Deadbat
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Late drama on the South Coast, as Andre Brooks 90th minute winner stole the game for the Blades in a game they were second best in for long periods. After Pompey dominated the first half and missed several opportunities, United did improve after the break with substitutes improving matters but they still would have been fortunate to even take a point over the course of the game. However, late on, O’Hare and Campbell linked down the left and the latter’s cross fell invitingly for Brooks to steer home from close range to spark jubilant scenes in the away end of the ground behind the goal.
Wilder made changes to his midfield with Phillips in for his full debut for the Blades and Soumare back in. Peck and Arblaster dropped to the bench. Cannon also came in for O’Hare as United went with a more orthodox front two. Pompey were ravaged with injuries but started with Colby Bishop up top. United won an early corner but this came to nothing before the home side won one of their own but this was also cleared.
United managed to get the ball into the box as Bamford came inside but his effort was blocked on 4 minutes. The game was scrappy with neither side having any real control but Alli did well to get away from Seriki on 11 minutes and dinked a cross over that Adams met but his looping header landed on top of the goal.
Hamer had a cross returned to him and tried to catch Schmid out with a driven near post effort that bounced off the outside of the post and out with the angle always going to be difficult to score from. After this foray, United sat back and the home side started to take over. Alli again got the better of Seriki and the ball came into the box. Swift met it and got it towards goal but what should have been routine for Cooper, saw the keeper make a hash of it and almost fumbled it into his own net. From the corner Segecic hit a bouncing effort that Tanganga headed out from his own six-yard box.
Seriki’s difficult start continued as Alli got away from him again and as he drove towards goal, he was in with a good chance but his effort lacked power and Cooper got down to hold the shot. Portsmouth thought they had the lead on 22 minutes. Alli was in a central area this time and managed to weave his way into the box but he overran it slightly and the referee deemed he caught Seriki as he tried to challenge and gave a free kick. The ball dropped and Bishop slammed home. The Pompey players and fans were not happy. Replays showed there was some contact but it was a decision that went for the Blades, to keep the score level.
The home side kept coming as United looked devoid of energy and were not pressing, tackling or even trying to move up the field. They sat in a low block, almost content to keep the game tight but once again were getting overran in midfield with Soumare and Phillips continuing the same poor level of performance, as Peck and Arblaster in the week.
Pompey won another corner before United finally broke out and Swift caught Hamer with a late tackle which seemed an obvious booking and Linington duly obliged. Still, the ball came back at United and Segecic was the next to have a go, as he came inside and hit a driven effort which Cooper beat out. Devlin won a 50-50 challenge, which was a symbol for how much the home side had wanted the game – certainly more than the laboured Blades. The midfielder screwed his effort wide but it was not long before Pompey came again. This time Swanson had a free header from more positive play from the standout player, Alli, but the effort again was tame.
Seriki seemed to be tripped but the referee waved play on but then incredibly pulled up Brooks who clearly won the ball with the next challenge. The home side were the only team looking like creating anything positive and came again with Burrows beaten too easily leading to another corner. Devlin again was left free, as United’s zonal marking continued to hinder them – this time it went wide.
A rare free kick came in the Portsmouth half but Bamford could only loop Burrow’s free kick tamely over before the game returned to type with Alli on the attack, trying a shot with the outside of his foot but Cooper got down to pouch. Soumare had been extremely careless in possession and again under no pressure, tossed the ball away and Pompey broke but United managed to scramble back to clear with Bindon – United’s stand out player, in the right place. Tanganga went down with an injury just as 2 minutes additional time began but after he recovered, Hamer when picked up another stupid booking for hauling back Swift. Pompey ended the half as they had been occupied for most of it – on the attack. This time Bishop tried to help on the free kick but flicked it wide. United went in fortunate to be level as there had only been one team trying to attack so far and the lack of urgency, energy and attacking threat completely missing from a dreadful Blades performance – akin to that at nearby Southampton, only last month.
O’Hare came on for the ineffective Cannon at the break. United at least now were getting a foothold in the game and Phillips started to win some tackles. Soumare unfortunately could not do that and was cautioned for bringing down his man. Pompey took a clever corner and played it back for Swift but his curler went just past the post. O’Hare had a run out and found Bamford but the striker took too long to bring it down and was blocked. Soumare was replaced by Peck on 55 minutes before there was a skirmish between Phillips and Adams near the touchline.
