Portsmouth Football Club News

FA Cup third round weekend. It is the time of year that invokes feelings of both excitement and fear into the hearts of Premier League sides. They will all be hoping that it is the start of a journey that ends at Wembley on May 30. But there is also the prospect of an embarrassing exit at the hands of lower league opposition. At this stage last season, a massive nine Premier League sides were dumped out of the competition without clearing the first hurdle. Aston Villa, West Ham, Sunderland and Reading were all defeated by fellow top-flight clubs – but the others were humbled by less illustrious opposition. Oldham beat Everton in arguably the biggest shock, while Bolton, Blackburn, Fulham and Birmingham lost to Sheffield United, Coventry, Bristol Rovers and Huddersfield respectively. Pompey, of course, overcame a tricky tie at Championship outfit Ipswich, with a solitary David Nugent strike ensuring their passage into the last 32. We all know what happened after that: Plymouth, Preston, Manchester United, West Brom and Cardiff were all beaten as the Blues lifted the FA Cup for the first time since 1939. The defence begins with a visit from Bristol City and with all eyes on the holders, the mid-table Championship side will be hoping to spring a surprise. But Pompey have not lost at this stage since they won promotion to the Premier League in 2003. It was that title-winning season that last saw them exit at the third round stage, although a 4-1 defeat at Manchester United was not exactly something to be ashamed of. The same thing cannot be said about the Blues’ loss 12 months earlier, however. The visit of Leyton Orient from the Football League’s basement division should have been comfortably negotiated. It all started well enough when Dean Smith’s own-goal gave Pompey the lead. But Graham Rix’s side capitulated after the break, conceding four goals to seal a humiliating thrashing. Peter Crouch started for the Blues that day, so he will need no reminding about what can happen in the FA Cup. The competition is always described as a great leveller with the minnows on the lookout for the giant-killing that will see them hit the headlines. Blue Square North side Blyth Spartans have already captured the imagination of football followers with victories against league sides Shrewsbury and Bournemouth. They will be hoping for more joy when they take on Blackburn Rovers at Croft Park on Monday night, no doubt backed by neutrals all around the world. There will be at least one shock in the third round – history tells us that. The Pompey giants just need to make sure that they live to fight another day.

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