Portsmouth Post Match Thoughts

[gm_gm]

He’s only come over to drink all our cheap beer ?

True. I asked him to build a bridge from the New York tavern to the ground.......he’s thinking it over

[rolymiller]

Agree aart from the balls up with their goal, Barlaser was contender for MOM. We all know he can pass the ball but he appears to have developed a yard of extra pace now to me and also has a bit more bite in the tackle.

MOM for me was Smudge. They had no answer to him and I forgot he used to play for them. I bet they would have him back now in a jiffy and unfortunately for us they might cos i doubt he will be here after Jan.If we want to go up this year we really cant let him go even if it means him going on a freebie in the summer. Other MOM contenders : Wiles- back to his maurauding best and a well taken goal, Cheio who has not excited me so much as a winger since we had Towner, Reg also played well. The only player who looked a bit dodgy was Icky who gave the ball away in some daft positions at times. He seems to have lost his confidence or maybe it is an injury as he limped off in the end.

But that was a promotion contenders performance from the lads for sure. If we can bet Wyc on Tues we will definitely have signalled our intentions this season.

Oh and just a note on hirsty. When I saw him on their subs bench I thought he would just about come on and score the winner or equaliser for them Fortunately he didnt come on till we were 4-1 up and it wunt have mattered if he had scored. In reality he looked the same old waste of space living off his dads name. Im hoping they are stuck with him for a year like we were cos that will be a wasted squad place and wage for them. All will help keep them away from the promotion places!

The pigs chucking away a 2 goal lead was the icing on the cake! Well done the Wombles! Bet praise and grumble was an happy place for them toneet!

[mellowmiller]

Overall a very good performance. First 20 minutes Pompey bossed us a bit and our passing game was a bit flakey. However we weathered the pressure and built our game and Pompey had no answer to it.

As for Barlaser well he tried to play too much football in the wrong area of the pitch. The sort of error a defensive coach would work on.

High pressure to the end but hopefully it won't rebound on us next Tuesday

Just out of interest how many League 1 clubs do you think employ a specialist defensive coach?
I'll give you a clue.......it's fewer than one 😉

[Scum-Triumphant]

Just out of interest how many League 1 clubs do you think employ a specialist defensive coach?
I'll give you a clue.......it's fewer than one 😉

Only Wigan have conceded less league goals.

No one has conceded less shots.

[gm_gm]

Only Wigan have conceded less league goals.

No one has conceded less shots.

When are u in Whitby Dom?

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Just out of interest how many League 1 clubs do you think employ a specialist defensive coach?
I'll give you a clue.......it's fewer than one 😉

But some have managers or coaches that were defenders in their playing days so they know the ring craft of defending and can pass on the advice and experience to their players..

In today’s game Wood gave Barlaser “ a word of advice” after his mistake. I guess it wasn’t complementary

But yes league 1 clubs don’t have many defensive coaches in their staff, which is probably why they are consistently in league 1 or below.

[Scum-Triumphant]

When are u in Whitby Dom?

Not until Christmas now mate. Spending Christmas Day there.

[flourbasher]

portsmouth were ok for the first 15 minutes but then we got into the match and I thought after we scored the first they imploded and were clearly rattled. Passes going astray, committing lots to agricultural fouls and no potency up front.

Second half they came out with more purpose, closed us down more, forced the error and got back into it.
Once Smudge did his Messi magic they imploded again and were visibly fragile not only by conceding goals but confidence too.

I don't think they were a good side at all and will struggle with those two overrated Managers in charge.
Once we stopped their pretty passing they had no backbone or offensive threat at all and i,d be worried if my team capitulated in both halves. Passing it around well for the first ten minutes of each half won't win many matches
They aren't very good at choosing Managers down at Fratton Park

[jakethemiller]

Well pleased with that. I was worried at the start due to the lack of defensive cover on the bench. Mattock was stripped and warming up before the game but looked to be struggling hence why he wasn't named probably, but where was Tom Bola, I can't believe we would field a team with no defensive subs, oddoffin apart. Also I couldn't see how we could change the team if needed, to bring Chio on we couldn't take Harding off as we would be even more light for defenders.
As it happens we didn't need them but upto us scoring I thought we may have.
We did well to be one up at half time upto then they were the best team we've seen down here this season. They bossed the first 20 minutes and looked dangerous, we rallied and ended the half the stronger but my doubts reoccurred when they equalised.
Fortunately they are s##t defensively and have a very dodgy keeper. They imploded after our second and just couldn't deal with Wiles, Rathbone and Barlaser in the middle.
Then Chio comes on and runs them ragged, class.
Johansson. Didn't know much about their lads shot in first half but other than that, excellent, comes and collects well.
Edmonds Green. Seems to get better each game, but I'd still rather have Harding there.
Wood. Didn't put a foot wrong.
Ihiekwe. A few errors but lad is out of position.
Barlaser. Silly mistake for their goal but no one was angrier than him about it and brilliant otherwise.
Rathbone. What a player, has everything for me one of the best signings we've made, wish he hadn't done that pointless tackle to get booked.
Wiles. Was a real thorn in their side today, that's why the rough housed him. Still prone to giving silly passes away,but ran at them brilliantly.
Miller. Glad to see him back as an option did what he needed to do well, thought he ought to have took them on a bit more earlier on.
Smith. Immense, we need to try to keep him here and happy.
Grigg. Quieter game today but got stuck in and showed his class and commitment.
Ogbene. Their defence must have bobbed themselves when he came on, 3 men on him and he still showed them his knob.
Ladapo. Special mention for him as I've given him stick for not putting enough in. But he did today well done Freddie.
More of that please, I'd really like to gubb Wycombe on Tuesday, I don't like them or their manager.
Last point, why take Smudge off when he's on a hat trick.

[flourbasher]

Quite a few of our other players will take the headlines tonight but a big shout out for Mikel Miller who I thought had a great game and caused them a lot of problems.
So much so that they put three players on him at times as they found it difficult to stop him.
Unbelievable strength in depth this season