Pompey Thread
 

Anyone think Jonny Edwards and Noor will be given starts?

Re: Pompey Thread
 

We're all thinking it, but only Professor Coleman knows it.

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Not a chance it's Coleman it'll be same starting 11 as last game

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I really believe that this a WINNABLE MATCH for our boys in RED!
:alright:
COME ON STANLEY:theband:
UP THE REDS:wave8::signbeer::drink:

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I reckon they'll both start today's game :D

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ASFC: Rodak, Donacien, Beckles, Hughes, Rodgers, McConville, Conneely, Clare, Husin, Edwards, Kee v @officialpompey

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ASFC subs: Chapman, Davies, Clark, McCartan, Boco, Shaw, Sykes @officialpompey

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Good to see both Sean Clare and Noor and Jonny given a start.

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1-nil Pompey

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Crowd is 15.995 with 48 from Stanley! Wish we got a third of that at home games.

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^$*&^*^(&^%$@^%$%)(#$!!!!

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Our lack of ability to hit the target really cost us today

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It seems we have hit a brick wall again. Not quite time to panic but it is getting dangerously close. something has to give. Last week I had a great deal of hope but dashed again. What has gone so badly wrong at the club? we have played well and lost, It happens but we seem to have lost our killer instinct. we have the quality so why is it not happening for us? I can't fault the effort of the players but the belief seems to be missing. We couls and should have had at least a point today. on another day maybe stolen a win. but something is definitely not right.

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We're using the same tactics as last year and other teams have clocked in to it, they can predict what we're gonna do, unless he tries a different strategy or different tactics then were gonna fail

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In his post match interview, Coley said that we were just not good enough. The players just did not perform today as he expected they should. How much longer will this be allowed to be used as an excuse. These are no longer reasons. Serious questions have to be asked and faced unless we are happy to go down and lose league status. I can't see the current management changing this around at this point. We need to rally behind them but we all know we are in dire danger.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

You really think we played well today? I couldn't fault the effort, especially after the first minute sucker punch, but thought we lacked composure when it mattered. Pompey should have been out of sight, but they too played poorly and gave the ball away enough to keep us in it right up to time-added-on time.

If you can take "great hope" from a 2-0 home win against a team down in the basement with us, I don't see why you should despair after a 2-0 away loss to a team who are certainly going to be in the playoffs again.

Fwiw, my m-o-m is Donacien for his charges into their box towards the end of the first half - on the assumption it wasn't his job to be marking Clarke when he nodded in the opening goal.

And for those wanting a change, isn't playing two up front away from home the change everyone's been asking for?

Hey ho. Roll on Mansfield ...

Re: Pompey Thread
 

ChrisR how much of todays game did you watch? How contradictory of you to suggest that they won't change. I seem to recall you asking for 4-4-2. We got that and it went well didn't it?
As for the game, goals change games and to concede 1 min in was a sucker punch. Pompey then had freedom to do as they wanted such as pressing high. Thought neither keeper really had too much to do and it was quite an even game after that although we didn't look like scoring.
Long way to go and lots of points to play for, I think having Scotty and Matty back on Tuesday will hopefully give us a kick.
Lets go and give our old friend Steve Evans a seeing to on Tuesday now

