we cud be safe from relegation before tom v northampton

[barmyandloyal]

If bristol rovers lose at home to rochdale .kick off. 1pm.

[BlueAdder]

Bristol and Wycombe have to play each other and both have three games to play.
If they draw when they play each other then both can achieve a max of 54 points, level with us with (currently) inferior goal difference. If one of them wins the loser can achieve 53 points max.
Torquay have a 48 point maximum.
There are ten clubs below us and they can't all have a storming finish so I reckon we are safe already.

[jon6_1999]

We are as good as safe, and didn't we make hard work of it.

Whittingham got let down by putting his faith in some extremely lazy bums who just didn't put a shift in. Along with a very mixed bag of pre-season recruitment.

Barker completely got it wrong with his negative attitude, and constant criticism, formation and personnel changes.

Awford has just kept it very simple, and reminded our squad of 28 that they are capable or so much more, if they are willing to be braver and work. Plus i think a few of them may have realised that they may lose their professional status if they carried on.

I don't think Holland's influence can be under estimated either, i thought he was everywhere yesterday, getting a head, boot or tackle in.

So the real issue is next season. Currently 10 points off of the play offs despite two prolonged and dreadful runs under both Whittingham (was it 2 points out of 27?) and Barker, surely sums up the total underachievement of this group of players (i think i coul

[AndoverPFC]

I'd be inclined to keep Carson, decent enough League 2 keeper imo.

[nonsuchmike]

Jon6 - pretty good assessment by you on the whole. You can't blame Carson for some of the crassly incompetent defending many defensive players have engaged in for a large number of games this season - and not all of it has been down to poor Managerial decisions, a lot of it has been down to p**s poor skills and lack of awareness on the pitch - for which we can blame the players.

Whether this has all been down to a lack of confidence is a moot point. Just as the increase in so-called dyslexia amongst the middle classes' children is a euphemism for "my kid is thick because I don't spend time with them and help them pre-school to read and to write", so the lack of skills amongst lower performing players is due to a lack of self discipline in routinely rehearsing those same skills.

It is easier to tweet inanities and play beat 'em up computer games than to practise with a real ball on your todd. So let it be with Pompey players. When the great winnower comes, then will the chaff be separ

[jon6_1999]

Well i was ok with Carson. Like you i thought he was solid enough.

But that second goal yesterday made me question him. The ball was just looped in, landed (or would have landed 6 yards out), he went to come and then stopped. Bottle, bad decision or wrong footed? I could be being hard on him.

I would certainly have a look around and see who was about before going all out to sign him.

We've had a few old boys who have been great for us in the past between the sticks...Hislop, Kiely, Bezzant and Knight, all did a great job at 34 plus, not to mention Englands number 1.

[PompeyScarf]

You're being way to hard on Carson - he changed direction very quickly to try and stop Rover's first goal. Getting a hand to it showed alot of athleticism. And don't forget the colossal gaffs that Jamo was capable of. If we can keep Carson then please do.

I'd like to see us safe with a couple of games to go then we can to see whether the attitude of the players changes.

[City_View]

Best result from Bristol Rovers v Rochdale game for us would be a draw. Would mean we would be safe but pressure still on Northampton.

Pompey should be looking to win the last three games (and finish may be 9th in the process).

Wait until the end of the season (not when we're mathematically safe) to appoint new manager. Hard to see how anyone could offer a better prospect than Awford though. It would be nice to have a manager who had a real interest in the youth set up.

Carson, Holland, Wallace and Shorey to sign contracts - all others with contracts up to be let go. Can't see us shifting any others on longer term contracts.

Club needs to be explicit in its ambition; anything less than promotion next season is acceptance of mediocrity.