Search for
Search for
Search forPompey front line could make it a hard night's work for City
Wednesday, July 16, 2008, 13:26
Tisdale will put out a strong side against the Premiership outfit at St James's Park.
With Peter Crouch set to make his debut for the FA Cup winners and Jermain Defoe, Sol Campbell and Glen Johnson also expected to play a part, City will have their work cut out.
But Tisdale believes the chance to pit their wits against some of the cream of top-flight football will give his players the perfect incentive to impress.
“It is a great test for the lads and great experience for them,” he said.
“It is wonderful for the players to play in a game like this and it is chance for the supporters to watch international players in action.
“We are a club that is trying to constantly evolve and get better and it will be nice to see what the top level is like.
“Our players will enjoy playing against Premiership players who are not just good footballers but also extremely good athletes as well.
“It is a big coup for the club to get a club like Portsmouth down to St James's Park and, of course, we have got Southampton coming down here in the Carling Cup at the start of the season.
“It should be a really exciting evening and I would encourage fans to come along and watch because it is not very often you get top sides come to our place.”
The City manager revealed how he was rooting for Pompey to win the FA Cup as soon as it emerged that they would be Exeter's first pre-season opponents at St James's Park.
Harry Redknapp's men triumphed at Wembley thanks to a 1-0 win over Championship outfit Cardiff City, which also earned them a place in this season's UEFA Cup.
“After we organised the fixture we were rooting for them at the FA Cup final because we wanted to say that we were hosting the FA Cup winners at St James's Park,” said Tisdale.
“It is a dream fixture for us and the fact that they won the cup makes it even more interesting.”
If Crouch does make his first appearance in Pompey colours following his £11m switch from Liverpool, then City's defence will have a job coping with his aerial presence.
City's director of football Steve Perryman joked: “If Crouch plays we are considering putting Ben Watson on Matt Taylor's shoulders and competing that way.”
Tisdale is looking forward to seeing how his back line fare against the star-studded forward line at Redknapp's disposal.
“It will be a real test for the likes of Danny Seaborne and Matt Taylor and I am intrigued to see how they get on against top strikers. Portsmouth have quality in all positions and our players will be relishing the opportunity to compete against them,” he said.
Tisdale is likely to name a strong line-up, with Paul Jones expected to get the nod in goal behind a back four of Steve Tully, Taylor, Seaborne and George Friend.
Rob Edwards, Matt Gill and Ryan Harley should feature in a three-man midfield, while Adam Stansfield, Richard Logan and Steve Basham look favourites to claim the three places up front. New signing Marcus Stewart played in last night's friendly at Truro.
With widemen Dean Moxey, Jack Obersteller and Neil Saunders all nursing injuries, Tisdale is desperately short of width and almost certain to press ahead with the 4-3-3 formation that earned the club promotion last season.
England striker Jermain Defoe (right) will be sure to test City's defence if he plays at St James's Park tonight, along with £11m signing Peter Crouch Dave Thompson
Be the first to comment