The Portsmouth vs City game remains in the balance with a pitch inspection taking place as this is typed. Apparently temperatures fell to -7 overnight and, despite employing a dozen heaters to hold off the freeze, the Fratton Park pitch is likely to have taken on concrete-like qualities.

Robinho’s thigh injury must be twitching furiously at the prospect of taking to an ice rink pitch in freezing temperatures – so he for one, will be glad of the news should it be postponed. For fantasy managers however, particularly Ireland owners, it’s a potential headache….

Ireland was suspended for this game – not a major loss for his owners. However, if this fixture is postponed, he would miss the potentially more profitable home game with Wigan next weekend.

This will of course lead to a potential double gameweek in the near future for both clubs – although that could rely on Portsmouth maintaining an FA Cup run. They have a replay at Bristol City on Tuesday.

In the meantime, I’m off to compile a table of clubs with and without under-soil heating, whilst studying meteorological records for the next couple of months to prepare us for a similar situation. Either that or I’m off to get some breakfast – haven’t decided yet.