The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Last updated : 27 August 2005 By Keith Allman
Good- Considering how Man City are one of the form teams in the league and would've fancied an easy victory today, we certainly did well to make them work for it. I thought we'd struggle from the outset if I'm honest and a defeat was a given, not so much because of our own poor form but more because of the crest of a wave that Stuart Pearce's men are riding on. But we certainly held our own, imposed ourselves on the game and were doing our bit for the best part of an hour - I was pleasantly surprised at how we contained the game and seemed to disrupt their ideas.
- We're still creating chances. LuaLua could've had a hat trick and we looked tricky on the break. Yes, I am aware of how often this season my post match comments have used the words "if", "could've" and "perhaps".
- A midfielder scored a goal! How often does that happen unless it's a Gary O'Neil volley from outside the area?
- LuaLua actually looked interested and only threw his hands up in the air in a sulk four times. And two of those times were at the ref.
- After turning down Benfica, that ever-reliable source of information "The News" reports that Juventus striker Miccoli was watching the game today. Upon viewing of footage on "Match Of The Day", it quickly becomes apparent that the only people in the directors box were Milan, Fred Dineage, Terry Brady and Velimir (in a lovely jumper, but sadly lacking a cap).
- But having said that, Perrin said to "The Quay" after the game that two international players, a striker and midfielder, will sign next week. Read that how you will; personally I'll keep my blue tinted glasses thanks and wait for us to unveil Michael Owen and Ronaldinho. Some of you may prefer to remember that Chalkias is also an international and, what's more, has a European Cup winner's medal.
- Getting a jammy free parking space outside the ground (cheers Paul!)
Bad| Livid team-mates out of shot |
- The moment our goal went in, something odd happened. If the team was constructed of the same players who have been here the last two seasons and won only four times away, I could understand - but these are new players! Even so, the sudden look of fear on their faces at realising they had something to hold on to was evident; the six yard line became a great place to set up shop and pray to the lord almighty that perhaps those nasty people in light blue might go away (and take their funny looking mascots with them). They didn't, they scored twice - and then suddenly we came out of our shell again and had a couple more chances! It's almost becoming a mental burden on our players by not having won so far; the pressure of knowing what is on the line and being more worried about that than trying to play the natural game.
- Our defenders get very panicky very quickly. A routine clearance suddenly becomes Heart Attack Central, everyone charges towards the same ball and it either seems to end up as a very good chance, a corner or an own goal.
- Some fans already calling for the head of Perrin. Oh my. Despite all he did for us some rounded on Redknapp after three defeats at the end of his time here; Zajec was alright until people got bored and wanted him out too; now Perrin is the next on the hit list. What good would it do with continual managerial turnover and uncertainty? Whatever happened to patience?
- There's been some head scratching over the substitutions, in particular O'Neil for Karadas (despite the fact that exactly the same thing happened on Tuesday and it doesn't take much imagination to see that it's part of a formation change, sending on a striker for a midfielder in the hope of creating something). I don't have any issue with that; my personal concern is about Skopelitis. I think he's a decent player but I can't see what possible use he is coming on at right wing with five minutes to go, something which Alain seems to be doing every match. What possible impact can he have? Why not go for broke and send on Toddy or Pericard?
- Anyone who knows me knows that I do not rate Jamie Ashdown one bit. But Sander, matey boy, you are making me dangerously close to saying that he deserves another chance. If you want to look at things in a positive light then, to be fair to Sander, he does usually make a couple of useful saves per game. Admittedly that doesn't detract from the fact he keeps ballsing things up.
- Karadas getting booed when he came onKaradas getting booed when he came onKaradas getting booed when he came onKaradas getting booed when he came onKaradas getting booed when he came onKaradas getting booed when he came on - oops, I'm a stuck record!
- It's not an excuse, more an observation, but the officials were absolutely terrible today. The groan emitted by many after hearing "Wiley" on the PA turned out to be a good prediction.
- Why oh why OH WHY do people insist on doing that "easy, easy" chant all the time. How dense must you have to be to sing that as a Portsmouth fan in ANY game 1-0 up, let alone one away from home. Engage brain before mouth.
Ugly
- Steve Wigley spotted buying sweets in a petrol station near Newbury.
Conclusions; We played ok (again) and created chances (again) but a goalkeeping error (again), defensive insecurities (again) and a lack of a really top notch finisher (again) thwarted our chances of getting some points on the board (again). We've slipped into the drop zone (again) but are apparently on the verge of signing a couple of players (again) who hopefully should propel us to Premier League survival (again). Oh, and some fans want to sack the manager (again).
At least we've got an international week to "regroup", whatever that typical footballer's cliché is meant to mean.
