I got back at around 2am last night, due to the fiasco on the A36 ( as much chaos as our defence this season !). Ended up on a lane with a cow ( that's right, a cow ) blocking the path at 12.30 when I could have had an Alan Partridge style breakdown. Fortunately I bounced straight back ! Upon arriving at Fratton Park, I was looking forwards to the night very much so. I'd heard of the famous atmosphere, a ground I wanted to tick off the list, and our form / performances had been greatly improved going into the game. In honesty, we could have taken 15/15 from the previous 5 games, had it not been for idiotic things against Leeds / Blackpool and Birmingham. Parking was a tenner ( outrageous ) at Fratton Park. There appeared nowhere else to park, and with us arriving rather late, that spot sufficed. I was pleased to see we were lining up the same as in previous games, with the exception of the enforced change, Delaney for Sonko. Prior to the game, I was " scared senseless " at the prospect of Smith and Delaney against a physical direct side..... I also wanted to see Carson on the bench instead of Grant " I was once a premiership footballer so I'll play at championship level my entire career and make millions of pounds doing so " Leadbitter. Onto the game. We started VERY much on the front foot. Delaney headed against the crossbar, Chopra had an effort from 30 yards, and JET almost embarrassed Henderson. Pompey appeared low on confidence, with the exception of Kelvin Etuhu on their right flank. He appeared out of kilter with their hoofball tactics, and looked a rather intelligent player. On 13 minutes, goal machine ( of late ) Chopra scored. Murphy hit the post, with Chopra reacting. 1-0. Coasting at this point ! Portsmouth did come back into the game, albeit looking deprived of ideas. Hyam and Drury were controlling the midfield. The referee appeared over zealous in handing out cards, and handed a couple of harsh ones out. He seemed to want to make a name for himself, and not let the game flow sadly. Smith and Delaney ( to my surprise ) were dealing with the aerial threat admirably, both appearing to be defenders ! Most strange. Infact, Delaney second half went on a surging run ! JET was quiet throughout the first half, and there were more chances, but as the half time whistle went, we deserved to be 1-0 up. No doubt about that. Edwards at times had got caught out when he went forwards, but he really does offer so much going forwards. Great asset to have. He was certainly better than Cresswell. Pompey's main chance in the first half, was ( could be wrong ) Edwards playing the ball across, and their forward Huseklepp spooning over. He offered something for Pompey, but was making wrong decisions. Lawrence also looked a threat until he was subbed. At half time, I had a dilemma regarding on the phone. It transpired I'd messed up some dates, and my trip abroad with my girlfriend coincides with a stag do ! I don't think my friend will be overly happy with me next week but he's a Man Utd fan soooooo that's life right !? Second half, Pompey were excellent for 15 minutes or so. Ball zipping around on the deck much better than the first half, and they appeared a lot more up for the game. The atmosphere from the Portsmouth fans was FANTASTIC I'd like to add. Perhaps the BEST home support I can recall at a game, with both the stand to our right and the one opposite bellowing out plenty songs. We were rather muted in all honesty, but had some banter with the Pompey faithful. I really hope they sort out their situation...... As the second half progressed, we gained a strong foothold on the game, and were having a good amount of clear chances. The ball was on the line on a corner, I can't remember who, but we didn't put it away. Martin struck the post from a great run, JET played a SUBLIME ball to Drury who shot high and wide, and Martin wasted a sitter too. great chances. Would we pay for these missed opportunities ? Another day we would, when Pompey WRONGLY had a goal chalked off. A long throw came into the box, and appeared to flick off JET into the net. This was before various ones of our chances, but fortunately from our perspective the ref disallowed it ! In honesty, we were very good value for the 3 points, and could have won by more. 3-0 would not in any way shape or form have flattered us, and our performance was the best I've seen all season. Better than the 3-0 win at Bristol City, and better than 1-0 at West Ham. Ratings. ALB - Literally sod all to do. A couple of dodgy kicks..... that was his evenings work ! Edwards - Great going forwards - the usual really....! Cresswell - Solid, poor crosses when well placed. Smith - BEST game I've seen from him in an Ipswich shirt. Superb. Tough game v a physical Pompey frontline. MUCH better in distribution too ! Delaney - BEST game again. A great run forwards, unlucky when he hit the bar and played well - lucky for us Pompey went physical and didn't have a pacy forwards..... Hyam - Good game ! stuck in, started attacks, unlucky yellow. Sometimes a few yards off but that's being picky..... Drury - Bargain signing. Shows you don't have to splash cash. Intelligent on the ball, zips it around and had a couple of 10 yard runs.... dangerous ! JET - Borderline poor first half, and sorta lazy, second half - LOADS better. The JET of late second half, great ball for Drury, rarely lost the ball. Good game Murphy - BEST GAME I've seen from him in an Ipswich shirt too. Have thought Carson is such a more obvious choice, based on this Carson has it all to do. Great defensively, run with the ball more, moved more. Good in the air. Looking a lot better on the left.. Martin - SUPERB. Quiet ISH first half, but second he made several good runs with the ball. Very good off the ball, the workrate is there for all to see. Closed down a lot of lost causes, distributed well. Chopra - Ran ran ran ran ran and scored. Sometimes isolated, but got on with it. Harries defenders and has a good touch. First PROPER striker since Darren Bent - Yes Alan Lee at times got the most out of his rather limited ( I don't mean that horribly ! ) game, but Chop's really is a class striker. Literally every player had a good game. Scotland put in a shift when he came in too !
