An incident packed, low quality game. Lots of poor passing, poor control, bad
tackles, bad defending and avoidable goals. Kilkenny and Becchio were both
dropped (rested) and replaced by Paynter and McCormack. I think the idea was to
play Paynter on his own up front and McCormack to support him in the Howson
role. Howson would then sit deeper alongside Johnson playing the Kilkenny role.
More on that later.
We were 2-0 up after 10 minutes. Was it good play from us or poor defending ? A
bit of both but if you see the first Gradel goal you can’t help wonder what the
Pompey right back was doing, he just went to sleep, Gradel nipped in and put it
away. Their keeper was livid. The goal was well worked with Connelly getting in
a great cross.
The second was all about Howson who got the ball skipped by two defenders
before
placing it in the net with his least favourite foot – a really well taken goal
by a top player. We should have gone 3-0 up with a really good bit of play –
McCormack with the intelligent little flick inside to an unmarked Paynter. It
seemed to get beneath his feet and he ended up scooping it over the bar. He
should have scored.
Most of our best work came from Snodgrass again who gave ex-Leeds loanee
Dickinson a torrid time. Snodgrass just looks like he can beat people at will
and he is a threat every time he gets the ball. We did have other chances the
best from McCormack who showed good acceleration to get himself into a good
shooting position however his shot was straight at their keeper who just about
held it.
So, a very positive start and we looked like we would stroll this game however
Pompey had already shown their attacking intent when their lively left winger
was put through. He was one on one with Casper who stood up well and pushed it
around the post. The ref thought he didn’t touch it but I’m sure it was a good
save.
Pompey were very lively and it was only a matter of time before they made their
possession count. The ball was played wide in the box to Nugent. Collins stood
off him and let him advance, that’s all the time Nugent needed as he whacked it
in the top corner. Great strike but he shouldn’t have been allowed the time on
the ball. Same old Collins.
We then lost our shape we lost our way and started playing long balls. There
was
nobody in the middle of park to come get the ball and play if off simply. Our
only outlet was Snodgrass.
So 2-1 at half-time and I must admit I was worried that we would concede a few
more – I said as much on my mail from the ground. I also thought we would also
score again. I was right on both accounts.
Second half continued as the first. Snodgrass continued to threaten and Pompey
were very lively on the break but it was us who took a 2 goal lead. I think it
was a corner – it wasn’t cleared and came out to Johnson who volleyed well. The
keeper couldn’t hold it and just deflected it into the net. Good strike but
messy goal. Who cares ? We were on the way to 3 points ….. oh no we weren’t.
Kanu came on and almost immediately the ball went down the other end. They got
a
cross in from their right and Kanu had time to control and turn whilst Collins
admired his handy work. The ball came out to a Pompey player who side footed
towards goal, O’Brien put out his foot and just deflected it into the corner of
the net leaving Casper flat footed.
We then made a couple of changes – most inevitably Paynter for Becchio and a
bit
later Gradel for Sam. We battled hard, still created a few chances but you
could
see with 15 minutes to go we started to sit deeper inviting the lively Pompey
attack on to us. Nobody was prepared to put their foot on it and just play it
simple instead we went looking for the long balls over the top or in the case
of
Snodgrass and Becchio ridiculous long range efforts. Snodgrass I can understand
but Becchio’s effort was just awful.
Five minutes of injury time went up (that’s what they used to call it). Was it
a
surprise that Pompey equalised ? No, I don’t think so in fact I wouldn’t have
betted against them winning it in injury time – we were that bad at the back
today. When the gaoal came it was horrendous. A cross came over, not a blue
shirt in site, Casper came off his line to claim it low down, O’Brien for
whatever reason decided he would take care of it so he got his boot in but
directed it towards goal. Casper took O’Brien’s legs so he couldn’t get up
quick
enough to recover. Almost in slow motion the ball crept over the line. All the
Leeds defence just stood their in disbelief. I laughed, it was f;cking
inevitable.
The crowd took their frustration out on the ref who to be honest was ok – maybe
missed a pen for us as McCormack was taken down on the edge of the area – he
wasn’t going anywhere though. There were a lot of niggling little things going
on, nothing to write home about. I thought all in all it was an entertaining
game but full of poor play and decisions. We need to do a lot better than this.
Pompey should be top 6 if they sort their defence out.
Scores:
Schmeichel – 6. I think the 3rd goal must have been his fault. As a keeper if
you come for a ball like that then you shout and make sure everyone knows about
it so there’s no doubt. This didn’t happen. He did make a good save second half
as Pompey walked through our weak defence again.
Connolly – 6. I though he started well but really struggled at times against a
lively Pompey front line.
McCartney – 5. His defensive frailties were again exposed.
Collins – 2. Everyone on the phone ins and around the ground seem to be
scratching their heads. How can we return to the form earlier in the season
when
we were conceding goals for fun ?. How come this trait has now returned over
the
last few weeks ? Well, you don’t have to be a f’cking brain surgeon to work out
that the common denominator is Neil Collins. How did we improve the defence and
stop the goals ? We brought in O’Brien for Collins and played him alongside
Bruce. Bruce was on the bench today ? Collins is fragile, he’s weak, he looks
and waits and gives them an opportunity every time. It’s criminal. He’s a
league two defender trying his best at a higher level. He’s simply not good
enough and you have to ask serious questions about Grayson’s judgement at
times.
If Bruce wasn’t 100% what about Bromby who looked decent when he came on the
other week ?
O’Brien – 5. Looked shaky but I firmly believe he is put under too much
pressure
playing alongside Collins. Naylor suffered the same fate but everyone at the
time blamed Naylor. Collins seems to get through games without blame or
suspicion from most – I find that unbelievable.
Johnson – 7. Again I though he did a good job and scored a good goal. Some
excellent challenges however without Kilkenny he saw a bit too much of the ball
at times and did give the ball away a few times unnecessarily.
Howson – 7. Lively first half but lost his way. Great goal.
Gradel – 6. Lively for the goal but wasn’t effective as he has been recently.
McCormack – 7. Very lively throughout. Dave N was worried about his pace but I
think he showed some excellent bursts of speed to get himself into good
positions. Played more advanced in the second half and looked dangerous. I
don't
think he suited a midfield role in the first half, he's an out and out striker.
Paynter – 6. A little disappointing if I’m honest. I though he started well,
he’s a big, strong lad who has good control but he looks a bit ponderous at
times. I think he needs more games. Better player than Becchio.
Snodgrass – 9. Man of the match – our main man.
Subs:
Becchio – 4. Came on to the loudest cheer of the day, managed a decent header
with his first touch then just showed us what he’s all about ? Shit ! Absolute
garbage. He’s rubbish. 8 blanks in his last 10 starts , he deserved to be
dropped.
Sam – not on long enough.
Grayson – serious errors of judgement – why Collins and has Somma shagged his
missus or something ?
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