United had a chance as Devlin dallied on the ball and Bamford sent over a low cross that squirmed across the goal. Seriki then went on an enterprising run but O’Hare’s step over found nobody! It was better from United but some wayward passes from Peck and O’Hare stopped another opportunity but at least the visitors were trying to force the home side back. Hamer came onto the ball and curled an effort not far wide and the same man found Burows whose cross was blocked behind.
United were now creating chances and Bindon flicked ono Peck’s in swinging cross but it was too close to Schmid. Not long after Brooks tried a long-range effort that swerved just wide with the keeper beaten. Campbell came on for Bamford and Pack/Williams for Swift/Swanson . Alli continued to be the main threat for the home side who had not had the same level of control and since the Swift chance, not created anything of note. However, the winger got down the side and his effort was finger tipped past the post by Cooper. Alli was taking the attention of Seriki and Brooks and won another corner soon after as the home side started to look the more likely again – after United’s purple patch for the first half of the second half.
Brown came on for Segovic and almost made an instant impact – from a corner, he reacted but could only stab it at Cooper and the keeper made the save. The substitute should have scored as he was left completely unmarked.
Cooper then had to make a double punch as the balls rained into the Blades box and United’s threat was now not as convincing. The game moved into the final 5 minutes and Tanganga’s weak header dropped for Pompey but they could not get the shot away. A yellow card came for Phillips as he stopped a quick free kick being taken before he was replaced by Arblaster. Seriki also departed with Hoever coming on.
As the game entered the 90th minutes, United broke and looked to have snatched all three points, right at the death. O’Hare broke away and slipped Campbell in. The striker hit a low cross across goal and Schmid could only get a fingertip on it and BROOKS reacted to turn the ball home from close range. The winger celebrated with his now trademark somersault and backflip in front of the United supporters. There was still to be 7 minutes of stoppage time to be played and the Blades had a break to try and seal it but the keeper got there just before Brooks, after Hamer’s ball through. Burrows took a foul to stop the break for Pompey not long after.
The home side had rather weak appeals for a penalty as the ball bounced around the box but it went out for a corner in the end and Adams headed over. Pompey did create a chance as they had men over and Alli was once again the danger. His low shot was saved by Cooper down low and the keeper got up and managed to scramble it away. Pompey put one last throw in but despite Hoever not completing the first clearance properly, O’Hare cleared and the final whistle came soon after. A huge three points for the Blades and keeps alive their slim hopes of a play off charge. It was massive blow for Pompey at the foot of the table.
United – We played far, far better in the week in a defeat than we did today but that’s how Football goes of course. Against a poorer side, United rode their luck as the home side completely dominated the first half and had loads of decent, if not guilt edged chances. They had a goal disallowed and maybe could have gone for them. We never got going. We just sat off, lacked energy and were so deep. Cannon and Bamford never linked at all and we did not get the ball to Brooks and Hamer. The midfield pairing of Soumare and Phillips was as ineffective as Arblaster and Peck in the week. We looked so flat and lethargic. Pompey were not brilliant but better than us by some way and they did get down the side and Alli caused us problems. Cooper made a few saves; most expected but shots/efforts and clear chances were coming too easily. We did not keep it when we had it and and just sat off. We had no link between defence and midfield and midfield and attack. I think against a better side, we would have been a few goals down but their finishing and final moments lacked quality despite them being far better than us. We just did not seem up for it. It felt like WBA/Wrexham and Soton and seems to be more the norm when we are away – where we look a different team, to the one at the Lane. He changed a few players but we still had no real freshness about us. We have undoubted quality but did not get on the ball and then in challenges/duels, we lost many of them. I was just glad to get to half time without conceding.
We made changes – O’Hare for Cannon and eventually Peck for Soumare – the latter came 10 minutes later than it should have done. We did improve. Phillips started to control midfield and we had more of the ball with O’Hare getting in those little areas and Hamer/Brooks coming inside to see more of the ball. Like Pompey, we did not create clear chances and most were long range efforts/shots but we suddenly looked the better team for 20 minutes. Bamford had not been great but after he went off I thought we lost any impetus and from 70-90; they started to get a foothold again and had a few chances of their own – Alli and then the one from Brown from the corner. Cooper had to punch away twice and I thought it seemed like we lost any kind of momentum. At this stage, it seemed like we just were content to take a point and get out of there and did not take on the improved spell from 50-70 minutes to go on. At this stage, they looked the more likely wo nick it but it became a scrappy and niggly game with lots of fouls/stoppages. It was a far cry from the entertaining and very technical game in the week with two sides playing fluent and attractive football.
