The Bolton manager was praising their defence in an interview, up to a certain point he’s right as the Trotters do have indeed a decent defence, however that mainly comes from the fact that they play very close and rely a lot on crosses and set pieces, it’s a team that completely lacks imagination up front if you ask me.

They haven’t concede for 3 rounds in a row BUT pay attention which teams they played: Newcastle who look like from other planet with their new manager, Fulham who play again VERY defensive-minded football, and then Reading who are not in their best shape, and what’s worse for them is that they lack a solid defence either, hence the Bolton victory. Nolan was free like a bird in the penalty box before he scored, only a crappy defence like Reading’s could allow such mistake, and against Pompey that won’t happen.

I used to go like crazy against Pompey a while ago, but it’s not the case now. Kanu will get back in England only at the end of the week, and their top scorer Benjani plays for City now, but they brought Baros and Defoe of late, so I think they somehow solved their problems up front, the last actually scored a goal on his debut against Chelsea last round.

The reason I go with Pompey this time is because I think they got more quality in their team, I like the way they create chances, I mean they know to press the opponents, and as the Trotters will probably play “smart” and block the spaces, I’m sure the visitors will sooner or later find spaces and hopefully score.

If they played a few months ago it would have been a clear +0.25:-0.25 situation, how many things have changed since? Not many if you ask me, Pompey didn’t show much all this time but they didn’t play the right opponents either. Pompey level ball is the call thus.