Bad Barnsley timekeeping, wonderful Fratton faithful and Yengi's brilliance: Rotherham new-boy Joe Rafferty picks his five favourite Portsmouth games

Chief sports writer

Published 21st May 2024, 18:00 BST

Updated 21st May 2024, 18:10 BST

Joe Rafferty has left Pompey as a League One winner – and already found a new club in Rotherham.

The dependable right-back totalled 68 appearances during two Fratton Park seasons after arriving under Danny Cowley in July 2022.

Here he talks us through his five favourite Blues matches – and explains why...

Joe Rafferty after the 3-2 success over Barnsley which clinched promotion - and the League One title. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages

1. Portsmouth defender Joe Rafferty (17) Portsmouth promoted during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Portsmouth and Barnsley at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, England on 16 April 2024.

Joe Rafferty after the 3-2 success over Barnsley which clinched promotion - and the League One title. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages Photo: Jason Brown

I remember being in the Oakwell tunnel before the game and a few of us were getting a bit agitated because Barnsley took the mickey coming out of their dressing room, turning up a bit late.From that moment, I thought “Right let’s kick on and do this now” - and we did. Their behaviour motivated us.1/2

2. Barnsley 2 Pompey 3 (September 19, 2023)

I remember being in the Oakwell tunnel before the game and a few of us were getting a bit agitated because Barnsley took the mickey coming out of their dressing room, turning up a bit late.From that moment, I thought “Right let’s kick on and do this now” - and we did. Their behaviour motivated us.1/2 Photo: Jason Brown

Cont...That first half was absolutely brilliant, probably the best football we’ve played this season, everything fell into place as we went in 3-0 up.The second half we camped in and really had to dig deep, so two very different performances in one match.2/2

3. Barnsley 2 Pompey 3 (September 19, 2023)

Cont...That first half was absolutely brilliant, probably the best football we’ve played this season, everything fell into place as we went in 3-0 up.The second half we camped in and really had to dig deep, so two very different performances in one match.2/2 Photo: Jason Brown

It’s a funny one, a bit of a stand-out moment. We had lost 4-0 at Fratton Park and it felt like an opportunity for the fans to turn on us - yet they didn’t.I remember going around the ground clapping at the end and a good few fans had stayed. They were clapping, singing their songs and I thought “Right, this is happening, we are doing this”. These people were actually clapping us off after a heavy home defeat!1/2

4. Pompey 0 Blackpool 4 (November 25, 2023)

It’s a funny one, a bit of a stand-out moment. We had lost 4-0 at Fratton Park and it felt like an opportunity for the fans to turn on us - yet they didn’t.I remember going around the ground clapping at the end and a good few fans had stayed. They were clapping, singing their songs and I thought “Right, this is happening, we are doing this”. These people were actually clapping us off after a heavy home defeat!1/2 Photo: Jason Brown

Rotherham League One Portsmouth Danny Cowley Blues Fratton Park

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