Another scary performance!

[Tony_Kaufman]

We were absolutely dreadful today. Yeah everyone says the sign of a good team is to win ugly but we’ve been doing it for 3 months now.

I’m not a negative blade, been looking forward to the game all week thinking this weekend was the first time in ages we’ve had multiple options in every position. I was hoping we’d win convincingly and put on a bit of a performance. A win is a win though.

Listened to Wilder in the car on the way home and have to say I wholeheartedly disagree with him when it said it was nothing to do with the tactics. We’ve largely played a 4231 formation all season. We’ve chanced players all window with that system in mind so why, when we’ve got a fairly fully fit squad did he decide to change it today.

At times we looked like we were in a 424 formation and one of the two often found himself between the two centre backs. Never seen so much space afforded an opposition midfield. As we had two holding midfielders sat in front of a deep defence we then had a 30 yard gap to 4 players stood in a line ahead of them. We had to go pretty direct or it was side to side across the back line. When we went direct it was more often than not coming straight back into the chasm of space in midfield where there was a distinct lack of bodies.

He then swaps us to the 4231 we’ve spent most of the season playing, we then have a 15/20 minute spell where we actually looked the better team for a short while, We get ourselves in front and at that point we looked like we might go on and get a 3rd/4th while the momentum was with us so what does he do… stick us into a back 5 at home against a bottom 6 side. Just seemed really strange to change to a 3rd formation in the game straight after our only good spell in the whole game.

For me it was the worst starting formation and tactics all season. Just didn’t work at all. Hopefully lesson learned for the Boro game as a big improvement is required if we want anything out of that.

The sign of a good team quote is used incorrectly so often. When teams play well week in, week out and win, then have an off day, play poorly and win, that's when they day "that's the sign of a good team."

When you play poorly week in, week out and grind out results, many of which are undeserved and lucky, that's not the sign of a good team. That's a team which is pushing it's luck, not a good team by any means.

It's a horrible misused cliche.

 

[loyalblade95]

There’s the rub, we beat them, Burnley didn’t and their away is better than their home. Sunderland deserved to win but didn’t. We didn’t but did.

We take the points and move on. These new players are one game nearer to gelling.

Exactly, they're not pushovers and look a good bet at staying up, same with Hull.

Even Plymouth have found some form in recent games, they'll probably still go down but they look better in recent games.

If you look at teams like Derby and Swansea, you'd probably say they are comfortably going down off of their form and recent results.

 

[Derek1889]

Wasn't great and don't think we've been good for a few weeks tbf. Although before all players come in think could be the fact we don't have a big enough squad and injuries ect didn't help. Also the playing 3 times a week. However the lads have done us proud been grinding results out yeah it's not great but the points are tallying up. The new lads been brought in although we'd all love them to hit the ground running but will still need time to gel. Hopefully as wilder said in his interview I wasn't good enough we turn that around with the games that's coming up.

 

[andy m]

Robbo played well

He gets so much unfair stick imo

His tackle before our 2nd goal was outstanding.

Not one of the back 4 played well. He was marginally better than Anel today, which is akin to being the tallest dwarf.

 

[Latters]

That was a get out of jail free card played today.

It was painfully obvious that the biggest miss was O’Hare, we missed him dropping deep in to midfield, and his all action pressing style. I don’t think Cannon worked as a replacement at all

Cannon was completely the wrong type of signing for us. I’d honestly start Brewster up front ahead of him every game. We’re too negative for Cannon and don’t create the sort of chances he needs. At least Brewster puts himself about and gets involved in the build up, creating for others. He’d score a few as well if he gets a sustained run in his actual position up front.

This isn’t me saying Cannon is rubbish either, he’s not, he just doesn’t suit our style at all.

 

[Nagima]

We were absolutely dreadful today. Yeah everyone says the sign of a good team is to win ugly but we’ve been doing it for 3 months now.

I’m not a negative blade, been looking forward to the game all week thinking this weekend was the first time in ages we’ve had multiple options in every position. I was hoping we’d win convincingly and put on a bit of a performance. A win is a win though.

