Victory from the jaws of defeat
Jan 1, 2018 22:43:33 GMT
Russgas, philbemmygas, and 5 more like this
Post by stevek192 on Jan 1, 2018 22:43:33 GMT
So with just a day in between Saturdays game and todays game it was predictable that there would be 4 or 5 changes and so it turned out to be with Broadbent returning for Sweeney and Partington replacing Bola at right back. Lines came in and so did Gaffney with Harrison and Sercombe unusually finding themselves on the bench. The team would play 4-3-3 with the usual lack of width and to be honest with Pompey on such good form the best result I could see was a 0-0 draw.
Smith 6.5 Not much to do but what he did he did well and is fast becoming a good keeper although he appeared to be a little slow going for the header on the Pompey goal although it was a well placed header and the marking was non existent.
Partington 6 For me he lacks the pace to be the answer at right back but worked hard throughout and did reasonable against Pompey's best player. he showed good composure under pressure and in possession but was it him who should have been marking the centre forward on the goal despite the obvious person to mark him being Sweeney.
Lockyer 8 Much better game from Tom and that included taking one for the team when blocking what looked like a certain goal. Read the game well and did his best despite the size of the centre forward to mark him most of the game.
Broadbent 8.5 Outstanding performance from Tom until having to leave with what unfortunately looked like a hamstring injury. Never gave the ball away once and even ventured forward a couple of times. We looked a lot shakier when he left the field.
Brown 5.5 An average performance, standard of his crossing was not up to his usual standard and looked uneasy when defending on occasions.
Lines 6 Thought he did pretty well in a very deep position that really at times was like a defender rather than a midfielder. Did a lot of useful interceptions in the first half and rarely gave the ball away but to me it did affect our attacking options but it worked so maybe it was a masterful move by DC.
Clarke 6 A mixed game but worked hard and put in a shift with a couple of thudding tackles and it was an improvement on his overall performance but it was the right decision to substitute him for Sercombe.
Sinclair 9 MOM His best game of the season by a mile and Pompey must have absolutely hated him for his all action performance that saw him putting in numerous challenges and rarely losing out and his distribution was faultless and it was only right that he should score the equaliser pouncing on the goalkeeping error and making him pay with a cool finish.
Bodin 6 Some would say he didn't have a particularly good game but for me his very presence is enough to cause problems for the opposition and he did have the most shots at goal and always looked a danger when in possession with his twisting and turning. Add to that one header back to Smith which was so calm in a pressure situation.
Nichols 5 Did look composed on the ball particularly in the first half where he brought several balls down out of the air with precision control and worked hard but i am sure that he would like to play a more forward role alongside a definite targetman rather than the role he is being asked to play. Did not really get in any goalscoring positions.
Gaffney 5.5 Too often let down by his control today and caught in possession on too many occasions but he did do a lot of good things with his movement and composure and was visibly tiring and rightfully substituted..
Subs
Sweeney 6 An OK performance but surely he should have been marking the big centre forward. Broadbent definitely edges the position at the moment.
Sercombe 8 Improved the midfield as soon as he came on and it was no real surprise that he should score the winner given his ability to score important goals.
Harrison 8 Another ace substitution by DC which I am sure he always intended to do. it is amazing that with the heavier pitches of recent games that Ellis has managed to keep going as much as he has and the Pompey defenders suddenly found they had met their match as Ellis ran them ragged late in the game with his close control and quick body movement. Whilst the defenders were visibly tiring Ellis was fresh and it turned the game our way as suddenly we actually looked like scoring and Ellis was unfortunate not to score.
Crowd 8 Great turnout and rewarded with a hard fought performance and the right result.
Ref 7 Consistent in his decisions, missed a few clear incidents but overall a good competent performance which is all you can ask for.
Pompey 7 Obviously a good side based on their League Position and recent results but IMO we edged the game and fully deserved the three points which they must have thought was theirs after taking the lead. I just wish we had a winger like their left winger who was trouble from start to finish.
