Opposition View: Dale v Portsmouth

Ahead of this weekends game at home to Portsmouth, we had a chat with Pompey fan Tony Gladwin

Who are you and how long have you been supporting Portsmouth?
My name is Tony Gladwin and I have been supporting Portsmouth FC for 44 years.

What are your memories of previous meetings between Dale and Pompey?
Apart from copious amounts of alcohol?, usually pretty decent games, we seem to win at Fratton Park quite comfortably but it’s a different matter at Spotland where the games are a lot tighter. Rochdale play good football from what I have seen, I don’t think that you’ll see many 0-0 draws when the two teams meet.

What have you made to your team's start to the season?
In a word, dreadful.

Many will have had you down as one of the favourites this season but it’s not quite panned out that way - why do you think that is?
Our squad is weaker this season, we lost our two best players in Matt Clarke and Jamal Lowe and their replacements aren’t of the same quality unfortunately, though to be fair Marcus Harness looks like he has something to offer.

Is Kenny Jackett still the best man for the job?
Definitely not, the sooner he goes the better. His brand of football is just awful and his substitutions leave a lot to be desired. He has somehow managed to turn a 25 goals a season centre forward into someone starved of decent service, his transfer activity isn’t good, the football is tediously dull and a fair percentage of the supporters want him gone.

Where do you think you'll finish come the end of the season?
l would say between 10th and 12th position, I don’t think currently that we’re good enough to make the playoffs.

Andy Cannon moved to Fratton Park in the January transfer window, how has he done for you guys? Can we have him back?
I like Andy Cannon, as do a lot of Pompey fans, but for some reason he is just not getting selected which is bizarre when our midfield is crying out for his energy, I think he would do well given a run in the side. No you can’t!

Finally, what's your prediction for the game?
I would take a draw, if Rochdale score first I can’t see you losing. As you’re currently on a bad run I’m going to say 1-1.

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