Re: Pompey Thread
 

Professor Coleman's summary was spot on.
The Ref was frightened of the crowd but Stanley didn't do themselves any favours.
They put themselves under pressure every time the keeper rolls the ball out to one of the back four. In every League match I've seen this year the opposition have twigged that (1) this what Stanley will do, and (2) Stanley are not, despite what we'd all like to believe, Barcelona in disguise.
Consequently they harry Stanley's defence from the penalty area knowing that, often as not, they'll get the ball back from a misplaced pass by the half-way line.
Pompey looked better organised. Their first goal was 'worked', not just made up. They seemed to know where their team mates were and, more importantly, were they were going to be. They anticipated better, used the full width of the park, put forward balls into space for team mates to run onto, and backed each other up to get out of corners. But they weren't brilliant.
Stanley continue to play a constricted, complex passing game often with little forward movement. A couple of times in the first half Husin played what looked like aimless balls down the wing to no-one, but the problem was he was obviously thinking someone would carry on running forward, into the space behind their defence. Too often Stanley appear static, passing balls and then standing still, watching as a team mate has to beat two men before anyone makes themselves available for a return pass. Or standing waiting for a ball to come or drop to them, only for the opposition to get to the ball first by moving to it.
In the second half the substitutions made a difference and Clarke especially made good use of the space down the right wing. For a 25 minute period Stanley were on top, and Pompey players and fans were increasingly nervous that the one goal would not be enough. This was Stanley's best period, but other than a goal-mouth scramble that was too far away to see, and an obvious trip on Billy Kee that was beyond the courage of the ref to give, they didn't really threaten the Pompey goal to the extent that Stanley's goal was under siege in the opening 15 minutes.
The only consolation was that it wasn't as bad as Cheltenham. But, with games against most of the top teams over the next couple of months, that final game of the season at Satanage is starting look even more ominous than it did back in August.

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I will continue to scratch my he'd in wonder why Clark isn't starting - either right or left. With Pearson and Brown back Tuesday there's going to be some miserable faces. He'd better get it right because Mansfield are on a high.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

Chimer and Accy Stan, I listened to what was on the radio and text. I wonder have either of you bothered to listen to the Managers post match comments before hitting the keyboard. Chimer, I said after watching a strong Notts side we seemed to have got a few things right which was uplifting and hopeful. As for saying we played well today. I can't see anywhere I said such a thing. Even Coley said the players did not perform today.
Accy Stan your sarcasm about the 442 going well. It did last week and I don't recall you complaining then. If you want a fair analysis just read Exile's post, He pretty much sums it up. It seems any comment you two deem to be negative you wade in with both feet. It does not help anybody if you won't accept the facts as everybody sees it. Then you are doing the club a disservice.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

We played a much larger club today. A team doing better than us. Plus, they played at home.

I wasn't there so can't comment on the performance but I doubt if I'd agonise over this match too much.

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Erm, Chris - you said in your original post 'we played well and lost', think that could be what Chimer is referring to?
I too, not being able to get to Portsmouth, followed the live text & radio updates today but wouldn't ever make comments on how the lads have played unless I'd been there to see for myself as otherwise all I'd be going off would be other people's opinions.

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We played 5 at the back last week with wing backs.

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Just so ....... (both sentences :))

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Didn't think we really hit our straps today, Chris. We created very little, although if a Stanley toe could have poked the ball in during that goalmouth scramble then we might have nicked a point. But the fact we were still in it was as much down to their conservatism as our dynamism. Couldn't understand why they dropped off when they had us all over the place in the first 10 mins. But, for me, that didn't disguise the disjointedness of a lot of our play. We all want to see good young lads given a chance, but Harvey was a fish out of water at right-back and the other kids struggled to make an impact. Nour impressed me the most, he clearly has stacks of ability, just needs to use the ball a bit better. Thought Jordan looked sharp when he came on, I'm not sure we've got the best out of him yet.

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so some are finally realising we are in a relagation battle. forget all this about playing well and getting beat or we,re too good to go down. we,re where we are for a reason, mainly we don,t score enough goals end of. has this problem been sorted out. no is the big answer. is it lack of players upfront or tactics. about time we play with a higher tempo and get in opponents faces more. ask mr.westley for advice how to cheat and get away with it.

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I'm still in denial I'm pleased to report.

We are too good to go down and I'm still looking at the table above us, rather than the teams below.

I reserve all rights to change my mind in a few weeks time.

