The last time The Imps hosted tonight’s opponents Portsmouth was on Tuesday 28th January 2020, in front of a crowd of 8,983, including 1,154 Portsmouth supporters. The visitors won 2-0 that night, thanks to goals from Ronan Curtis (45+5′) and John Marquis (86′ PEN).
Ahead of tonight’s match, we have done a Q&A with two Portsmouth supporters, so thank you to Henry and Dan for answering our questions. The answers have been published on two pages. To get to the second set of answers, press “Click here for the next set of answers!” at the bottom right of the page, or click HERE.
If you would like to get involved with the conversation on 100% Imps, you can join our Lincoln City v Portsmouth Match Thread. We have also published a Lincoln City v Portsmouth Quiz, which can be found at the bottom of the page! Every page view helps us raise money for the Football Club!
First up, the answers provided by Henry:
How long have you supported Portsmouth?
As long as I can remember football, I can remember Portsmouth! I’d say 1998/99 – so 22 years.
Where did you finish last season?
5th, lost in the playoffs to Oxford.
What do you think of your Manager?
The position of Kenny Jackett is a contentious issue at the club, with the majority of fans pushing for a change but with the ownership holding firm. With the off the field troubles of the 2010s put to rest under firstly the Supporters Trust and latterly our American owners The Eisner’s, there is an expectation and a pressure to progress out of League One.
Despite an impressive transfer and wage budget at this level, the manager has been unable to progress the club out of the league, with two unsatisfactory play-off defeats where Portsmouth were unable to lay a glove on their opposition.
The lack of results have been supported by a lack of a fluid playing style which has been restrictive to our more creative players. The way the team sets up has made football at Fratton Park difficult viewing at times and has had the dual effect of isolating senior players – Brett Pitman and Gareth Evans to name two.
In short, Kenny Jackett is an effective manager with a vast amount of experience, but if he is unable to deliver a successful campaign in 2020/21, it is unlikely he will be keeping his place at the helm long term.
What are your hopes and expectations for the 2020/21 season?
Hopes are always high on the South Coast and with the players available, this season is no different. We have been tangibly close to promotion the last two seasons, squandering an 8 point lead in one of them, and are hopeful to win promotion this time around.
However, as everyone forgets in pre-season, League One is a tough old league with lots of fairly even teams competing for promotion places.
I am predicting Portsmouth to challenge for the playoffs and maybe a run at promotion. However, the season feels a little on a knife-edge with home advantage negated by the lack of fans, and moreover, the potential for a negative campaign against the manager to grow if results don’t remain positive. The atmosphere at the club is as such that if momentum starts to slide negatively, the blues could slip away into midtable obscurity.
One(s) to watch?
Creatively, a key player to watch is Ronan Curtis. The Republic of Ireland forward, plays down the left in an inside forward role for Pompey and he was a key man last term, scoring 14 goals in all competitions last season.
Other key players include Marcus Harness, right-winger, and John Marquis, a striker, who have been in great form in recent matches.
Which teams you think will finish in the top six in League One?
League one is always tough to call. last year, two teams expected to go up in Ipswich and Sunderland, didn’t even make the playoffs. I think predictions are made even tougher this year with the relentless fixture list that has the potential to cause a few strange results.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see some surprise teams in the mix, Lincoln for example, are evidence that if you have a good coach and a good method there is no reason why a team can’t progress through the league. Wycombe managed it last year, why can’t others?
That said, the top 8 as it stands is fairly indicative of the teams that I expected to be in the mix. At this early stage, I am not sure I could put my colours to the mast and the correct 6!
Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom four in League One?
One team I did not expect to be there is Oxford, who languish in 24th as it stands, which just shows the unpredictably of football this season. From what I have seen so far, it will be tough to call as there is no obvious contenders like last season with Bolton and Southend.
With their financial troubles and the lack of a senior playing squad, I think Wigan will struggle. Before the season I would have said, AFC Wimbledon, Rochdale and maybe Crewe Alexandra, but all are doing OK at the moment – I think we will have a greater understanding of league form as we head into the busy winter period.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
Well a great story, firstly! Progressing from non-league to top of League one over the course of four years is a mighty achievement and just shows the impact what effective management both on and off the pitch can do for a club.
A historic club, it is great to see them competing in the football league with an approach that is to be admired.
What do you think the score will be?
On the fence again, I am going to say 1-1. However, I think it could go either way Pompey have been good on the road, but the momentum Lincoln have might be too much for the blues.
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Random fact about your Club?
Back in the glory days, Ronaldinho playing for AC Milan at the time, described a visit to Fratton Park as ‘one of the best atmospheres in world football’.
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
Can we take the manager?!? Michael Appleton is a brilliant coach, he was at Pompey when they first came down into the Championship and he gave a great account of himself during what was a very difficult period for the club. When considering a replacement for Jackett, he often comes into the discussion.
From a playing perspective, I have always liked the look of Liam Bridcutt, tough player and a great passer. In my opinion, we have lacked a player who could join the dots for us between defence and attack.
What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Portsmouth supporter?
An obvious proud moment is winning the FA Cup in 2008, but I think more so, I am very proud that we have managed to come back from financial meltdown. The club was on the verge of going out of business and ceasing to exist, it took a tremendous effort to keep the club alive and I think I remember watching us play Wigan in a 2-1 win in 2018, the atmosphere was rocking it felt like a truly ‘out the other side’ moment and I won’t lie I was quite emotional!
Most embarrassing, one comes to mind, when Portsmouth were top of the league in 2018 going into 2019, I was crowing to any Southampton fan that knew me that I would see them in the Championship next year. Two years later, we are still in League one and our arch-rivals seem to be quite good!
Who would you say is your most underrated player?
Andy Cannon in central midfield. Lively player who always looks to get on the front foot.
Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?
Portsmouth perhaps have the ultimate supporters trust in that they saved the club from absolute oblivion. The Portsmouth Supporters Trust (PST) fought hard during the litany of court cases caused by financial mismanagement during the early 2010s, eventually taking over the club and building the platform we have now.
In 2017, the club was sold to the Eisner’s Tornante Group. The PST still plays an important role in representing supporters in the decision-making process at the club, and strengthening the links between the club and the community.
Which was your favourite match involving Portsmouth?
Portsmouth beating Man City 2-1 in 2005. Pedro Mendes scored a legendary volley in the final minute to win the game and keep survival hopes alive. The goal is often reflected on as the catalyst for Portsmouth’s 10 game run of form that kept us in the league.
Which was your least favourite match involving Portsmouth?
There has been a few! Travelling down to Plymouth about 6 years ago for a 12pm kick-off only to be 3-0 down by 1230. I think at that point I felt a long way away from Old Trafford, Anfield and the rest…
What is the best thing about Portsmouth?
The history and the people, the city has played an integral part in several critical moments in the country’s history. Alan Ball probably summed it up best “It’s a tough, street-fighting city and they send people to war from here.”
Who, in your opinion, is Portsmouth’s ultimate club cult hero?
Entirely subjective of course, but for me its Robert Prosinecki – a Croatian wizard who had a season at Portsmouth at the end of his career in 2001/02. He had played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, so what he was doing at Portsmouth, I have no idea! He made the Championship look easy in what was a poor Portsmouth team at the time, running the show with a cigarette in his mouth no less!
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Portsmouth Quiz below:
The second set of answers:https://t.co/3D9i9yTL8f#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #Pompey pic.twitter.com/MJN6Azq8cM
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln1) November 3, 2020
