This season is different. We're only 2 points off our target of 6th place compared to 8 last year yet the sense of pessimism regarding our chances of European football next season is just as high as last year in relation to our hopes of survival. (At the time of writing, the poll on the front page shows that 75% of fans don't think we'll make Europe.)
It's easy to see why fans are not looking on the bright side. We've won a paltry two games this calendar year and the fixtures we've got left do not make for good reading. Here's a list of our "objectives" remaining:
Game One: Chelsea - Fratton Park
Our record against Chelsea is abysmal. We've played them 7 times in the Premiership, lost all 7 whilst conceding 16 goals and scoring just one so it doesn't look good for us on Saturday, especially with the way we've been defending lately. And to think we could have had Drogba for £3 million a few seasons ago...
Game Two: Reading - Madejski Stadium
This is a massive game. Defeat will surely officially end any hopes of UEFA Cup football next season and declare our season mediocre after such a great first half. Reading have got a superb record on their own turf, meaning this match is just as tough as the Chelsea game.
Game Three: Fulham - Craven Cottage
Could go either way on the day. Fulham are unlikely to make any sort of challenge for Europe yet should be safe from relegation. The way we've been playing away from home recently suggests a defeat is the most likely result, but we've confounded the critics plenty of time before.
Game Four: Manchester United - Fratton Park
If we do still have some hope of Europe by the time this game comes round then we'll be on good form and Fergie's men don't like coming down here do they? (Let's just forget about last season OK?) On the other hand, this could be a stroll for United given 2007 form.
Game Five: Watford - Vicarage Road
One of the games we might be favourites for considering Watford will probably be finished by the time this game arrives. However we all know how much we struggle against strong and "direct" sides and it took an 89th minute penalty to beat them at home.
Game Six: Newcastle - Fratton Park
The only other game we could possibly be favourites for which goes to show you just how tough our fixture list is. We are yet to beat Newcastle in the Premiership so we need to break our duck this time.
Game Seven: Aston Villa - Villa Park
A ground where we historically have nightmares. I still haven't completely erased the memory of last seasons encounter in what I still believe is the worst Pompey match I have seen live and I'm not the only one who has that down as their worst Pompey match ever. The bad thing is that I can't see the Villa Park curse changing this season either.
Game Eight: Liverpool - Fratton Park
For the first time in three home games we might actually have reason to care about this game. Last season in the league it was the celebration of our survival, nobody cared about the cup game last January and the season before that some fans actually forgot about the game because their minds were so focused on the visit of Scummers the following Sunday! Give us a reason to care this time Pompey!
Game Nine: Everton - Goodison Park
It's far too early to tell if this could be a European decider but it could be a possibility and we'd need another heroic performance in the North-West in the penultimate game of the season if we're to get a win where we usually lose.
Game Ten: Arsenal - Fratton Park
This game could have allsorts of implications at the top of the table but of course, it's more likely it will be a nothing game. Here's hoping that it can be an extra special final day.
So there you have it.
I'm refusing to rule out the possibility of UEFA Cup football for another week or so yet. It only takes one good result to change the course of your season, we of all people should know that and we are capable of beating Chelsea on our day.
Achieving European Qualification is not yet Mission: Impossible but it is Mission: Extremely Difficult.