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My Lord your confidence pleases me, but unlike you I look at the bottom of the table with trepidation
Looking way ahead in matches to play, I hope we are secure by the Newport game with just Luton & Stevenage left to play I wouldn’t fancy our chances

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If we win both games in hand then we stand a really good chance of staying up, if we lose them then we might aswell get ready for conference

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Thanks for that Di, The sentence should have made it clearer that I meant we had played well in other games and lost. But we had a few attacking spells in the pompy game where we could have snatched an equaliser. We have seen our team play as good as any team in league two and as badly as a Sunday league club. My question is the consistency acceptable? I suspect not. What bit I saw on channel 5 was exactly what I have witnessed this season. Lack of killer instinct in front of goal. Pompy may be a big club in terms of support but at our best we are as good or better than them. We are at a point of do or die.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

Thanks for that Di, The sentence should have made it clearer that I meant we had played well in other games and lost. But we had a few attacking spells in the pompy game where we could have snatched an equaliser. We have seen our team play as good as any team in league two and as badly as a Sunday league club. My question is the consistency acceptable? I suspect not. What bit I saw on channel 5 was exactly what I have witnessed this season. Lack of killer instinct in front of goal. Pompy may be a big club in terms of support but at our best we are as good or better than them. We are at a point of do or die.

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Re: Pompey Thread
 

Billy kee has had the sort of season that would get him released at any other club.

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I am struggling to work out the second division this year !!

Acci are playing some decent football and generally haven't got their rewards their approach play deserves.

Morecambe,lose their centre forwards,so they have no focal point,lose their best player to Preston and eleven games ago decided to go long,three at the back contest the second ball !!

On paper its suicide,but in reality.they have won 5,drawn 4 and lost 2,which is automatic promotion form !!!.

Goes against the grain for me,but maybe a plan B is an alternative?

Re: Pompey Thread
 

He's a young lad who needs a confidence boost. A certain wide player seems to be first on the sheet sometimes deserved sometimes not.
He sees O'Sullivan go and then what happens ? He gets dropped and sees two lads turn up on loan who on the face of it are in front of him in the queue.
Tuesday Coley has a selection dilemma. Pearson and Brown back plus Saturdays squad.
Who will make it ?
Who will only make the bench ?
Who will sit in the stand ?
Big call. That's what hes paid for. Interesting.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

FA !...perhaps you'll agree with me when I say that the difference between the Shrimps and the Reds yesterday appeared to be the threat emanating from their left side midfield. As I saw it Kevin Ellison's desire to see the ball in the net was frightening, whilst little or nothing came from our left wing at all if reports are to be believed.
Ellison is not universally accepted at the Crown, but his example of sheer industry and effort displayed yesterday was one which our left side players (no names, no pack-drill !)could well use as an example of what is required in the cut and thrust of games at the foot of the entire Football League .

Am I also wrong in thinking that the Stanley seem to be a collection of reasonably good footballers who are, unfortunately, not a Football team ?.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

Not a lot maybe, but more than came from the right until Clarke came on at 60 mins, or through the middle at all.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

I think F19's question about Plan B is very apt. Continually doing the same thing and expecting a different result is one definition of insanity.
28 is a consistent supporter of Clarke and I agree with both what he says (and what he doesn't!). Clarke seems to me to be as effective as was O'Sullivan.
Yonmon's summary is spot on, as is the comment about the absence of a 'driving force' at the heart of Stanley. Having Matty Pearson back can only be a plus, but the back line is not Stanley's major problem at the moment.

If Brown is to come straight back in I'd drop the captain and keep Husin, and ask the former to break up the opposition and the latter to feed the wings.
Put Clarke on the left wing, and Boco on the right (or vice versa), and tell them to keep wide, and to look to run behind the defenders, and get crosses into Kee and Edwards and anyone else who has the legs to get into the box.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

McConville will start. Conneely won't be dropped.
Who gets demoted for Pearson ?

