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‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 00:08 - Feb 18 with 452 views
Blackpool hoping for good news on Marvin Ekpiteta as Neil Critchley provides update on Arsenal loanee Dan Ballard
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley is keeping his fingers crossed that Marvin Ekpiteta’s injury isn’t as bad as first feared.
The centre-back was forced to hobble off the pitch last night during Blackpool’s scrappy, hard-earned 1-0 win against Rochdale.
The 25-year-old, who was already sporting a head bandage following a collision with Rochdale striker Stephen Humphrys, left the pitch clutching his hamstring.
When asked about Ekpiteta’s injury straight after last night’s game, Critchley said: “I’ve not spoken to the physio yet or Marvin, but it looks like it’s his hamstring which will be a blow.
“Fingers crossed we get some good news on that because he’s been outstanding for us this season. That would certainly put a dampener on the three points.”
Ekpiteta, Blackpool’s latest victim of hamstring trouble, is now likely to be missing for Saturday’s trip to Portsmouth.
With fellow centre-back Dan Ballard a surprise absence from Blackpool’s squad last night and Daniel Gretarsson already sidelined by injury, that could leave the Seasiders short in that area of the pitch.
But Critchley played down speculation that Ballard had picked up a niggle, revealing the Arsenal loanee was simply left out for tactical reasons.
“Dan is fine,” Pool’s head coach said.
“We wanted to go with more attacking options on the bench knowing Hubby (James Husband) could go inside and play centre-half if need be, which was needed.
“I thought he was excellent when he went there and Garbs (Luke Garbutt) was excellent when he came on at left-back.
“Turts (Ollie Turton) can play at centre-half as well, so that was just a tactical reason.”
The Seasiders were also left sweating on Tuesday night when goalkeeper Chris Maxwell required medical attention.
Pool’s skipper took a knock to his right hand after clearing the ball away from his six-yard box, but was able to play on for the remainder of the game.
“Maxi is fine,” Critchley said. “He had to deal with quite a lot of set-pieces in and around his six-yard box, especially in the second-half.
“He dealt with them really well, but one of their lads has caught him on the finger as he’s trying to clear the ball or pick it up.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 07:50 - Feb 18 with 444 views
+ Strengths + Counter attacks: Very Strong Creating long shot opportunities: Strong Creating scoring chances: Strong Attacking set pieces: Strong Finishing scoring chances: Strong Defending set pieces: Strong Aerial duels: Strong
- Weaknesses - Keeping possession of the ball: Weak
Portsmouth's Style of Play Take a lot of shots Take long shots Attempt crosses often Control the game in the opposition's half Attack through the middle Consistent first eleven
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
Having a quick look at Portsmouth's characteristics a couple of thing jump out.
1) - Weaknesses - Keeping possession of the ball: Weak. 2) Portsmouth's Style of Play - Control the game in the opposition's half.
Wild speculation, but here goes: even though home advantage isn't quite the same thing in covid world, do these characteristics mean that being the away team, we'll look to hit them on the break?
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
Watched them play Plymouth earlier this season. They were lucky to get a 2-2 draw. Plymouth battered them for 60 mins, then Portsmouth scored 2 in five minutes from nowhere
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 16:38 - Feb 18 with 426 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 22:02 - Feb 18 with 419 views
Blackpool travel to Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, looking to complete a league double over Pompey for the first time since 1970.
The Seasiders secured all three points in the reverse fixture back in December, thanks to Keshi Anderson’s effort, and will be in optimistic form heading down to Hampshire this weekend, coming into the game on the back of Tuesday night’s victory over Rochdale.
Neil Critchley’s side are playing catch-up on league fixtures, having played just 25 matches so far in League One, with games coming thick and fast between now and the end of the season. The side lie in 14th place in the league table — eight points off the play-offs.
Portsmouth, meanwhile, will be without manager Kenny Jackett on Saturday, with the 59-year-old set to undergo arm surgery, and will therefore miss the match at Fratton Park.
Pompey come into Saturday’s game having suffered defeat in their last outing — a 3-1 loss at manager-less Bristol Rovers. Despite the odd defeat along the way, Portsmouth have been in and around the play-offs all season to date, and come into Saturday’s match in fourth position in the league table — four points within the play-off places and five off of first placed Lincoln City.
