ADAM REED is predicting a “restless” home crowd at Portsmouth if York City can get off to a good start during tomorrow’s Sky Bet League Two clash at Fratton Park.

The 22-year-old midfielder spent two months on loan with Pompey last season prior to joining the Minstermen for the first of two spells.

He made ten appearances for the south-coast fallen giants during their League One relegation campaign and did not finish on the winning side in any of his home outings for the 2008 FA Cup final winners.

A crowd of 16,000-plus is expected but Reed revealed such great support can bring added pressure for a team who are hovering above the relegation zone, having taken just three points from a possible 12.

He said: “They were going through a tough time when I was there and, when things aren’t going right, the fans still turn up in their numbers but they can get a bit restless. We need to be aware of that and, hopefully, take advantage of that situation by starting like we did against Wycombe and putting them on the back foot.”

Reed might not have tasted victory in front of the Fratton faithful as a home player, but he has happy recollections of his two-month stay at the start of 2013. He is savouring a return, adding: “It’s the fixture I have been looking forward to.

“It will be a good occasion going back to a big football club and playing at their stadium in front of lots of fans. A lot of stuff has happened to me since I was there but I’ve got a lot of good memories.

“It was a great experience playing in front of those crowds, especially for a young lad, because it gives you a taste of big football. The fans obviously love the club and you want to play in front of attendances that size every week.

“There are a lot of good people there and the club is changing in a good way, so I am sure they will get stronger but, hopefully, we can go there now and get three points.”

Despite their lowly standing, Reed also insists tomorrow’s hosts boast talented players who will need to be watched closely.

“I am really close to their young winger Jed Wallace, who had started to get in the team when I was there and we will need to be aware of him,” the ex-Sunderland reserve warned. “I also played alongside Toumani Diagouraga in midfield when I was on loan at Brentford and, with those two, they have quality in the team.

“But we know we have enough quality in our team to beat anybody in this league. If we go there with the right attitude and start well, we should be fine.”

It is almost exactly a year since Reed first joined City as a loan player from the Stadium of Light.

The club were embroiled in a relegation dogfight at the time and the cultured midfielder admitted this season’s run-in - which could yet culminate in a surprise play-off spot - should be less intense and allow the players to relish their football in a manner not possible 12 months ago.

“Last season, the lads were going through a tough time and it was a bit of a transitional period under a new manager,” Reed recalled. “When I came in, there was a lot of pressure to produce but, at the moment, I feel we have got a bit of momentum.

“We are going into every game feeling we can win and anything less is a disappointment. Last season there was a completely different mentality.

“Now, the lads are really enjoying their football and there’s a lot of spirit in the camp.”

Reed played an integral role in last season’s survival bid, netting twice during the final six games.

He has yet to hit the target during ten appearances since rejoining City from Burton in the transfer window but hopes to put that right, saying: “The gaffer is getting on my back a bit about getting a goal.

“The most important thing is to keep winning games but, personally, I know I should be scoring and creating goals. Hopefully, that goal will come sooner rather than later and, then, there will be more.”

Reed is also hoping to convince his manager he is worth a new contract.

“I will have no club at the end of the season, but I just want to concentrate on my football now,” Reed reasoned. “Then, if the manager feels like he can see me here next season, that’s his choice.”


Match facts

CITY’S last visit to Fratton Park was on September 29, 1979, when, in front of 14,917, they lost a Fourth Division (League Two) fixture 5-2.

The line-up was: Neenan, Kamara, Kay, Pugh, Faulkner, James, Lorimer, Eccles, Wellings, McDonald, Staniforth.

New signing Terry Eccles from Huddersfield Town scored on his debut and the other marksman was Roy Kay.

Making his last appearance that day was Gordon Staniforth prior to his move to Carlisle United for a then club record fee received of £120,000.

City’s first two trips to Portsmouth were in the second tier losing 1-0 in 1974/75 and winning 1-0 the following campaign with Jim Hinch the scorer.

In 1976/77, they lost a Third Division (League One) enounter 3-1 and in 1978/79 drew 1-1 in the Fourth Division (League Two).


It happened on March 22

1930: City beat Rochdale 6-0 at Fulfordgate in Division Three North watched by 4,720. On target were Wally Gardner (2), Tommy Fenoughty (2), Willie Millar and Billy Bottrill. It was then the club’s record Football League win.

1947: City played their first game since the beginning of February when they lost 3-2 at Bradford City. The marksmen were Bill Allen and Alf Patrick.

1963: A 3-0 victory over Bradford City at Bootham Crescent in the Fourth Division (League Two) in front of 4,904. On the scoresheet were Norman Wilkinson, John Stainsby and Tommy Heron.

1975: A 3-2 home win over Fulham with goals from Chris Jones (2) and Ian Holmes from the penalty spot. In the visitors’ line-up were Bobby Moore, Alan Mullery and Viv Busby, who scored one of their goals. City were 15th in Division Two (Championship) and the attendance was 7,495.

1980: Terry Eccles was the scorer in a 1-0 Fourth Division (League Two) home win over Torquay United in front of 1,791.

1994: Bournemouth were defeated 2-0 at Bootham Crescent in the Second Division (League One) thanks to goals from Paul Stancliffe and Ian Blackstone watched by a crowd of 3,648.

Compiled by Dave Batters