lookupsport

Much has been written about the support shown or not shown by various football fans throughout the country, but I thought I would add my own words and opinion, after going to watch Pompey play at Old Trafford this weekend.

Pompey took 2000 to Old Trafford and given the attendance was over 71000, you can assume that the other 69000 were Manchester Utd supporters.  However, all that could be heard for 99% of the time were the voices of the Pompey faithful, singing and encouraging their team to perform.  I put it down to the fact that we were sitting right in the middle of the 2000 and the noise was reverberating around our particular stand and drowning out the Man Utd supporters.  However, when Rooney opened  up the scoring the ground erupted for (30 seconds at least) and  the 69 000 fans made themselves heard for the first time, proving that they had in fact been sitting there in mute silence for much of the game.  What a shame it must be for the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo and company, to play in such a magnificent stadium but in front of such banal support.  If the Man Utd fans made even half the noise per person that the Pompey fans do, then they would not only drown out away fans but also create an electric atmosphere for their own players and an intimidating one for the visitors. 

That said, it didn’t effect the result and Man Utd eased into the next round thanks to a moment of brilliance from Rooney, which was widely appreiciated even by the most ardent Pompey boy.  Pompey acquitted themselves well, with some slick passing at times, but really failed to make that tell in the final third.  The first goal had been coming for some  time, with Pompey continually giving the ball away for a period of 20 minutes and therefore defending deeper and deeper and inviting Man Utd onto them.  So a fair result in the end, (and a game that will no doubt raise the call for video evidence again), but a great afternoon out for the Pompey fans, who started the long drive home safe in the knowledge they had played their part.  I’m not sure the United fans could say the same…