retired_brianrt

After the Liverpool game I had stated in my interview that if the Merseysiders played like they did against us all season then there was no reason why they couldn't be challenging for not only the league title but other major Domestic and European honours aswell. It was a comment that I didn't really expect Rafael Benitez to read, never mind respond to. So imagine my surprise when I opened up the back page of Monday morning and found a response from the man in charge at Anfield.

"...I do believe that if George's side play like they did against us then they can shock a few people. They were the better side for much of the second half. They have an abundance of talent and their defence is quite strong, so I expect we shall be seeing a lot more of Portsmouth in the top 6 in the future"

I was smiling as I walked into the ground, and I instinctively cut out the clipping and stuck it to the noticeboard in the players lounge, next to the spot for the team-sheet, and one by one the lads were reading the quote and smiles appearing on their faces. With another two week break for international games I wanted to focus on training and fitness for the team and to try and keep our terrific (and admittedly surprising) start to the season.

England had two more Euro 2008 qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia, the latter of which would prove to be a tough game, while Walter Smith's Scotland had two matches against France and Ukraine. I opted to watch my home nation try and defeat the might of France, although I had been encouraged by seeing the under 21's grab a 2-0 victory the previous night. 90 nail-biting minutes later, I was delighted to see the Scotland players celebrating after earning a 1-1 draw with the former World and European Champions thanks to Kevin Kyle's equalising goal. England had recorded a simple 3-0 win over Macedonia with goals from Defoe, Smith and Lampard. The Wednesday was the interesting day of international fixtures, with England suffering a shock 2-1 loss to Croatia, an Eduardo brace sending his side top of the group.

---

The international fixtures passed without any injuries for our players, leaving us with a full squad to pick from for the visit of Wigan Athletic. After a terrific season the previous year, Paul Jewell's side were struggling to come to terms with the rigours of Premiership football. I expected three points from the match, and firmly made that point to the team before the match. We started well, Benjani hitting the post from 12 yards and Johnson forcing two good saves from Chris Kirkland, but Wigan themselves had several good chances, Vincent Enyeama matching his opposite number for saves. The opening goal came 6 minutes before the break, Johnson collecting Manuel Fernandes through pass and calmly lifting the ball over Kirkland. Our American striker had been a little worried about his lack of goals so far, but I had no doubt that once the first of his Portsmouth goals went in then the rest would follow quickly. In the second half the game was a dull affair, only livening up in the final 10 minutes, Benjani scoring his 6th of the season after 84 minutes to double the lead before Henri Camara's scant consolation a minute from time.

7 days later, an away trip to London and Craven Cottage to play Fulham meant another three points for the team if we could play to our full abilities. Danny Szetela replaced the injured Linvoy Primus, while Gareth Bale took the left back spot due to Matthew Taylor replacing the injured Andres Guardado on the left side of midfield. As in the game against Liverpool, we were behind after less than a minute, Thomas Buffel taking advantage of Curtis Davies' mistake to slide his team in front. That start seemed to spring the home side into life, and they had a couple of good chances to increase their lead, but as it was we equalised from our first attack of the game, Gary O'Neil breaking forward before being brought down in the box by Zat Knight. Matty Taylor stepped up and slotted the penalty into Antti Niemi's bottom right hand corner. Chances came and went in the majority of the match, the best for us falling to Benjani and Fulham's best chance went to substitute Tomasz Radzinski, who scuffed his shot over and wide. The 1-1 draw suited both sides, a point away from home is always good and I let the boys know just that

retired_brianrt

The third round of the League Cup saw us visit fellow Premiership side Bolton Wanderers, a team that were struggling so far this term, when many people had expected them to be challenging for a top 6 spot. I resisted the urge to play a full strength side and instead rested a few first team players, giving the impression to the public eye that the League Cup was not a priority, and they wouldn't be far wrong either. Lomano LuaLau started upfront with Giovanni Torre and Richard Hughes took the holding role in supporting the back four. Hughes was terrific, setting up our opening goal on 27 minutes as he lofted the ball to the right hand corner of the box for LuaLua to hit a stunning volley past the stranded Jussi Jaaskelainen. LuaLua used his pace to continually torment the Bolton defenders, and he should have doubled our lead at the very least before the break. Our inability to take chances in the half cost us, as Israeli midfielder Idan Tal headed home the equaliser on 53 minutes. We were the dominant side after this, and I feared the worst as chance after chance went begging. In the end, the game was decided 8 minutes from the end, American Clint Dempsey grabbing his first goal for the club and sending us through to the fourth round of the competition

