Sam Manton mener uavgjort ikke holder i dagens kamp, og han tror Pompey innfrir og leverer tre poeng i dagens svært viktige kamp på Fratton Park.

SUPPORTERINTERVJUET: Hjemme mot Derby i femte siste serierunde. Sesongens viktigste kamp. Tre poeng betyr trolig fornyet kontrakt. Tap vil sende oss i store problemer med kun fire kamper igjen. Her er Sam Manton, vår medlem nummer 88, sine tanker før dagens kamp.

It was 1st place and promotion last season. What are your best memories from the 2023/24 season?

– After 7 seasons in L1 it was just so good to be out of that league. I think for me personally it was the last match of the season. Presenting the aquavit to Pack with Jon pitchside, and meeting a lot of the other Scandinavian Pompey fans in Pompey that weekend was awesome. Many beers were drunk!

What are your thoughts on the season so far?

– It’s been so up and down, but mostly up. It took us a long time to adapt at the start of the season that really put us on the back foot. Bottom of the league and we looked like a lost L1 team. But credit to Mous and the players for stepping up. I think we had a fairly decent Jan transfer window which helped. Had we not had as many injuries as we’ve had I honestly think we could be mid-table. But we are not, and we are in big danger with all the teams below us winning and picking up points most games. We need to keep trying to get a point away from home here and there and concentrate on our home form. Win all the remaining home games and we will be OK.

Which teams do you think will be promoted from the Championship this season and which three teams will be relegated?

– Looking like Leeds are falling apart again (But they have looked one of the best teams in the league before we beat them). I still think they will go up with Sheffield United and I think Sunderland will sneak it too. We should have beaten Burnley but they have an insane defence. I don’t know but something is telling me they will slip up too.

Have you been or are you going to see Pompey live this season?

– I was at the home game in Jan against Middlesbrough. We fought so hard and deserved that win.

How do you stay up to date on Pompey (matches and news)?

– Pompey News Now, Joakim’s updates and Portsmouth News mostly.

Do you have any favorite players in the current Pompey squad?

– If we stay up they will all be favourites of mine. But for me it’s Matt Richie. He bleeds Pompey. With Scum relegated I cannot wait for him to have his chance to play against them. You need that in a south coast derby, someone who gets it and gets Pompey!

What are your thoughts on John Mousinho and his coaching team?

– Best manager we have had in years. He understands Pompey, and the pressure that comes with managing the club. The players respect him and I think he’s made some great signings, especially Josh Murphy who has been outstanding. Jon Harley is a great assistant and brings a lot of fight, I loved his attitude when he played for us and he brings a lot of experience and knowledge to the players.

Now it’s Derby at home. What are your thoughts on this match, what is your starting eleven and how do you think the match will end?

– Massive game and a must win for us at home, I wouldn’t even want a draw for this one. We need to beat them and extend the gap. I want to see Milosevic play in the defence but it might be risky playing him in a big game so probably best to leave the defence unchanged. I think Pompey will win 2-0.

Do you have anything else you would like to say to the rest of the Scandinavian Pompey supporters?

– Should we stay in the Championship (which I hope we will), and in the likely result of not being able to get a ticket, I want to try and organise a meetup for Pompey Vs Scum, most likely in Oslo. That’s if I’m unable to go PUP!

Jon Harley.