However, we get a chance to break and O’Hare has a bit of quality to find the ball down the side and Campell did well to be fair to find the cross. Keeper should do better but Brooks anticipated and continued his excellent scoring form. It was a real smash and grab – as despite us being the better side for a spell second half, Pompey undoubtedly were the ones finishing the stronger and over the 90 minutes has deserved the win. 60% possession – 23 shots to 12 and 7 on target to 3. 2.5 XPG to 0.99 also shows who had the better chances and indeed more clear chances. They had nearly 100 more passes and 71% accuracy to our 61% with 75 successful final third passes to 24 and 41 touches to 10 in the opposition box. However, you dress it up, they were the better side and should have won. I would say for all the stats, I can only think of maybe two good chances (Alli the one first half where he fluffed it and the Brown one from the corner). Alli had several shots at Cooper and a few headers in the box but it was not like they missed sitters and Cooper made several wonderful saves. There main issue was the lack of quality with the final parts in the box where they got into great areas but did not execute.
Despite this, United have to be much better. We sat back, did not engage in midfield and allowed players too much space all over the field. Our passing was slow and inaccurate with so many loose touches/balls. Soumare was as bad as Arblaster in the week, Cannon not effective – losing every duel and Burrows looking poor again. Only Hamer tried to make things happen first half but we were so poor up to the break. We did have a better spell and Phillips massively improved as I have said. We also got O’Hare and Brooks into the game. I did not see the goal coming though as they were starting to ask questions again and we started to sit back. The changes made suggested we would just take our point and get out of there but we did provide a bit of quality just with two passes to steal the game. I actually feel we have not had much luck recently and seems like ref decisions or balls have not dropped and we have seen this in several games. The goal they scored could have been given on another day – there was contact but Seriki went down quite easily and I would there be huge complaints if this is given? It is the sort of decision we have not been getting though so nice for us to get one. Also, the goal, the keepers touch finally finds our man – we saw with Boro and Millwall in recent games balls dropping for them at vital points – so again nice for it to fall for us.
Positives were Cooper (some odd moments again but made some key saves), Bindon who was our best player and Phillips had a good 2nd half. Brooks again looked a threat – particularly second half and Hamer showed technically he is the most likely to make something happen. Bamford, Cannon and Campbell (despite the late assist) did not look threats most of the game and concerns remain over the midfield in general – he has to play Phillips and Peck next week surely? O’Hare has had a drop off but starts over Cannon every week for me. Burrows still is struggling and Seriki has lacked energy the last few games. There are too many up and down performances across the team but we do have that bit of quality to nick games even if we play poorly if we can keep clean sheets. First one for a long time today.
It is a big three points. We rarely win at Fratton Park so breaks that hoodoo too. It also sort of completely kills any outside chance of relegation (10 points/more like 11 with GD) unless we go on a horrendous run and whilst the gap to the top 6 is still a lot of places – it is only 6 points. We need two huge performances versus them lot and then Coventry. We need the Lane to be loud and intimidating. Next week hopefully will take care of itself. Be fantastic to put them down and for me, just get the win. IF we score a few more goals, then great but Millwall have only just scraped by them today so won’t be a cakewalk I do not think. They will sit in, play on the break and we have to be patient but if we play as we have done at home then we should win and win by a level of comfort you hope. Coventry a few days after should be tougher on paper but they are dropping off – so not totally ridiculous to say we can get 4-6 points from the next two and then face QPR away and West Brom away – who have both struggled recently. I still think it is a long shot and my concern is we see too many performances like today – particularly away from home. We got away with it massively today and won’t in future games if we play and start so badly. I keep thinking we have clicked but then serve up one of those games (like every 1 in 3 or 4) and that means we will probably drop points to make it hard to make up the ground. We are still inconsistent in how we play and away from home, the mentality to just sit back and sit deep is quite depressing to watch. Still, we won today and that is the most important thing. After what happened at the Valley, where we dominated the first half and then the red cards came leading to us losing it – today kind of felt the same in reverse a bit – without the red cards of course! We do not win many at Pompey.