The final game of October saw Manchester City travel down South as the next team to try and end our unbeaten home record. Several of the first team players were fresh thanks to their rest three days earlier, so they stepped into the side and cruised easily into third gear. It took just ten minutes to take the lead, Eddie Johnson using his pace to beat Richard Dunne to the ball and fire the ball across Andreas Isaksson into the far corner of the net. Once again however, we created many more chances only to find that we were incapable of finding the killer touch in front of our opponents goal. It very nearly cost us too, as Giorgios Samaras had a perfectly legitimate goal ruled out for offside 6 minutes from full time. We were left thanking our lucky stars that we got the full quota of points, Danny Szetela sealing the game with a 20 yard shot that took a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Sylvain Distin and looped over Isaksson into the back of the net to take the team into second place in the table.

October 2006
(Premier Division unless stated)

Portsmouth 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Johnson (39) Benjani (84) : Camara (89)

Fulham 1-1 Portsmouth
Buffel (1) : Taylor pen (25)

Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Portsmouth (League Cup 3rd Round)
Tal (53) : LuaLua (27) Dempsey (82)

Portsmouth 2-0 Manchester City
Johnson (10) Szetela (90)

retired_brianrt

November started with a bit of bad news, Dejan Stefanovic breaking down in training with a hip injury that would require surgery, keeping him out for several months. Andy O'Brien was called up from the reserves to cover Dejan's absence. The month opened up with Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough visitors to Fratton Park, and it was another game that I felt we could pick up three points from. Eddie Johnson retained his place thanks to his recent good form, and his strike partner Benjani started on the bench, Zlatan Ljubijankic getting the nod as I felt a little extra pace up front was crucial. The lads started well, Gary O'Neil and Andres Guardado both testing Mark Schwarzer with long range efforts and Eddie Johnson fizzing a header past the post. It was the American who opened the scoring 5 minutes after that effort, racing clear through the defence and sliding the ball underneath the big Aussie. We could, and probably should, have wrapped the game up before half time, Johnson missing another chance and Pedro Mendes missing a clear cut opportunity from just 6 yards out. In the end, it didn't make any difference as Johnson's sole strike was enough to give us another three points and keep up our incredible start to the season. Boro' had their chances, Viduka heading wide and Yakubu having an effort cleared off the line but we held on for a well deserved win

The League Cup 4th Round provided the next opposition, in the shape of Reading, the side we had beaten confortably on the opening day of the season. I had adopted the policy of resting a lot of first teamers in the games, and I stuck with that in this game, making 7 changes from the Middlesbrough match. Ljubijankic kept his place but was partnered by Torre, Andreasen replaced Mendes in the holding role, Dagoberto took the spot just behind the front two and O'Brien and Primus paired as the centre backs. It wasn't the brightest game for the neutrals, or even for the fans of either team, as both sides came out with a cautious approach, not really wanting to go for the goal that could open things up. The match did lighten up on the half hour mark, James Harper flying in on Croatian Niko Kranjcar with a horrendous tackle that would have justifiably earnt the Reading man a straight red. Kranjcar was forced off on a stretcher and taken straight for an x-ray on a suspected broken leg, and Harper recieved a few well placed words from captain David James. It was Kranjcar's replacement Matthew Taylor that set up Ljubijankic for the opener on the stroke of half time, the Slovenian powering a header past Hahnemann. The second half saw both teams squander good chances, the best of which fell to Leon Andreasen, who skied his shot over the bar. Reading did get their goal on 85 minutes, Leroy Lita's header forcing the game into extra time. Just four minutes into that extra period, Lita grabbed an undeserved second for his side which looked like it could be enough to send them through into the quarter finals. More drama came though, Andre Bikey's own goal sending the game to penalties. In the spot kicks, we were behind straight away, Steve Sidwell scoring the first while Giovanni Torre missed. The sides alternated but Reading's deciding penalty was scored by Dave Kitson, and it sent them undeservedly through to the quarter finals

