After reading an article on sportinglife (they have Portsmouth in their betting box) and looking around on their homepages i want to pick out this game in spotlight. Odds of 2,10 on the away win should be taken in my opinion. But i would appreaciate the opinion of some experts - before i invest my money. Portsmouth is in a very good position at the moment, do you think that they could be satisfied with collecting point by point (draw) and not taking the last risk for a victory (for example today)? Thxs for your opinions.. GL

Looking at our form over the last ten games, and having watched a great many of those games, I would say that a Pompy away win looks pretty safe tonight, BUT.
Now it is a very big BUT, Safri is back tonight, and as a fan, I can tell you we have really missed him. It is not suprising how our form slipped when he got injured and out of the team.
He gives us a real bite in midfield winning balls, and is capable of great passes in all areas. He will take a lot of pressure of Macca tonight, and also Johnny Eustace (also midfield ) is starting to show some of his old form.
Whether he will be fit enough to last the 90 mins, or need a couple of games to get into the swing of things, your guess is as good as mine.
One thing I am certain of, it is a MASSIVE boost for Cov having him back.


Inspirational Youssef Safri has been given the green light to start against Pompey tonight.
The return of Moroccan was one of the biggest plusses to come from the Sky Blues' weekend defeat at Norwich, and City want more of the same from the player who has been out for two and a half months with a hernia.
"I think the second half at Carrow Road was probably the best we have played for a few months now and whether that was because of the return of Youssef Safri, I don't know," said Black, "but I thought his performance was outstanding and I am sure a big part of it.
"He brings a security to the ball, particularly for Gary McAllister who knows he can give it to, and bounce off him. Saf can circulate the ball left and right and his capable of making through passes, and is always available.
"It is a specialist position and I think he performed magnificently on Saturday. The gaffer has likened him to Didier Dechamps and Dietmar Hamann and I would agree with that.
"Ever since I came here I thought he is capable of playing at a very high level because of his attributes.
"You can coach players to get into areas to receive the ball and work on their technique at a very early age, but the secret is having a strong mentality and being prepared to take the ball under pressure and being aware of players around about you, so you need knowledge and experience as well, and a lot of it is natural ability."
And Black is convinced his mere presence provides a huge boost to the rest of the team.
"I must admit someone like that gives other people a lot more confidence to make forward runs because they are not worrying that if someone loses it they have to run 25-yards to get back," he said.
"And certainly for the gaffer, it gives him the chance to get his head up and get a forward pass in, and allows others to make runs with the confidence that we can keep the ball.
"It also allows the full-backs to play a little further forward and dominate teams."
Safri admitted he was a little tired after coming through 40 minutes at Carrow Road, but Black believes he is ready to start against tonight's visitor where it is hoped he may thwart the creativity of Paul Merson.
"Youssef only trained on Thursday and Friday, and after watching him we felt we had to get him on the bench with a view to getting a run out ahead of Portsmouth," he said.
"Richie felt his groin a little bit early on so we decided to stick him on after half-time

Well, I used to follow english leagues very closely but have stopped in the last 2 months. What I can tell you is that although Portsmouth are by far the best team in the league and favorites for this fixture, odds of 2.10 rarely have any value in this league and in this case propably they dont either. I am not sure about Coventrys abscences which might prove to be a factor. Cheers.

"All we are saying is give peace a chance"

Thanks for your input! trigger: That is the kind of information i looked for - you are a coventry fan and you know the situation 10 times better than me, sitting here in Austria and just surfing on the club pages. I appreciate your opinion+feelings referring this game and i will not touch Portsmouth now. Of course Hill is at 1,83 - compared with 2,10 - that would be a good shot. But i agree, if any kind of "team hero?" like "Safri?"(donīt know him) is giving his comeback tonight, of course the whole team can get a extra punch through that / and who knows: Just one point more for Portsmouth tonight keeps them still smiling in view of the championship. So my final bet: Instead a big bet on Portsmouth a small/medium bet on the DRAW. Doesnīt matter how the game ends -> thanks for your input... GL

he comes from Styvchel i think that is the way to spell it ..in the Coventry area.

Why hmmmmm?

Mac, everybody has to say something now and then

"All we are saying is give peace a chance"

Really sorry I put you off betting on the Portsmouth win.
Although I didn't fancy us to win, I thought with Safri back we could get a draw.
I couldn't get to the game tonight as I had to work, but received a text message off my mate who I normally go to games with, saying he went home embarrissed after 68 minutes. Oh dear.
Maybe with our financial situation things are going to get a lot worse before they start getting better.
Once again apologies.
I bet your cousin is as fed up as me Pete. In the 35 years I have supported them, this has to be without doubt, the worst time ever.

not any reason to feel bad about that - i told you: doesnīt matter how the game ends -> thankīs for you input. And now after the game, it`s the same as before the game. I would only angry on myself if i had ignored your opinion and Portsmouth had lost... GL

he was at the game last night and boy was he disappointed..he still thinks Macca is the man for the job but feels that with money being tight and stories going around that they need to sell won't help the club.