Balham
S24SU Seer
Took Balham Jnr Snr (7) to his first proper away game today. He hated it because there weren’t any goals.
Anyway, for what it’s worth it was a game we can be a bit disappointed to have not come away with three points from yet we could equally have lost it. A draw is probably fair.
Ratings:
Cooper 8 - two colossal saves in the first half and stood tall despite the obvious Pompey tactics at set pieces targeting him
Gilchrist 7 - solid. Not much attacking threat but up against a decent Championship winger in Murphy
Souttar 7 - also solid. One slip nearly let them in but he recovered to pressure the mistake
Ahmedhodzic 7 - third solid performance across the back four. One lapse in concentration aside he was imperious
Burrows 7 - left defending against two a lot of the time with Hamer drifting off the wing in front of him but did well. Targeted by Norris’s long goal kicks but only lost one header, albeit one which led to a really good Portsmouth chance
Vini Souza 7 - broke up play, got stuck in, pirouetted out of trouble deep in our half and got his customary booking. Not entirely sure what he was kicking off about at the end?
Peck 7 - different game to his debut with Portsmouth packing the midfield and an experienced operator in Pack to contend with but he always showed for the ball and we carried a threat from his corners
Rak-Sakyi 8 - got their left back booked after a minute and had him on toast after that. Couldn’t find the final pass but hopefully that understanding will come
O’Hare 4 - this may seem harsh but he wasn’t at it. Gave away possession too easily either through a lack of strength or loose passing and he’s definitely not quick. Clearly talented so will have better days but today wasn’t great
Hamer 6 - at the heart of a lot of our good attacks but also loose in possession at times. Went close with a freekick and had a header clawed off the line by Norris
Moore 4 - isolated, slow, laborious, clumsy…it’s not working for him at the moment
Subs
Brewster 7 - showed good strength in the last seconds to win the ball then feed Seriki for a run which was chopped short and set up Campbell for our second best chance. Encouraging.
Brooks 5 - seemed isolated. Had one cut in and shot but dragged it well wide
Seriki 6 - not much to report
Campbell 6 - put himself about, had a decent effort saved by the outstretched leg of Norris. Moore’s complete lack of form may open the door for him to start soon
Ref: abysmal.
Pompey fans: loud. Great atmosphere pretty much throughout
Pompey: they’re a bit creaky at the back and they didn’t carry much of an attacking threat but they’re solid and organised. They should be good for 15th-20th.
Staggeringly Good Brewery: not quite staggeringly good but decent nonetheless
Anyway, for what it’s worth it was a game we can be a bit disappointed to have not come away with three points from yet we could equally have lost it. A draw is probably fair.
Ratings:
Cooper 8 - two colossal saves in the first half and stood tall despite the obvious Pompey tactics at set pieces targeting him
Gilchrist 7 - solid. Not much attacking threat but up against a decent Championship winger in Murphy
Souttar 7 - also solid. One slip nearly let them in but he recovered to pressure the mistake
Ahmedhodzic 7 - third solid performance across the back four. One lapse in concentration aside he was imperious
Burrows 7 - left defending against two a lot of the time with Hamer drifting off the wing in front of him but did well. Targeted by Norris’s long goal kicks but only lost one header, albeit one which led to a really good Portsmouth chance
Vini Souza 7 - broke up play, got stuck in, pirouetted out of trouble deep in our half and got his customary booking. Not entirely sure what he was kicking off about at the end?
Peck 7 - different game to his debut with Portsmouth packing the midfield and an experienced operator in Pack to contend with but he always showed for the ball and we carried a threat from his corners
Rak-Sakyi 8 - got their left back booked after a minute and had him on toast after that. Couldn’t find the final pass but hopefully that understanding will come
O’Hare 4 - this may seem harsh but he wasn’t at it. Gave away possession too easily either through a lack of strength or loose passing and he’s definitely not quick. Clearly talented so will have better days but today wasn’t great
Hamer 6 - at the heart of a lot of our good attacks but also loose in possession at times. Went close with a freekick and had a header clawed off the line by Norris
Moore 4 - isolated, slow, laborious, clumsy…it’s not working for him at the moment
Subs
Brewster 7 - showed good strength in the last seconds to win the ball then feed Seriki for a run which was chopped short and set up Campbell for our second best chance. Encouraging.
Brooks 5 - seemed isolated. Had one cut in and shot but dragged it well wide
Seriki 6 - not much to report
Campbell 6 - put himself about, had a decent effort saved by the outstretched leg of Norris. Moore’s complete lack of form may open the door for him to start soon
Ref: abysmal.
Pompey fans: loud. Great atmosphere pretty much throughout
Pompey: they’re a bit creaky at the back and they didn’t carry much of an attacking threat but they’re solid and organised. They should be good for 15th-20th.
Staggeringly Good Brewery: not quite staggeringly good but decent nonetheless
