United – I was more balanced after the Derby game, where we were poor but scraped the win against a struggling side that made it a bit of a battle. The Hull game we were not awful but got done on the sucker punch a few times but struggled to create much at all and worryingly the shape, new signings and way we were playing looked a bit of a mess. Now, for the third game, I am not sure I can keep making excuses (there are some in the sense that there are new players finding their feet I suppose). We are not playing well at all. In fact, we have been poor for some time. It is not one or two games but outside Norwich, we have not been convincing in a game for a long time really. We have won so many games where we were second best and the likes of Hull, Plymouth, Swansea and now Portsmouth sadly have been much better than us for large parts of games. These teams have shown more desire in the battle and been more aggressive than us. The reason we have won games is teams have missed lots of chances and we have been quite ruthless and taken ours. We are second and are still right in the automatic promotion race but look a long way off a side that should go up. I am calling it as I see it. I think anyone watching as Josh Murphy alluded to post game, would have said Pompey were the side going for promotion today and we looked like a side struggling to stay up. We have some talented players but it is all a bit of a mess. Wilder has done a remarkable job to get us to second and deserves so much credit but I worry that January oddly with all the players being thrown in (we had to bring in reinforcements of course) seems to have made us even worse in terms of knowing how we are trying to play. Still to counter that, we were not playing great before we brought these signings in. I disagree with Wilder when he says it is not about tactics. I do agree we were second to the ball, slow in reacting, lost headers, battles and races and all those other mantras he often talks about. However, we had not real shape, no plan how to progress the ball up the field and when pressed panicked. We looked lost attacking wise but did not even get to these areas to try and have many dangerous spells of play. It was slow and clueless for the most part.
Out of possession, we had two static midfielders who did not protect the defence but did not like play and are clearly two alike. Neither can carry the ball or create and thus we have a big gap. Brereton Diaz and Cannon look slow, unfit and show no movement and we have no pace in the side at all with the line up that started. There was only Hamer who looked to try and create and yes it did not always work but he tried to go forward. The subs did help and Brewster and Peck improved us but we were lucky to still be in the game. Pompey missed two open goals, had at least 4 or 5 other clear chances and hit the bar. If it had been 1-4 at half time, you could not have grumbled and by the hour mark could have been 1-6 or 1-7. It sounds made but they literally went through us look knife through butter. The two centre halves are not physically strong enough. Everyone says what a hard man Robinson is and how he gets stuck in but he loses headers and battles routinely and comes out second. Anel is soft as…you know the rest. He has played well this season but those two were the centre back that were conceding 5’s and 6’s last season – yes it is the level below but they are not good enough as a pairing and teams bully us. Holding does not seem to be the right sort of imposing centre back to help us either? Clarke did well last week but today was diabolical and was given the run around. Somehow we have ended up signing someone who does the things we needed to do (stop crosses, stop his winger and get close to his man) worse than the lad we took out- who was not doing these things!
It was a mess really from a tactical, shape, plan of attack and formation perspective but I do agree with Wilder that even with those flaws, we have to show desire and win headers, loose balls but were so far off it today. I do believe a clearer shape and tactics may then give us more chance of having more of the ball and getting it forward quicker and having more impactful possession.
Peck and Brewster were the two that galvanised us and for the last 20 minutes the game was more even but for the first 70; it was as one sided a game as you could see. Pompey will not believe they did not score at last 4 or 5 goals. I suppose that is football and you have to take your chances and we took ours and sometimes why some teams are nearer the top or bottom. However, this was not like games we have had for a good portion of the season where it’s been tight and we have just shown a bit of quality and/or defended well. We got battered today and not sure anyone can say we did not. Clarke had a header and Cannon had that break – we then had the Brewster one right at the end but they created at least double figure chances in comparison.
It does sound very doom and gloom sadly. We did win the game and maybe we will respond in the week. My bigger worry, is that this was not really a game in isolation. It was in terms of how badly we played and were dominated but we have been poor for some time and not really any clear plan how we are trying to win games and control games. It is just like he is sending a load of players out and with a fair few new ones too and just throwing them into positions – that are not working and not allowing us to get the best out of them. He has spent a fair bit of money and the owners has backed him so hope he can get the best out of the likes of Clarke, Choudhury, Brereton Diaz and Cannon but as I mentioned before, we had some of the issues even before these arrived too. I do wonder whether he needs to look at playing a 5 – to protect the weakness at the back. Maybe Choudhury as part of a 5 with Holding and Anel? Then Peck/Davies with Souza and Hamer in front. I would play Brereton Diaz on the right personally but at the moment looks way off it and would not start him – at least Rak Sakyi gives us pace and an outlet. Cannon must earn the shirt and has not done that so far. It would be Campbell or Moore – but I worry Wilder is stubborn and won’t drop his big money buy. Even his previous big money flop (not saying Cannon is a flop as early but worrying how poor he looks) Brewster has shown more. I hope we see a response Boro game. It we continue to play like we are doing, we are not going to keep getting away with it and they will take chances with the forwards they have brought in. Be interesting to see the response of the manager and players. We have two tough games (Luton been awful but still have some decent players and not an easy game – look at Pompey/Hull against us) and hope we can get 4-6 points and stay with the top two but with Leeds on the horizon (imagine them with the chances Pompey created?) we have to find a plan and some form if we are serious about going up automatically.
For all that, we are second and won the game and you have to step back sometimes and that is ultimately what football is about but I left the Lane quite flat yesterday despite us winning and that was an odd feeling as normally you come away smiling after a win and positive.
