After half time, in my eyes, everything went wrong. Pompey were able to use their solid back four and double sixes to mop up any threat we might have had pressing forward, which forced us to play out from the back. Remember, against Blackpool, we were able to be a little more direct in travelling to the middle third, but we played football from thereon. This time, because they had the final two thirds on lockdown, we just looked utterly clueless. I’ve mentioned Dave Cameron here, the performance (for me) reeked of 2001 Lincoln City. We were hitting aimless balls forward, playing across the back only to launch something towards Tom Hopper who really struggled on his first start for the club.
He did have the odd flash of quality, one move down the right flank provided a golden opportunity for us to level through John-Jules, but he spooned his shot high. Had he hit the target, it’s 1-1 and the game changes.
Look, I know we weren’t good, but Pompey outsmarted us as well. The second half looked bad for a reason; they were compact and looked to hit us after we’d laboured and huffed our way up the field. They didn’t have to come at us, they just waited for us to go at them and then hit back. It was painful though, especially some of the playing out from the back. I have no problem with it if we’re offering something as a consequence, but we weren’t. Against Blackpool we teased down the wing, last night we may as well have roped the wide areas off, that’s how little we used them. Harry got no joy at all, eventually coming off. Jorge Grant, who I thought was one of the few to have a solid game, just looked isolated all the time. Max Melbourne didn’t overlap much, when he did it was to run into a blind alley but usually Grant had to check back inside and find a player in the middle. He invariably played it to Bolger or Shackell. If he gave it to Bolger, it went to Shackell. Once Shackell had it, I switched off as possession almost always ended up back with a grey shirt minutes later.
It may be the approach we use and that’s great, but Shackell trying to ping 50-yard passes had me shuddering. At least Grant Brown used to be unashamed in his hoofing; Shackell just looked like someone’s Dad, playing with his teenage sons and thinking he still has it, when he doesn’t. I’m not saying he’s done, not on one game, but he was perhaps the worst player in a Lincoln shirt last night. His passing was so wayward, it was like when I take all the assists off on FIFA. Balls sailed out of play, they fell short of their target, they went long. They dropped into channels 30-yards from a red shirt and when they did occasionally find the mark, Burgess or Raggett won them with ease. It was just painful.
Pompey are the second team in a week we’ve played that I don’t think are all that special. John Marquis got little change out of Bolger and whatever we think of Bolger’s passing ability, I think he is commanding in the air. The back four didn’t look like conceding either, the problem was they didn’t look like they could play either. Eardley was the pick of the bunch and Ronan Curtis had him tied in knots at times.
In midfield, Conor Coventry saw the game largely pass him by. Joe Morrell was perhaps the Man of the Match for City, close to Jorge Grant, but again Pompey did a job on him. They kicked him, pulled him and wound him up so tightly I thought he’d get himself sent off. Some of the challenges were really naughty, especially the one from Seddon. There was a coming together behind the referee’s back in the first half as well in which Morrell had a player make a head motion towards him; we’ve seen a red card for it earlier in the year but this wasn’t quite as obvious. Portsmouth are clever, they know how far to push and fair play to them for that.
When Walker came on it was too late and, in my opinion, the wrong move. Tom Hopper should have made way, Walker and John-Jules would have offered more on the floor and I genuinely think had we got into a rhythm we could have caused Raggs problems. He had a decent game, but he seems to have lost a little of the composure he once had. Have the injuries taken their toll? Maybe, but that said I’d have him back here in a heartbeat.
We were never going to score. Jake Hesketh came on and put in a half-decent shift, he would have wanted the goal for Southampton of course, but we just didn’t threaten. One time we did get away down the left and slide a tasty looking cross in, it was cleared at last minute. That’s how below-par we were; one of the biggest talking points of the second half was a cleared cross.
2-0 perhaps flattered Portsmouth a bit. They didn’t lay siege to our goal, they didn’t swamp us in slick attacking play, but they did exactly what they needed to do. Eardley’s challenge was rash and a clear penalty all day long. Oddly, whenever we face a penalty, I never feel like we’re going to save it. When was the last time an opponent missed a penalty against us? I can’t recall. Then, when we actually get one, I always feel like we’ll miss. I hate penalties these days. I hate nights like these at Sincil Bank.
I left feel really low and believe me, had I written this up last night I’d have been even more damning. The thing is, we had to expect nights like these. We have to accept that in transition, as we are, we will have these off days. Post-match, Rob Makepeace asked Michael Aplleotn if he felt the young players being inconsistent would be an ongoing thing. I have to say, I don’t think this was a young player thing. John-Jules, Melbourne and Coventry struggled, no doubt, but what of Anderson (23), Shackell (106), Hopper (26) and Eardley (31)? I’m not counting Bolger because him, Morrell and Jorge Grant put in acceptable shifts in my eyes.
I’m not going to lose sleep, I’m not going to cry a river, but I will mark this off as another bad performance from MA’s side, perhaps only the second of his reign (Gillingham?). Sure, we didn’t thrill against Ipswich or Sunderland, but we weren’t out of those games in terms of overall play. Last night, we were outscored, outsmarted, out tackled and got exactly what we deserved. it’s not the end of the world, but it’s something we must improve upon this weekend.
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On reflection I wonder if we underestimated Portsmouth. They were obviously well organised as you mention, but their work-rate and commitment/robustness/energy were exceptional. With a big and athletic team, it resulted in them winning all the one to one (felt like 3 to 1 most of the time) battles, destroying our composure and stopping any flow in our game. I thought the referee had a good game to be honest and I would have been upset if he’d been harder on us if the boot was on the other foot. Only time will tell whether this is a winning formula in this league but I would bet Portsmouth will continue to thrive. I’m sure there will be a lot of reflection in the post-match analysis but let’s remember the big picture which I still feel positive about.
