“I believe the majority now want to see a change of manager.”


The last time The Imps faced tonight’s opponents Portsmouth at Fratton Park was on Tuesday, 2nd November 1982 in Division Three, so exactly 10 years before I was born. The Imps lost 4-1 in front of a crowd of 12,429. Three of the Portsmouth goals were scored by Alan Biley and the other was scored by Billy Rafferty.

The second meeting of that season between the two sides was played on Wednesday, 16th February 1983 in front of a crowd of 6,311 at Sincil Bank. Pompey won 3-0 on that occasion. Billy Rafferty scored a couple of goals for the visitors that night, with the other goal for them scored by Steve Aizlewood.

Time for the Q&As. Thank you to Portsmouth supporters Hugh and Gordon for answering our questions! The answers have been published on two pages. To get to the second set of answers, simply click “click here for the next set of answers!” at the bottom right of the page, or click the name above!

First up, the answers provided by Hugh:

How long have you supported Portsmouth?

I am 32-years old now and attended my first game when I was 8-years old. So.

Where did you finish last season?

Portsmouth finished 4th after a poor run of form in the second half of the season, dropping from the top at Christmas.

What do you think of your Manager?

A hot topic with Pompey fans now, which has split the fans as the season has progressed. Although I cannot speak for all Pompey fans, I believe the majority now want to see a change of manager. Kenny Jackett’s style of football is dull at best and in my opinion downright painful to watch. While I could put up with that when we were winning, the team has looked dire to start the season. I have lost faith in his tactical ability to implement a successful system, that works for the players in the squad. Eleven games into the season, Jackett still has not worked out the best way of utilizing his team.

Who Are The League One Managers? No.16: Kenny Jackett (Portsmouth)

What are your hopes and expectations for the 2019/20 season?

Anything short of promotion is a failure. That was the words of Pompey CEO Mark Catlin when I spoke to him at the end of last season. While that seems unlikely at the moment, with the money we have spent and the players in the squad this should have been an achievable goal.

One(s) to watch?

Marcus Harness has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing start for Pompey. Tasked with filling the huge void left by Jamal Lowe’s departure to Wigan, Harness has risen to the challenge.

Harness is an exciting player to watch who terrorizes defenders one on one and looks clinical in front of goal. However, from what I have seen this season, Harness is also an exceptional playmaker who makes smart decisions with the ball.

Which teams you think will finish in the top six?

It is still early in the season to properly assess who will make the top six. If you held a gun to my head I would have to go with Ipswich Town, Peterborough United, Sunderland, Coventry City, Oxford United and Doncaster Rovers.

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom three?

As it stands now. Bolton Wanderers, Southend United and AFC Wimbledon.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

Lincoln’s rise up the football ladder has been impressive and the city seems to have co behind the manager. It will be interesting to see if you can continue the momentum at the club now Danny Cowley has departed for Huddersfield. Michael Appleton is thought of fondly but Pompey fans, who I would have liked to see back at Fratton. You are in very good hands and should have a top-half finish to the season.

What do you think the score will be?

Sadly, I cannot predict a win for Pompey. Especially after a clueless 1-0 loss to AFC Wimbledon, who were barely any better. I am going with a 2-0 win for Lincoln.

Random fact about your Club?

In January 1946 the FA Cup was returned to the Football Association after spending a record 2,468 days at Fratton Park during the Second World War. The club had won it in 1939.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

Jorge Grant is a player I have admired since he played for Notts County. Pompey would benefit from his creative ability and he will rack up the goals and assists for you this season.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Portsmouth Supporter?

The best moment must be winning the FA Cup in 2008. What more can I say!

2012-2013 was a shocking season with relegation to League Two and the looming possibility of the club going out of existence. Dark times…

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

Andy Cannon if he starts can be a catalyst driving the play forward through the middle.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

The Pompey Supporters Trust helped enable the sale of the club to the fans when it looked like we might lose our club. They have remained part of the community, even with the sale of the club to new owners Michael and Eric Eisner.

Which was your favourite match involving Portsmouth?

The 4-1 win over Southampton in 2005 with a LuaLua double was one I will always remember.

Which was your least favourite match involving Portsmouth?

A 5-0 loss to Swindon in the dreaded 2012-13 season was particularly awful.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Portsmouth?

Apparently so, although I had to google it to check.

What’s the best thing about Portsmouth?

Besides the football club, I enjoy the pubs in Old Portsmouth. Not a refined answer, but an honest one.

How long did it take you to pay the likes of David James off?

September 2014, although I don’t think David James was the issue. I am looking at you Sol Campbell with your image rights.

Does the superfan covered in tattoos still go to the games?

Yes, he does. Some Pompey fans are fond of him, some not so much. He is a very marmite character at the club.

Harry Redknapp. Hero or Binge and Bust Cowboy?

Judas in my eyes. Harry is out for nobody but his own personal greed, no matter what the cost to others is.

Page Two: The answers provided by Gordon

And now for the answers provided by Gordon:

How long have you supported Portsmouth?

Been a fan for 25 years now.

Where did you finish last season?

4th last year. Should have never slipped that far.

What do you think of your Manager?

