth blogger

Sunday's South Coast derby was no cracker on the pitch, but what an atmosphere off it. Perched up in the North Stand, you could almost feel the old ground shake. It was the best atmosphere I've felt at Fratton Park since the AC Milan game in 2008.

I feel sorry for the Southampton fans who had to travel in "the bubble", some living over in Sussex had to travel all the way to Southampton to get on the coaches to be brought back over to Portsmouth.

However, after being showered with coins and pebbles outside St. Mary's following Pompey's 4-1 FA Cup victory last year, I fully understand the decision. I find the banter quite pantomime and I have to admit it was great fun. Anyone who takes it further cannot be a true football fan.

On the pitch Pompey were poor and I was truly shocked (and delighted, of course) when Joel Ward flung himself at the ball to head the equaliser. How fantastic for the local lad from Emsworth to head a derby goal with only six minutes left and in front of the Fratton End. He need never buy a drink in the city again.

As ever, good news at Pompey is always followed by an outbreak of bad news as West Brom recalled midfielder George Thorne. Thorne has been outstanding in the four games he has played in the centre of the park, and was the only Blues player on Sunday who tried to put a foot on the ball and pass to feet, rather than hoofing a hopeful, often hopeless, ball to the long-suffering Kitson.

Without anyone obvious in the threadbare squad to fill his position, Pompey may struggle during the festive run of games. And who knows if they can get anyone in come January, as the ownership debacle drags on.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt has backed a move by Pompey supporters to take a financial stake in the club.

In a letter to Sports Minister Justine Greening, she argues that it would benefit everybody to have Portsmouth FC partly under the ownership of fans. Part of the letter was read out in the Commons yesterday.

Christmas wishes? Let's hope Pompey aren't in for a stuffing, beat Chelsea and go on to win the FA Cup again, stuff Saints 4-1 (again) at their place, find a mega-rich businessman to buy the club, buy six new players in the transfer window and rocket to the title.

However, I'll settle for the club still existing and in the Championship next season. Whatever happens, it’s a cert that 2012 will be another year of thrills, spills and horror.

*Martin Cooper is a member of the Portsmouth Football Supporters Club London. To join, visit http://www.pompeylondon.co.uk/> or email londonpompeymembership@hotmail.co.ukmail. The views expressed in this blog are purely the author’s and not those of the Supporters Club. <
 

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