Listened to Wilder in the car on the way home and have to say I wholeheartedly disagree with him when it said it was nothing to do with the tactics. We’ve largely played a 4231 formation all season. We’ve chanced players all window with that system in mind so why, when we’ve got a fairly fully fit squad did he decide to change it today.

At times we looked like we were in a 424 formation and one of the two often found himself between the two centre backs. Never seen so much space afforded an opposition midfield. As we had two holding midfielders sat in front of a deep defence we then had a 30 yard gap to 4 players stood in a line ahead of them. We had to go pretty direct or it was side to side across the back line. When we went direct it was more often than not coming straight back into the chasm of space in midfield where there was a distinct lack of bodies.

He then swaps us to the 4231 we’ve spent most of the season playing, we then have a 15/20 minute spell where we actually looked the better team for a short while, We get ourselves in front and at that point we looked like we might go on and get a 3rd/4th while the momentum was with us so what does he do… stick us into a back 5 at home against a bottom 6 side. Just seemed really strange to change to a 3rd formation in the game straight after our only good spell in the whole game.

For me it was the worst starting formation and tactics all season. Just didn’t work at all. Hopefully lesson learned for the Boro game as a big improvement is required if we want anything out of that.

You got lots right in your analysis. Campbell Cannon didn't work. Hamza and Vini against Derby were not comfortable together and lacked understanding of who goes where. Same thing today. Hamer needs to play in the centre of 3 up. As he shows for the ball and has more options to pick out players.

Clarke was half a second too late to realise what was happening which left Murphy run riot. The amount of crosses into the danger was staggering. Clarke is good going forward but defensively lost. With Anel and Robinson being shakey I hope Holding can improve the organisation.

Wilder picked the wrong team and watched the first 45 without making a change. Hamer to the 10 spot and Peck Brewster coming on saved the day. Wilder can be defensive and overly sensitive to criticism. He got alot wrong today. He needs to find the balance of the team that works.

 

[MBH]

You won, which is the main thing.

We/Sunderland were dog shit again at home against a crap team but unlike you we couldn't find a way to win.

I'm not going to jump all over the place and say that Sunderland cant get automatic promotion, as there is still a third of the season left, and therefore anything can happen, but clearly another one or two of them (we have Luton at home next, another banana skin) and the writing will be on the wall.

It'll be a shame for us if we get to the point where we settle for say 4rth but it's coming at some point unless we buck our ideas up.

 

[Silent Blade]

Burnley season ticket holder said Burnley were lucky against Portsmouth recently

 

[Booker4]

I think wilder is figuring out his strongest side with the various bed boys in now. I do think v Boro well see an improved performance. Holding may well cone in soon also. For those slagging Cannon remember his skill won us the game last week.

 

[Salmon Pastures]

100% agree with Peck, showed more desire, determination, passion and umpteen other words I can use that Choudrey never showed. Let Sousa play in his familiar role that he has played all season and let Peck play with him going forward. Choudrey will be a decent enough back up.

Choudrey not fit to lace young Sydie’s boots.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

Today

Anel got bossed by their #9.

Cannon needs to get in the box more

Cooper is an excellent goalkeeper

Burrows was invisible again.

My heart rate trebles when Robinson gets the ball gacing his own goal

Peck brings genuine bite and edge to the midfield

Clark looks like a RWB rather than a RB

Diaz doesn't track back

This is another Hecky team without the flair of Ndiaye

We haven't played well since Oxford at Home imo, and that was in November.

We don't score enough goals as we aren't set up to do so

Pompey deserved something out of the game

Boring, predictable and unentertaining - it's been like that for weeks. No wonder the crowd is flat

 

[Frank the tank]

Robbo played well

He gets so much unfair stick imo

His tackle before our 2nd goal was outstanding.

