
It’s not a derby, no matter how Sky Sports and other media attempt to build it up.
One of my friends always makes the point that Stoke is closer to us than Plymouth!
There’s not a huge amount of Pompey supporters who call it a derby – more coming from Plymouth’s end for some reason.
It’s only in recent years this has come about.
It has been such a long time since we played them consistently that I suppose the rivalry had subsided.
After Tuesday night at Peterborough – where a lot of people would have been happy to take a point – this is a must-win game.
It would be good to give the fans confidence and I’m going for a 2-1 victory.
With Christian Burgess suspended, Kenny Jackett has to make some changes and you would imagine Matt Clarke would be put back in the centre of defence.
I am quite liking Oli Hawkins in that position, he is proving very solid, so I would switch Clarke and bring in Dion Donohue or Brandon Haunstrup at left-back.
I’d make other changes, with Nathan Thompson, inset, taking the place of Gareth Evans at right-back.
I would also consider bringing in Stuart O’Keefe for Ben Close.
Peterborough was the first time Ben has had a poor game, while Danny Rose has been absolutely fantastic since he’s come in.
Meanwhile, I’d like Matty Kennedy to be an impact player off the bench.