Can’t stand him. Emotionless, complete lack of passion or desire to win, at least that’s what it looks like from the outside. He just stands there in the technical area with his arms folded and doesn’t move. It’s infuriating. Forever playing “safe” and his substitutions are always questionable, plus he constantly plays players out of position. The sooner he goes the better.

Who Are The League One Managers? No.16: Kenny Jackett (Portsmouth)

What are your hopes and expectations for the 2019/20 season?

Well after last year and all the talk of building and pushing forward in the offseason, I had hoped we would be challenging for promotion again. At this point we will be lucky to avoid relegation, our form is dreadful, and we are devoid of confidence or ideas. That has to be down to the manager, we have played like this since January!

One(s) to watch?

Harness is a tricky winger with the ability to get past his man, can be really good to watch as when he is on the ball you always feel he may have that little something to spark the team into life. Andy Cannon is another one lots of energy and tenacious, although he will be lucky to be played in his natural position!! Seems to be KJ’s favourite past time of playing players out of position.

Which teams you think will finish in the top six?

At this point, I think it is hard to say, but I would possibly go for (in no particular order) – Ipswich Town, Doncaster Rovers, Sunderland, Peterborough United, Blackpool and Wycombe Wanderers.

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom three?

AFC Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers and Southend United.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

Seems like a good club, from what I have seen you play decent football and are holding a good account of yourselves so far in the league. I wish you well. Michael Appleton was a great pick up as manager he should do well for you.

What do you think the score will be?

Well, we can’t seem to score at the moment, however, you seem to struggle away from home. Will most likely be a big crowd there, but your manager will warn the players what the atmosphere will be like. Add in that most of the hostility will be aimed at our own manager. I see this as 1-0 either way.

Random fact about your Club?

In November 1918 we played games against the Canadian national team just two weeks after the first world war finished. The whole reason for this game was to plug a gap in the fixture list that year, as for obvious reasons, the fixture list was a bit sparse.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

Being honest here, it wouldn’t matter what player we took KJ would turn them into a shadow of their former selves. Jack Payne would be my choice when he was released by Huddersfield last season I wanted us to pick him up then. Would be perfect in the number 10 role behind the striker. Tricky and creative player. Gave our defence hell when he was at Fratton with Bradford last year, it was a shame for him the rest of the team were so poor so it was an easy win for us in the end.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Portsmouth Supporter?

I could name about 5 off the top of my head, but the proudest moment is definitely us coming together as fans and saving the club from liquidation. Honourable mentions for the season we got promoted to the premier league (no one saw that coming at the start), FA Cup win 2008, Great escape season 05/06 and the FA Cup run of 2010.

The embarrassing moment would have to be the administration both times. However, I feel the FA seriously need to be looked at for their conduct over it. The Fit and paper person test is clearly inadequate and I still don’t think they have done anything to change it. It put’s all clubs at risk, but it seems to be if you are not in the premier league they don’t care.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

Andy Cannon still doesn’t get a fair look in by KJ and really needs to be given a run n the number 10 position. He could be just what Marquis needs to get him motoring again. But as I mentioned earlier, Cannon is far too attacking, adventurous and creative for KJ to approve of him being in the team.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

We do and our CEO Mark Catlin keeps them involved with things at the club, at least as far as I am aware.

Which was your favourite match involving Portsmouth?

There are two, when we completely demolished Southampton 4-1 at Fratton Park in 2005 and when we played AC Milan and drew 2-2 2008. Ronaldinho after the game called it, and I quote, “the best atmosphere in the world of football” that is one hell of a compliment. We also have admirers in Thierry Henry and Jose Mourinho. Says a lot about us really and how passionate we are.

Which was your least favourite match involving Portsmouth?

Pretty much all this season so far. I thought the dark days of performances of the like under Ritchie Barker were gone and we would never see it again, but KJ has proved me wrong, It’s just demoralising to watch.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Portsmouth?

Yes, I believe we do.

What’s the best thing about Portsmouth?

There are a lot of things great about Portsmouth, we have HMS victory, the navy base, Gunwharf Keys, Spinnaker tower you can escape the isle of white to us quickly by using the hovercraft haha. I love the walk to Fratton Park though, it’s an old stadium and always feels like a throwback to when all towns and cities had a football club at their heart. You have to walk down streets with houses on to get there. Most of the time these days grounds are outside of the cities in big purpose-built areas. Yes, it allows for better transport options and easier to get to, guess it is just a bit of nostalgia for me.

How long did it take you to pay the likes of David James off?

I have no idea, but I know once we were fan-owned, we made massive progress and a lot of it was paid off quickly and sensibly.

Does the superfan covered in tattoos still go to the games?

Yes, he is still there, normally wades in some point midway through the first half. Listen for the bell and the god-awful bugle playing and you will know he has finally arrived haha.

Harry Redknapp. Hero or Binge and Bust Cowboy?

He won us the FA Cup, got us promoted and has the great escape to his name. He also built the best team I have ever seen us have and somehow got us some great players. He can’t really be held responsible for the spending and what happened. That has to fall on the higher ups, however, the move to Southampton will always be a hard one to swallow. Recently he said he didn’t realise the rivalry between the two clubs, I don’t buy that for a minute and think he is still trying to make up for the move. Either way, for all he achieved with us, he has to go in the hero column for me as I can’t imagine another manager pulling that off.

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