Seems like I missed a pretty decent game. Kept up to date on the phone, and Gudmundson seemed lively again? What I like from the game I saw is that he isn't afraid to take the ball forward even if no one is in support and then fearless in having a go at goal. Someone we really have lacked in years! My day took a turn for the better when not only did I find an Irish pub to watch the evening kick off - it actually had Palace fans in it!
the catering has improved - food wise. the queues remain but the food is hot now and somewhat better. on the game... we looked pretty decent. this is a game we would have lost last year. when bob finds his best team (cousins in the middle instead of jacko and delort up front instead of tucudean) we'll dominate games. was well pleased for Pope. i thought he should have got the number 1 shirt at the end of last season. anyone have any idea what happened to henderson?
Well, he did, but we didn't. Delighted to admit I was wrong - again (I thought we would lose at Brentford). Still not sure how solid we are, maybe Brentford and Wigan were not as good as I thought, but it would be ungracious not to admit I undestimated us. A good performance against Derby, my favourites to win this division, whether we win, lose, or draw, and I will be really impressed. Still cannot see the point of playing Cousins on the left instead of in the centre in place of Jackson, or of leaving out Wilson. Maybe Bob will put that right on Tuesday as he "rotates' players. And Tucudean is a passenger, but it does seem the club are trying to sign another centre-forward. So two black marks for me for lack of faith, and well done Bob and the lads.
Just saw the 1 minute of highlights. It was nice to see Cousins show some initiative attacking wise, and the ball from Gudmundson was brilliant. Effortlessly done. No idea why Wiggins jumped in like he did on McManamans goal, but do people agree that it has to go down as a Henderson mistake? It went under his hand and he failed to get his body behind it. You can't make many more of those with Pope waiting in the wings!
Spot on, about the ball to Cousins and a Henderson mistake, I said it there it was a mistake, as soon as it went in it was Henderson's fault mainly. Wiggins made a mistake but Henderson should really have saved it and will be very very disappointed he didn't.
It's goalkeeping 101 to get your body behind the ball so if you fail with your hands. I watched it again this morning and haven't changed my mind - it was a soft goal to concede. I know it's 48 hours later, but can someone be so kind to put up individual scores?
My scores: Henderson - 5 - Didn't have a huge amount to do and will be disappointed with the goal Solly - 8 - Unsung but superb performance, kept two separate left wingers completely silent all game Ben Haim & Bikey - both 8 - I was worried about Ben Haim beforehand, and couldn't believe Morrison wasn't in the team at the start of the season, but Bikey is just a tank, the only time he was beaten he came back and totally (legally) took McManaman out, Ben Haim doesn't quite have as much physical presence but his timing was excellent and he looks like he can bring it out of defence as well, which will be a major asset Wiggins - a generous 6. He will not be happy with his performance with the goal and had real difficulty with McManaman especially in the first half and hour. He's redeemed by an improvement in the second half and the fact that I think that's probably the toughest opponent he'll face all year. Gudmundsson - 7 - a few great touches and a sweeping crossfield ball for Cousins for the first. Would like to see him get even more involved, and bombing down the right wing to cross is pointless if you have no right foot, which he doesn't. Buyens - 7 - Always there when we needed to be, denied an 8 for being part of a centre midfield woefully exposed for 25 minutes (even though we went ahead). Certainly a quality player though... you are my Buyens, my Yoni Buyens... Jackson - 6 - Too soon to put any sort of nail in a Jackson coffin, but he looked the weakest of the 4 in the middle, and wouldn't surprise me to see a new man come in to challenge him in the next 2 weeks. Did fine, but no better than that. Cousins - 8 - Man of the Match - Didn't believe Cousins could make it as a winger. I was wrong, he's worked on pace, control, positioning, kept his physical presence, and added a quality goal. Then, when asked to go into the middle, he marked an improvement on JJ. Good effort. Tucudean - 5 - might surprise some people who see my other post defending him, but he didn't have a good game. He tried some stuff that didn't come off and should probably look to get the basics right regularly before trying to be clever... but as elsewhere I think he's got potential Vetokele - 6 - Looked a threat and set up Moussa for the 2nd, but should have beaten Carson when one-on-one. Generally, though, it's exciting when he gets the ball, feels like a real threat and will definitely get us goals Subs: Pope - 7 - Oh yes, take out 2 attackers and get the ball in one movement... and get a free kick for your troubles. What a legend. Looked very imposing for all crosses. Wilson - 6 - the hero from Tuesday was a little bit quiet, but didn't have a lot of time to impose himself Moussa - 7 - Generous to give a bonus point for the goal, though it was good linkage with Igor. But he looked a bit sharper than Tuesday generally, and managed to get away a couple of times from a Wigan defense that closed down quickly. Overall, some great little one-touch football in the midfield that suggests we'll be quite dangerous on the counter and able to break down an opposition at home. Played along the ground (Bob P had a rant at Ben Haim when he played a long ball) and caused problems. Shame about the start... that's both home games where we've started slow, we could be out of a game before we get playing which is a serious concern.
Brilliant post, cheers TVR. Ben Haim - I still don't like him, but after his last stint in English football I really thought he wouldn't be able to handle it. I'm always happy to be proved wrong if it's for the greater cause with CAFC.
TVR Not often I agree with someone else's review but this about summed the team performance up for me so it has my vote
Can't stand Ben Haim just a greedy B ... Happy to see Pompey go bust as long as he got his blood money I'd bomb him out sooo it's a big fat Zero from me he epitomises the modern footballer ....GREEDY
I thought this, didnt want him, and still don't like him personally for that, BUT if he can work well on the pitch I don't mind, rather Morro though
Agree except that all the other Pompey players took a wage cut, so they're not all like him. Hope to see Morrison replace him soon.
Neither Ben Haim or Ched Evans should play in English football again and I feel rather ashamed that my club employs TBH What I think was the worst thing about his time at Portsmouth was that he was happy to see other (low paid) club employees lose their jobs just because he would not take a pay cut from £45k per week to go to West Ham at £35k per week, other players left on lower money but not TBH.
Bit harsh putting Ben Haim and Ched Evans in the same sentence, one is a greedy w*nker, whereas one is a convicted rapist, and someone that, if he joined us I would return my season ticket.
