Well deserved point in the Cauldrum

You can throw all the usual things out about never a better time to play Pompey and maybe that was the case but there was always in the back of my mind that this would not affect the game due to our previous games at Fratton Park where they have not been in good form but have turned it on against us. This didn't happen last night because IMO under Graham Coughlan we are a much tougher unit, resolute in defending and stronger physically  with the options Ogogo and Clarke-Harris have given us. Alex Rodmans injury was a shame because I was relishing the in form winger against Lee Brown and in all honesty I was not sure about the team selection but I need not have worried because the team were right up for the game. I have heard other comments about the game not being very good. I don't know what game people were watching because for me it was a very entertaining affair in which there was lots of good football by both sides and it was a typically intense affair throughout. I really believe that GC has put together a good side that are in a false position for the talent in the squad but having said that it is still questionable whether we can get ourselves out of this mess as every game is pressure particularly the home ones. our problem as I see it is that we have pretty well all tough fixtures against top teams at home and a lot of games against fellow strugglers away. Our survival could well depend more on how we handle ourselves in the six pointers.


Bonham: 7. Back to his best in general goalkeeping terms but didn't need to be special as very little to face in the way of shots which is credit to0 those in front of him. Had no chance with James Clarkes perfectly placed header!


Partington: 7. I have been very critical of him but last night was probably his best performance this season against a very difficult opponent and there were few signs of the poor distribution that has littered his game. Credit has to be due to GC for selecting him and allowing him to play himself into form. Obviously it is up to him to maintain this level.
Lockyer: 9 MoM. Another who proved what a great defender he can be. Read everything superbly and was the best defender on the pitch bar none. Put his body in where it hurts and came out on all fair battles against tough opponents. I, like the linesman and Referee didn't see the incident involving Bogle but his reaction after suggests that something unfair did happen and surely action will be taken against Pompey for the idiot who threw a bottle at him. His distribution could still be improved but if he continues in this form in the heart of battle then it won't matter too much. Visible signs that the immense battle brought out the best of his leadership qualities as for a change it was evident in the way he drove the team on .
Craig: 8. Solid alongside Lockyer. It was  a real fierce physical battle in which him and the captain both came out overall on top and our defensive record in the last ten games of only 9 conceded speaks volumes both of the central defenders and also the defence as a whole. Craigs distribution last night was better than it has been at times but maybe should have done better on the first ball in on the own goal.
Clarke: 7.5 Another who had a really good game and was unfortunate to "score" the equaliser which was more than Pompey deserved. He has been unfortunate to have lost his right full back position but has probably suffered because of his versability and gave a very good and dangerous winger little room throughout.

Sercombe: 6.5 Overall a bit of a disappointing display. we have seen nowhere near his true form this season and his regular goal scoring has been missed. He should be a key player but like DC before him this season GC is finding it difficult to find an ideal position for him. We could really do for him to hit the heights on a regular basis because his goalscoring could be key in our battle to stay up. There is no problem in his workrate and he tried hard to get in the game.
Ogogo: 8.5 Back to his very best as in the last away game at Southend. Would have been my Man of the Match had it not been for Lockyer's immense display His partnership with Upson was far better than the one with Lines in the last game but of course that was against "nasty" opponents who well knew how to wind him up. His tigerish tackling and a great engine is like a Sinclair with real ability
Upson: 7.5 His positioning and his skill on the ball and his ability to get a foot in throughout make him a good partner for Ogogo and his run back and tackle late on when Pompey had a clear run for goal was probably the highlight for him. It will be interesting to see what happens Saturday with Ollie Clarke being available again Saturday and what GC has said about players keeping their shirt if they play well. In hindsite it is probably a silly thing to say as Home games need to be treated differently to away games and sometimes there is a better option.
Holmes-Dennis: 8. This man as I have said many times before is a class above this division and was superb on the night. Reads the game so well and has the speed and positioning sense to be able to keep the game tight as well as the ability to run at players and be creative.. Imo is better than Lee Brown and one of DC's best signings and if he can maintain his fitness and continue to perform like last night then we will have a battle on our hands to keep him.

Jakubiak: 8 Ran himself into the ground and there is potential in his partnership with Clarke-Harris however it was disappointing that he shirked the responsibility when in a great position to get a shot on target, he passed the ball and the great chance was lost. his pace and trickery did trouble the Pompey defenders and only time will tell if the partnership will blossom.
Clarke-Harris. 8 Our search for a targetman looks to be over as he is certainly a hard player to play against. Good first penalty to give us the lead but a disastrous second one which the only good point was his confidence to actually take it. It reminded me of the Grimsby penalty failure in the Play Off final but probably went even higher! it will be interesting to see who will be his partner for home games as GC seeks to improve our home form.

Subs:
Reilly: 6.5. Came on late on and did well to hold the ball up and put over one very dangerous cross.
Sinclair: 6.5 Usual bundle of energy.

Pompey: 6. Have some tremendous players for this division but have taken only 12 points from their last ten games compared to our 16 points which I would say represented the game as it turned out. on the night we were the better side and probably should have won but thankfully;in the end; results from the other games went our way. That said, the very fact that we never get anything here made it a very difficult hurdle as many times before we have been on better form but have lost. GC has brought us inner strengths that hopefully will see us through a tough run of games.

Ref: 7 Made a number of poor decisions against us but was willing to make decisions and stood up well to the immense pressure from the Home crowd and overall did very well.Not sure about either penalty but what's good enough for City is good enough for us and it is about time a few decisions went our way. Jacubiak had a clear chance to break clear in the second half and was penalised wrongly in my opinion but you can accept it if a referee is fair and consistent. The referee made it clear that neither he or the Linesman saw the Bogle incident- fair enough for him but the Linesman should have seen what happened.

Crowd: 8. Good turnout of just over 800 in a 17800 crowd. The atmosphere created by the home fans always amazes me and it is certainly intimidating for the players to play in but this time we took it in our stride which was fantastic by the players in the position we are in and us fans were right behind them.
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GC: Has done little wrong since taking over and his ten League games since taking over has only seen two defeats however we are where we are and the pressure is there because of what happened before he took over and also because of a little improved Home record. I believe with the players we have now we are very much a mid table side who have been lumbered with the pressure of being in a fight against relegation and every game is affected by this. it will be a very close thing unless we pick up some wins at home and quickly. At the moment results around us are going our way. This will not happen every week so it is vital we get a win sooner rather than later and there is not many games tougher than Sunderland on Saturday.

With last nights performance it will give GC some difficult decisions to make. I do not envy him but I hope that Rodman is fit to make his options wider and decisions tougher!! UTG