x

Why It Has To Be 20 Games Undefeated Rather Than 21 !

The celebrations at Swansea on Saturday rang out of 21 games undefeated, referring to 20 League games and 1 in the FA Cup mirroring that of the 1921/22 season, but for me it is all about the League and not the cup and it is the 20 game League record we have now set that counts.

If Saints go to Watford on Sunday and get beaten, then for some our undefeated record will be over, but not in my opinion, this season is all about the League and the cup is an aside and indeed one that could get in the way of our ultimate goal if we are not careful.

So for me the ultimate record is that of League games unbeaten, we have the ability to stretch that one a little further, but the FA Cup could halt the record dead in it's tracks at any moment, especially if we get drawn away to Liverpool or Manchester City should we beat Watford, who given the weakened team we are likely to field on Sunday will fancy their chances themselves.

Should they do just that and knock us out then we will be in the bizarre position of celebrating 21 games undefeated before the game, then having to amend the lyrics of the song at the final whistle to celebrate only 20.

The chances of us singing 44(+ with replays) at Wembley in May are fairly slim, indeed slimmer than actually reaching the 39 undefeated league total that we could potentially reach, if we carry on as we do.

That is why I would prefer the song to be about the 20 Championship games only and don't get our party being pooped by an FA Cup defeat.

However we do have to be very careful that this doesn't become a millstone around our neck, each game being more about staying undefeated rather than winning.

It has to be used as a spur to keep us on track, in recent weeks as we approached the record we have got to within a point of Ipswich, indeed we would have stayed above them on goal difference had they not snatched a last minute equaliser at Leicester, we have to stay focused on our task and that is the League.

What to read next:

Blues belief among frustration - Mousinho positive ahead of Pompey-Preston
Pompey are bottom of the Championship and there's a fair bit of doom and gloom among the fan base - but you won't find John Mousinho feeling sorry for himself as he plots to try to secure a home win over Preston North End this weekend.
Pompey head to Hull with boss insisting: We're still in positive mood
John Mousinho is confident Pompey will be in the right frame of mind as they bid to recover from their latest Championship setbacks by gaining some reward from their trip to Hull.
Pompey have so much room for improvement - but doomed already? No way!
Twelve games into Pompey's season, and it would appear we've landed slap bang in the middle of relegation fight. Not what we wanted, not what many expected, I don't think, and not a very nice prospect for the long winter months ahead.
Queens Park Rangers 1 - 2 Portsmouth - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
'At the start of the journey' - Pompey chief outlines spending strategy
Pompey chief executive Andy Cullen has promised Pompey are not shirking away from spending money on players - but stressed they're at the start of the sort of journey that's brought major success to the likes of Brighton and Brentford.
Pompey in 84-85: the Santa game, 4-4 with Fulham, Biley, Webb, Dillon and Vince - and last-day heartbreak
When I decided to devote this season's View From the North Stand columns in the PFC programme to our past 21 seasons in the second tier, there was only one it was legal to feature in the Oxford programme... 1984-85.
Pompey v Oxford - a must-win game for Blues, or is such talk too early?
October does seem early to talk about must-win games. There are, after all, 38 Championship games to go before we see the final league table.
The power of partnerships - and why Michael Eisner is happy to put faith in this pairing
Michael Eisner calls it the power of partnerships - and he is convinced the pairing he has put faith in to carry Pompey upwards is the right one.
Returning Pompey defender reflects on 'lonely place' as he looks to kick on
One of Pompey's returning casualties has spoken of the tough time he has had on the sidelines.
Fratton foursome give fans and manager good news - but one Pompey new boy is crocked
Pompey's treatment room is starting to thin out somewhat - although it does now have a new casualty.