Pompey finished their pre-season preperations in unspectacular fashion as a half-strength side lost 2-1 to a classy FC Porto following two defensive errors. Goals from Lisandro and Linvoy Primus handed the Portugese side victory after Toddy had levelled in the first half.
Before I continue I feel I should inform Pompey fans who didn't go to the game about a few updates to what's going to be in the next matchdays this season.
- Firstly, the match programme has changed dramatically. It's smaller and in landscape format as opposed to the usual portrait version. It's now just called "Pompey" and seems a poorer quality than the old "Pompey Blue". It gets damaged easily and despite being more glossy it just feels more like a mini magazine instead of a "proper" programme. I'm not a fan despite the promises inside of "quality content"...
- Secondly, the Milton end has been upgraded! No, it doesn't have a roof, but instead it has a giant TV screen behind it! This TV screen features "Pompey TV" which gives you match previews, interviews and other features prior to kick-off as well as some music videos in between. For example tonight it had highlights of the Man City, West Ham, Fulham and Blackburn games of our great escape run last season along with a couple of training ground interviews. The screen also has an improved PA system so at least we can hear announcements more clearly now! Pompey TV also contains highlights of the game in play which is handy if you missed a particular incident. This sort of thing isn't new in football but I'm not sure how well it'll be recieved, after all it's a football ground, not a concert or a cinema!
- Finally, the new home kit was on show today. I'm sure you've all seen the new away kit by now so just imagine that but with the blue and white reversed on the shirt and the shorts. The "Jako" logo is still on the right shoulder and the new badge is still in the centre. The numbering is also gold which looked a bit strange though the socks are still the traditional red. Overall, I think it looks pretty good and better than last seasons home shirt.
Onto the game itself...
It wasn't a bad performance by any means, especially if you consider our injury list which includes Ashdown, Stefanovic, Mendes, Lua Lua and Benjani. Because of our injury hit team we were forced to play a 4-5-1 with Pamarot at left back and Toddy playing up front on his own. Glen Johnson and David Thompson made their home debuts but Sol Campbell didn't take part and instead was paraded in front of the crowd before the game.
As mentioned in the opening paragraph, two defensive errors cost us the game. Porto took the lead after Pamarot misplaced a back pass to Kiely and O'Brien was outpaced and beaten to the ball by Lisandro who then rounded the 'keeper to slot in the opener. Pompey got back into it after a great free kick into the box by Matty Taylor was met by the head of Todorov as he put it in the net to equalise. The second defensive error came in the second half when Cech of Porto took a free kick and Linvoy's attempt to clear the ball went horribly wrong and he ended up slicing the ball into his own goal, leaving sub goalie Nick Jordan no chance.
It wasn't a terrible performance as previously stated and I doubt the result is going to be cared about much considering how weakened we were and how well Porto played, playing some swift counter-attacking football and showing some nice touches on the ball, rarely giving it away. As for ourselves it looked obvious that Thompson needs to get fitter as do a few others however there are definately some positives to take from tonight's performance.
Glen Johnson was our best player in my opinion. He looks very calm and assured when in possession and knows how to get out of a tight spot when being put under pressure. He also showed some enterprise going forward so who knows? Maybe there's life after Priske after all. Franck Songo'o also had a good game when he was on, he is lightning fast but needs to improve his ball delivery however he certainly has potential. If I was Harry I would loan him to a Championship side so he can develop his game more but he's beginning to settle into English football now I feel. Toddy looks sharper, Taylor had a decent game in left midfield and Nick Jordan didn't make a mistake either.
Well.... that's it now. The real thing begins in 10 days time after an indifferent pre-season campaign. Of course, more signings are going to be made by the time Blackburn bring their band of "thugs" down to Fratton Park but it might be a case of giving them time to gel again, something which could cost us points.
In any case, bring on The Premiership! (...even if we aren't quite ready yet!)
Before I continue I feel I should inform Pompey fans who didn't go to the game about a few updates to what's going to be in the next matchdays this season.
- Firstly, the match programme has changed dramatically. It's smaller and in landscape format as opposed to the usual portrait version. It's now just called "Pompey" and seems a poorer quality than the old "Pompey Blue". It gets damaged easily and despite being more glossy it just feels more like a mini magazine instead of a "proper" programme. I'm not a fan despite the promises inside of "quality content"...
- Secondly, the Milton end has been upgraded! No, it doesn't have a roof, but instead it has a giant TV screen behind it! This TV screen features "Pompey TV" which gives you match previews, interviews and other features prior to kick-off as well as some music videos in between. For example tonight it had highlights of the Man City, West Ham, Fulham and Blackburn games of our great escape run last season along with a couple of training ground interviews. The screen also has an improved PA system so at least we can hear announcements more clearly now! Pompey TV also contains highlights of the game in play which is handy if you missed a particular incident. This sort of thing isn't new in football but I'm not sure how well it'll be recieved, after all it's a football ground, not a concert or a cinema!
- Finally, the new home kit was on show today. I'm sure you've all seen the new away kit by now so just imagine that but with the blue and white reversed on the shirt and the shorts. The "Jako" logo is still on the right shoulder and the new badge is still in the centre. The numbering is also gold which looked a bit strange though the socks are still the traditional red. Overall, I think it looks pretty good and better than last seasons home shirt.
Onto the game itself...
It wasn't a bad performance by any means, especially if you consider our injury list which includes Ashdown, Stefanovic, Mendes, Lua Lua and Benjani. Because of our injury hit team we were forced to play a 4-5-1 with Pamarot at left back and Toddy playing up front on his own. Glen Johnson and David Thompson made their home debuts but Sol Campbell didn't take part and instead was paraded in front of the crowd before the game.
As mentioned in the opening paragraph, two defensive errors cost us the game. Porto took the lead after Pamarot misplaced a back pass to Kiely and O'Brien was outpaced and beaten to the ball by Lisandro who then rounded the 'keeper to slot in the opener. Pompey got back into it after a great free kick into the box by Matty Taylor was met by the head of Todorov as he put it in the net to equalise. The second defensive error came in the second half when Cech of Porto took a free kick and Linvoy's attempt to clear the ball went horribly wrong and he ended up slicing the ball into his own goal, leaving sub goalie Nick Jordan no chance.
It wasn't a terrible performance as previously stated and I doubt the result is going to be cared about much considering how weakened we were and how well Porto played, playing some swift counter-attacking football and showing some nice touches on the ball, rarely giving it away. As for ourselves it looked obvious that Thompson needs to get fitter as do a few others however there are definately some positives to take from tonight's performance.
Glen Johnson was our best player in my opinion. He looks very calm and assured when in possession and knows how to get out of a tight spot when being put under pressure. He also showed some enterprise going forward so who knows? Maybe there's life after Priske after all. Franck Songo'o also had a good game when he was on, he is lightning fast but needs to improve his ball delivery however he certainly has potential. If I was Harry I would loan him to a Championship side so he can develop his game more but he's beginning to settle into English football now I feel. Toddy looks sharper, Taylor had a decent game in left midfield and Nick Jordan didn't make a mistake either.
Well.... that's it now. The real thing begins in 10 days time after an indifferent pre-season campaign. Of course, more signings are going to be made by the time Blackburn bring their band of "thugs" down to Fratton Park but it might be a case of giving them time to gel again, something which could cost us points.
In any case, bring on The Premiership! (...even if we aren't quite ready yet!)