This could well be the turning point of our season because had we lost which looked likely it would have been a long two weeks to wait for the next game. As it is we now hold 14th position with a good chance of bringing in two or three players before a very winnable game at Blackpool and can go into it confidently on a three match unbeaten run and we have a 100% record in 2018!!! UTG
Smith 6.5 Not much to do but what he did he did well and is fast becoming a good keeper although he appeared to be a little slow going for the header on the Pompey goal although it was a well placed header and the marking was non existent.
Partington 6 For me he lacks the pace to be the answer at right back but worked hard throughout and did reasonable against Pompey's best player. he showed good composure under pressure and in possession but was it him who should have been marking the centre forward on the goal despite the obvious person to mark him being Sweeney.
Lockyer 8 Much better game from Tom and that included taking one for the team when blocking what looked like a certain goal. Read the game well and did his best despite the size of the centre forward to mark him most of the game.
Broadbent 8.5 Outstanding performance from Tom until having to leave with what unfortunately looked like a hamstring injury. Never gave the ball away once and even ventured forward a couple of times. We looked a lot shakier when he left the field.
Brown 5.5 An average performance, standard of his crossing was not up to his usual standard and looked uneasy when defending on occasions.
Lines 6 Thought he did pretty well in a very deep position that really at times was like a defender rather than a midfielder. Did a lot of useful interceptions in the first half and rarely gave the ball away but to me it did affect our attacking options but it worked so maybe it was a masterful move by DC.
Clarke 6 A mixed game but worked hard and put in a shift with a couple of thudding tackles and it was an improvement on his overall performance but it was the right decision to substitute him for Sercombe.
Sinclair 9 MOM His best game of the season by a mile and Pompey must have absolutely hated him for his all action performance that saw him putting in numerous challenges and rarely losing out and his distribution was faultless and it was only right that he should score the equaliser pouncing on the goalkeeping error and making him pay with a cool finish.
Bodin 6 Some would say he didn't have a particularly good game but for me his very presence is enough to cause problems for the opposition and he did have the most shots at goal and always looked a danger when in possession with his twisting and turning. Add to that one header back to Smith which was so calm in a pressure situation.
Nichols 5 Did look composed on the ball particularly in the first half where he brought several balls down out of the air with precision control and worked hard but i am sure that he would like to play a more forward role alongside a definite targetman rather than the role he is being asked to play. Did not really get in any goalscoring positions.
Gaffney 5.5 Too often let down by his control today and caught in possession on too many occasions but he did do a lot of good things with his movement and composure and was visibly tiring and rightfully substituted..
Subs
Sweeney 6 An OK performance but surely he should have been marking the big centre forward. Broadbent definitely edges the position at the moment.
Sercombe 8 Improved the midfield as soon as he came on and it was no real surprise that he should score the winner given his ability to score important goals.
Harrison 8 Another ace substitution by DC which I am sure he always intended to do. it is amazing that with the heavier pitches of recent games that Ellis has managed to keep going as much as he has and the Pompey defenders suddenly found they had met their match as Ellis ran them ragged late in the game with his close control and quick body movement. Whilst the defenders were visibly tiring Ellis was fresh and it turned the game our way as suddenly we actually looked like scoring and Ellis was unfortunate not to score.
Crowd 8 Great turnout and rewarded with a hard fought performance and the right result.
Ref 7 Consistent in his decisions, missed a few clear incidents but overall a good competent performance which is all you can ask for.
Pompey 7 Obviously a good side based on their League Position and recent results but IMO we edged the game and fully deserved the three points which they must have thought was theirs after taking the lead. I just wish we had a winger like their left winger who was trouble from start to finish.
This could well be the turning point of our season because had we lost which looked likely it would have been a long two weeks to wait for the next game. As it is we now hold 14th position with a good chance of bringing in two or three players before a very winnable game at Blackpool and can go into it confidently on a three match unbeaten run and we have a 100% record in 2018!!! UTG
