Neill expects tough away trip

Skipper Lucas Neill has spoken to fan’s about today’s clash at Fratton Park:

‘Fratton Park is a place no one likes to go to because the home crowd makes it a tough atmosphere. They are a strong and well organised team and have the added benefit of being able to field a consistent side week in, week out and any points we can grab there will be a bonus,’ he said in his blog on the official website. Neill was full of praise for popular ex-hammer Harry Redknapp, the Pompey manager:

‘They have a good manager that a lot of Hammers fans still hold in high regard, I for one think he is great manager who always seems to get the best out of his players and I therefore have a lot of respect for him and a lot of respect for the team he has shaped at the moment.’

West Ham fans will be hoping that Neill can recapture his form of last season, but the man himself was full of praise for a team mate who is not always a fan’s favourite, Carlton Cole, who scored the opening goal last weekend:

‘I was delighted to see Coley get on the scoresheet, he has been working really hard in training so really deserved a goal and it will do wonders for his confidence.’

Good luck to Lucas Neill and the boys today. Source: whufc.com