Match Day Thread - Pompey Promotion vs Barnsley Back On Track

That’s exactly as how I saw it. I think as soon he realised McAtee didn’t reach the ball, he went down knowing he didn’t need to get touched

 

Just recently back. My couple of pence worth is that this felt like a similar performance to the Peterborough and Bolton away games in that for much of the first part of each game (Peterborough to 44 minutes, Bolton to about 64 minutes and Portsmouth to around 70 minutes) we played really well and were the better side. At both Bolton and Portsmouth we could and probably should have been another goal ahead during our period on top but chances were missed.

Our undoing for me comes from two things. Firstly, playing the way we (rightly) did for the first part of each game, harrying, chasing and pressing over the whole length of the pitch takes a lot out of players and doesn't seem sustainable for the same front five for 103 minutes, so you need a strong bench with similar players on to be able to rotate people in after 65-70 minutes and not see a drop off. We don't have that type of depth unfortunately. Portsmouth's bench on the other hand was stacked.

Secondly, we just can't defend a big lump - Clarke-Harris at Peterborough and, when introduced as subs, Bodvarsson at Bolton and Bishop last night. I'm not sure what can be done about this, Collins just doesn't have the necessary defensive personnel available to him. I think Collins could see that the game was turning once Bishop settled in and his substitution to bring on a big centre back to counter was, in theory, the correct one imho. Unfortunately, in practice, McCart isn't the individual that was needed.

Despite the result, you can't fault the effort and attitude last night. I'll even forgive them not coming over to clap us at the end

 

Agree that that injury was a bad break (no pun intended). Pines may well be the business next season but he isn't the answer on his own as we can't pick and choose which of our centre backs the opposition striker goes and positions himself against, unfortunately, If we're playing a zonal three at the back, we need to return to a situation where we have three tall, strong and reasonably athletic centre backs, imho of course. I thought Earl was going to fit the bill in his first few games but I think the jury is still out on him for now.

 

Top marks to you and the others who travelled and thank you for an objective summary of the match without any bile and unnecessary mud slinging.

 

It's a disgrace the players didn't applaud our 300 fans. They couldn't wait to get off the pitch

 

I think you may have missed some sarcasm there…