The bench mark for Saturday's trip has been set.

Carlisle look forward to hosting their second Hampshire club in five days when Saints arrive at Brunton park on Saturday.

After taking an early lead against a mixed Pompey side, Carlisle slipped to a 3-1 defeat, Pompey setting a benchmark for Saints to match.

Certainly Saints will be hoping to rise to the challenge, there are those who believe that we have made better signings than Pompey despite the gap in status, certainly you would look at Say Rahdi Jaidi and say that he would have been a better bet in the back four for Pompey than ex Saint Mike Williamson who has only a handful of games at Championship level to his credit and cant break into the side.

Nor would you really rate Tommy Smith above Rickie Lambert if you were considering a striker that will get you goals, OK I accept that its a different level in the Premiership, but it does highlight the calibre of player that Paul Hart has brought into Fratton Park hoping to avoid relegation after the worst start in Premier history.

Of course Pompey fans are in a no lose situation, they have won their game and even if Saints go on and repeat thier last league result at Brunton Park back in January 1977, a resounding 6-0 thrashing, Pompey will still claim they only put out a reserve side (Not quite true !!)      

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