Make the city proud, Pompey

If there is to be a pinnacle of Pompey's current era, tonight is surely the night.

Don't get me wrong, the trips to Wembley were gloriously spine-tingling.

But earning the right to play AC Milan in a competitive fixture? That's off the scale.

Kaka (one of the best players in the world) will line up at Fratton Park with Ronaldinho (one of the best players in the world) ready to come off the bench.

The Rossoneri are taking this seriously. That's the mark of Pompey's progress in recent years.

These are uncertain times at Pompey following Harry Redknapp's departure but, for all the scale of tonight's occasion, we mustn't cower in the face of the Italians.

Pompey are a quality team in their own right.
The worry is, of course, that the spine of this side is missing.

Jermain Defoe, Lassana Diarra and Sol Campbell are definitely out, seemingly undermining Tony Adams' faith that his charges can still pull off a Uefa Cup shock.

The creative Niko Kranjcar is also missing, although the absence of John Utaka won't break too many Pompey hearts.

Personally, I just hope Pompey do the city proud.

Historic is an overused word, but this really is a game people will remember for generations.

After the struggles of the 90s, to see the boys in blue give it absolutely everything against Milan will be enough for me.

If Adams' team do that they give themselves a chance of getting a result. That's all anyone can ask.

To those people who seized the chance to watch the likes of Seedorf, Kaka, Pato, Shevchenko, Pirlo, Ronaldinho et al train at Fratton Park last night, I applaud you.

This is not something which you can expect to come round that often.

Obviously, the hope is Pompey will build on their recent success and Euro nights like this will be more common in the future.

The reality is this may not happen.

So join me in savouring watching Pompey v AC Milan under the Fratton Park floodlights in a crunch Uefa Cup game.

Play up Pompey.

Utaka on the brink of failure

So England saw off Belarus and (whisper it) are finally looking the business.

David James produced an assured display in Minsk, which was good to see after some shaky moments so far this season.

Other than that Pompey players were largely bypassed for the game - Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson didn't get a look in, while Peter Crouch came off the bench for a brief cameo.

International week now over, it's time to look forward to Aston Villa - and the eternal enigma that is John Utaka.

According to the winger, he's ready to step up to the plate in what will be a true test at Villa Park (see back page of The News)

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but when has the Nigerian ever stepped up to the plate for Pompey.

Apart from his blistering start to last season, the winger's faded badly.

It's clear to most Pompey fans - and to Harry Redknapp as well, I'm sure - that Utaka lacks the mental toughness to succeed in the relentness, high-profile Premier League.

His days at Fratton Park appear numbered.

Villa are a team on the rise and in Ashley Young they have a potent winger.
Will Utaka be trusted to cover Glen Johnson down the right? I doubt it.

Glen Little should get the nod for his industry and endeavour.

No offence to Little, but that says it all about Utaka's future.

The £7m man is second choice to an injury-prone journeyman (albeit a decent one).

Even Harry Redknapp, a master in the transfer market, can't get them all right. That's the nature of the business.

Just like the hapless David Nugent, Utaka is close to being a certified flop.

'Mad man' Belhadj

Jermain Defoe and the breathtaking Lassana Diarra rightly took the plaudits for the win over Boro.

But there is a new darling of Fratton Park.

Nadir Belhadj more than caught the eye of the fans. Incredibly, after just 45 minutes of action, he's been taken to their hearts already.

What John Utaka would give for just a slice of that!

In today's (Monday) News, three people summed up the impact of Belhadj vividly.

Our chief sports writer Neil Allen, in his match report, described how, after his enthusiastic, lung-bursting introduction, team-mate Sean Davis had to calm the debutant down.

Then our columnist Alan McLoughlin expressed his amazement - and delight - at the player's standing ovation on the final whistle.
It took, he said, some players seven years to receive such acclaim!

My favourite quote, though, came from a fan.
Paul Renouf, our 'Gaffer for a Day', summed it up perfectly.

He said: 'Belhadj came on and ran around like a mad man.
'He did one trick which was pretty good and was always looking to go at people.
'He was everything John Utaka should be but isn't.'

Let's hope the boy Belhadj doesn't slip into Utaka-style mediocrity after such a bright, eye-catching start.

Fratton a haven for Jamo

So David James was a little shaky for England at Wembley.

As Tom Jones famously sang: 'It's not unusual.'

Thankfully, these jitters don’t extend to Fratton Park.

For this, I suggest we thank the coaching staff and the club for ensuring his confidence stays high and his value to the team is well voiced.

History reveals when this drops and the national press get him in their sights - note England displays and Liverpool career - he becomes prone to rushes of blood.

The reason for this fallability only he knows. From what he says in interviews to The News, he is an obsessive, perfectionist who finds it difficult to put mistakes to one side.

James admits himself he had ridiculously high expectations of himself at Liverpool.

Now he’s older, wiser, a more relaxed figure and in a more loving environment.

For Pompey’s sake, let’s hope it stays that way.

The trouble for Fabio Capello but the great new for Pompey fans is James is still the best in the business.


Meanwhile, the debate over John Utaka rumbles on.

This time Harry had his say on our back page. The News asked him directly what he thought of the infuriating Nigerian.

And while he wouldn’t comment on a possible sale to Lille, Redknapp left everyone in no doubt - Utaka must improve.

He has to build on his debut season and he has to show he has more than just raw pace.

Over to you John - the question is will he be around long enough to prove his doubters wrong?

Diop's all right by me

Papa Bouba Diop is an honest guy.

He admits he's got no pace and the attacking side of the game does not come naturally.

He also knows he's not a right-winger.

But that's where he's started the season, mainly due to Harry Redknapp's lack of trust in John Utaka.

Diop looks unrefined and out of position, but amid the sea of sub-standard performances so far his endeavour has stood out.

Off the field he's a gentle giant.On it 'The Wardrobe' can be brutal.

On our back page today (Wednesday) Diop says he'll do whatever is necessary for the team.

If that means struggling on the right because Harry needs him there then so be it.

But it means he rarely gets the plaudits.

He's whole-hearted despite this - and that takes courage.

Courage is something which, so far at least, has been lacking from John Utaka.

I'm not talking about the courage to go into tackles.

I'm talking about having the bottle to get on the ball and make things happen.

If anything, Diop shows more because he is not as naturally gifted as fellow African.

The Nigerian has all the attributes, but he rarely opts to use them.So often he turns back or checks his run instead of backing his pace and ability.

For fans, it's the ultimate sin.To see someone with the natural talent to reach a level they could only dream of not having the balls to at least give it a go.

That explains the fans' - and possibly Harry's - apathy towards Utaka.

It also explains why the endearing Diop is so valued at Pompey.