Bob Peeters said that "All the boxes are ticked" after this run out at Fratton Park. Igor hit the first goal with a superb curving drive from the corner of the penalty area, into the far corner of the Pompey net, and then George Tucudean made the most of his only real chance of the game to restore Charlton's lead after Danny Hollands tapped home an equaliser for Pompey from a yard out. Johnnie Jackson squandered a penalty in the second half with a feeble effort that was easily saved and was substituted a couple of minutes later. In truth, he had a pretty rotten game up to that point. Not only did he miss the pen but he gave away a number of silly free kicks with mistimed tackles. Pompey never really threatened and apart from their goal, they could only have gotten back into the game due to Steve Henderson's rather worrying inability to deal with basic crosses. I hope the number of balls swing into the penalty area, that he flapped at and didn't get anything on, isn't a sign of things to come this season. But it was an enjoyable little bunfight in the sunshine and a pleasing result. I can go to work on Monday with bragging rights.
Sounds like one of the better performances, though that isn't saying much. How did tuducen and igor all round play look? Did they have any obvious strength/weaknesses? I'm still worried by the striker situation. Don't think there are enough goals there.
Definitely improving, but too little and too late. Poorly organised and utilised pre-season. Not enough goals and woeful cover. Every worthwhile team has four strikers competing for two places. Strikers get injured more and are substituted most games for a breather. We cannot write off the last twenty minutes of every game because we only have Church and/or Pigott to bring on. We only have Vetokele of Championship standard (maybe) and he needs a Kermit type alongside him. Vetokele won't be allowed to dribble past people in the Championship so he needs one-twos and knockdowns as well.
I went yesterday. Came out at full time thinking that despite all of the chuzpah and bollox from RD and his acolytes, we are no better off playing wise than we were this time last season. We looked dreadfully plodding at times against League 2 opposition. Jackson, so often the saviour in recent years, is a season older and was taken off looking knackered. There is still little semblance of a team.pattern or shape as you would expect from a team and highly unproven coach thrown together by a chancer. the bookies don't often call it wrong and Corals make us second favourites to be relegated behind Brentford. It would be great to sign the 2/3 experienced British Championship players we so need this week prior to Brentford, but egged on by his stooges, internet ra ra merchants, and Useful Idiots, RD will guarantee it won't happen. Worrying times.
Blackpool, who are currently playing A. Trialist in about 5 positions... including in goal... I'm stubbornly sticking to the view that it can't be as bad as last year... but then that Philosophy never seems to work at half-time when I'm saying we can't possibly be as bad in the 2nd half. I'm taking heart from Church being moved out of the #9 shirt...
Sadly, church favours number 18 but it was unavailable last summer due to a certain talisman we once had.
