Boss relishing south coast trip...
I EXPECT a lot of tight games this season and Saturday's trip to Portsmouth will be one of them.We travel to face a side who did well in their last game and as such they will go into the game in upbeat mood, but so do we.
Michael Appleton has had some tough times since the summer, but he has put together a strong side who are sure to make life difficult for us. That said, we will go there with the right attitude, determined to do things the right way and build upon our recent performances.
As I say, Portsmouth have had some well-documented troubles; my concern, though is with Walsall FC and making sure that we bring home the points. The authorities will sort out the issues at Fratton Park, but what I do know is that they spent their pre-season on tour in Spain and our summer was spent in Essington!
Portsmouth are a big club and it's a nice place for us to go and show what we can do. I have a decent record there as a player, so hopefully we can go there, enjoy it and bring home the points.
The home faithful will certainly get behind their team, so our travelling contingent will have another important role to play. The supporters have been superb so far and long may this continue.
DEAN SMITH