Game on - Portsmouth v Sheffield United gets go-ahead amid postponement fears

Pompey’s Championship clash against Sheffield United will kick off as planned at 3pm today.

The Blues have confirmed the game is not under threat, despite the amount of rain that has fallen on the south coast in recent days.

So much so that no plans are in place to even hold a pitch inspection in the hours building up to kick-off.

There were legitimate fears among the fan base of another cancellation, epsecially after last week’s game against Ipswich Town was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Fratton Park.

Yet there’s no risk to John Mousinho’s side stepping out onto the PO4 pitch on this occasion, with both the Blues and Blades now making their final preparations for what promises to be an enthralling contest.

Why Pompey v Ipswich fell victim to the weather

The game is Pompey’s first at Fratton Park since their 3-0 win against West Brom on January 31.

The midweek game against Ipswich was cancelled before 11am on Tuesday, February 3, and before Tractor Boys fans made their way to Hampshire.

Writing in his programmes notes ahead of today’s game, Pompey chief executive Andy Cullen said all efforts were maximised in order to get the game against Kieran McKenna’s side on.

He said: ‘Fratton Park was saturated after recording 53mm of rain in 36 hours. This was on top of last month’s unprecedented rainfall of 205mm, which compares to the five-year January average of 90mm.

‘I would like to thank our ground staff, who did everything they could to get the game on. With no let-up in the rain, they ensured the pitch was properly aerated, supplemented by the hire of an Air2G2 machine. This uses pressurised air to help de-compact the soil profile and aid drainage and was working on the pitch constantly in the run up to the West Brom contest and again on the Saturday evening, Sunday and Monday prior to Ipswich.

‘Four Bowdry blotters, which physically remove surface water in the immediate build-up to a match, were secured to support us on the Tuesday. We also brought in additional light rigs to aid pitch recovery and promote grass growth.

‘Ultimately, everyone’s efforts were in vain, with an early postponement decision made at 11am, just before the away fan coaches were due to depart from Suffolk. We were desperately keen to get this fixture on, not only to maintain the momentum of a four-game unbeaten run, but also to save the high unnecessary costs associated with any late postponement.

‘A new date is set to be announced shortly.’