Update——

Last night:

Cardiff 0-0 West Brom

A match concerning our opponents on Saturday and potential final opponents.

I watched the match and to be honest didn’t see too much in terms of a threat.

I picked out Ishmael Miller as one of West Brom’s main threats. He looked very lively and he’s a very athletic young player; Speed and Strength in abundance.

I think he could cause us some problems if we’re not careful.

Of course Kevin Phillips will be a threat; his experience and clinical finishing will certainly be a danger.

But With Sol and Sylv at the back, they can dominate any striker(s) on their day.

I’m still going for a 2-0 Pompey victory. Kanu and Kranjcar.

I know quite a lot of Baggies are confident, but come 12.15 at Wembley on Saturday I’m sure they’ll be feeling nervous!

The squad that we have, with Harry in charge… I know they wont let us down!!!

PLAY UP POMPEY POMPEY PLAY UP!!!

I can see it being a good game. Both teams are on decent form and I think we’ll win.

B-Man’s Prediction: Pompey 3-2 Birmingham. Defoe to score twice, and Muntari with the third.

This is the hardest draw we could have got. But nevermind… I have faith in the lads.

This ofcourse mean that giant killing Barnsley will face Cardiff. Will they be able to raise their game to the same level when against lesser opposition? Surely the fact that it’s an Fa Cup Semi will be enough inspiration?

Well whatever, I’m supporting BArnsley as I don’t like the idea of a WELSH team in the ENGLISH cup final. I don’t even think they (along with Wrexham and Swansea) should be in our leagues. Rangers and Celtic are much better than the rest of the league but they stay put.

Anyway.. Come on Pompey!!!

PLAY UP POMPEY…….POMPEY PLAY UP

We went there a few weeks ago and were dominated from first to last.

However this draw could have some advantages. If we were to win this game and reach the semi-final then we’d have such confidence. Even Chelsea wouldn’t frighten us. Also it means that if we win then us and Chelsea will be the only other Premiership team in it (well maybe Middelsbrough but I’m sure we’d beat them even if they do make it that far). This would give us a 2/3 chance of drawing a non-Premiership team. And when/if we make it to the final then anything is possible.

Wait, I seem to have built myself up into some sort of frenzy. I think I’ve forgotten that first we have to actually beat Man Utd at Old Trafford.

But it is possible. If we go there with the same team that we put out against Preston then we have a chance. As I’ve said before; if our midfield trio of Diarra, Muntari and Diop play to their potential then they can dominate the game. Also Krancjar on the left can add the creative spark, Utaka will throw in a dash of pace and the experienced Kanu up front can hold the ball up brilliantly.

Add to this a sturdy defence and a keeper in top form and it becomes clear that we CAN win this game.

Nugent has been a key figure in Pompey’s march into the fifth round, and is likely to be the preferred option up front, either on his own, with the returning Kanu, or with loan signing Milan Baros. Jermain Defoe cannot play as he is cup-tied, having already played for Spurs in the competition.

The 22 year old striker has struggled to make an impact in the Premierleague however he has progressed well in the domestic cup competitions.

Dave must make an impact from now until the end of the season if he is to stay at the club. Unless he really impresses Harry Redknapp before the summer I’m pretty sure he’ll be on his way.

A good game at Deepdale against his former club could be the spark that ignites his Pompey flame.

My Prediction: Ipswich 1-2 Pompey

To be honest I’m pretty pleased with this draw. Although Ipswich do look quite useful at home, I believe we have a good enough squad to be able to rotate players for this game and still advance to the next round.

I had a bad feeling this year that we were goin to draw one of the top four so overall I’m happy

Expected line up: James(gk). Johnson(rb), Campbell(cb), Distin(cb), Pamarot(lb). Utaka(rm), Diop(cm), Davis(dm), Muntari(cm), Krancjar(lm). Benjani(st).

I believe this to be Portsmouth’s best possible line up, despite the fact that there’s no Kanu. I feel we control the game a lot more when we play five accross the midfield, and it also gives Krancjar the license to roam when we are in possession as he knows that someone is covering for him.

If we want to maintain our position in the table until the end of the season and qualify for the Uefa Cup then games like this must have 3 points written all over them. What with Birmingham managerless and in quite a bit of trouble, I expect a good victory.

B-Man’s Prediction: Birmingham 0-3 Pompey

B-Man’s Prediction: Pompey 2-1 City (Benjani, Utaka)