On Sky
City travel to the south coast for their Saturday evening fixture against European aspiring Portsmouth. City have their troubles in that they have failed to score in the premiership since new year’s day, can Psycho’s men halt this trend?
Vital Quotes:
Stuart Pearce Talks about Harry Redknapp and his teams:
“Harry was very astute in the summer,” says Pearce. “Getting Jamo and Sol Campbell in were very cute moves on his part, and with Linvoy Primus in such good form that has formed a good triangle at the back. Kanu`s form early in the season was also a big, big plus for them.
“His teams can play a bit. West Ham were renowned for playing good football when Harry was in charge, and his man-management skills are good. Players like him, and he is not afraid to bring players in, he will bring in eight for only four to come off if you like, but that`s Harry for you.
“Credit to him, they are flying in the league and have been for the last calendar year. But in the main their stronger form was at the start of the season, as tends to happen in this league everyone will have both good runs and ups-and-downs as well. We`ve done OK on the road of late and we need to build on our away form.”
He then goes on to talk about Fratton Park and its atmosphere:
Fratton Park boasts one of the noisiest and most passionate home crowds in the Barclays Premier League, but the Manager is looking for City`s players to be inspired and not intimidated by it.
“You know you are going to be playing in a great atmosphere, there`s nothing worse than playing somewhere where it`s dead. We know full well that won`t be the case at Portsmouth, with a band, drums, bells and everything else you get there. Things like that make this game beautiful.”
Portsmouth Team News:
Portsmouth are without Linvoy Primus and Dejan Stefanovic while Djimi Traore and Noe Pamarot are doubtful.
Glen Johnson should replace Primus, while Matt Taylor is set to return, enabling Sean Davis and Niko Kranjcar to battle for midfield places.
Player to watch: Nwankwo Kanu
Can be a reall handful for defenders and 9 league goals this season tells its own story.
Manchester City Team News:
Nicky Weaver and Ousmane Dabo are major doubts for Manchester City, with hip and Achilles injuries respectively.
If Weaver is sidelined, Sweden keeper Andreas Isaksson is in line for his first Premiership start.
New signing Michael Ball should come into contention as well.
Player to watch: Stephen Ireland
Has the key to unlock defences with some superb creative passing skills that we are now seeing that he showed throughout the junior ranks.
Match Facts & Stats
City’s record at Fratton Park is not that great, but it is not the worst we have seen. City need to stop Portsmouth scoring early as the crowd gets behind them and they have a very good home record and our away record and coming back from a goal behind is very poor this season.
Ref Watch:
Mike Dean – a very fair referee for City – this will be his 3rd game with City this season and he has not booked a City player in either of the two games.
Match Prediction:
City to score first – but Pompey to equalize to make it 1-1.
Next Fixtures:
Preston North End Away in 5th Round FA Cup – Sunday 18th February 1:10pm kick Off