Wilder made changes to his midfield with Phillips in for his full debut for the Blades and Soumare back in. Peck and Arblaster dropped to the bench. Cannon also came in for O’Hare as United went with a more orthodox front two. Pompey were ravaged with injuries but started with Colby Bishop up top. United won an early corner but this came to nothing before the home side won one of their own but this was also cleared.
United managed to get the ball into the box as Bamford came inside but his effort was blocked on 4 minutes. The game was scrappy with neither side having any real control but Alli did well to get away from Seriki on 11 minutes and dinked a cross over that Adams met but his looping header landed on top of the goal.
Hamer had a cross returned to him and tried to catch Schmid out with a driven near post effort that bounced off the outside of the post and out with the angle always going to be difficult to score from. After this foray, United sat back and the home side started to take over. Alli again got the better of Seriki and the ball came into the box. Swift met it and got it towards goal but what should have been routine for Cooper, saw the keeper make a hash of it and almost fumbled it into his own net. From the corner Segecic hit a bouncing effort that Tanganga headed out from his own six-yard box.
Seriki’s difficult start continued as Alli got away from him again and as he drove towards goal, he was in with a good chance but his effort lacked power and Cooper got down to hold the shot. Portsmouth thought they had the lead on 22 minutes. Alli was in a central area this time and managed to weave his way into the box but he overran it slightly and the referee deemed he caught Seriki as he tried to challenge and gave a free kick. The ball dropped and Bishop slammed home. The Pompey players and fans were not happy. Replays showed there was some contact but it was a decision that went for the Blades, to keep the score level.
The home side kept coming as United looked devoid of energy and were not pressing, tackling or even trying to move up the field. They sat in a low block, almost content to keep the game tight but once again were getting overran in midfield with Soumare and Phillips continuing the same poor level of performance, as Peck and Arblaster in the week.
Pompey won another corner before United finally broke out and Swift caught Hamer with a late tackle which seemed an obvious booking and Linington duly obliged. Still, the ball came back at United and Segecic was the next to have a go, as he came inside and hit a driven effort which Cooper beat out. Devlin won a 50-50 challenge, which was a symbol for how much the home side had wanted the game – certainly more than the laboured Blades. The midfielder screwed his effort wide but it was not long before Pompey came again. This time Swanson had a free header from more positive play from the standout player, Alli, but the effort again was tame.
Seriki seemed to be tripped but the referee waved play on but then incredibly pulled up Brooks who clearly won the ball with the next challenge. The home side were the only team looking like creating anything positive and came again with Burrows beaten too easily leading to another corner. Devlin again was left free, as United’s zonal marking continued to hinder them – this time it went wide.
A rare free kick came in the Portsmouth half but Bamford could only loop Burrow’s free kick tamely over before the game returned to type with Alli on the attack, trying a shot with the outside of his foot but Cooper got down to pouch. Soumare had been extremely careless in possession and again under no pressure, tossed the ball away and Pompey broke but United managed to scramble back to clear with Bindon – United’s stand out player, in the right place. Tanganga went down with an injury just as 2 minutes additional time began but after he recovered, Hamer when picked up another stupid booking for hauling back Swift. Pompey ended the half as they had been occupied for most of it – on the attack. This time Bishop tried to help on the free kick but flicked it wide. United went in fortunate to be level as there had only been one team trying to attack so far and the lack of urgency, energy and attacking threat completely missing from a dreadful Blades performance – akin to that at nearby Southampton, only last month.
O’Hare came on for the ineffective Cannon at the break. United at least now were getting a foothold in the game and Phillips started to win some tackles. Soumare unfortunately could not do that and was cautioned for bringing down his man. Pompey took a clever corner and played it back for Swift but his curler went just past the post. O’Hare had a run out and found Bamford but the striker took too long to bring it down and was blocked. Soumare was replaced by Peck on 55 minutes before there was a skirmish between Phillips and Adams near the touchline.
