Pompey Preview

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 18/08/2000

Town boss Alan Buckley is hoping to bounce straight back from the opening day defeat against Preston with a good result at Fratton Park, a 'lucky' ground for Buckley as manager of both Grimsby and WBA. The last 4 times Buckley has taken a team to Portsmouth, his side have come away with 3 points.

Two of these victories came with Grimsby and two with West Brom. Things might be a little harder this time however with Pompey splashing out in the pre-season including £1.2m on Bradford striker Lee Mills. Portsmouth have compiled a database of fixtures between the two teams in recent years.

Tony Gallimore and Stacy Coldicott are both likely to start for Town after being kept out through injury and suspension respectively. Peter Handyside has not made the squad despite playing the whole of the reserve game against Darlington on Wednesday evening.

Gallimore's return allows David Smith to push forward into his preferred position on the left wing. In central midfield Buckley has the rare luxury of a choice of any two from Alan Pouton, Stacy Coldicott and club skipper Paul Groves.

Up front, Jeffrey and Clare look to continue their new striking partnership, with Allen taking up (yet again) his customary position on the bench

Town Squad: Coyne, McDermott, Raven, Livingstone, Gallimore, Donovan, Groves, Coldicott, Pouton, D Smith, Black, Allen, Clare, Jeffrey, Butterfield, Croudson, Chapman, Buckley.

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