Thought there might have been something up already but everyone still in the pub except me it seems. The title of the last thread included "we wuz robbed" and it could be said this one should have the same in it. I have to start with the Referee which is disappointing given it is league match one at HP. He was worse than terrible. It sort of seems better if he is worse than terrible to both sides but on this occasion I think he thought Pompey were Man U and he was at Old Trafford. He gave them every decision going. The first penalty was an absolute dive and a travesty. The second I'll grant him was a penalty. He booked a Pompey player for a leading arm across Nelson's head. I know it was for that as a Pompey player asked him why the booking and that is what he indicated. That isn't a yellow if it's for that it's a red. He gave hand ball against Reid near the end when it first hit a Pompey hand and bounced off onto Reid's. There were so many other decisions like that it was almost laughable and the word "cheat" springs readily to mind and in my view would not be over the top. Now to the game itself. Pompey are going to be promoted this season I have no doubt. Argyle were not at the races for most of the first half and it was McCormack who kept us in it at 0 - 0. He pulled off several good saves and the defence muddled a couple of clearances just about at other times. Pompey were slick at passing the ball and played it around well. They always had acres of room and closed Argyle down quickly when the ball was lost. Argyle on the other hand didn't seem to be able to do much right and kicked the ball anywhere most of the time. In terms of possession the stats on the beeb must have been about 80 - 20 coming up to halftime. Then the Ref took his part. Gave an instant penalty from what was an obvious dive. I thought at first he was going to book the Pompey player but should have known better from his performance up to then. 1- 0 at the break and was deserved on play but not on reality. Argyle had a couple of chances and decent efforts so they were not completely aweful. Second half and Argyle improved but the Ref didn't. Every decision went against Argyle even when it was blatant. Pompey continued to play the ball about and their passing game was as good as the first half. It was far more even in terms of possession and the like. Then came the second pen which was fair enough from where I sat. 2- 0 and a mountain to climb. Suddenly Argyle came to life and began to hit Pompey from all angles. Effort went up 50% even if the Ref was a tosser still. Excellent goal from Wylde who lashed his shot into the net. Game on but only a short time to go. Pompey suddenly looked vulnerable and nervous. I'd say they were hanging on at the end. The Ref missed the obvious handball and gave his decisions Pompey's way till the end. We need to play for the whole of the 90 minutes in games and not at the end when it seems lost. Argyle will beat a lot of teams this term so whould put this one down to experience and hope they never meet this Official again.
Possibly only you and notDistant who where there sensible......seeing that Lindy is away. Most of the BBC statistics suggested that Pompey had the upper hand most of the time....it does seem that we lost the mid-field battle and when we did get the ball they pressed us hard and didn't give us any playing space. Worrying that we had to use the long ball to Reid too often......he didn't seem to cause them too many problems and where was the support that he needed. Two penalties given, both seemed to be poor defending decisions.....players are going to go down if pressured in the box.....the first one looked as if the Portsmouth player went down far too easily.....I've seen those waved away by Refs.....the second one the player didn't have to work too hard for his penalty.....disappointing really.......when did McCormick last save a penalty....not his strong point are they. Portsmouth have a strong squad.....they rested seven players on Wednesday for their win over Championship side Derby. So although they played their Cup game a day later they where probably fresher than Argyle.....who have hardly any squad depth at all.....over a season that will take it's toll with injuries,tiredness and players out of form. Pompey who attract twice as many supporters than Argyle, although they have had some dire seasons recently, have more financial clout because of their gates,so it's not unexpected that they can attract some good Div 1 players to their squad. The moment Portsmouth gave Argyle some space Wylde showed what he could do with an excellent strike.....but it was far too late.......Portsmouth had done their homework and stopped us playing an attacking game......not much sign of it yesterday at Home Park......played two...lost two.....no home fortress evident at the moment......Carlisle Tuesday....who where involved in an eight goal thriller on Saturday.......should you go sensible you don't need that amount of excitement.
I wasn't there although I could hear it! I hate to drone on but based on Tuesday, we play some good stuff but don't dominate, tactically or physically. I keep thinking of Lilian Nalis: strong as a horse, hard as nails and a good footballer. Where is he now... One thing I didn't mention in midweek was Reuben Reid. Is he best used as a lone striker? Does Ryan Brunt fit the bill better? Discuss.
Reuben Reid isn't looking particularly dangerous at the moment.....still getting used to mid-fielders breaking foreward I expect.....although not too noticiable on yesterdays performance. Watching him at Wimbledon.... it was noticiable how he was moaning rather to often when the ball came his way...but not quite where he wanted it.....too much gesturing.......half this team have not played regularly with him......the question is....do they have to adapt to his requirements or does he have to adapt to their requirements ? Brunt I've never seen play and video footage of him is rather sparse.....so I don't really know the answer to you question notDistant. Maybe Brunt needs to be tried a couple of times instead of Reid.....that won't go down well with Reid.....but he's got to find out that he might not be the main source of goals this season.....with more punch coming from mid-field. The other alternative is Jervis who was scoring freely during pre-season matches......would he be kept out wide all the time or could he play the loan striker....he is tall and good in the air....but rather under nourished to look at. Jervis at Wimbledon seemed to be McCormick's main outlet from goal kicks......kicking long and wide down the right touch line for Jervis to out jump the defence and nod the ball towards the penalty area......that only works if the mid-field are breaking foreward quickly.....they didn't always read McCormick's intentions......but opponents will soon nullify that if used to often. We have a limited squad strength.....that was obvious by Portsmouth resting seven starters last Wednesday and still beating a Championship team....we have no depth at all.....and a long season will bring injuries, players out of form and tiring through too much match time. Portsmouth with there large squad will be there abouts come April/May this time.....favourites to go up last year but not up to it.....this year they definately look up to it.
