The Nostradamus file....

[TANGODANCER]

So, another week devoid of Whites action looms. International games have interest, but not like the Supers. I only support two football teams; Bolton and England and, whilst keeping an eye on the rest, another week without the league battles is less than appealing. I care not that some upstart doesn't know that a cross in the context of St George and memorial of Christianity has a long vertical and short horizontal shaped red relief on a white background. What gives one person the right to change history just because he (no doubt prompted by the F.A. publicity seekers, says so ? A boot up your buttocks, Mr Saville and co.

Latest on Nathan Baxter from B.N.: A question mark still hangs over goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, who had been waiting for the go-ahead from specialists to return to full training following an injury to his wrist ligament. Word from Wanderers last week was inconclusive. Medical staff confirmed that a splint had been removed and that he would be given as much time and space as possible during the break but there was no indication on whether that would lead to him being considered at Stevenage.


Nothing concrete on other injuries yet..

[Mar]

So, another week devoid of Whites action looms. International games have interest, but not like the Supers. I only support two football teams; Bolton and England and, whilst keeping an eye on the rest, another week without the league battles is less than appealing. I care not that some upstart doesn't know that a cross in the context of St George and memorial of Christianity has a long vertical and short horizontal shaped red relief on a white background. What gives one person the right to change history just because he (no doubt prompted by the F.A. publicity seekers, says so ? A boot up your buttocks, Mr Saville and co.

Latest on Nathan Baxter from B.N.: A question mark still hangs over goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, who had been waiting for the go-ahead from specialists to return to full training following an injury to his wrist ligament. Word from Wanderers last week was inconclusive. Medical staff confirmed that a splint had been removed and that he would be given as much time and space as possible during the break but there was no indication on whether that would lead to him being considered at Stevenage.


Nothing concrete on other injuries yet..

Cheers for the heads up regarding Baxter. Was wondering how that was progressing. The thought of no news is good news doesn't always ring true, as was the case with Holden back in the day.

I'd like to think Charles isn't likely to feature for his country just yet and we can slowly ease him into the fold. Perhaps he just fancied a nice trip away with Bradley and Toal. Certainly wouldn't want to see himself out of international convention if he could avoid it.

[TANGODANCER]

Just a general interest item to note, but nice to see...:

JAMES Trafford has been given his first call-up to the full England squad for Tuesday night’s friendly against Belgium.

[Mar]

Just a general interest item to note, but nice to see...:

JAMES Trafford has been given his first call-up to the full England squad for Tuesday night’s friendly against Belgium.

That's both good and bad news. On the one hand he's getting his call up to the national team and on the other hand he's missing the happy homecoming he'd get in front of our home fans representing England u21.

[The_Gun]

Whilst it's unlikely Sheehan gets on the pitch tonight, I do hope that Wales get through as I'm sure it would be a big boost for his morale. In the context of this week, however, I'd imagine that there might be some fairly extensive celebrations tonight should they win, so perhaps not ideal for Friday.

[The_Gun]

Jones plays 82 minutes as Australia crush Lebanon 5-0 in Canberra. Given it's unlikely he'll be back in the UK until Thursday at the earliest I don't think we should expect to see him on Friday.

[TANGODANCER]

Jones plays 82 minutes as Australia crush Lebanon 5-0 in Canberra. Given it's unlikely he'll be back in the UK until Thursday at the earliest I don't think we should expect to see him on Friday.

Shame for us, but well done him.

[TANGODANCER]

Bad news, our lads didn't get the chance to shine in the internationals: (Jones apart) Good news, no further injuries and all heading home safe. As a Christian, not a lover of Good Friday fixtures, preferring "When Saturday comes" but Que Sera. "Come on you Whites"

[TANGODANCER]

Tuesday but no pancakes; nothing till Saturday and high noon time (well, 3-0'clock. ) then Pompey. Bit soon for a match thread but not to talk of generalities, or predict, ..so talk?

[Worthy4England]

About the same point as when Ipswich visited last year. Some teams get "we'regoingupitis" about this time of year and I think Pompey have probably caught it, not having lost in 10 matches (we've lost 3 in that time).

If (as we say), we are the real deal and capable of the mental side as well as the playing side, I think Saturday is the time to put it on display. We need to try and flip pressure from us to Derby and the best way of doing that is to keep them needing to get points.

Feels like it needs something better that Saturday's performance, which was an important 3 points, but a long way performance wise from the exceptional vintage we're told about.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

We have to keep Derby looking over their shoulder. Make them a little nervous knowing if they don't win we will. They're all must win until mathematically we don't need to win for me.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Pompey are going to be backed by a vociferous and expectant support. Might also be some of them sneaking into the home sections, given demand way outweighs supply. It could be a febrile atmospehre but we have to want to show how good we are. Down at theirs we had the best of the opening half hour until Bod had a free header palmed out to Dion who inexoplicably missed. We'll never know what's on the other side of those Sliding Doors but we have the greater need to prove ourselves.

Also worth nothing we've W7 D2 of the nine home league games since Xmas week, and are scoring plenty there too. Pompey won't be cocky.

