That's Entertainment?

Last updated : 25 February 2008 By Jim Bonner
To my knowledge, Pompey are one of the most expensive teams in the country to watch as home fans are being charged anywhere from £34 - £41 for a match ticket. After another dull affair at Fratton Park on Saturday, I ask if we're really getting value for money?

If I think back through the home games this season I can only think of a few games where I have left the ground thinking that I've been entertained.

Obviously that incredible game with Reading that broke the record for most goals scored in a top flight game since the induction of the Premier League stands out and all fans who witnessed that game got more than their moneys worth that day.

The recent clash with Chelsea was compelling and our first home match of the season with Manchester United made for excellent viewing as matches with Fergie's men always do.

I suppose you could say the comeback wins against Bolton and Derby were good to watch too but after that, I can't remember any other entertaining encounters at Fratton Park this season.

The woeful 1-0 defeats to Tottenham and Middlesbrough are easily forgotten as are the goalless draws with Everton, West Ham, Manchester City and Liverpool. The Boxing Day draw against Arsenal was slightly more captivating but that was mainly because of the tension rather than the expectation of free flowing football.

So that's five games out of thirteen that I feel have been worth the entrance fee this season and with strugglers in Birmingham, Wigan, Newcastle and Fulham to come we could be in for even more frustrating times ahead if they decide to sit back and play for the draw from the start.

At least the games against Villa and Blackburn should be more entertaining as they aren't going to come and play for a point considering they are both in the race for Europe along with us.

The bottom line is that even the top sides are taking us seriously as a Premier League force now. When we were first promoted we could play some very attractive football at times at the cost of conceding silly goals. Teams would come to Fratton Park thinking they'd be in for an easy game and attack us, which often led to highly entertaining games.

Football is a results business though, and I'm sure Sacha Gaydamak would take a scrappy 1-0 win over a highly entertaining 4-4 draw. I'm sure there would be fans who think the same and who could blame them? After all, a drab 1-0 win over Sunderland is still a much better feeling than an embarrassing 4-2 defeat at home to Crewe.

Still, I can't help but feel we have been shortchanged this season when it comes to watching Pompey at home.