Re: Pompey Thread
 

If I was a betting man I would expect only two changes. Pearson for Rodgers and Boco for Edwards. They both drop to bench with Shaw Sykes and Davies left in the stand and Brown on the bench.
Not my choice I hasten to add but trying to second guess the Manager.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

So Exile , ' der Wunderkinder ' would keep his left-side spot in your team for Mansfield then,
or might it not be wise to drop him and replace him with Husin who is reported to have more talent and drive than ' the chosen one ' ?.
( cue ' how dare you ' retorts from SM's admirers ! ). But I'm just asking !!

KTF !.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

I don't particularly admire Sean, I just tend to defend him, as I would any Stanley player, against the irredeemably one-eyed detractors who seem to enjoy his every mistake.

Noor didn't stand out for me yesterday, apart from one lovely bit of work just before half-time. But then no did anyone else, really, and as I haven't seen enough of him to recognise him without seeing his number whenever he's on the ball, I may have missed some examples of his "talent and drive". Obviously, I hope he can make a difference but I think midfield is where we really need to improve, so if he is super-good I wouldn't think the wing is the best place for him.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

Now you know after all these years Chimer that I am rarely one-eyed...irredeemable ?, well perhaps I still search for some redemption before it's too late !.
I don't look to criticise any Stanley player...although, if my memory serves me right I did aim one or two barbs at Bertrand Bossu on one occasion, but didn't everyone?. Nor do I seldom point out where JC could improve his and his preferred Team's performance. But on this occasion I took my forum cred to it's limit by suggesting that at this time there might just be a better alternative than SM in the team fighting for League survival ?..
I thought better than suggesting that Shay McCartan is presently unfit for purpose in my post. Not wanting to really put my neck on the chopping block !.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

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Lose an blame S.M is the norm on here so there's no surprise there , the football league paper had him as 1 of are better performers yesterday. But my question is this we had 5 loan players in the starting 11 yesterday that's nearly half the team , now for me 1 or 2 who will help you I don't mind but to have half your team made up of players who regardless of weather Accrington stay up or go down will return to there parent clubs an not be affected at al by the plight of our club really gets my back up. Also all the loans we have are 18 or 19 which made for a really inexperienced starting 11.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

It's probably in the terms of their loan agreements that they play as much as possible in their time here but know where you're coming from

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[QUOTE=pidge;1187237]Lose an blame S.M is the norm on here so there's no surprise there....

Pidge, ever thought to wonder why it is, in your words, the norm?

No-one before used the word 'blame' (although I'm expecting Davo to roll out 'haters' at any moment:rolleyes:), we were expressing opinions.
Yours seems to place the 'blame' (your word again) on whoever brought in the loan players.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

How can you drop Rodgers? He has been our best player the last 3/4 games - and he has been at right back, and he's a centre half!!

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I am simply judging by what people have suggested, Including Coleman. Although he said we were poor and did not perform. as well as we should have. We did have a couple of chances to equalise. I was not there and the TV coverage was only the goals. Kal Naismith simply run into the box and scored. That should never have happened. Most of my enthusiasm was brought on by the performance against Nottingham. I was impressed with don in the forward right wing position and the two loan players Rogers and Edwards along with the lad from Crystal Palace. showed great spirit and a good class of football. I was hoping for a repeat this week. There is a lot to contemplate for all fans. I think we can all agree that the managers need a serious plan. B They seem to be stuck in a rut with tactics and player selection. We need to get the mentality sorted out. Tuesday and Saturday are big decision games for the club.

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He wasn't at his best on Saturday. Everyone has an off day, but I'd prefer to see Pearson back in the team.

