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.

Pompey have a gem in Crouch

Peter Crouch is unlikely to be in England's starting XI against Kazakhstan on Saturday.

But his return to the squad is the least he deserves.

Off the pitch, there is no ego with Crouchie. It's easy to think this is a result of constant teasing (sometimes abuse) over his height, but it's probably because he's simply a decent bloke.

For journalists, it's a reassuring sight to see the striker emerge from the changing rooms post-match because he's always happy to talk. No tantrums, no excuses, no pretending to make a phone call.

Liverpool and Pompey fans took to him immediately because for all his ability, he's gives everything.

He's overcome constant chants of 'freak' at grounds to become a successful international.

One, it has to be said, with a top-drawer girlfriend in Abi Clancy - the fellas who subscribe to FHM approve.

If his choice of lady suggests he's punching above his weight, that feeling is no longer the case on the pitch. He's a respected and dangerous front man.

In his second spell at Fratton Park, he's slowly got into gear as his partnership with Jermain Defoe clicked into place.

And last week saw him bag four goals in a memorable week for the club.

He's playing with verve, spirit and skill, whereas Michael Owen - despite a few goals - looks weighed down and uninterested at shambolic Newcastle. Fabio Capello got his pick right.

If Crouch gets on against Borat's countrymen, expect him to carry on him impressive England record and get goals.

Pompey fans know they've got a top-class player and character.

Play up Crouchie!

AC Milan are just the ticket

Now the enormity of the UEFA Cup draw has sunk in, the next thing we all want to know is how and when they can get their tickets.

The club have promised an announcement - most likely Friday - with all the details.

One thing is definite, though - prices will remain the same as the Guimaraes tie.

It's what chief executive Peter Storrie promised and, to be fair, it looks like he will deliver.

Twenty quid for adults and 10 quid for adults/concessions to watch seven-times European Champions AC Milan - not bad, I think you will agree.

I'm loath to praise Pompey's admin skills - usually because they display any very often - but it would appear this time they might have got it right.

Whether it's via batching games together to ensure the ground is full for the whole group stage or whether, as they are bound to insist, it's a thank you to the fans, it's a good price.

Could it be that for the club's defining fixture in recent history, on a night which will be a celebration of Pompey the team and Portsmouth the city, the club will have a fair ticket policy in place.

An all-inclusive attitude will only serve to improve what will be a special night on the south coast.

And let's be honest, if we are to stand any chance of beating the Rossoneri we all need to stick together.

We're not for sale... sort of

If Pompey’s statement following the News of the World’s ‘For Sale’ story seemed like it contradicted itself, that’s probably because it did.

We aren’t for sale, went the statement, but if someone’s got the cash it’s all yours.

The club insist the ever-elusive Sacha Gaydamak is not actively looking to sell.

But, like any businessmen, if a healthy profit is on the horizon he wont need asking twice.

In denying the stories Pompey have - wittingly or unwittingly - revealed what a lot of Premier League clubs are thinking.

The likes of Everton and are all casting an eye to billionaires worldwide, praying an oil-rich Arab fancies a new hobby.

They aren’t the only ones either.

If things continue at the same pace, you’ll need a wealthy sheikh just to stand still.

As our columnist Alan McLoughlin said in his column yesterday (Monday), Pompey’s problem is they don’t come ready-made.

Unlike City, they don’t have a new stadium or training ground. That’s 100m quid before you start on the team.

As usual, Harry Redknapp cut through the boardroom waffle.

He said: ‘I don’t know if the owner wants to sell, but every club in the country has a price on its head.

‘When people talk about debts you have to realise that is the economic situation in football.

‘All clubs are in debt, but we have fantastic assets here on the pitch.’

The last bit is a worry. A few injuries here and a misjudged sacking there (it happens!) and suddenly those on-field assets look a bit flimsy.

At the risk of repeating what many Pompey fans have been saying for years, a new stadium and training ground is a must if Pompey want to hold their position in the top flight long term.

But like most fans, I’ll only believe it once the bricks and mortar are in place.