Ahead of the visit of Portsmouth to United Way, we speak to Pompey fan Dan Brett, who regularly writes for Pompey-Fans.com.

How long have you supported Portsmouth?

I've been a Portsmouth season ticket holder for 12 years now, seeing plenty of bad with small doses of good. Layer Road was always a ground that I admired but never found chance to make a game.

Are you disappointed to be playing Colchester United in League 1 or relieved?

I think being a Pompey fan, you can take nothing for granted. Most of our fans cut their teeth with the club in the lower leagues - only the last decade we've really broken into the top tiers. Even starting the season can be seen as an achievement!

After the troubles your club has been though over the past few years, do you feel that you’re finally over them and starting a new era?

You can never say never with us, but this is the closest we have been to turning the corner in the last five years. We have, time and time again, been the subject of brinkmanship between owners and players, especially those than apparently didn't even exist!

Time will tell. The Pompey Supporters' Trust look set to buy the club and give it back to the city, and I fully support all of their efforts.

What are your expectations for this season?

If you had asked me that last week I would have snapped your arm off for a 21st place finish, but looking at what new miracles Michael Appleton has accomplished, I do see us finishing narrowly outside of the play offs.

Appleton is one of the most underrated managers in the Football League, and the commitment he has shown Pompey has been outstanding given the torrid 10 months he's had in charge.

This season could go either way, but for the first time since 2008, I'm confident of a positive finish.

Will you be bringing a crowd?

We have excellent support wherever we go, regardless of what day of the week matches are played on. Even if just a few hundred, we'll make the noise of a thousand.

What do you know about our team?

Very little.

What's your prediction for the game?

It'll be tight. Our team still need games to gel, but I think we'll snatch a 2-1 win. We've always had a poor away record, but it'll be a fantastic game for both teams.

We play passing, attractive football, something that the fans love to watch.

McLeod and Rodgers looked sharp against Bournemouth, and Dumbuya at right back has pace to burn. Watch out for him!

Finally, what are your opinions of Greg Halford and Lomana Tresor Lua Lua? They both starter their careers at ColU and left for record transfer fees.

Halford is very firmly a fan favourite, even after leaving recently. He showed great commitment and endeared himself to the fans, and has the quality, I believe, to play in the top flight.

Lua Lua also became a fan favourite during his spell with us - two goals against Southampton in a 4-1 home win etched him into Fratton history. However, some negative and unfounded comments against Pompey fans around the time his child died soured his memory in the eyes of many.

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