---

I had gone straight to the hospital from the ground and came out wishing I hadn't, with Kranjcar's injury worse than first feared, two broken bones in his lower left leg looking at keeping him out for a minimum of 5 months, possibly for the rest of the season. This was probably a good time to look for some midfield bodies in the January transfer window to cover Niko's absence. With 11 days until the next game, I took the opportunity to send my scouts out to browse the market for possible targets, whether they were permanent signings or short term loanees.

Several targets came up, but all the clubs rejected our loan bids, either due to first team commitments or not wanting to sell to a team in the same division, which left us a midfielder short in the squad. That wasn't too big a problem going into the next game with 19th placed Watford, as we had a fully fit squad to choose from, aswell as the returning Glen Johnson after a 4 month absence. This was a game I expected to win comfortably, and after 32 minutes it looked like we would, with goals from Dagoberto and Benjani putting us two clear. Adrian Boothroyd's side got themselves back into the match 4 minutes before the break, Ashley Young curling home a free kick to halve the deficit. They were level three minutes after half time, the unfortunate Curtis Davies inadvertently turning the ball into his own net. This seemed to be the signal for the boys to rally and get back in front, and if it were not for Benjani and Johnson missing guilt edged chances we would have been. As it was, a deflected Damien Francis shot put Watford in front on 71 minutes, which saw them change to a 5-3-2 as we pushed and pushed, finally getting our reward (although being 2-0 ahead we should have won) when Eddie Johnson equalised two minutes from the end of normal time. A wonderful game of football, although I wasn't happy at only picking up a point

retired_brianrt

Three days later, we faced our next opponents Aston Villa, themselves the subject of a summer takeover, American Randy Lerner at the helm and Martin O'Neill in charge of team affairs. They hadn't had the success that they were hoping for so far this season, but their fans were optimistic that they would soon be back on track. Our man in form Eddie Johnson kept his place in the side, while Benjani was rested in place of Ljubijankic. We started well again, taking the lead through Eddie Johnson, his 5th goal in his last 7 games, as he beat his marker to Guardado's cross to head past Thomas Sorensen. The rest of the half seemed to stall into a midfield battle, both sides trying to outdo each other, and we went in at half time one goal to the good. It didn't take too long into the second half for us to double that lead, Johnson again beating Mellberg to the ball and poking the ball past the 'keeper. We ran the game from that point, controlling midfield and creating chances, although we had to wait until 6 minutes from time to really put the icing on the cake, Dagoberto's second goal in English football sealing a comfortable three goal win over the Midlanders

A second successive away game followed the Villa match, a trip to Upton Park to play West Ham United. They had not lived up to their potential all season, but they were looking to get themselves into a run of form and advancing up the table. Benjani was back in the side for Dagoberto, partnering Johnson upfront, while Matthew Taylor took Gareth Bale's place at left back. I wanted another three points, but the boys seemed to have left their boots in the dressing room at the start of the game, not getting into the game at all and paying for it, Marlon Harewood firing the home side into the lead with a shot from 8 yards. This fired us into life, and we were back level just 5 minutes later, Johnson continuing his terrific run of form with his 7th goal in his last 8 starts. This was as good as it got for either side, as nobody else could find the breakthrough and a 1-1 draw finished as the final score at Upton Park

The final game of November saw Arsenal visit Fratton Park. Despite the fact that they were sitting in 7th place in the Premiership table, they were a side that were able to play the most free-flowing football in the league. This is exactly what happened, the football was terrific and a 2-0 lead was established after 25 minutes of the match, but it most certainly wasn't to the side many people had expected. A Pedro Mendes spot kick and Gary O'Neil's 25 yard free kick put us 2-0 in front, and to be fair, we deserved it. We had no pressure on us, and we played like that. We could have had 2 more by half time, and with ten minutes left we were still two goals to the good. The match all changed soon after though, Thierry Henry pulling back what looked like a consolation goal in the 89th minute for his side, but it was what happened in the 4th minute of a scheduled three of injury time, Emmanuel Adebayor racing clean through and earning his team a point. Needless to say, I was furious, and I had to be restrained by Tony Adams and Joe Jordan as I attempted to confront referee Mark Halsey at the end of the game.

