Semi final show down
Semi final time in the FA cup this week and I’ll be rooting for Harry and his Portsmouth boys.
Footballs favourite cockney Harry has been waiting to get to Wembley even longer than forgotten England man Dave Nugent has waited to get on the turf at Fratton Park, but Harry is there and it was a bumpy ride. He has come under a bit of pressure this season; there were games at Ipswich, Preston, and Man U and with the Old Bill In Chichester, (That was bang out of order the way they rushed his gaff in the middle of the night, knowing full well he wasn’t there, one for the cameras for sure).
Then there was the knock back he gave the Geordies after they came in for him dangling a gold plated carrot as well as “arry being touted as the fans favourite for the England post after Macca, Big Sam, Curb & O’Neill fell down the rankings. You would think with all that going on, he’s mindset may have been distracted, not a chance. Portsmouth have rolled into European contention and a date with Wembley, ‘ansome!!!.
A lucky last minute own goal from Preston gifted Pompey a quarter-final with Man U. A one sided affair ensued with wave after wave of Manc attacks but it wasn’t happening for Fergie. Numerous saves and clearances from James, Sol and an extraordinary header of the line by Glen Johnson from Tevez kept the red machine at bay for 75 minutes. After another Manc siege on James’s goal, Portsmouth suddenly broke away up field with only Anderson and Rooney offering any kind of defence. Kranjcar put a clever ball through to the nippy Baros and he raced into the United box on goal. Tomasz Kuszczak (on for Van Der Sar) duly went to ground but Milan skipped over him, a second later, Baros was on the deck nursing a broken hair band. Tomasz was giving it the “wot me guv, I didn’t touch him” but the ref was getting the red out. Rio took over in goal and it was 1-0 to Harry. Luvely Jubbly!
So, to the semi against West Brom…
Portsmouth should on paper walk it. Up front it will probably be slimmer Baros or Kanu with Krancjar the Croat just behind (although Preston reject Nugent may get a half, he had his 1st outing for 2 months last week.) 8 goals in 8 super striker Defoe is cup-tied and will be an observer at Wembley (he’ll probably think he’s back at White Hart Lane!). The middle boasts a strong African contingent with quality internationals such as Diarra, Muntari & Utaka and a solid defence with old timers James and Sol keeping West Brom target man Kev Philips at bay. This may be tricky, Philips has always been a prolific marksman and in his twilight years, he still has got what it takes. West Brom are probably the most “pleasing on the eye) team going forward in the Championship and should get promotion to the Premiership. It’s up the other end where they have a tendency to leak goals that will have Harry salivating. I can’t see anything but another exciting Pompey victory with plenty of goals; Harry has waited a long time and the Portsmouth faithful even longer, 69 years.
I fancy a thriller on the hallowed turf.
3-1 to Pompey come’s in at 14/1
Portsmouth are 10/11 to win the trophy outright.