He was dire

 

[Frank the tank]

Does anyone on here seriously believe we are not in for a horrendous dry bumming if we manage to get promoted ! With our current set up ? Seriously

I try to only get worked up about the present. Getting wound up about a hypothetical future is for hysterical fannies

 

[Aston max]

Pompey are a big athletic team who with their directness are going to cause issues, what I haven't seen from us the last few games is the central midfielders take the ball in and turn forwards, wilder needs to hammer it back in
I think it's dropped off since we lost souttar as the confidence in the centre halves has dropped off

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

He was dire

Definitely a bomb scare today.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Today

Anel got bossed by their #9.

Cannon needs to get in the box more

Cooper is an excellent goalkeeper

Burrows was invisible again.

My heart rate trebles when Robinson gets the ball gacing his own goal

Peck brings genuine bite and edge to the midfield

Clark looks like a RWB rather than a RB

Diaz doesn't track back

This is another Hecky team without the flair of Ndiaye

We haven't played well since Oxford at Home imo, and that was in November.

We don't score enough goals as we aren't set up to do so

Pompey deserved something out of the game

Boring, predictable and unentertaining - it's been like that for weeks. No wonder the crowd is flat

Agree with most of that.

Once Peck game on we had a central midfielder who held a good position and helped us to move the ball more quickly, and in good areas.

I think we have to acknowledge we played our get out of jail free card today, and give credit to Pompey for their performance, and the backing of a very good following filling the away end.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think Anel must be on a bonus if he passes to Cooper more than 50 times in a game, and with that in mind, he must be fucking raking it in.

Sideways and backwards Blades. It’s awful to watch.

First half passing stats show a few differences between the two sides. For example, we played a lot more backward passes (130 vs 36), and a lot more in our own defensive third (117 vs 26). We had 70% possession, but not a lot of it was in the final third.

 

[Bell4]

He was dire

Absolutely wasn’t

In any way shape or form

 

[dublin 10 blade]

We won, shite performance , 3 points , fuck it
Ask sunlan wether they’d prefer a. Piss poor win or a magnificent draw 8 more wins
Out at Manchester airport. Flying back to Fublin and fuck it it top 2 get promoted
I’ll worry about next season when / if we we get promoted

 

[dublin 10 blade]

We won won after another shite performance ask sunlandd dad wether they’d prefer a draw or a win
I’ll worry about next season , next season and leave it to
Our manager to sort out then

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Hamer has an eye for the runs of other players plus he can do the unexpected, and we're not blessed with many genuinely creative players so our dependency on Gus's guile stands out. Yes, put Gus on the wing and he will produce moments that stand out, but in my view he's best suited to a central position where he's aware of all that goes on around him.

Absolutely this, Gus was MOTM for me. His skill, creativity, awareness & work rate was fantastic.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

First half passing stats show a few differences between the two sides. For example, we played a lot more backward passes (130 vs 36), and a lot more in our own defensive third (117 vs 26). We had 70% possession, but not a lot of it was in the final third.

View attachment 203957

The story of our season. It's all well and good keeping possession if you don't do anything with it. I've said it all season, we are a poor man's Southgate England. Boring football, no energy, no clue going forward and way too many back passes under no pressure.

Deadbat will have an easy time writing this one up as he can just copy and paste any match report from the last three months but change the players involved.

 

[1973Blade]

We won, shite performance , 3 points , fuck it
Ask sunlan wether they’d prefer a. Piss poor win or a magnificent draw 8 more wins
Out at Manchester airport. Flying back to Fublin and fuck it it top 2 get promoted
I’ll worry about next season when / if we we get promoted

Dont get on the plane to Fublin whatever you do!!!!

 

[Charlieblade]

Of course results are important, but how many more feeble performances are acceptable, if we end up in the play off’s or worse?

The performance was bad enough, (again) but there was no acceptance of responsibility for this performance. I hope Wilder lose sleep over it this weekend.

A degree of settling in new players is fine, but the starting X1 was not cohesive enough. O’Hare should have started and Hamer needs to be played in his best position.