United had a chance as Devlin dallied on the ball and Bamford sent over a low cross that squirmed across the goal. Seriki then went on an enterprising run but O’Hare’s step over found nobody! It was better from United but some wayward passes from Peck and O’Hare stopped another opportunity but at least the visitors were trying to force the home side back. Hamer came onto the ball and curled an effort not far wide and the same man found Burows whose cross was blocked behind.
United were now creating chances and Bindon flicked ono Peck’s in swinging cross but it was too close to Schmid. Not long after Brooks tried a long-range effort that swerved just wide with the keeper beaten. Campbell came on for Bamford and Pack/Williams for Swift/Swanson . Alli continued to be the main threat for the home side who had not had the same level of control and since the Swift chance, not created anything of note. However, the winger got down the side and his effort was finger tipped past the post by Cooper. Alli was taking the attention of Seriki and Brooks and won another corner soon after as the home side started to look the more likely again – after United’s purple patch for the first half of the second half.
Brown came on for Segovic and almost made an instant impact – from a corner, he reacted but could only stab it at Cooper and the keeper made the save. The substitute should have scored as he was left completely unmarked.
Cooper then had to make a double punch as the balls rained into the Blades box and United’s threat was now not as convincing. The game moved into the final 5 minutes and Tanganga’s weak header dropped for Pompey but they could not get the shot away. A yellow card came for Phillips as he stopped a quick free kick being taken before he was replaced by Arblaster. Seriki also departed with Hoever coming on.
As the game entered the 90th minutes, United broke and looked to have snatched all three points, right at the death. O’Hare broke away and slipped Campbell in. The striker hit a low cross across goal and Schmid could only get a fingertip on it and BROOKS reacted to turn the ball home from close range. The winger celebrated with his now trademark somersault and backflip in front of the United supporters. There was still to be 7 minutes of stoppage time to be played and the Blades had a break to try and seal it but the keeper got there just before Brooks, after Hamer’s ball through. Burrows took a foul to stop the break for Pompey not long after.
The home side had rather weak appeals for a penalty as the ball bounced around the box but it went out for a corner in the end and Adams headed over. Pompey did create a chance as they had men over and Alli was once again the danger. His low shot was saved by Cooper down low and the keeper got up and managed to scramble it away. Pompey put one last throw in but despite Hoever not completing the first clearance properly, O’Hare cleared and the final whistle came soon after. A huge three points for the Blades and keeps alive their slim hopes of a play off charge. It was massive blow for Pompey at the foot of the table.
United – We played far, far better in the week in a defeat than we did today but that’s how Football goes of course. Against a poorer side, United rode their luck as the home side completely dominated the first half and had loads of decent, if not guilt edged chances. They had a goal disallowed and maybe could have gone for them. We never got going. We just sat off, lacked energy and were so deep. Cannon and Bamford never linked at all and we did not get the ball to Brooks and Hamer. The midfield pairing of Soumare and Phillips was as ineffective as Arblaster and Peck in the week. We looked so flat and lethargic. Pompey were not brilliant but better than us by some way and they did get down the side and Alli caused us problems. Cooper made a few saves; most expected but shots/efforts and clear chances were coming too easily. We did not keep it when we had it and and just sat off. We had no link between defence and midfield and midfield and attack. I think against a better side, we would have been a few goals down but their finishing and final moments lacked quality despite them being far better than us. We just did not seem up for it. It felt like WBA/Wrexham and Soton and seems to be more the norm when we are away – where we look a different team, to the one at the Lane. He changed a few players but we still had no real freshness about us. We have undoubted quality but did not get on the ball and then in challenges/duels, we lost many of them. I was just glad to get to half time without conceding.
We made changes – O’Hare for Cannon and eventually Peck for Soumare – the latter came 10 minutes later than it should have done. We did improve. Phillips started to control midfield and we had more of the ball with O’Hare getting in those little areas and Hamer/Brooks coming inside to see more of the ball. Like Pompey, we did not create clear chances and most were long range efforts/shots but we suddenly looked the better team for 20 minutes. Bamford had not been great but after he went off I thought we lost any impetus and from 70-90; they started to get a foothold again and had a few chances of their own – Alli and then the one from Brown from the corner. Cooper had to punch away twice and I thought it seemed like we lost any kind of momentum. At this stage, it seemed like we just were content to take a point and get out of there and did not take on the improved spell from 50-70 minutes to go on. At this stage, they looked the more likely wo nick it but it became a scrappy and niggly game with lots of fouls/stoppages. It was a far cry from the entertaining and very technical game in the week with two sides playing fluent and attractive football.