November 2006
(Premier Division unless stated)

Portsmouth 1-0 Middlesbrough
Johnson (23)

Reading 2-2 Portsmouth (League Cup 4th Round) Reading won 5-3 on penalties
Lita (85,94) : Ljubijankic (45) Bikey O.G (109)

Portsmouth 3-3 Watford
Dagoberto (31) Benjani (32) Johnson (88) : Young (41) Davies O.G (48) Francis (71)

Aston Villa 0-3 Portsmouth
Johnson (16,53) Dagoberto (84)

West Ham United 1-1 Portsmouth
Harewood (18) : Johnson (23)

Portsmouth 2-2 Arsenal
Mendes pen (18) O'Neil (24) : Henry (89) Adebayor (90)

retired_brianrt

...the lorry was going at 65 miles per hour, on a road with a 40 speed limit. If the driver had been looking he would have seen the car pulling out at the junction, but it plowed straight into the drivers side. She never had a chance. It should have been me driving the car, thats what hurts the most. Why couldn't it have been me? She didn't deserve that...

I sat up suddenly, sweat pouring off me and my body trembling. It was a nightmare, one that I hadn't had since I took my current job, but it still hurts. That was 5 years ago, 5 years ago that I experienced more pain than I thought I ever could. If losing my father wasn't bad enough, I lost my wife in a car crash. I knew I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep now, and with a game in a matter of hours I had a cold shower to wake me up

---

I had been distant all morning, leaving the morning training session to Tony Adams, and when I took my seat in the dugout for the game with Everton I had barely said two words to anyone all day. This obviously had an effect on the players, as they hadn't had my usual rallying cry before the match. Both sides started slowly, and the Goodison Park crowd had to wait 34 minutes for the first shot on goal, Andrew Johnson stinging Vincent Enyeama's hands. Our own Johnson , Eddie, should have scored just before the break, heading just wide from Guardado's cross. The second half was much of the same, neither side really finding that killer touch in front of the goal and the chances were few and far between as the game filtered into a dull 0-0 draw.

"George what's wrong? You were distant all day yesterday and you havent said a word to me today. What's up? Family troubles?"

"Well I suppose, in a way, yes it is. But I don't want to talk about it, I'm fine"

"You can't cut yourself off from your friends, ta..."

"I'm fine, honestly. Now, we've got training to concentrate on"

The obvious fact that I didn't want to talk about it made Tony leave the subject and not push it any further, a fact which I appreciated. I was going to have to confide in someone eventually, but it wasn't the right time. Maybe I needed to focus on the football and have a good time at the club's Christmas party, take my mind off things?

A visit from Bolton Wanderers was the second game of the month, and having beaten them in the League Cup in October I was confident that another three points was up for grabs. Johnson had picked up a slight strain in training and I wasn't prepared to risk him, so Ljubijankic replaced him and started alongside Benjani. For the second game in a row though, we were slow to come out of the traps, but this time we were made to pay for it as Kevin Davies put his side into the lead after 26 minutes, heading home Gardner's cross. Nolan should have put them two clear going into the break, but from that attack we went on the counter, Zlatan Ljubijankic side footing the ball home right on half time. It only took 7 minutes into the second half for us to take the lead, Benjani rifling a shot from the edge of the area past Jaaskelainen. That turned out to be the inning goal, no matter what they tried the visitors couldn't break down our defence and we claimed another three points.

