PORTSMOUTH v OLDHAM League One – 1 September 2012 Link to BBC Preview: to follow Last meeting at Fratton Park 1 February 1997, Div 1 [Championship] Pompey 1-0 Oldham Who are Ya? Pine Villa FC were formed in 1895. When Oldham County folded in 1899, Pine Villa moved into their home at the Oldham Athletic ground (now Boundary Park) and changed their name to Oldham Athletic. Entering the Second Division (there were only two divisions in those days) in 1907, they gained promotion at the third attempt. They were runners up (their highest ever finish) in 1915, but their peak was then interrupted as the leagues were abandoned due to the Great War. When play was resumed they struggled and were finally relegated in 1923, with top flight football not returning to Boundary Park until 1991. They stayed in the top division for three seasons, during which they were founder members of the Premier League. Although they were relegated in 1994, they did reach the FA Cup semi-final that season, taking eventual winners Manchester United to a replay. Another relegation followed three years later and they have occupied a berth in the third tier since the 1997-98 season. Highest League Finish: Runners up First Division [Premier League] 1915 Lowest League Finish: 23rd Fourth Division [League Two] 1960 Honours: 1st Tier [Premier League] – runners up 1915 2nd Tier [Championship] – winners 1991, runners up 1910 3rd Tier [League One] – winners 1953 (Division 3 North) and 1974 4th Tier [League Two] – runners up 1963 FA Cup – semi-finalists 1913, 1990, 1994 League Cup – runners up 1990 Anglo-Scottish Cup – runners up 1979 Yesteryear 26 November 1983, Second Division [Championship Pompey 3-4 Oldham This result in Pompey’s first season in the 2nd Tier after a seven year absence saw them drop from 10th to 14th in the table. Pompey finished 16th and were the lowest placed team in the division to end with a positive goal-difference. Silver Stats – Oldham Athletic 5 seasons ago [2008] – 8th in League One 10 seasons ago [2003] – 5th in Div 2 [League One] – playoff semi-final 15 seasons ago [1998] – 13th in Div 2 [League One] 20 seasons ago [1993] – 19th in Premier League (out of 22) 25 seasons ago [1988] – 10th in Second Division Random Fact: On 25 October 1989 Oldham’s Frankie Bunn scored six goals (still a League Cup record) in a 7-0 3rd round win over Scarborough, who had shocked Chelsea in Round Two. Match Odds (at Skybet Saturday morning) Pompey: 11/10 Oldham: 5/2 Draw: 23/10 Mystic Devo Pompey scored two and shipped two in the 90th minute plus stoppage time at Carlisle, so I dare any-one to leave Fratton Park before the final whistle this Saturday! We have let in seven goals in three league games up to now, but the guys have shown they can find the net too; and have done five times. We’re not as solid at the back as we might be, but a “we’re going to score more than you” approach should see the paying public get their money’s worth at Pompey matches this term. The Latics are among the bookies’ favourites for relegation and, while I don’t wish to describe this as a six-pointer, it’s one we really should be winning if League Two is to be simply a bad dream rather than reality. Devo reckons: Pompey 2-1 Oldham
Don't underestimate them. Pompey are a big scalp in that division. Lots of teams will come and park the bus at Fratton.
"I told 'em Oldham", as the old advert for Oldham car batteries used to say, eh Pieking ? I reckon 2-1 to Pompey, as long as they can "plug the gap" in the centre of defence with Kevin Long suspended - Sam Magri perhaps ? PUP
I haven't managed to get to FP yet so have to make do with commentary from the opposition team. The Carlisle commentators were talking a lot about Brian Howard, how hard he was working and how he was getting cross with the players, it sounded like he was getting a bit frustrated with them, especially the defenders. Then yesterday I was reading a twitter conversation between him and Greg Halford where he was saying that the team is missing some experience. I couldn't help wishing that we could get Ric Rocha back, he was so good with the youngsters in the defence and you could see how he could read a game. With Williams and Long out we will struggle is my guess.
The ref had a bad second half from the sounds of it. But even so Pompey sounded poor and so did the game.
Well........... Obita sent off followed by the wrong man (Byrne not Brown) after the 4th official had a word. The Ref should have sent himself off as well. The goal might have been an own goal, nobody's sure. 23 fouls by Oldham. We had most of the possession and more goals on target. Sounds like chaos down there. Appy's got his work cut out - but tbf this team haven't played together before, so there is still hope.
The ref was awful, 3rd eye. Poor Jordan Obita was "roughed up" by Oldham's huge 6' 4" centre back Mvoto most of the first half, infact every time he was anywhere near the ball ! They were a typical lower division side, with hardly any finesse. As for their number 7 - L (stood for lardy ?) Croft - he makes 'The Piemaster' look like Twiggy. 20 stone of unsightly fat, or what ?! The two new lads - Ertl and Russell played well. On to the next match............
I heard a lot of comments re Dikov being a dirty player and now managing a dirty team. Is that an assessment you'd agree with? Another comment I heard was that McLeod is desperate to please the fans. And with Obita he retaliated when he got an elbow in the face - he got sent off, even the Oldham commentators were a bit surprised at first, then the 4th official intervened then the wrong man got sent off. They did say that the ref wouldn't be used to a crowd like ours.
Spot on about Dickov, 3rd eye. Oldham came to FP with the intention to "spoil" the game. Our players seemed to be getting a wee bit frustrated by their tactics, and the very poor referee didn't help matters. Obita with his tremendous pace looked good alongside McLeod, but as I said before, Mvoto was pulling his shirt and pushing and shoving him the entire first half. Byrne was sent off in error, but it serves him right, as he was another dirty player for them, so the ref did us a favour there ! We looked brighter up front when Ashley Harris came on, but I must say that Liam Walker looks a very good prospect indeed
I see we got 1 red and 1 yellow - Oldham got 1 red and 3 yellows. Do you reckon Brian Howard's yellow was justified? We had a lot of discipline problems under Cotterill - I hope we don't go down that route with Appy, mainly because we have such a small squad and can't afford to have them unable to play.
I think Luke Rodgers would have been better up front today. He seems a tougher guy than McLeod to me and it would have been better to have him play the majority of the game rather than just seven minute plus injury time.
Howard's challenge was innocuous to my mind. He is not a dirty player. I think our midfield will look better when Lee Williamson is fit again, although I hope Liam Walker isn't left out of the side.
I heard Appy talking about Liam Walker and a conversation he had with him and his family, which made sense, especially given his experience with youngsters. He was telling them not to be surprised if Liam's form falls around Christmas time for a while before he gets it back again. It made sense because I noticed that younger people I worked with would "plateau" for a while when they were promoted before they were off and running again. Whether it's physical or mental the same life-rules seem to apply.
