Ricoh Trip For League Cup Tie

Last updated : 22 June 2016 By Jim Bonner

Portsmouth go to the Ricoh Arena to take on League One Coventry City in the first round of the League Cup (I refuse to call it the "EFL Cup") and the tie will be played on August 8th or 9th.

It's not a bad tie for Paul Cook's men. Whilst they beat Championship opposition in Derby and Ipswich last season it will be the Sky Blues who will be favourites for this tie and so the pressure will be off.

In fact, given the absurd Football League Trophy format which will see Pompey play at least three matches in a group phase (including a match against a Premier League B-team), a loss to ease fixture congestion wouldn't be seen as terrible news.

Pompey's results at the Ricoh have been mixed. Two last-minute winners sandwiche two of the worst performances you will ever see is the record so far. The 2010 FA Cup replay win certainly remains a fond memory thanks to Aaron Mokoena's header.

Because the tie is between two fairly big clubs at this early stage of the competition, there may be a small chance that this match gets televised by Sky.

Then the whole world will be able to see which club has the better reserve side.