retired_brianrt

We had a week to prepare for the next game, one which just happened to be away from home at current champions Chelsea who were in scintillating form, having scored 25 goals in their last 6 league games, including two six goal wins against Watford and Sheffield Utd. So it was a game I was eager to put up a good showing in for the sky cameras. Johnson was back to full fitness so regained his place in the side, while Pedro Mendes had a virus and was replaced by Leon Andreasen. Manuel Fernandes started behind the front two, keeping his place after his recent good form. Mourinho's side started as well as I expected, carving through us a couple of times like a hot knife through butter, but we held firm, Sol Campbell and Curtis Davies both having masterful performances at the heart of the defence. After a quarter of an hour we seemed to relax, and even started to play football ourselves, Benjani and Mendes missing one good chance each and a mazy run from Andres Guardado the highlights of the half. The lads needed no reminder to keep it up, and we should have been in front ten minutes into the half, Johnson hitting a post and Mendes curling a free kick within inches of the goal. We fell behind just before the hour, Luca Toni using his strength and heading home off the frame of the goal. The home side were brilliant after that, showing their experience and knowledge and thwarting all of our attacks. holding on to their slender one goal advantage to pick up their 8th successive league win.

...

My footballing knowledge and my learning of the game came through a few different sources. I watched many games my dad managed his sides in, and eventually I was old enough to go to Ibrox (although my dad didn't approve, himself being a Celtic man) on my own. Rangers were always my team, their attractive, free-flowing football appealing to me more so than the tactical stuff of Celtic. I watched the 'Gers for 8 years, from 16 to 24, holding a season ticket for 7 of those years, before I moved down to England. First stop was Birmingham, and Wolves were my preference (the fact it was closer to my flat the main reason), definately a Premiership team in the making. 18 months later and I moved to London, better job prospects and more chance of coaching work among teams. Crystal Palace gave me my first job at 29, as a scout, and I never looked back. Going all over the country, watching games in all 4 levels of football, the obvious differences in standard were unbelievable. And now, I'm here. On the south coast, and manager of Portsmouth. English football is beautiful, I used to love watching it, but nothing compares to the feeling of sitting in the dugout watching your team. My dad said it was the best feeling in the world, and he wasn't wrong.

From Champions to runners-up, as Manchester United came to Fratton Park. They had been inconsistent all season, yet they still found themselves in third place, so there wasn't too much room to complain. We had been superb all season, especially at home, and playing in front of our fans seemed to make a difference. If it didn't then it most certainly did in this game, as we raced out of the traps, stunning Ferguson's side as Eddie Johnson put us in front on 33 minutes and Benjani doubling that lead ten minutes after the break. A famous victory looked on the cards, but Utd's tactical prowess in the dugout paid off, as goals from Rooney and Ronaldo got them a point that they will be delighted with I would think. As I shook Sir Alex's hand after the final whistle, he embraced me in a hug and spoke to me in his thick Glasgow accent

"Well done son, your dad would be proud of you. You play like that for the rest of tae season and yer'll have no worries"

"Cheers Alex, my dad spoke highly of you many times to me. Have you got time for a drink?"

"I can't George, we've gotta go back straightaway, but when you come to our place. That's a promise"

Now that was an offer I couldn't refuse. A drink with one of the greatest managers of the last 20 years. It took a little bit of the disappointment away that we only got a point but I was still relatively pleased. The team had to focus though, the final game of the month came just three days later, giving us 48 hours rest. The visitors on Boxing Day were our opening day opponents Reading, and it would turn out to be another easy three points. To be fair to Coppell's side, they had a devastating injury crisis, with 7 first team regulars out, but we still needed to take advantage of that. We left it until the 65th minute to open the scoring, Mendes picking up a loose ball and hammering it across the 'keeper, and goals from Dempsey two minutes later and substitute Ljubijankic 5 minutes from the end settled the game and finished of 2006 in style

December 2006
(Premier Division unless stated)

Everton 0-0 Portsmouth

Portsmouth 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
Ljubijankic (45) Benjani (52) : Davies (26)

Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth
Toni (58)

