I think the stand out error is OP's rating of Sharp. Though it amazes me you think Hoovield was better than Fonte today. It just annoys me how many people rate up their favorites no matter what and rate down players they have it in for. 1 thing I will add is Nigel made a huge mistake taking Sharp off instead of Lambert at the end. Sharp presses and runs tirelessly, Lambert was standing still after the 2nd goal. It made no sense not to take Lambert off..
Not a fan of player ratings, but I thought Cork and both CBs played well. Sharp did exactly what we paid for. Guly was not setting the world alight but I thought he did better than Steve de Ridder who didn't threaten. Richardson struggled against directness. In reality the whole team performance dropped in the second half, we didn't use the possession like we did in the first half which is really why we didn't win.
At one stage, it got to the point where I was wondering if you're allowed to reverse a substitution or not. For the all the (incorrect) abuse that Guly is getting, he was much better than his replacement.
They were both equally as bad today in attack (also it must be added a lot of wayward passes were meant for Guly so he didn't have much of the ball), Guly did better defensively. In fairness Guly doesn't like playing RM and it's not natural for him at all. De Ridder actually plays RM/RW so he ought to be doing better.
Think you are doing the same. Never saw a positive rating from you on Hooiveld. Also think Hooiveld played a good and solid game. Think we lost a little control on midfield second half. I am sure that their goalkeeper saved the game for them!! There were some real good efforts but also outstanding saves!
LOL. Hoovield's had a better season overall than Fonte. Recently Hoovield has had a poor run of games and has had poor ratings as a result. He was very good earlier in the season (and middle season). I rate on the actual game and hold no bias so stop spewing nonsense. I gave Lambert for example 4.5 and he is my favorite player normally.
Can't rate Sharp low if he scored 2 goals. This is the one big plus for today...we have few fit strikers...Sharp could see us home. He isn't a Lambert-type player, but he can score tap-ins all day long for me.
For me, it's the reason why I've always rated him so highly. And I'm sure it's the reason why Adkins purchased him. As naive or single-minded as some people make think it is, I've always said that the greatest asset in a striker is one who knows where the back of the net is. If you have that in your locker, I can pretty much overlook the rest of your game. Good or bad. It's why I'll always rate someone like Rasiak over someone like Ormerod. I think Connolly is a top, top player. One of my favourites, and I love it when he's out on the field for us. But would he have scored our first goal today? Unlikely imo. Would he have been in the position to score our second goal today? Unlikely imo. Love, love, love, Billy Sharp.
I'm surprised everyone is rating Cork and Hammond so highly when we didn't dominate the midfield at all. I can't remember either of them getting control of the ball and playing a defence splitting pass all game. I won't give ratings as I was too busy shouting at pompey fans/ref to really give judgement on the game. Lambert looked lethargic and Guly was away with the fairies.
Davis - 6 - didn't really have a save to make all game, I'd have to see their first goal again, as some places are reporting that maybe he should have saved it... Richardson - 8 first half/6 second half - great in the first half, causing their left side all sorts of trouble, got beaten a few times by Varney in the second half, but dealt well with things in the air quite well, Varney seemed to target Richardson rather than Fonte Fonte - 8 - more like last season's Fonte, very composed on the ball and won a lot in the air, a good performance Hooiveld - 6 - looked a little shaky, as he has recently. Fluffed a few clearances and didn't seem as secure on the ball as Fonte, but has been our best CB over the season and I hope he returns to form soon! Fox - 7 - I thought Fox was good today, his corners seemed to be wreaking havoc, and he didn't a great job lifting the crown whenever he went over to take a set piece, impressed me today. Guly - 6 - Got in good positions in the first half for chances on goal, faded a little in the second but still think he's an important player for the team, it seemed there was a lot of room on the right, so I can see why De Ridder was brought on. Hammond - 7 - I'm glad Hammond was selected for this game, his tackling was excellent and although I must agree with the popular view that his passes mostly went sideways or backwards, I think he performed his duties well. Cork - 7 - I think Cork had a good game, he seemed to be distributing the ball forward well and generally snapping at people's heels as he always seems to, got a little outmuscled in the second half though Lallana - 7.5 - Showed a lot of passion today and caused them all sorts of problems, seemed a little nervy early on with some deliveries overhit, but some great tackles late on. Didn't really see whether he dived or not, slightly disappointed in him if he did! Lambert - 6 - didn't look as sharp as he normally is, won a lot in the air, but didn't particularly provide a threat on goal. Perhaps he is still slightly feeling his injury, I think he was possibly brought back early simply as a psychological boost for the team Sharp - 7 - Aside from his two goals I wasn't hugely impressed by Sharp, he seemed very slow today, but tried very very hard and seemed to understand the passion of the derby. Can't fault him for scoring two goals of course, I'd always have him in my team if he was going to be in the right place at the right time to put the ball in the net twice. Schneiderlin - such a shame to see him go off so early, he's been a very important player lately. A stupid yellow card to pick up so early on, if he'd have stayed on I could have seen him getting sent off as he does normally put in a few hard tackles De Ridder - 4 - offered very little when he came on, there seemed to be a gap on the right before he came on, but he seemed unable to take advantage of it. Got in good positions a few time but his crossing let him down. Normally a huge fan of his, but not today. Did anyone else see Rocha kick the ball at the fans though? I was surprised to see him just get a yellow, I thought it was disgraceful and very unprofessional! Especially after the way Fox dealt with the crowd at Fratton Park....
It is possible it was because he kept two of their defenders tied up for most of the game.........it is also possible you are doing exactly what you accused others of doing....talking up your favourites? In reality probably not......but do allow others to feel that they can criticize players without being accused of talking up their favoured players. The truth is all see their favoured payers in a better light than any neutral, it is human nature after all.....
I personally thought Lallana was our MOM. Davis 7 - (although i want to see the first goal) Richardson 6.5 - looked better today than before he got injured Fox 6 - Mixed bag of deliverys from him today Hooivelt 6.5 - Not his best game, but no major mistakes Fonte 7 - Solid and good covering Guly 6 - Did we look any better when he went off? Doesnt deserve to be on the end of all the moaning. Hammond 7 - Battled well despite being outnumbered in midfield Cork 7.5 - One of his better games recently,loads of energy and never gave up on anything. Lallana 8.5 - Always looked a threat Sharp 8 - Two goals, and chased non stop. Certainly one of his better games. Lambert 6- Pretty quiet, but was tightly marked. Hopefully needed the run out today. If it hadnt been for 2 brilliant saves from their keeper,who i always thought was dodgy,we would have been out of sight,and won comfortably today. Brilliant atmosphere today,really enjoyed it until the 95th minute,cant wait for Palace on Monday.
