Peterborough's Nathan Thompson opens up on buying fouls that frustrate opposition fans ahead of Portsmouth reunion

The defender aims to frustrate the 2,500-plus members of the Fratton faithful in tomorrow’s key League One promotion clash.

Thompson was renowned for his craft of buying cheap fouls during his two-year stay on the south coast.

His trademark when he suffered slight contact to the back was given the moniker the Thompson Flop

Thompson turned down a new deal last summer, however, after Kenny Jackett's men failed to achieve promotion into the Championship.

The former Swindon skipper didn’t get his desired move to a second-tier side, though, and instead settled for a move to the Posh.

Again, he finds himself locked in a heated battle to escape League One. Pompey sit third, while Peterborough are eighth in the table.

The manner of Thompson’s departure caused ire among contingents of Blues fans, leading him to become the pantomime villain during the 2-2 at PO4 in December.

The 29-year-old’s well aware supporters of Jackett’s side will be giving him a similar reception at London Road.

But that won’t deter him from his usual antics.

Thompson told Peterborough’s website: 'It's that game management and that's what possibly comes with a bit of experience.

'At times, you need to slow the game down. It can get a little bit basketball-esque in that it's end to end and if you don't take the sting out of the game, it can become a bit messy in that sense.

'You have to learn to buy fouls and I know opposing fans get slightly frustrated. When I did it at Portsmouth, they were all sort of buzzing off it last year - not so much this year!

'But it's part and parcel of the game and you have to expect that.

‘It was what I expected (when Thompson was back at Fratton Park).

‘Naturally, they try to get in your head. I think I’m old enough and wise enough to expect that and not let it affect my game.

‘It was a mixed reception. Some fans were clapping away and has pleasant things to say then naturally you get those not too pleasant things.

‘But I’m experienced and wise enough to get on with it, It's water off a duck's back in that sense.’

Pompey and Peterborough's ambitions at the start of the season was to enjoy promotion.

And Thompson knows how important the result of tomorrow’s game will be.

He added: 'Both teams had those aspirations at the start of the season.

‘I knew come this time of the year, it'd be a massive game and it's one I've looked forward to for a long time.

‘We go into it with the same mindset of any other game. Naturally, it is a big game because they'll bring a big crowd and there'll be a good atmosphere but it's exactly the same sort of prep for us.

‘Both teams are happy with the result, it was a pretty even game and they’ll come on Saturday looking to keep their run going.’