After a clean sheet last week, Rix changes his defence, swaps to three at a back - even though the defenders he picked would of been more comfortable in a back four. Baffling tactics that someone needs to tell him about. The back three consisted of Zamperini, Buxton and Hiley with Vincent and debut boy Carl Petter as wingbacks.
Vincent was dire as a wing back and Hiley was caught out far too often on the right of the back three. A simple adjustment would of seen a back four of Hiley, Zamperini, Buxton and Vincent. Far more solid and a real base to build from in attack. This, unsurprisingly, did happen during the game but the system was never kept with for more than five minutes. After getting the original tactics wrong, Rix never seemed to make his mind up during the nightmare first half.
The side started with a negative attitude and despite having Pitt and Rudonja on the bench, Rix never made any attempt to take the game to West Brom. It is clear that Rix needs another pair of eyes on the touchline to help in during games. Another pair of eyes is needed on the training ground as well.
So too the match, four goals in forty five minutes and it could of been at least double that. For the first, Jason Roberts tapped in from two yards, for the second Sigurdsson poked home from inside the six-yard box after Beasant did not hold on to a Gilchirst effort. Another Beasant mistake saw Dobie pass the ball into the net and by that time it was game over. In stoppage time of the first half, Balis chipped Beasant and the humiliation was complete.
Instead of really going for it in the second half. Rix brought on Waterman and it was clear that the manager was after damage limitation. The fact that he didn't gee up his troops and bring on Rudonja and Pitt speaks volumes for Pompey's performance.
The second half was a non event - except for Roberts getting his second goal of the game in the closing stages of the match. Pompey must get back on track on Tuesday and Rix must decide on his first eleven, play them and sit it out until the end of the season. Then he can regroup, streamline his squad and really go for it next year.