Habib Beye Watch - Portsmouth

It's hard to pick out the positives from a result which keeps us in the mire. This was another must win game, and on the balance of play was actually a should win game as Portsmouth offered as little resistance as we've come across at home this season.

A workman like display from Portsmouth saw them come and go with a point without really having to do much... and that's the problem isn't it? Smith did more in 90 minutes than Nolan has done in his limited time with the club and Michael Owen again looked like he was picking up his pay cheque. Martins and Viduka are short of fitness and confidence but look our best bet for a goal, whilst the injury to Jose Enrique was key in us losing our way going forward.

Beye was solid, we can't help thinking that perhaps our favourite could be more inspirational. In a team supposedly full of captains we believe Habib should have the armband... Perhaps he should go and take it!

All in all, it's difficult to write a balanced report when we're teetering so close to the brink of relegation. 6 or 7 points might do it. But on this form, 6 or 7 points seems like a mountain to climb.