What's the answer?

We've showed today that we can score two and control 75% of the game against the top of the league. We've given a stupid penalty away and then failed to defend a set piece.
It's ok piling pressure on Collins, but unless he was on the pitch, Pompey's second and third goals were not his fault.
We no longer have a young team with no experience. Our 5 man defence, whilst potentially suspect in terms of quality, has four players who are experienced at this level. Our midfield are not kids anymore. Our strikers are not kids.

 

Dunno we will have to ask Smarties.

 

Why can't blame Collins he choose to go defensive instead of going for win at end

 

Play teams in their half instead of ours

 

Didn't see us make defensive changes, if anything brought on an experienced defender and moved a wingback into midfield.

 

Score more than the opposition?

 

We.didn't go defensive

We went for it for the entire game

Just listen to their commentary, they acknowledged it too

 

I don’t really think there is one other than hope we can get away without making many individual mistakes at the back in the play offs.

Its annoying because you can play well, you can pick the right tactics but I think we all know that we’ll give whoever we’re playing a few chances

 

Mccart on for grant was defensive I think?

 

I don't know whether they weren't allegedly at their best, but it makes me wonder why we were all worried about an absolute thrashing against them tonight ?.
I'm maybe being biased here, but I think they have been lucky to beat us 3-2, twice, this season.
However, they are Champions so there is of course a big difference in quality, consistently, over the whole season. So we could try and learn from them.

 

I think Pines has been a big loss. Fans loved him and he was a big presence in defence and on corners/free kicks.

 

Probably squad size. They’ve had quite a few injuries this season but hardly broken their stride.

 

Indeed. It's so frustrating. That was our best performance for a long while and deserved a reward. We looked good going forward and were very much playing on the front foot. We have failed to score in only one away game all season, which is something I cannot remember having happened before. But we always look so vulnerable at the back. Surely coaching, or lack of it, must play a big part in that. It's often said that it's far harder, if not impossible, to make a player into a regular scorer, but average players can be made into a competent defensive unit, which is better than the sum of its individual parts.

 

Yeah, but that then comes down to quality of recruitment, and who we sign and sell etc.

 

Tonight may or may not have been down to Collins but he's brought the pressure on himself and the squad with his negative tactics in previous games which have cost us points. If we fail to even make the playoffs this season after the position we were in the person whose most responsible is the Head Coach. We should have been either challenging for a top two place or at least taking these last few game easy safe in playoffs.

 

What's the question?

Seriously, we've got two games left in the season and potentially three games following that. All we can do is get behind the head coach and the players and support the team. They've shown what they are capable of in patches throughout the season and with a bit of luck we can make this happen.

We're fifth in the table and have a chance. Let's take it.

 

Who, what, why, where, and when ?.
Ohh yes sir, I've got loads of questions me lol.
But hey Ronnie, in fairness, I haven't got any answers.

 

It does mate, but it’s not an exact science. Some windows are better than others, and some of this seasons failures might be next seasons successes.

 

My friend who is a Pompey ST holder for 20 years plus texted to say we are the best away team that they have seen all season - fine margins!

 

Sums up our season.. look a threat going forward ( only away games tho) but can't defend..