Portsmouth 2-2 Manchester United
Johnson (34) Benjani (55) : Rooney (58) Ronaldo (73)

Portsmouth 3-0 Reading
Mendes (65) Dempsey (67) Ljubijankic (85)

retired_brianrt

I couldn't have been much more happier with the way 2006 had gone, and they way the team had gelled was better than even I had envisioned. The end of year AGM was not normally something I would have looked forward to, but seen as how we ended the year in the enviable position of a disastrous few months being the only way that we would end up in the dreaded relegation battle. The meeting went well, the board were delighted with how things were going, but the only worrying aspect was the financial report. The new stadium was due to be finished for the start of the next campaign, and I was totally take aback by the club's bank balance, an overwhelming £31M in the red. Obviously team affairs were my main concern, and I was assured that I would not have to sell my best assets to fund the club, as running costs would be injected into the club at regular intervals. I left the meeting a fairly happy man, although the worrying situation of the finances was still sitting at the back of my mind.

---

I try not to think about it at all, but I'm only human. I just don't want to let it go, I wish I could turn the clock back and still have her here. There's one drawer in the bedroom, it's got all the memories of her in. Pictures and photographs among other things. I only look in there once a week, I think that if I did it anymore I wouldn't be stable. I know she'd want me to get on with life, enjoy myself and live life like she would have. Maybe she wants me to meet someone else, but I can't do that. That just wouldn't feel right, wouldn't feel proper. Maybe one day I might meet someone, settle down, but not just yet. I don't think I'm quite ready yet.

We were happy, married for 9 years, 5 years together before that. No children, although we were talking about it, but it never happened. The day it happened I should have been driving the car, but I got a lift to work that afternoon and gave her the car. It should have have been me. That's what really hurts, and that's what lingers most. After it happened, the club were good. I was at Palace at the time, but I turned to drink. I'm not saying I was tee-total, but after it happened I was having two, three maybe four glasses a night. The club helped me, sent me to rehabilitation, but I needed to move. That's why I cam down South, to get away from the memories. I still think about it, but living where it happened would be worse. I have recovered now, but it hurts. Still it hurts, and it'll hurt for the rest of my life...

retired_brianrt

Transfer activity was unlikely to happen around Fratton Park, at least not in the form or permanent signings. Manuel Fernandes' had already agreed a move before I took the job, the £7,000,000 transfer completed with the minimum of fuss on the first morning of 2007. I still wanted to find a bit of cover in the midfield, as a run of injuries in the team could see a shortage of bodies, so I sent my scouts on the lookout for midfielders.

Blackburn Rovers were the visitors to Fratton Park for the first game of 2007, and Mark Hughes side were really struggling so far this term. They were sitting 14th in the table and a real lack of goals had been their problem, having scored just 20 in the Premiership, so I fully expected three points to start the year. Though the Lancastrian side endeavored, and they toiled hard, it became apparent why they had experienced a lack of prowess in front of their opponents goals, Jason Roberts and Shabani Nonda the culprits who just could not find the back of our net. It was just unfortunate for us that Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel was on top of his game, making three or four top notch saves in the forst half, and two stunning saves in the second to keep us at bay, and a 0-0 draw was the final result, and I could not argue with Friedel's man of the match award.

I pinned the league table on the notice board following the Blackburn game, showing us sitting comfortably in 5th place with 39 points from 21 matches, alongside a circle around 17th placed Middlesbrough with the note "That's where everyone thought we would be. Well done lads, lets keep it up" as a little bit of encouragement not to fall away in 2007 and maintain our superb season so far

...

