Fellow Pompey fans, Are you disappointed with the efforts (or lack of), of the team recently, and disappointed that we missed out on making the play offs? Or are you proud that we avoided relegation, proud that we finished high up the table, and that the team has shown belief and fight to the very end? Personally... I am a bit of both. I am incredibly proud and relieved that we avoided the drop, and it was nice to have the play offs to aim for. However, I am very disppointed by the commitment, effort, and ability of some players in recent weeks, and feel that with a little more... I don't know, a bit more "something", we should still be in the play off mix, and that some members of the team have managed to let the others down.
Having not been in the position of having nothing to play for, for so long, it's easy to assume the side is just 'going through the motions' when results like this occur. The great thing about this division though, is that this sort of result can happen to anyone, at the hands of anyone. Who would have predicted Sc-unthorpe pasting QPR last Saturday? This was 'a bad day at the office'. If we hadn't had so many of those at the start of the season, then then the playoffs [well above our expectations in August] may still have been a realistic target. If SC can do some wheeling and dealing in the summer, I for one, will approach next season in a confident mood.
I watched the team on Saturday and felt that something was wrong - that "something" you mention I think is what I've seen at work too many times when staff know that there are things going on behind the scenes which then makes them unsettled, nervous and not able to focus - then the mistakes come in. It took me 4 hours to get to the match on Saturday - I didn't care - I was just happy that my team are still in existence and there for me to get to see and cheer on.
I have to say I'm both disappointed and pleased. Dissapointed that we have failed to beat weaker sides than us (positionally speaking) in recent weeks when having been in a very positive before the Reading game. Who knows if we had beaten Reading maybe we would be similar to where they are now?? But forget that because I HATE "ifs". But I am very pleased, bordering on ecstatic, that I am able to be disappointed, given our position last October and before. I remember that weekend, I think on the Friday when SkySports broke that news that we may be about to fold, thinking what the hell is going on. If you said back then that I would be disappointed, verging on angry, at being 14th after a draw and a loss to preston and coventry, then I would have snatched that without a second thought! Essentially, the objective for this season is accomplished and has been for a while: we are safe. All other exploits have been a nice bonus. Now we can set our target for next season, playoffs (given we sort our ownership issues and have a workable transfer budget for SC). So until the summer, I say just get behind the team, regardless, and lets all have a disco!!! PUP
At least we avoided the will we or wont we be relegated agony. Shame about the playoffs though. On another note, I was looking at some stats. Pompey saw red again and again this season. Five red cards in total. Without a few of them there might have been enough points to be in with a shout for a playoff spot. That said, stats are often misleading. For example; last place Sheffield leads the list of offenders with 10 red cards. Reflects their position in the table. Guess which side was 2nd on the list. Front running QPR with 6 !!! 3rd place; Pompey, Millwall, Coventry and Palace with 5
Relieved we are now safe in this division, but proud of what we have done on very limited resources. Delighted at least one of our ex youth players in the impressive Joel Ward, appears to have the ability to make the grade. Let us hope that we can hang on to him for next season
kitson aside im pretty proud of the lads this year. a bit more depth and a few more options next year and i feel we have a good chance of pushing on and aiming high. i just dont see why we have to play kitson week in week out. why not stick sonko up there at least he can jump.
Totally agree with the Kitson comments, Nugent wins more flick on's up front. Kitson seems to think he is flamboyant winger and spends more time crossing the balls in when he should be in the box! He had another shocker last night playing just behind the strikers. He has an unbelievably bad touch and can't hold the ball up to save his life, which is what we need him to do. He had a proper go at Halford when he accidently got in the way of the one header Kitson won all night, seems like a bit of a ****!
