Bring on the Toon

At least that's Man United out the way.

Let's be honest, it was a game in hand that meant little. The prospect of taking anything away from title-chasing United at this stage of the season were minimal.

Of course, you never know. But Paul Hart has quickly moulded a team rooted in realism and no-one expected miracles at Old Trafford. Not this year anyway.

That Pompey competed as strongly as they did is a credit to all concerned.

But everyone knows Monday's trip to Newcastle is the acid test.

The pressure will be on Pompey to get a result because it's a game which has so much riding on it.

A Blues win and the Toon will have one foot in the Championship while Pompey will be reaching for the cigars as they contemplate another season in the top flight.

Many view Monday's game as tough and there's no doubt Newcastle under the lights at home will be a totally different proposition to facing them at Fratton Park.

But there's two reasons why I think Pompey can triumph at St James'.

1. Alan Shearer's return as temporary manager has massively underwhelmed. By trying to keep his entrance low key in his first match, he totally missed the point of his comeback. If any club needed galvanising by a larger-than-life figure and whipping into a frenzy, it's Newcastle. Shearer ushered himself in relatively quietly with one eye on his spot on the Match of the Day sofa. Not an approach which will inspire.

2. Newcastle are terrible. I'd underestimated quite how bad they are - until I watched them lose to Spurs. If Pompey get half as much space as Tottenham's midfield did, then even Hayden Mullins will be spraying it around like a midfield maestro.
Newcastle are second from bottom for a very real reason: they aren't any good.

So let's approach this crucial game with bullish confidence.

They want be gung-ho by any means, that's not Hart's style.

But Pompey have the better team and a manager who's quietly proving himself.

If Shearer's the messiah, then Hart's God.

At this critical time of the season, I know which one I'd have.