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| Monday 21st July 2008 | |||||||
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Pompey on parade
It was a 76th minute strike from Jamie Mudge that secured the Magpies the South Coast Challenge Trophy and they are now preparing to take on Premiership side Portsmouth. The FA Cup holders visit the Jewson Stadium tonight (7.30pm) but it is unclear just how strong their side will be, as they will also be taking a team to AFC Bournemouth. Speaking after the win over the Terras, Brooks said: "I thought our performance today was good. We worked hard, kept our shape and except for the first ten minutes of the second half I thought we pretty much controlled the game." The Magpies' midfield quartet of Kevin Hill, Nick Crittenden, Danny Clay and Patrece Liburd was particularly impressive. Brooks added: "All four did really well but in the first half we did lack a bit of quality. That is the first time they have played 90 minutes and I told them at the interval that if we improved our passing and kept working hard we would get an opportunity to win the game. "In the end it came through a great pass from Leon Osei to Jamie Mudge who took his chance superbly. "That type of game is exactly what we needed after three games of having a lot of the ball. "It was important to see how we would shape up against a Conference side and I am very pleased with how we acquitted ourselves. "However, we will have to step up again against Portsmouth. There are going to be long periods in that game where we are not going to have the ball and again we are going to have to work extremely hard. "I know they are taking a side to Bournemouth tonight but I would like to think they will split their first-team squad players between the two teams. "Harry Redknapp has promised us a good side and I understand Tony Adams will be the one bringing them down. Tony was a great player and is a good coach, and it will be nice to have him here. "We are also playing at Portland United tomorrow (7pm) but we will be taking some of the younger ones there. They have been doing very well and it is important we keep giving them games for their development." Commenting on Hutchings and Osei, Brooks added: "It was important that we saw Nick against better opposition and I thought he did well. He took some good catches and relieved the pressure by coming off his line and taking responsibility. We will certainly be looking to keep him around. "I also thought Leon looked bright when he came on. He was electric last Tuesday and he has now set up two goals in two games. He is exciting on the ball and I think he will get better and better as well so he is another one who we would like to see more of." Billy Puckett and Michael Walker are also on trial with the Magpies and they are expected to feature either tonight or tomorrow. As for the identity of the Magpies' new skipper for next season, Brooks said: "Kevin Hill was captain last Tuesday, Roy O'Brien had it before that and Mark Jermyn had it today. We are sharing it around at the moment and we will make a final decision on that just before the season starts. "But no matter who gets it, we now have a wealth of experience in the team so we should have a few skippers on the pitch not just one."
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