Those who admire Peck should realise that, he is super confident and inconsistent because he still sees the first team as an extension of his academy experience, where he does excel. Transfferring that ability and confidence to the man’s game will still take time.

Wilder has been very adept at using a patched up side to get results. Today, he got it very wrong tactically and selection wise. He really does need to own that or the players will lose faith in him. Putting players in the right slot is very important, especially with new faces to fit into the team.

He must admit that he got it wrong, and the team got away with it despite him.

 

[BrisBlade]

Woeful today. Trying to be a passing team but with a 4-2-4 set up that screams 'lump it forward!'. Really need Davies or Peck in for one of Vini/Hamza, and one of Brewster/O'Hare/Hamer in as CAM for one of the strikers. And the defence needs a rethink.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

This is a team at the top end of the table against a team near the bottom and we were appalling. A Premier League team against that today wouldn't bear thinking about. Pompey should have had 4, woeful finishing from them spared our blushes but if you think for one minute that that team doesn't get trounced every week at the higher level, you need a rethink.

All they did was kick it hard and long, simple stuff but did we ever come to terms with it? Simple answer is no. Burrows, Clark, Anel and Robinson were weak as piss, out of position, easily beat and a good side smashes us today. Midfield before Peck came on were statues. Watching the ball drop to the opposition and standing off allowing them time and space to do as they wished. The strikers were starved of service and all they had to do was stroll around until the inevitable substitutions came.

I thought Rak Sayki did ok when he came on, Brewster with the assist and very unlucky with the shot but Peck made all the difference for me. Gave us some bite, wanted the ball and used it wisely. Great tackle that was wrongly penalised and in 30 minutes was man of the match. Tactics??? We couldn't suss a big boot side out in 95 minutes, that's worrying. We need to get the ball, get some width, play it forward more instead of sideways and backwards and who knows. Bottom line is it's GREAT to win and get 3points playing that badly, please let's not make a habit of it.

UTBFTP

I’d call it wank. Anyone not concerned about our insipid performances is fucking stupid. We really do make an enjoyable game look very hard to play.

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

The sign of a good team quote is used incorrectly so often. When teams play well week in, week out and win, then have an off day, play poorly and win, that's when they day "that's the sign of a good team."

When you play poorly week in, week out and grind out results, many of which are undeserved and lucky, that's not the sign of a good team. That's a team which is pushing it's luck, not a good team by any means.

It's a horrible misused cliche.

As a magician would say " ta darrrr"

 

[ZLB]

Cannon was completely the wrong type of signing for us. I’d honestly start Brewster up front ahead of him every game. We’re too negative for Cannon and don’t create the sort of chances he needs. At least Brewster puts himself about and gets involved in the build up, creating for others. He’d score a few as well if he gets a sustained run in his actual position up front.

This isn’t me saying Cannon is rubbish either, he’s not, he just doesn’t suit our style at all.

He’ll be reyt.

 

[GymClassHero]

Until now I've always defended Wilder based on the fact "we are 2nd/we are top etc", and pointing out that the best teams can still grind out wins without playing well - but fuck me that was a poor performance today. We can't keep relying on individual brilliance from our best players. Portsmouth will rightly feel hard done by coming away with nothing.

I've noticed this season we are very vulnerable straight after scoring - that's twice in recent weeks we've conceded almost immediately after scoring.

The attacking build up is slow, predictable and boring to watch. We spend ages slowly gaining territory, only to lose the ball and be opened up within seconds by teams at the opposite end of the table. There is no obvious game plan, and if there is I'd appreciate somebody filling me in on what I'm missing!

 

[Charlieblade]

Cannon was completely the wrong type of signing for us. I’d honestly start Brewster up front ahead of him every game. We’re too negative for Cannon and don’t create the sort of chances he needs. At least Brewster puts himself about and gets involved in the build up, creating for others. He’d score a few as well if he gets a sustained run in his actual position up front.

This isn’t me saying Cannon is rubbish either, he’s not, he just doesn’t suit our style at all.

Because we have no style apart from awful.