Another midfield injury in training was not what we needed, but it was fortunate that the next game was an F.A Cup third round tie against League Two side Accrington Stanley. It was a game I expected to win easily, but the thought of a massive giant killing hung over me, I wouldn't be free of that until our passage into the 4th round was secured. I rested the majority of the first team, fringe players like Dean Kiely, Richard Hughes and fit again Glen Johnson started the match, although the safety options were on the bench just in case something went not according to plan. 90 minutes later, we had recorded 26 shots on goal in comparison to our opponents 3, so it would be feasible to ask how we only won by a one goal margin. Chance after chance after chance came our way, but each time we found Accrington goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin in the form of his life. No matter what we tried we could not break the deadlock. Going into the final ten minutes, we were still pressing, and Accrington seemed understandably happy to settle for a draw. It was left to Eddie Johnson to dash all their hopes, as he picked up Dagoberto's pass and lashed home a left foot shot past the undoubted man of the match Dunbavin to secure our passage through to the 4th round

The F.A Cup draw had pitted us in a 4th round tie at home to Wigan, a game we should win easily, but with nothing certain in this game I was never sure of anything. There were three league games to prepare for before that, the first of which saw us visit the Steel City to play 19th placed Sheffield United. They were on a horrible run of form, having not won since the start of October, so I fully expected a full quota of points to travel back with. Eddie Johnson got the ball rolling after a quarter of an hour, sliding the ball home underneath Kenny, before heading home his and our second 6 minutes later. I had seen us lose two goal leads three times so far, and I feared the worst after 35 minutes when debutant Robbie Fowler powered home a volley past Enyeama from 8 yards. I encouraged the boys to finish the game off quickly, and two goals in two minutes from Pedro Mendes and Benjani assured us of a comfortable three points, Mendes curling home a beauty from the edge of the area and Benjani coolly finishing under Kenny.

retired_brianrt

January is always a key month in the season, where many title challenges are considered as just a whimper, and many teams are psychologically confined to relegation. We had started well, and with Charlton Athletic the next opponents three days later, I was confident we could pick up another three points to take us well beyond the 40 point barrier. Eddie Johnson was our man in form and started upfront alongside Ljubijankic, but it was new permanent signing Manuel Fernandes who put us in front, racing through the defence and slotting the ball underneath Scott Carson. Johnson did get on the scoresheet though, doubling our lead on 14 minutes with a sweet left footed volley from O'Neil's cross. Chances came our way, Johnson and Ljubijankic missing really good ones, aswell as Pedro Mendes headed a perfect cross just wide of Carson's right hand post. It was our American striker who sealed the comfortable win, losing his marker and side footing home from 4 yards out.

After a performance as good as it was against Charlton, I was going into the ground on Monday morning with a smile on my face, a smile which was considerably widened when I heard the news from Tony Adams regarding extra bodies. Chelsea had just signed Valencia youngster Silva, a Spanish under 21 international, for a transfer fee of around £5,000,000, and they were looking to loan him out to gain first team experience. He could play anywhere across the midfield, or in the free role behind the front pair, and I felt he would provide excellent cover. Many teams were interested in his talents, so I felt we needed to be the quickest off the mark and duly made a loan offer until the end of the season. The Spaniard was happy to move for first team opportunities, and he took his place on the bench for the visit of Newcastle United. He ended up on the pitch quicker than he and I both expected, replacing Fernandes after 18 minutes. His introduction didn't really have the desired impact, and though he showed some nice touches he couldn't find that killer pass, just as the rest of the team couldn't quite find it. Fortunately for us, the visitors were just as inept in front of our goal, and a goalless draw was always the result that we were heading for.

The F.A Cup 4th round drew us up against fellow Premiership side Wigan Athletic at Fratton Park. Unlike the League Cup, I felt that the F.A Cup was a real competition, and one that would be good for the club if we could get a good run in it, and should it go that far then a European place is available. I was tempted to rest many players, although in the end after toiling hard, I opted for a mixture of first team and younger, reserve team players, considering that Wigan were struggling in the Premiership. Silva made his first start, slotting in behind the front two, his more naturally favoured role, and it was the loanee that pulled the strings from midfield, creating chances for the strikers with pin-point passing and magnificent vision. He wasn't backed up by the rest of the team, as for the second successive game we looked completely clueless in front of the goal. We missed a grand total of 16 chances, Chris Kirkland making 8 saves and earning a well deserved man of the match award, meaning a reply at the JJB Stadium in two weeks time. Three days later, the final game of the month saw myself and the team travel to the other end of the country from the cup tie, a visit to White Hart Lane and 4th placed Tottenham Hotspur. Martin Jol's side had earned a point in the first fixture at Fratton Park, but I had been impressed with the way they played. They were just as impressive in this game, Steed Malbranque scoring the opening goal after 17 minutes, his deflected free kick wrong-footing Enyeama. The home team were without a doubt the better side, and when Johnson poked the ball home past Paul Robinson two minutes before half time it was most certainly against the run of play. I thought the team might take heart from the equaliser, and play much better in the second half, but on the hour mark we were back behind, Dimitar Berbatov heading home Ekotto's free kick. The game slowed down from then, neither side finding the net again, and Tottenham held on for a 2-1 win, which saw them leapfrog us in the table.