Good Morning Plymborn In your last two posts you have had a dig at Luke who yesterday kept us in the game. By reading the reports he and a couple of others were the only ones who had a good game ! The goal keeper is the last in the line of the rest of the team in front of him so if that is the case it is all the fault of the midfield for not getting the ball up to our strikers (think RR will be in our games less and less as the season goes on) and for also letting the ball get to our defence players and for them being inept in not clearing the ball safely so that their strikers can't score. Oh I forgot and our keeper for not being able to save penalties which were both soft awards by the way. You forgot to mention that Pompey had an extra player on the pitch yesterday .... the referee !
I thought Reid looked sharper against Gillingham, at least in the first half. He was running a lot more freely and chasing the ball down which we didn't see a lot of at the tail end of last season, presumambly due to his foot injury. He clearly knows where the goal is and that's vital but he does like the ball to his feet and he always seems to get pinned by the centre-backs when this happens. I have a feeling he'd be better with someone else leading the line, giving Reid more room to manoeuvre. I mentioned Brunt because he's a more traditional type who is happy taking the centre-backs on in the air. He's also full of energy although I suppose I've only ever seen him play the last 15 minutes! Nobody wants to see just long balls in the air but I'm not sure Reid is being used to best effect. I haven't seen Jervis so I can't comment - he picked up the injury very early against Gillingham and hardly got a touch. There are some good things: Wylde looks like a real firecracker and the style should entertain - if the results are right. What worries me is that with a new manager in his first role in England and a substantially different squad, I suspect the competition have NOT yet had the opportunity to work out how to counter our tactics. That suggests things could get worse rather than better. One thing they have all clearly cottoned on to is blocking McCormick at set pieces. He's an excellent keeper but not the biggest you'll see at "only" 6ft.
Hi Jools......me digging at McCormick that's not so.......the penalty remark is quite true.....Luke was a superior keeper to Jake Cole that's a fact......but Cole definately was a good shot stopper and would be better stopping penalties, that is the only gripe I have.
I don't think keepers can be blamed for failing to save spot-kicks, only praised when the do. The probabilities are stacked against them. I think McCormick is the best keeper I've ever seen at Argyle but I'm not sure he's on his best form at the moment. It happens to everyone... Jake Cole on the other hand frightened the Bejesus out of me.
Luke is one of the best we've had that's for sure......Your probably right that he isn't on his best form at present.....new manager, new defensive ideas....all needs time to bed in.
Thinking further about your comment that Luke is the best keeper you have seen at Home Park. It reminded me of seeing Peter Shilton playing at West Ham in a league match not long after he had taken over.....problem was that I couldn't find the game.....we never played West Ham whilst Shilton was in charge.......I eventually found the game.....it wasn't West Ham.....it was Charlton when they where playing elsewhere when the Valley was just derelict......played at Palace and also at West Ham. It was a 0-0 draw.....I distinctly remember a moment that left an impression on me for quite awhile afterwards......Charlton played a through ball that beat the off-side trap and the player had advanced towards goal.....he had far to much time to think.....Shilton came out towards him and completely dominated the Charlton player......although Shilton was well passed his best his presence completely turned the player into a jibbering idiot or so it seemed....not even a shot in the end....Shilton just scooped up the ball and problem over.....Shilton's past history must of gone through that Charlton players mind...he had too much time to think what to do and he didn't match up to the task before him......just one moment I remember, Shilton didn't play himself much after that first season but he was still good enough....we where relegated that season.
I should have said "I've ever seen play FOR Argyle" I suppose... can't remember who I might have seen playing for the other side in the FA Cup or something like that! I believe McCormick would have gone on to play in the Premier League if his life hadn't taken a tragic turn. I had forgotten that Shilton played for Argyle - 34 times between 1992 and 1994 according to Wikipedia, which is never wrong. I was living away then and in an interesting period of my life so I wonder if I ever saw him in an Argyle shirt.
From all your excellent reports seemed we played ok but they sussed us out. Again poor refs don't help matters but need to take the frustration out against the next opposition. I'm sure the new team will gel together soon and will create havoc on the way.
I would ask one question plym ref penalties. When was the last time Argyle missed one? Rarely is the answer so it isn't surprising keepers have problems saving them. Cole was no better at pens than McCormack who were probably both better than Larrieu. Portsmouth are an excellent side this season. They are going to boss the majority of games they play and few will turn them over. In comparison our players were slow and at least 50% less adept at passing the ball accurately especially in the first half. However, I am still confident we will beat a lot of teams this season also and won't meet anything the same class as Pompey anywhere else. The Ref was the difference mainly though. I have rarely seen one with so much bias. There have been plenty who were just plain incompetant but that is to both teams normally. This one gave virtually every decision to them and the penalty mark 1 was just a joke. I watched it again on our local news and it looked even worse on there than in real time. A player not sent off for an elbow deliberately delivered. He indicated to a Pompey player why he gave the yellow so no excuse. That's violent conduct and is a straight red all day long. There were so many incidents he gave them I would be here all day if I tried to log them all. I have no problem with Pompey getting the 3 points because they deserved the result on play but it should be gained in a fair way and by their merits rather than gifted. I don't think Argyle have a problem and this one result isn't going to define their season. At least Adams was off his seat and down the touchline having a go at the Ref which is more than Sheridan tutting used to do.
Last penalty miss was probably in December the FA Cup Round 2 2014 against Sheff U....when the score was still 0-0 Reuben Reid completely missed the target.....United went on to win the game.
Which answers the question which is they are rare. Even the 9 foot giants of the premiership don't save loads.
Thanks Sensible, a setback but as it's early doors we'll hope it's just a blip and a poor refereeing display!
