Portsmouth vs Carlisle Preview

Last updated : 15 February 2013 By Jim Bonner

With the record winless run now broken, Pompey hope to stop it extending with a victory over Carlisle on Saturday.

Team News

David Connolly faces a fitness test as he recovers from a hamstring problem but otherwise the management has a full squad to choose from.

Greg Abbott is likely to make changes to his side that lost at Scunthorpe last time out and his squad is also free of injuries and suspensions.

The Match

Tuesday night's goalless draw at Hartlepool may have been boring but at least the run of nine straight defeats was ended.

The good thing is that Pompey cannot play that negatively at Frattom Park tomorrow. The fans won't tolerate it and will expect Pompey to come forward and attack Carlisle as the team has nothing to lose.

Just who will be in that team will be anyone's guess. The management constantly like to change the team and as a result there is no cohesion and a toothlessness up front.

It would be nice if Andy and Guy could stick with the same team for once although I really hope Liam Walker is included as he seems to be the only creative player in the squad and his passing and vision will make a difference.

What are our chances of winning this match? Carlisle are nine points clear of the drop and have a long journey to make and thus might be easier to beat than a team fighting for their lives such as Hartlepool, for example.

On the other hand, Pompey never looked like beating Hartlepool and the Cumbrians are significantly better than them.

If our players are allowed to play unshackled and really get amongst one of the more generous defences in League One then I think we have a fair chance of a first win since October 20th.

However, playing a boring game with little intention of going forward like in the two previous fixtures will only bring another defeat and more misery for the long suffering Pompey fans.

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Pompey

GK: Simon EASTWOOD

RB: Yassin MOUTAOUAKIL

CB: Ricardo ROCHA

CB: Sam SODJE

LB: Dan BUTLER

RM: Adam REED

CM: Johnny ERTL

CM: Jed WALLACE

LM: Liam WALKER

CF: Patrick AGYEMANG

CF: James KEENE

Carlisle

GK: Adam COLLIN

RB: Frankie SIMEK

CB: Danny LIVESEY

CB: Sean O'HANLAN

LB: Matty ROBSON

RM: Jon-Paul McGOVERN

CM: Paul THIRLWELL

CM: James BERRETT

LM: Andy WELSH

CF: Liam MILLER

CF: Rory LOY

Last Time: Portsmouth 4 Carlisle United 0 (Division Two - 24/08/1985)

Goals from Paul Hardyman, Vince Hilaire and a brace from Nicky Morgan saw Alan Ball's men thrash the Cumbrians.

My Prediction

I'm gonna stick my neck on the line and say that by hook or crook, Pompey will finally end this wretched run of results and we'll all leave Fratton Park happy for a change.

Portsmouth 2 Carlisle United 1