"We're all going on a European tour" has been one of the favourite songs for Portsmouth's noisy fans this season, but for their final, dead game in the Uefa Cup they'll have to change it to "we've all been on a European tour." It's all over a bit early, and no surprise given the way they defended in Wolfsburg's Volkswagen Arena.
Sol Campbell and the normally reliable Sylvain Distin had many wobbly moments, especially in the first half. Their passing was also poor, and even when Tony Adams tightened up by bringing on Noe Pamarot he, too, was incapable of passing properly. Pompey never looked convincing even when ahead (nothing unusual there), and there was too little input from midfield.
David James will get all the headlines for his terrible mistake that gifted Wolfsburg their third goal, but the fact that he also saved a penalty and helped to make his team's first goal with a brilliant throw shows what an up and down team Pompey are.
24 hours before kick-off I had been talking with John Utaka on a panel discussing the future of African football, at Birkbeck college in London. He's injured so he hadn't travelled to Germany, and after talking about South Africa 2010 and a host of other subjects we got around to Pompey.
What's happened to Papa Bouba Diop, I wanted to know. Suddenly, after months of indifferent form (and being played out of position) he has played like a man possessed. Outstanding against Milan and nearly as good in Sunday's win over Blackburn. "As I was saying earlier (talking about Nigeria's national team) football really is a game of ups and downs," Utaka said. "And he's having an up right now."
Not enough of an up for Adams to pick him though - and that was not the only surprise, with Crouch also on the bench and the pacy Arnold Mvuemba starting. Adams clearly fancied his chances of outwitting Felix Magath, the Wolfsburg manager who had been planning for a long-ball game from Pompey, aimed at Crouch.
Even though Mvuemba scored, the gamble failed, and when Crouch came on it was too late. Leaving out Diop was the bigger mystery though. He might have helped to protect the defence.
At least the fans have enjoyed themselves. And there was some joy in Germany for a Pompey old boy. Milan Baros scored Galatasaray's winner in Berlin yesterday.