Team News:
Marvin Ekpiteta has been ruled out following the injury he picked up on Tuesday evening. Keshi Anderson and CJ Hamilton are still unavailable.
Alex Bass and Michael Jacobs are likely to miss out for the hosts.
Last Time We Met:
Keshi Anderson’s strike was the difference at Bloomfield Road in December in the 1-0 win.
Blackpool secured victory in the last visit to Fratton Park, thanks to another 1-0 victory courtesy of Chris Long’s strike in January 2019.
The Key Player: John Marquis
Now in the prime of his career, 28-year-old John Marquis has been the key component to Portsmouth’s forward line so far this season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions.
Marquis signed for Pompey in 2019 for an undisclosed fee from Doncaster Rover, where he won the Golden Boot for his efforts in helping Donny on their way to the League Two title that same year.
The striker was well-travelled before his permanent move to Doncaster in 2016, representing the likes of Staines Town, Torquay United and Gillingham on loan before a permanent move to the Keepmoat Stadium in 2016.
Neil Critchley:
“We had to play very well to win the game against Portsmouth at our place earlier in the season, and we were deserved winners on the night. Away from home, it is a different proposition and they lost in the week, so they’ll be looking to bounce back. It should be a really exciting game.”
Watch The Match Live:
The game at Fratton Park is available to watch live on iFollow.
Supporters can purchase a match pass for the game for £10, here.
Kick off is 3pm.
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
Despite not playing last weekend and losing on Tuesday night, Pompey remain fourth in the League One standings.
But they will be looking for an instant return to winning ways against Blackpool in order to keep pace with the top two.
Their opponents are 14th in the table and eight points adrift of the play-off places, with as many as three games in hand on the sides around them.
Neil Critchley’s men have won three of their past four fixtures — a run that began with a 5-0 rout of Wigan.
That result is one of four victoriess on the road for the Seasiders, who have also collected a maximum haul at Burton, Peterborough and neighbours Fleetwood.
They also caused an FA Cup upset last month by knocking out Premier League side West Brom on penalties at Bloomfield Road, only to exit at the hands of Brighton in the fourth round.
The Covid-19 pandemic meant that there was no south coast meeting between the teams last season.
Blackpool won 1-0 on their most recent visit to Fratton Park in January 2019 and also triumphed by the same scoreline on their own patch a few months ago.
TEAM NEWS Pompey have no new injury concerns, although Alex Bass (leg) and Michael Jacobs (hamstring) are still sidelined.
Blackpool defender Marvin Ekpiteta will miss out after being sent for a scan on a troublesome hamstring problem.
Keshi Anderson (knee), Daniel Gretarsson (hamstring) and CJ Hamilton (hamstring) are all unable to feature, while Gary Madine (groin) is a doubt.
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 16:41 - Feb 19 with 391 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 19:01 - Feb 19 with 387 views
📺 "We're getting a run together and want to keep that momentum going. Let's really make a statement and win this game"#Blackpool manager Neil Critchley is relishing Saturday's meeting with #Portsmouth
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 11:45 - Feb 20 with 375 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 13:48 - Feb 20 with 370 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 14:02 - Feb 20 with 368 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 14:04 - Feb 20 with 367 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 14:06 - Feb 20 with 365 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 14:39 - Feb 20 with 362 views
Kenny Jackett is here at Fratton Park, despite undergoing surgery to remove a mole on his arm on Thursday. Pompey boss was due to miss his side's next four games. pic.twitter.com/EszUGyENMa
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 15:01 - Feb 20 with 351 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 15:55 - Feb 20 with 349 views
HT 0-0 Only 1 chance for each side, both stopped by good defensive blocks (Husband chested one off the line)
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 15:57 - Feb 20 with 347 views
Assistant Colin Calderwood has been told to "shut up" by the Pompey bench after questioning something. He's now waiting to speak to the referee as he comes off the pitch.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 16:07 - Feb 20 with 345 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 16:39 - Feb 20 with 342 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Portsmouth Match Thread on 16:44 - Feb 20 with 340 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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