Match Day Thread Pompey v Southampton - Carabao Cup 3rd. Round

Such a massive game!

Couldn't get a ticket unfortunately.

I'm hoping form goes out the window because we've been absolute ****e for a month or so now.

 

Atmosphere will be so good!

Its live on Talksport which is the best I can do.

Colleague is going.

I only hope its not a beating and we give them a game and make it extremely unpleasant for them in all aspects!

 

Good match thread.
Remember the sting of the Norris goal like it was yesterday, what a hit.....the bugger!

 

We thought we'd got out of jail with our late goal, but his was one of them football god hits.
Who was that defender you had who twatted the ball into our stand, then slapped Lallana? That seems more funny now! (the lallana bit anyway)

 

We're gonna take a pounding

 

Good start!

 

****ing hell we're wobbling now!

Keep giving the ball away.

Gap between the midfield and back 4 is huge.

 

Can't string 3 passes together atm.

 

Well they tried but in all honestly are lacking in quality.

Difference between the leagues is apparent - in particular up top.

Ings having a blinder.

 

He brings Evans on who should have started when 3-0 down at 78 mins.

Why why why Jacket?

 

Food for thought and time to reflect as the team gather their thoughts for the home game against the famous Bolton Wanderers.

PS: Their Guildhall is similar to Portsmouth´s!!!

 

A huge difference between the derby and the Bolton game in terms of pressure.
Against Saints nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Against Bolton nothing but a good win will be acceptable
The Saints game has just been replayed on tele in Oz so a rare chance for me to see a full game - not just highlights.
Two conclusions: didn't deserve to win and didn't deserve to lose 4-0 (or even 3-0).
As I have said before I think Jackett needs to decide what his best side is and stick to it to the extent injuries and suspensions will allow.
I think there were enough positives - despite the result - to stick with last nights team against Bolton.
An exception to this may have to be Downing in for Hawkins due to injury. This was unfortunate. Although I was critical of Hawkins selection against Wycombe he apparently had a good game as he did last night. Pompey have three players that look as if they need a run of full games: Bolton, Williams and Cannon.
I would stick with Bolton at the moment because not only does he need a run of games but the team needs a run of games with the same R.B.
Williams appears to have pace and is, to my mind, worth a run although I thought he over played on occasions last night.
There is no doubt that Pitman is the Pompey player most likely to take an opportunity. Last night he was unlucky on a couple of occasions. the trouble is he appears to play more like a twin striker than a number10 which leaves Pompey short in mid-field. Given he is in the team and there is a need to stabilise selections I believe he should stay were he is (also to keep Lapras happy!).
In the longer term it will be interesting to see what happens when Harkness returns. If Curtis and Williams can show some form he could return as a No 10 in place of Pitman. Otherwise I think the competition between Curtis Harness & Williams for the wide positions would be positive.
I do not think that Marquis's selection is cast in stone in the long term although he is safe for now. While Pitman has not proved suitable in the past in a 'one up front ' formation he could perhaps better fill that role with the pace of Curtis, Williams and Harness around him.
While I have been a fan of Close I am uncertain if his failure to put a stamp on some games is a symptom of Pompey not playing through the mid field or if he is sometimes the problem. He lacks bite in 50-50 situations but, although critized for paying sideways to much, I think he is currently Pompey's best chance of any mid-field creativity and I think he has shown some improvement in that regard (although it was not particularly evident last night). In the longer term it remains to be seen if Morris can provide some mid field creativity. I have not seen anything of him but he appears to have a good pedigree.
Cannon can provide the bite and energy but perhaps not the creativity. As I have said before I think his performances warrant a longer run in the team but, at the moment I would sacrifice his rights for the need for a more stable selection
Evans is unfortunate to be missing out on the starting line up also. He ( and indeed Pitman) are players that can make an impact from the bench. I would have put Chaplin in that category also. Unfairly such players are inclined to be selected on the bench.
Woops, you mentioned the possibility of player more of the youngsters. I think for now they should stick with the more established players generally but if it becomes apparent (which it isn't just yet) that it is going to be a mid table season I think that maybe that will be the way to go.