Portsmouth - predictions anyone?

[gazan]

Must admit fearing the worst. It was going to be a hard slog against Pompey without losing
Lowery and Kirk, never mind those others who left in the summer. At least we've got a CH in
to replace the accountant. Hopefully the gossip about Dale is not yet true and he plays on Saturday.
Will we stick to 4-3-3 or might we need to be a bit more solid with 4-3-1-2/4-4-2? Lundstram should start
but will he be alongside Murphy or MacDonald? Will he risk Finney and/or Ainley in terms of, perhaps,
needing all hands to the pump? Will Long get some time? Has MacFadzean earned a place or is Rio still the best bet?
Well, I still think our biggest problem will be creating and scoring chances. We haven't shown much upfront yet so it's a question of whether our defensive setup can survive. In the first two games and remembering the Stoke game, we've had a few panics already. All in all, I'm very pessimistic about the game (and to some extent, the season at the moment!) and am plumping for 3-0 defeat.

[Wartman]

Must admit fearing the worst. It was going to be a hard slog against Pompey without losing
Lowery and Kirk, never mind those others who left in the summer. At least we've got a CH in
to replace the accountant. Hopefully the gossip about Dale is not yet true and he plays on Saturday.
Will we stick to 4-3-3 or might we need to be a bit more solid with 4-3-1-2/4-4-2? Lundstram should start
but will he be alongside Murphy or MacDonald? Will he risk Finney and/or Ainley in terms of, perhaps,
needing all hands to the pump? Will Long get some time? Has MacFadzean earned a place or is Rio still the best bet?
Well, I still think our biggest problem will be creating and scoring chances. We haven't shown much upfront yet so it's a question of whether our defensive setup can survive. In the first two games and remembering the Stoke game, we've had a few panics already. All in all, I'm very pessimistic about the game (and to some extent, the season at the moment!) and am plumping for 3-0 defeat.

Would like to see us go 4-4-2 with Richards in goal Ramsey, Daniels, Offord, Macfazdean, Dale, Ainley, Lundstrum, McDonald, Long and Mandaron. I am a little bit more optimistic and think we will lose 2-1.

On the recruitment front I believe we will be signing the Spurs winger on loan over the weekend, which still leaves Artell an awful lot of work in the last 2 weeks to bring in the further 4 players we require if nobody else leaves.

[ShropshireAlex]

Has anyone actually confirmed what's happening with Hoban? He's still on team page of O/S but hasn't been given squad number - mind you they haven't been formally announced anyway.

[Wartman]

Has anyone actually confirmed what's happening with Hoban? He's still on team page of O/S but hasn't been given squad number - mind you they haven't been formally announced anyway.

I understand the situation with Hoban has gone legal, hence the complete silence on the matter.

[ShropshireAlex]

If he's trying to get out of a contract he signed only weeks ago then going legal is clearly correct course of action.

[Wartman]

Would like to see us go 4-4-2 with Richards in goal Ramsey, Daniels, Offord, Macfazdean, Dale, Ainley, Lundstrum, McDonald, Long and Mandaron. I am a little bit more optimistic and think we will lose 2-1.

On the recruitment front I believe we will be signing the Spurs winger on loan over the weekend, which still leaves Artell an awful lot of work in the last 2 weeks to bring in the further 4 players we require if nobody else leaves.

Well that first half was absolutely dreadful inept and toothless, 3 in midfield is not working for us especially as there is zero pace and passing ability in that 3, Artell has a ton of work on the get the attacking players in we clearly need. Only positive is we have not conceded.

[gazan]

We have now! Bloody McGarry commentary! Only knew who had scored because of the crowd noise.

[gazan]

It's the midfield than needs strengthening. The line up was put in place to protect the defence. However, there is noone to change the pattern.

[Wartman]

It's the midfield than needs strengthening. The line up was put in place to protect the defence. However, there is noone to change the pattern.

Well I have just one word DREADFUL !!!

I am not sure how Artell can even spin the positive about that dire performance lacking in any kind of creativity, oh and we can’t defend either !!! I think it is criminal that we have a quality creative midfielder at the club who Artell won’t play, well if that’s the case get some players in who are better and bloody quick !!!!

[gazan]

We have to do something about the Lowery situation. We sounded like we missed his input today. The midfield was adequate but by no means is that line up creative. I still can't see how we're going to score without that. I admire Artell's stance with Lowery but we need someone to replace him.
I'm not panicking but since the day before the season opener as people left, I have felt much more pessimistic and with such a tough opening schedule, I worry that we may be struggling early on and then a certain psychology may set in.
MacDonald sounds solid but off the pace. Then again, the team is usually a little slow off the mark, so I wonder if DA is doing anything to counter that.