Can’t understand why young Chappie is just a bench warmer these days. Could it be to put other clubs scouts off. If he is not playing scouts can’t make a report on him. Makes me wonder once the transfer window slams shut. Will he be getting time on the pitch again.
From what I witnessed last night ee were put on our backsides by a much more experienced and more physical side. They outworked us and despite only getting a couple of chances it seemed they were men playing a boys side.
I feel if there was Bostwick, O’Connor and Frecklington in the middle we could have at least mixed it with their midfield. As it was, we were completely brushed aside up front and in the middle so thankfully our defence and Portsmouth’s lack of invention kept the score to a minimum.
It was a reality check of where we are but I still think what Appleton is building will be better football than the Cowley’s produced. He obviously needs time though I think we will still beat a lot of sides in this division this season.
The thing that most amazed me last night was the complete apparent lack of guidance from the sidelines by Appleton. Players were often seen looking at each other, wondering what to do or what not to do, and our coach remained totally detached. I didn’t once spot him offering any input, choosing to remain largely motionless and with the sort of body language that Tilson displayed during his ill-fated reign. I remain unconvinced by his appointment.
Waterleys Imp and Johnny I am with you…. Portsmouth were organised, strong and determined… the fact that they did not create much of note in open play was down to some decent resolute defending on our part. Sometimes you have to put your hand up and say that on the night they were the better team by some distance. You only have to look at their rise up the League in the last month or so to see this was no one off performance. A team very similar in stature to Rotherham, I think these two teams could be automatically promoted.
Portsmouth certainly set a benchmark last night, and I think ever since Grant has lost his mid field slot we have been below par. If Tyler Walker goes back then I dont see where the goals are going to come from.full marks to Jackett for doing his homework on City.
Thanks for not sugaring the pill, Gary, JUst one question: How many knee-jerk reactions does it take before a pattern emerges?
I have to disagree slightly with your write up. Maybe because our expectations are different? Mine are to beat teams below or around us most of the time and hold our own/give teams a run for there money that are above or near the top of the league.
As such I thought we did alright last night (watched on ifollow). Could have done better but not bad.
Be careful what you wish for.
Andy
Losing to promotion contender who is on the good run of form recently is not a worry. Our poor display only a bit as it happens, bad day at the office.
What is worrying me is this transfer window / our squad. We were looking to January as we couldn’t wait to reinforce and bolster our team haven’t we ??
What happened though is not exactly what we wanted I’m afraid. We have lost our best player in Toffolo instead we have got Melbourne who is nowhere near Toff’s level at the moment. We’ve lost our best winger in Bruno. We brought one as well – Zack. As it stands atm he is only warming the bench and even when we chasing result like last night not being put on. If Hesketh is in front of him in pecking order then he is not good enough. Well not yet… We’ve lost O’Connor, main component of our midfield so far. Instead we brought some maybe talented kids but with no experience in senior football like Coventry/Edun. Then we brought another kid in Tyreece and not very prolific Hopper instead of Akinde.
To many changes in short space of time? Surely. We looked last night like our players just met for the first time. Not enough experience? Surely. It was like boys vs men as well.
If we can keep Morrell and Tyler we’ll be fine. But if not I’m not looking forward to last months of this season….
I’m sure MA will be losing sleep after your master class comments on his strategy…..not!
Pompey fan here, I was not at the game so no insight on that subject from me. I always like to read what opposing fans say about a match. There must be something about the northern eastern bit of the country that encourages sensible football commentary. Very good read about the match, insightful and reasonable, and completely sensible comments. Last time I saw something this good was from Sunderland fans. Hope you don’t object too much to the comparison.Thanks and good luck for the remainder of the season. I still have a soft spot for MA after the impossible position he was put in at our place.
Was working last night so couldn’t even listen to the game, but from what I’ve seen on iFollow it was not as bad as the Gillingham game where we made a team not much better than ourselves look good!
I think the main issue is the changes during the window. Losing Toffolo, O’Connor, Andrade & Akinde was never going to be easy and I think those first three were in the pipeline before the window opened, so MA had to get new players in and it was always going to be difficult to get players who could slot straight in. this is one of the reasons I hate this window as its too easy to lose good players and there aren’t the friendly games to help the new players gel.
I’m not worried yet – and after 35 years of being an Imp I’ve seen plenty of things to worry about. I was always expecting this season to be a sharp learning curve and anything above 17th was, for me, the goal!
The Imps’ “old boys” (as they say in Lincolnshire) have a lot of growing up to do! Disjointed, lacklustre performance, only one good chance (blown) up front, Shackell giving everyone the heebie-jeebies with his inability to short pass out from the back (please Shack,don’t pass across the face of the goal when there are nippy skilful opposition forwards ready to pounce). Didn’t realise Anderson was on the field till the second half. No wonder Morrell (we need you Joe!) lost his cool, maybe because he put in a full shift – unlike a few around him. Pompey better organised, better team in all departments. They could have won without the dirty stuff. Southend should be interesting if we give a repeat performance of Tuesday.
Good article Gary. 11 games out of 29 without a goal is the worry. Need to be much more sharper in front of goal. And much more smarter in defence.
Another Pompey fan here…. Well-written, honest summary of the game. Maybe we were more physical in the midfield battles, but that is something that we needed more of, to stop some woeful second-half performances away from home. Michael Appleton is a reasonable manager – he did well for us under very restricted, tough circumstances. You are still finding your feet in this League after quite a few seasons away. Don’t be so negative..:)