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That's was I was saying Yomon,they are playing Ellison more up front than left wing (although he drifts into that channel).
If you shake the pack up we might get a result.
Start with clean sheets,no nonsense defending and a bit more direct and play off the second ball.
There's a lot of good players in the squad,I am sure they could adapt

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Yeah me too Pearson would start at right back every day for me, rodgers is the best centre half at the club imo he should start with Omar

Wasn't there yesterday got a hiding in ramsbottom on Friday night of this birds fella

Re: Pompey Thread
 

I also think they could easily adapt, but they get NO CHANCE to do so. fact.:rolleyes:

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It's not a FACT though bwana is it, it's just an opinion rightly or wrongly

Re: Pompey Thread
 

Cashy,maybe 3-5-2 as we have three decent CBs,and attacking fullbacks who could easily push on as wing backs.
This would allow us to play two up front and three in the middle.
Worth a try,especially at home

Re: Pompey Thread
 

Who would you play in midfield 3 though?

Re: Pompey Thread
 

3 in mid: Coneelly and Davies holding and Sean Mc pushing on.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

You really must read posts with care Pidge. Nowhere has anyone blamed SM for yesterday's defeat. But merely suggested that there maybe other squad members who might take his place with some success in these times of dire need !.
I also made the point that at this time the Reds appear to be a collection of reasonable footballers who are not really performing as a Football team !.
Your points about having a surfeit of young and inexperienced loan players in the team might be one of the reasons for this.
Whatever the cause, goals need to be scored and clean sheets kept by these players very soon .

Re: Pompey Thread
 

We are lowest scorers in the division, our defence isn't a problem for me

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Not a bad call,although I would have tried Matty in midfield a while ago.

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Nah he's gotta be right back or right wing back for me, left back is a problem

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There goes the voice of reason at last !...well said Mab !.

But are you suggesting there is actually someone who misses chance after chance ?...;)

Re: Pompey Thread
 

so please tell when he who can do no wrong, has tried plan b in a game? i'm having trouble recalling.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

I'd start billy on the bench for a game play Edwards and Mcarten up front, maybe some bench time will encourage him to work harder and score

Re: Pompey Thread
 

That has merit in my book.

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the problem is we don,t miss chance after chance, we just don,t make chances. build up play too slow and by the time we get to their box they have so many defenders back the chance will be gone. when your captain reeives the ball and his first movement is usually look behind him for a pass you,re in big trouble for me.

Re: Pompey Thread
 

Apart from that one accurate free-kick, From what we have witnessed lately, do you honestly think McCartan deserves a place in the team ?.
I am so disappointed that Shay has, in my opinion, failed to live up to the promise he showed
In his early days at The Crown, and fails to use his talents to their maximum potential !.
Both FA19 and I have often said that he has the skills to run at defenders with pace whilst controlling the ball, but this seldom if ever is seen this season. Perhaps he is not altogether physically fit ?, but at present his efforts leave much to be desired.
Which begs the question Cashy...who , if anyone, is going to score the goals which the Reds so desperately need at this point in the season ?.

As Sir Bobby Robson's famous paradigm describes it ....

SCORE GOALS = SUCCESS A ND POTENTIAL PROMOTION.
NO GOALS SCORED = CERTAIN FAILURE AND RELEGATION.

Simple ?....yes! But oh so true !

Re: Pompey Thread
 

Shay looks a better player than billy atm in my eyes

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that i agree with,at the moment certainly so therefore worth a run imho.

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Maybe our new signing will help .

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Good news, hope the lad can deliver.
But Stanley need players on both wings capable of getting past defenders, with either skill or pace, and getting crosses in.

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if hes anything at all in the Pierro mould, he will do fer me welcome lad,:)

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agree, i think we,ve missed him probebly more than crooks and windass for me. apart from his crossing, chipping in with the odd goal, his workrate was fantastic for us.

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Well i'm damn sure i have missed him the most.

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He had a stinker Saturday and Pearson is available. Simple.

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So with the new lad that adds even more spice to Saturdays selection. There'll be a few players in their shirts and ties not even making the bench ...............

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Haven't we got an embarrassment of riches at the moment? The players we have, and strength in depth is frightening. When it all clicks tomorrow night I actually fear for the net makers of Mansfield.

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I agree we got a damn decent squad, but a lack big time of different tactics imho.