Portsmouth have always been quite partial to a second half of the season wobble. It would take some doing but if they didn't make the play offs I wouldn't be surprised based off past years.
Cheltenham scored all 3 goals in a 5 minute period early in second half. I watched second half, Cheltenham deserved it, Portsmouth looked ropey, no better than us.
Me too, looks like Paul Warne has finally got it going down there, but irrespective were 4pts off autos if we win games in hand. Get January recruitment right and it's very much game on.
That ten point gap between us and Pompey is nothing. We win at Fratton, win the two games in hand and it’s down to one point. Who says we’re going nowhere?
Mainly to check on the quality of Portsmouth and expecting them to win, I went along to Whaddon Road today. Truth is that Portsmouth were significantly the better of the two teams and Cheltenham were fortunate to be still holding at 0-0 at half time. When Pompey bundled an own goal right after the restart, it looked game over already, but Cheltenham scrapped like fury all over the pitch, scored twice in five minutes (second one a screamer) and then dug in to battle for the win. Classic game. Glad I went. Don't underestimate Pompey. They looked technically sound all over the pitch. Bishop is more than just a goal-scoring centre forward and played the target man role very well. Both wide players caught the eye - Kamara and Lane - as well. You have to credit Cheltenham. Once they were unexpectedly ahead, they scrapped so hard all over the pitch, even though I don't think any of their player cost money and they have two strikers out injured in Street and Goodwin. Pompey got more and more rattled as they couldn't break through and the Cheltenham back three all put their bodies on the line time and time again. Maybe Pompey will have a wobble. They have several players out injured and should be stronger once they are back. Restorative justice? Kamar scored for Pompey after the ref had blown for a foul - shades of our disallowed goal at Fratton Park - but there was a longer time lapse. Two Pompey players booked for simulation in diving for penalties. Pompey fans not happy with the ref at the end, but their team blew it, not the ref. Classic win for Cheltenham and well worth the entrance fee. COYR. We might still catch them. I think that Stevenage and Oxford will wilt under the pressure in the second half of the season, unless they recruit really well in this window.
On current good form, I'd say Bolton and Peterbrough and Derby are the favourites for the top two. Stevenage and Oxford and even Portsmouth now, are struggling for form.
I think there isn't much between the current top 4. They've all got it in them though to have a dodgy result. I guess that's one thing you can say about us, we've not lost to anyone who you'd expect us to beat this season. The lowest placed team we've lost to are in 8th. Honestly, a couple of good signings this window for us, and we can be right in the mix. We do need to try and take points off the teams we're left to face in the top 6 though. Bolton particularly, with us having to play them twice.
Don't think anyone can deny we tend to look ropey most second half's, it's encouraging to note that's not necessarily a hindrance to getting out of this division.
I agree with you a center half and move Williams to rwb and possibly another striker and we could potentially be in the mix. Bit like you say we have Oxford stevenage pompey boltonx2 to play those games will decide where we end up.
This result surprised me for obvious reasons, but I'm not surprised to see Cheltenham picking up after their awful start. Not hyperbole, but they really should have been 2 or 3 goals to the good against us in the first half when we went there in September, Roberts pulled off a couple of blinding saves and they missed a sitter - they faded after and we took charge. That was in the middle of their scoreless run from the start of the season. Hopefully Pompey continue to wobble, whether we take advantage is another question.
