They have striker problems too, they have Benjani, Kanu, Kitson and Varney Varney is the only stand out one there from watching him last season, but seen that a lot of pompey fans have been saying he's not lived up to there expectations so far this season. His goal against West Ham should of been given to him, it was going out of the stadium if it wasn't for Cole's deflection!
I agree that NP has sorted us defensively, Leeds game apart of course but I would still argue that its not only the managers job to ensure he has a water tight defence, he also needs to recruit strikers capable of scoring and a team capable of scoring more than one goal a game. Thats the whole points of the game, dont concede goals and to score more than the opposition. How do you mean the emphasis on the defence has caused the goals to dry up? Do you mean he was'nt looking at improving his front line as well? We have'nt scored enough and its as simple as that.
Varney was immense against West Ham, you might also want to watch out for Huseklepp too as he delivered the pinpoint cross for our 2nd goal last week. I think Benjani is destined to score soon too as he's such a handful. Also our corners seem alot more dangerous now than in previous seasons.
Great stuff, thats a huge bonus for us if Halford ends up taking them, one less aerial threat in the box from set pieces and corners... its a win win for us then !!! UTT
City forgot how to defend under Brown. Pearson has had to make the whole team into a more defensive unit. This is obviously detremental to the attack in the short term. It would have been nice if the goals had started to flow as soon as the defence was sorted, but it isn't that simple. Like yourself I want to see more goals, but if NP hadn't sorted the defence we would have been relegated last season.
Well I'll have to beg to differ Craig I'm afraid. Sure he's strenghtened our back 4 but I still dont know what impact this has upon on scoring goals or not as is the case. The fact of the matter is, you mention he sorted our defence last season to stop us from going down so therefore surely his focus this season should have been on providing more fire power?
Fair enough, we both have different opinions, but a team's defence is never just about the back four, it's the way the whole team support the defence which can restrict free-flowing football. Trust the boss, he's not daft.
I think once we get Stewart back and to full fitness that will make a difference to our threat going forward. We seem to have had a bit of bite missing since he was injured and when he was fit the likes of Fryatt and Simpson especially benefited from his pace and tenacity. We hit a bit of a purple patch goal wise from when Stewart arrived until he was injured so it's no coincidence that the goals have dried up a bit since then. He'll certainly be more effective on the wing than Koren has been and the thought of Stewart and brady on the wings is an exciting prospect. It's early days i know but Mclean looks to be improving and Waghorn looks a handful so there are some signs of improvement going forward, though the jury is still out of course!
If it starts the same way as at Peterboro, i.e. Waghorn and McLean, I fancy those two to score. So: 2 - 0 (or maybe 2 - 1)
We haven't beaten Pompey at home since 81 so history suggests we will do well to win. I think it will be a draw 1-1
You're all ******s!!! . . . Only joking fellas, some good debate on this thread. I agree with the comment on Stewarts impact on the team. What I'm wondering though is, will the massive expectation put unnecessary pressure on the lad when he returns? Let's hope the lack of attacking threat doesn't put the fans expectations on him.
City 2 Pompey 2 . Though I'm surprised ladbrookes are giving 5/2 on Pompey when we all know anything can happen in the championship. . have a safe journey up to the KC those that are coming up. Come on u ull .
I'm hoping for another home win - say 2-0 to wirk on improving the goal difference. Something to make the 180 mile round trip worth it!
