When the Pompey of the future looks back on April of 2009 it will be remembered as a turning point in the battle to stay afloat in the Premier League. The only question is will it be a fond memory or a painful one.

This is the question that is on everyone's mind coming off of this international break. Can Portsmouth break away from the back of the pack? This April will decide that as 5 of the last 9 matches take place in April. They are:

04/04 - @ Hull City

11/04 - West Bromwich Albion

18/04 - Bolton

22/04 - @ Manchester United

27/04 - Newcastle United

Some may argue that Manchester United is the most important of these five due to their place in the table or their recently developed knack for choking, so it's the biggest upset possibility. Others will say that the loser of the Newcastle fixture will be relegated. Both of these are valid points. Looking ahead through April I can't say with any certainty which of these will end being the most important. However, right now Hull City seems a rather large hurdle to clear.

Coming off of a two week break and a big win over Everton, Portsmouth will be looking to keep the momentum going, and I hate to say it but it looks tough. Not because Hull has had jaw dropping form lately, or because Hull is such a threat, but because it can be difficult getting the wheel turning again.

But then again it's not like they've had trouble with it lately. This season coming off of breaks of 10 days or more Portsmouth is unbeaten. Defeating a weak Middlesbrough and drawing with a Champion's League contender in Aston Villa.

Assuming that the Ukraine tie goes well for Capello's men (although by the time I finally do post this that'll probably be old news) it could prove to be a vital boost to old Petey Crouch, and an in-form striker with Crouch's capapbilities is always a welcome addition to a team battling to stay alive.

So, let's hope for have good news by this time next week both International and domestic.