[Mar]

We have to keep Derby looking over their shoulder. Make them a little nervous knowing if they don't win we will. They're all must win until mathematically we don't need to win for me.

We definitely need to be winning to get the pressure on Derby.

I do wonder however how much the timing of games impacts the opposition. Derby play Wednesday and Saturday, which means that they could be feeling further ahead than they actually are should they win on Wednesday.

They'll be expecting us to drop points vs Portsmouth and a 3 point gap from beating Wycombe may just give them an air of relaxed confidence going into the Leyton Orient game.

Still should we drop points against Portsmouth, its important that we keep winning for the rest of them and hope Derby drop some points. Portsmouth feels like a 'crap or bust' scenario, but in reality we'd still be in for a shout but need favours from other teams that have little to play for.

[Worthy4England]

Derby win Weds/Sat and we don't win Sat, we're pretty much cooked goose.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I do wonder however how much the timing of games impacts the opposition. Derby play Wednesday and Saturday, which means that they could be feeling further ahead than they actually are should they win on Wednesday.

Points in the bag vs games in hand, innit. It all levels up a week tomorrow when we host Shrewsbury while they're off - then it's two games a piece left, each played simultaneously. (Sky coverage might have moved one or other of the penultimate games but they don't seem to be bothering with much of the League One climax, what with the Championship bunfights for autos, playoffs and especially relegation.)

By the way, the play-off dates have been published, subject to police/Sky confirmation. You may wish to amend your calendars just in case. The information is of particular interest to those of us who not only turn 50 on Sat 4 May but have a gig/party to mark it...

Fri 3 May 20:00 League One A 1st Leg (6th v 3rd)
Sat 4 May 19:45 League One B 1st Leg (5th v 4th)
Tue 7 May 20:00 League One A 2nd Leg (3rd v 6th)
Wed 8 May 20:00 League One B 2nd Leg (4th v 5th)
Sat 18 May TBC League One Play-Off Final

[officer_dibble]

Haha I’d already booked a weekend away on play off final day, either assuming we were nailed on autos or play offs would be on the bank hol. Cat amongst the pigeons now!

[TANGODANCER]

Just a point that gives me the heebies is when our captain fantastic goes a-wandering too far up the pitch. No use denying that he hasn't lost the ball a few times, or that he isn't exactly Usain Bolt at foot racing back against speedy strikers. He's a rock in defence, but rocks don't move like pebbles. Like I said, just a point.

[TonyDomingos]

I do wonder however how much the timing of games impacts the opposition. Derby play Wednesday and Saturday, which means that they could be feeling further ahead than they actually are should they win on Wednesday.

Points in the bag vs games in hand, innit. It all levels up a week tomorrow when we host Shrewsbury while they're off - then it's two games a piece left, each played simultaneously. (Sky coverage might have moved one or other of the penultimate games but they don't seem to be bothering with much of the League One climax, what with the Championship bunfights for autos, playoffs and especially relegation.)

By the way, the play-off dates have been published, subject to police/Sky confirmation. You may wish to amend your calendars just in case. The information is of particular interest to those of us who not only turn 50 on Sat 4 May but have a gig/party to mark it...

Fri 3 May 20:00 League One A 1st Leg (6th v 3rd)
Sat 4 May 19:45 League One B 1st Leg (5th v 4th)
Tue 7 May 20:00 League One A 2nd Leg (3rd v 6th)
Wed 8 May 20:00 League One B 2nd Leg (4th v 5th)
Sat 18 May TBC League One Play-Off Final

The final is on my 60th birthday. We need to go up via the autos.

[boltonboris]

I do wonder however how much the timing of games impacts the opposition. Derby play Wednesday and Saturday, which means that they could be feeling further ahead than they actually are should they win on Wednesday.

Points in the bag vs games in hand, innit. It all levels up a week tomorrow when we host Shrewsbury while they're off - then it's two games a piece left, each played simultaneously. (Sky coverage might have moved one or other of the penultimate games but they don't seem to be bothering with much of the League One climax, what with the Championship bunfights for autos, playoffs and especially relegation.)

By the way, the play-off dates have been published, subject to police/Sky confirmation. You may wish to amend your calendars just in case. The information is of particular interest to those of us who not only turn 50 on Sat 4 May but have a gig/party to mark it...

Fri 3 May 20:00 League One A 1st Leg (6th v 3rd)
Sat 4 May 19:45 League One B 1st Leg (5th v 4th)
Tue 7 May 20:00 League One A 2nd Leg (3rd v 6th)
Wed 8 May 20:00 League One B 2nd Leg (4th v 5th)
Sat 18 May TBC League One Play-Off Final

The final is on my 60th birthday. We need to go up via the autos.

You had a birthday last year. Don't be selfish

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Sheehan, Santos and (from the bench) Charles are all expected to be fit to face Pompey, per Iles in BN. Also says in tweet reply than Gethin Jones is fit too. And Dan Nlundulu very very close… whither Adeboyejo, I wonder?