What is wrong?

[PompeyScarf]

After the good performance at Chesterfield alot of people's expectations were high for yesterday. What went wrong?

Is it RB's tactics? He seems to be fielding teams with a more attacking intent than previously, but it makes no difference to the result than when he wasn't.

Is it player power? The team don't like RB or his tactics and are not giving 100% unless it suits them.

The players aren't good enough or are lazy.

What's the deal?

[BlueAdder]

What went wrong is the expectation of the fans. I said in another post that my only expectation of Saturday's game was a return to normal with few goals and one goal enough to win it.
The first home game of the season when Oxford wacked four past us was a clear indication of what was to come. People really should get real, we have endured five years of calamity upon calamity and are now in League 2 with a poor side. We have a debt that must be paid and until it is we can't buy players.
So, we do our best with what we've got, continue our support and hope to stay up. Pay the debt down and then see if Barker can do a proper job when he can attract better players.
Ridiculous to be calling for the manager's head when he is working with loans and freebies (i.e. not very good) to build a team. I think we have at least one more season in the doldrums and must stick with the program.
PUP.

[ForeverPompey]

well said BlAdder..tbh i'm just glad i've got a team to support.it's not so long ago that we looked doomed.yes,the football is often rubbish,it's something we have to put up with for the time being i'm afraid.hopefully we'll avoid relegation this season.

[Lancer]

They need motivating. They are not playing to their full potential.

[berniefan]

I agree with Blueadder.
Yesterday I didn't see any player not trying. Ok, they may not have the ability we have been used to "in the past " but we have what we can afford.
On Express last night Colin Farmery was accused of "lacking ambition " amongst other stupid comments. Colin did well to remain polite and give a balanced response .
We all want Pompey to do better but does any true fan want to go back to the Redknapp days ? QPR A£ 177 M in debt .
The fans have been fantastic . Getting behind the team and the manager is the only real option for he rest of this season.

[PompeyScarf]

So was it Chesterfield having an off day that made us play better than usual? Wish I could get to games to have an idea about what's going on. But I was also cautious about Saturday and thought some people's expectations were too high. Good thing is another game tomorrow.

[Scoular1]

Ridiculous to be calling for the manager's head when he is working with loans and freebies (i.e. not very good) to build a team. I think we have at least one more season in the doldrums and must stick with the program.
PUP.

Did you say this when Whittingham was under fire

[BlueAdder]

As you well know Scully I was never a Whitts fan. He was given more than a fair crack at the job and was in free fall when he left. Difficult to argue that Barker's signings have not been an improvement on what we had in place.
Barker may or may not turn out to be the man for us, but doubt we should be changing our manager again so soon with no guarantee of success.

[mothman]

I agree with the fact that we are where we are, and we are what we are, but that still does not excuse some bad decisions that have been made. Like sending our best striker out to Oxford. Some draws would probably have been wins. But of course that is all speculation on what could have happened. One positive thing is that the defence seems more solid. But with the Pfc situation no one can expect too much. One big thing that plays a part in life is confidence, and that is not 100% at present. Expectations are very high and I think the players find this a burden. But in time hopefully all will be well. This year is all about survival, nothing more.

[BileysThere]

As you well know Scully I was never a Whitts fan. He was given more than a fair crack at the job and was in free fall when he left. Difficult to argue that Barker's signings have not been an improvement on what we had in place.
Barker may or may not turn out to be the man for us, but doubt we should be changing our manager again so soon with no guarantee of success.

Barker has tightened the defence so that's great but i would argue that we would probably have had the same points,more goals and better entertainment under Whitts.
Not getting rid off a manager this season given all the restraints he has should have been obvious, instead we have incurred extra cost for nothing.