However, we get a chance to break and O’Hare has a bit of quality to find the ball down the side and Campell did well to be fair to find the cross. Keeper should do better but Brooks anticipated and continued his excellent scoring form. It was a real smash and grab – as despite us being the better side for a spell second half, Pompey undoubtedly were the ones finishing the stronger and over the 90 minutes has deserved the win. 60% possession – 23 shots to 12 and 7 on target to 3. 2.5 XPG to 0.99 also shows who had the better chances and indeed more clear chances. They had nearly 100 more passes and 71% accuracy to our 61% with 75 successful final third passes to 24 and 41 touches to 10 in the opposition box. However, you dress it up, they were the better side and should have won. I would say for all the stats, I can only think of maybe two good chances (Alli the one first half where he fluffed it and the Brown one from the corner). Alli had several shots at Cooper and a few headers in the box but it was not like they missed sitters and Cooper made several wonderful saves. There main issue was the lack of quality with the final parts in the box where they got into great areas but did not execute.
Despite this, United have to be much better. We sat back, did not engage in midfield and allowed players too much space all over the field. Our passing was slow and inaccurate with so many loose touches/balls. Soumare was as bad as Arblaster in the week, Cannon not effective – losing every duel and Burrows looking poor again. Only Hamer tried to make things happen first half but we were so poor up to the break. We did have a better spell and Phillips massively improved as I have said. We also got O’Hare and Brooks into the game. I did not see the goal coming though as they were starting to ask questions again and we started to sit back. The changes made suggested we would just take our point and get out of there but we did provide a bit of quality just with two passes to steal the game. I actually feel we have not had much luck recently and seems like ref decisions or balls have not dropped and we have seen this in several games. The goal they scored could have been given on another day – there was contact but Seriki went down quite easily and I would there be huge complaints if this is given? It is the sort of decision we have not been getting though so nice for us to get one. Also, the goal, the keepers touch finally finds our man – we saw with Boro and Millwall in recent games balls dropping for them at vital points – so again nice for it to fall for us.
Positives were Cooper (some odd moments again but made some key saves), Bindon who was our best player and Phillips had a good 2nd half. Brooks again looked a threat – particularly second half and Hamer showed technically he is the most likely to make something happen. Bamford, Cannon and Campbell (despite the late assist) did not look threats most of the game and concerns remain over the midfield in general – he has to play Phillips and Peck next week surely? O’Hare has had a drop off but starts over Cannon every week for me. Burrows still is struggling and Seriki has lacked energy the last few games. There are too many up and down performances across the team but we do have that bit of quality to nick games even if we play poorly if we can keep clean sheets. First one for a long time today.
It is a big three points. We rarely win at Fratton Park so breaks that hoodoo too. It also sort of completely kills any outside chance of relegation (10 points/more like 11 with GD) unless we go on a horrendous run and whilst the gap to the top 6 is still a lot of places – it is only 6 points. We need two huge performances versus them lot and then Coventry. We need the Lane to be loud and intimidating. Next week hopefully will take care of itself. Be fantastic to put them down and for me, just get the win. IF we score a few more goals, then great but Millwall have only just scraped by them today so won’t be a cakewalk I do not think. They will sit in, play on the break and we have to be patient but if we play as we have done at home then we should win and win by a level of comfort you hope. Coventry a few days after should be tougher on paper but they are dropping off – so not totally ridiculous to say we can get 4-6 points from the next two and then face QPR away and West Brom away – who have both struggled recently. I still think it is a long shot and my concern is we see too many performances like today – particularly away from home. We got away with it massively today and won’t in future games if we play and start so badly. I keep thinking we have clicked but then serve up one of those games (like every 1 in 3 or 4) and that means we will probably drop points to make it hard to make up the ground. We are still inconsistent in how we play and away from home, the mentality to just sit back and sit deep is quite depressing to watch. Still, we won today and that is the most important thing. After what happened at the Valley, where we dominated the first half and then the red cards came leading to us losing it – today kind of felt the same in reverse a bit – without the red cards of course! We do not win many at Pompey.
