Portsmouth fans face an ardous 630 mile round trip to watch their team take on Carlisle United at Brunton Park tomorrow.
Team News
Lee Williamson is likely to miss outafter hobbling off at Colchester on Tuesday, meaning Jordan Obita is in line to start after scoring with his first touch in midweek in what should be an otherwise unchanged line up.
Jake Jarvis has signed for Carlisle on loan from Birmingham and is expected to start up front to sharpen their attack. Greg Abbott may make other changes after his side were thrashed 3-0 by Tranmere on Tuesday.
The Match
After what was a good week, spirits have been dampened by more talk of Balram Chainrai after Portpin "redeclared" their interest in buying the club. Why? Because everyone wanted them back, apparently.
However, PKF, the Football League, the PFA and Portsmouth City Council have all denied talking to Portpin and thus, our good friend Balu is surely lying yet again.
The Trust submitted their bid for the club today and it's now up to Trevor Birch to decide the future of Portsmouth FC off the pitch. It is up to Michael Appleton to play his part in Pompey's future on the pitch and three points at Carlisle tomorrow will half the upcoming ten point deficit to be imposed by the Football League already.
As it stands, Pompey are currently above their opponents in the League One table as our hosts drew their opener away at Stevenage before a heavy home defeat to Tranmere on Tuesday.
Despite this, they remain a good team and with the players making the same coach journey today as many Pompey fans will make tomorrow, they may not be completely fresh.
Still, the players cannot use that as an excuse and if they can replicate the performance at Colchester on Tuesday, then I am confident we can take all three points.
The Cumbrians do not have the strongest defence and with the pace of Dumbuya and Obita in the side, chances will be created. I just hope Luke Rodgers can continue his impressive start to the season and Izale McLeod isn't so wasteful.
This is the most confident I have been in a Portsmouth team in a long time. Therefore, expect a defeat and a long, horrible journey back to Portsmouth tomorrow!
Click here for the League One Lowdown on Carlisle United
Click here for an interview with Cumbrian Dave Jackson ahead of tomorrow's game.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Carlisle
GK: Adam COLLIN
RB: Frankie SIMEK
CB: Mike EDWARDS
CB: Peter MURPHY
LB: Chris CHANTLER
CM: Liam NOBLE
CM: James BERRETT
CM: Paul THIRLWELL
RWF: Danny CADAMARTERI
LWF: Matty ROBSON
CF: Jake JARVIS
Pompey
GK: Mikkel ANDERSEN
RB: Mustapha DUMBUYA
CB: Kevin LONG
CB: Paul CONNOLLY
LB: Jon HARLEY
RM: Jordan OBITA
CM: Brian HOWARD
CM: Liam WALKER
LM: Jack COMPTON
CF: Izale McLEOD
CF: Luke RODGERS
Last Time: Carlisle United 1 Portsmouth 3 (League Cup Third Round - 22/09/2009)
The travelling fans who made the long journey to Cumbria feared the worst as Ian Harte gave the home side the lead with a penalty but Pompey hit back with goals from Aruna Dindane and Danny Webber.
Anthony Vanden Borre scored in the second half to make the game safe for Paul Hart's men who would go on to the quarter-finals of this competition.
My Prediction
As I said before, I'm very optimistic after watching Pompey's first two performances, which usually builds you up for an almighty fall. I'll sit on the fence again and tentatively go for another draw.
Carlisle United 1 Portsmouth 1