Back to back wins, a step further from the relegation zone, and the U's destiny back in our own hands - it was a day to remember.

Early start, full English breakfast at Ponti's in Liverpool Street, surely the best presented and cooked, even if not the lowest priced? Local knowledge meant a walk to Bank and the Waterloo and City line. "It's no further to walk, avoiding the underground rabbit warren and a tube journey". Well that was my argument. However, it also offers an opportunity for an extra crafty fag. An uneventful rail journey to Fratton get match tickets; find pub; the excellent “Shepherd's Crook”; decent ales; welcoming ambience from bar staff; wonderful reception from Pompey fans that seemed to look upon us as a similar struggling kindred spirits. 10p a pint donated to the Pompey Supporters Trust Fund. We donated very generously.

Game starts with a bang, the U's ahead on two, disbelief as my pie is still unwrapped. Then suddenly it is 1-1 as Wallace performs like a contortionist to volley home from an unbelievable angle. Run to the loo, the across urinal debate being “will this end up as an eight-nine?” given the frailty of these defences? Sodje up-ends Sears - penalty. Some memories (nightmares) flow back of Woody, but Freddie makes no mistake. But no sooner have I text “1-2” to absent chums, it is 1-3. Rock and roll on, 495 of us dancing on the terraces, and the fabled ‘Pompey Atmosphere' reverts to silence across the other 11,000. Can this really be Colchester United, and this be half time?

It was a bit difficult to determine our first half tactical formation. I thought it was a ‘Diamond' with Wright at its rear and Sears at its peak (behind Ibrehe). Others said 4-5-1, or 4-3-3. Suffice to say that it moved with a fluidity and menace not seen since those early Joe Dunne days of Sanchez Watt and Craig Eastmond. The early second half was largely a stalemate. Rightfully, the U's seemed content to hang on to their two goal advantage and moved into a more defensive 4-5 -1 (or was it 4-6-0?), soaking up some immense Pompey pressure. Then on 72 minutes, a finely worked goal brought Pompey back into the game. A nervous twenty minutes ensued, during which Ibrehe was just awesome, retaining the ball and frustrating Pompey defenders. Massey twice had breakaway opportunity to complete his hat-trick, but fluffed his lines. Three points, a wonderful day, and the U's destiny back into our own hands. But here lies my thought for today...

Consider the number of (bottom of the table) “six pointers” still to be played i.e. games remaining BETWEEN the bottom seven (Hartlepool, Portsmouth, Scunthorpe, Bury, Oldham, Colchester and Shrewsbury).

The U's have three to play (two at home)

Shrewsbury has three to play (two at home)

Scunthorpe has three (only one at home)

BUT...

Bury feature in FOUR (two at home)

Oldham FOUR (one at home)

Portsmouth FIVE (three at home).

Hartlepool feature in FIVE (three at home)

Frankly, I can't make up my mind which team is the best placed, those with most “six pointers” still to play or those with least? There are obviously three (or two points) to be shared in each game, so to some degree sides can nullify each other by draws. I suspect that because the U's are now the LEAST involved in the mini league comprising of the bottom seven, and we already have three plus points advantage in the bag, we are best placed given that we can CONCEDE FEWER points to our struggling peers. Most of our few remaining games against table toppers are also at home, and we have a majority of mid table clashes to conclude. I hence think it's the games between sides at the bottom that will matter most. But do we have a statistician in the house...............???

Also took a sneaky look at Leyton Orient v Swindon on Tuesday (0-0). Didn't look to me and DOM as if we have too much to fear on Tuesday next, and Swindon coming to WHCS having scored no goals in two except from the penalty spot. But do remember they drubbed Tranmere (5-0), Carlisle (4-0), Portmouth (5-0), at home. They don't seem to travel quite so well.

Photo: Action Images

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