January 2007
(Premier Division unless stated)

Portsmouth 0-0 Blackburn Rovers

Accrington Stanley 0-1 Portsmouth (F.A Cup 3rd Round)
Johnson (89)

Sheffield United 1-4 Portsmouth
Fowler (35) : Johnson (15,21) Mendes (59) Benjani (61)

Charlton Athletic 0-3 Portsmouth
Fernandes (7) Johnson (14,89)

Portsmouth 0-0 Newcastle United

Portsmouth 0-0 Wigan Athletic (F.A Cup 4th Round)

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Portsmouth
Malbranque (17) Berbatov (60) : Johnson (43)

retired_brianrt

Silva had slotted into the team nicely, and with both Benjani and Matthew Taylor regaining full fitness I was beginning to feel happier as the days passed. Our home form was excellent, unbeaten in all competitions, and the summer signings were all part of the squad, and had been accepted by the rest of the team, something which I had worried about at times. Admittedly, I had been shocked by the form of some of them, but none more so than Eddie Johnson. The young American striker had scored 14 goals in all competitions, topping our scoring charts, and if his current form was anything to go by he might end up with a lot more goals than that. When any manager pays money for a striker, especially a nominal sum as I paid for Eddie, they can only dream of that man turning into a 20 goal a season striker. But that is exactly what he looked like being, and I was determined to keep other clubs away from him, as scouts from various teams had already been scouting him at our recent matches.

One of those teams scouting Eddie were our next opponents, Liverpool. They still had the problem of inconsistency, sitting in 5th place in the league, and I felt that they were beatable if we were at our best. Silva's recent good form meant he kept his starting role behind the front pairing, while Leon Andreasen started his first game since November 19th. He hadn't been too happy recently, but he got his head down and worked hard, and earned his reward with a starting berth. Leon obviously wanted to keep it too, as he played like a man possessed, dominating the midfield with biting tackles and exceptional passing. To top that off, he opened the scoring with an outstanding 30 yard shot, hitting the half volley instinctively and it flew into Pepe Reina's top corner. Clint Dempsey scored our second goal, racing through and lifting the ball over Reina. Two goals is always a dangerous lead to have, so I wasn't going to get too carried away, but once substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic headed home a third on 72 minutes I was confident of three points. Rafa Benitez's side had different ideas, 2 goals in three minutes putting them right back in the game, but we held on and claimed a brilliant victory.

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...she looked out of her right hand window, saw the lorry coming...nothing she could do...

That dream again. I wish I didn't have to have it, I don't want to have it, but it just comes. I can't block it out, I have to remember her. I looked at the clock as I sat up in bed, drenched and sat in a pool of my own sweat. 4.29. I can't go back to sleep now, I won't be able to. I'll have to pass the time. Maybe I can look at her memories, that might help...

...

The F.A Cup 5th round draw was made, with the winners of our replayed tie meeting Championship side Ipswich at Portman Road, not an easy game by any means. There was just a small matter of the replay against Wigan Athletic, and after the goalless draw in the original game it didn't bode for a lot of goals in the replay. That prediction was to be proven, just the one goal being enough to win the match, Manuel Fernandes curling a free-kick home from the edge of the box. Chances were few and far between, but the goal from our Portuguese midfielder was enough to send us into the 5th round