Ratings:
Cooper 7.5/10 – Not sure he made any absolutely wonderful saves but he made several good (some expected) to keep us in the game. He was badly exposed as they came through us and down the sides time after time. The goal I will say he was a bit slow to react maybe on the near post but maybe that is harsh. Still, outside of this he was kept very busy and our best starter by some distance. Since Souttar was injured, we have now looked easy to get through and look a soft touch again (like last season).
Clarke 2/10 – I had been very critical of Gilchrist and felt we needed to upgrade here. Clarke did ok at Derby, but did not face any real threat. Today, he had a good winger against him and to say he struggled big time was an understatement. From the off Pompey targeted our right side and he was given a pretty good going over from start to finish. He had one header saved and one other shot but defensively he was abject. Did not get close to his man, was positionally miles off and got beat one on one constantly. Shocking tackle for a booking and he looked painfully slow all game. Did not get help from BBD though but even taking that into account he has to be able to get close to his man. On this evidence looks an even worse one on one defender than Gilchrist. We just needed a steady eddy here but worryingly he seems a long way from that.
Burrows 4/10 – His form has dropped off quite a bit and whilst Clarke will get the lions share of attention for his defensive work- or lack of it, Burrows was poor again. He too, gave his man too much time and was not able to stop crosses coming in. His touch and passing was off again and he also did not offer anything going forward – we never got forward to be fair as it was slow and clueless for 70 minutes. Taken off and we did improve when McCallum gave us some energy at least.
Ahmedhodzic 3/10 – Thought his performance was akin to that was saw last season where he looked soft, weak and slow. He gave away so many fouls and Bishop completely bullied him. It’s not like Bishop is a physical specimen either. We just struggle so much with high balls and balls coming into forwards and do not impose ourselves. He was half asleep on the goal as he did not get across but this theme continued as he made so many errors or did not get to the ball first as they kept playing the ball into the front two and playing off them. Him and Robinson is not a pairing that worked- amazed we are considering finishing the season with them as a two – after what happened last season.
Robinson 4/10 – He was not much better than the above as he too, gave away too many fouls, was not able to impose himself and on the ball took too many touches to move it forward. He was probably the best of the backline and he too had a bad game where a struggling side seemed almost camped in our half. He and Anel were not helped by the full backs and the so-called defensive pivot in front.
Souza 4/10 –I may get criticised for this rating but he looks miles off the player earlier in the season as he is finding his way back to fitness. Will take him some time but the Souza who controlled and dominated midfield, we have not seen at Derby or in this game. He was not able to get to the ball first and rarely seemed to be on the ball for much of the game. It just sort of passed him by. He did get better when Peck came on as his role was clearer.
Choudhury 3/10 – As others have said, not sure why we signed him to play a role that Souza already plays. If Souza was not available, fair enough, but now we have both? They will not carry the ball or move it forward but then at least you have a nice defensive base you would think? Well not at all today as quicker, more determined players won all the loose balls and ran around these two who were statuesque. We did not really have a midfield for 65-70 mins as a team near the bottom completely controlled things and swarmed all over us. We lost so many of the first and second balls. The players looked so passive in this area of the field. He, like Clarke, did well at Derby but today looked lost. Wonder if he would be better as a right back or in a three at the back (particularly at home).
Hamer 6.5/10 – Our best outfield starter in the sense he got on the ball and tried to move it forwards. His radar and passes were off as he overhit a few but at least he was trying things and looked like the only one who may create. His goal was simple in its execution but he made it look easy. He got lost in the general malaise of poor play throughout the side and struggled to get on the ball as much as the game went on but we saw a few moments near the end as the game opened up. Our most creative player by some distance. At least he did not get booked -although close on a few occasions with some harsh/daft fouls!
Campbell 4/10 – Not really in the game and not sure where he was meant to be playing -at first thought it was a two but then seemed to be just off Cannon? He had a few bits of link play around the box as we tried to work moments with Hamer feeding him but was quiet. Still felt he was looking the better of the two and would have left him on instead of Cannon.
Cannon 3/10 – I have to say I have been disappointed with how little he is offering. Granted the team are a bit of a muddle in terms of how we are playing, set up and trying to feed the strikers and maybe he has had little service but he still needs to offer something/do more? He lacks movement, lacks pace and loses the aerial stuff. He does not hold it up but does not make runs either. He looks physically weak too. He barely seems to touch the ball in games and that is worry for a side that is not creating much, does not get crosses in or play though the middle. He had that one chance but smashed it over when he should have passed. Wilder criticised the fans who have questioned him – granted early but for a new player who has cost much – I want someone to put more effort in (not as simple as running around) and show for the ball, try and link. Off the ball he is not pressing either. To say I have been distinctly underwhelmed is an understatement. I would put Campbell, Moore and even Brewster ahead of him on what I have seen. He surely has to earn the shirt – he is not offering anything but worry Wilder will not drop him as then he feels he looks silly and the owners will question why we bought him? He did this with Brewster a few years ago. Does not look like coming even close to scoring a goal. 3 games and he has had one tame shot and one awful effort over the bar – did make the goal of course last week which is the only thing he has done in three games.
Brereton Diaz 2/10 – Looks out of shape, unfit and his touch has been awful – he looks miles off even being a Championship starter on his current conditioning and his confidence (despite scoring last week seem rock bottom – maybe the Southampton fans were right). He was so sluggish, exemplified in the booking when he swiped at his man. Like Cannon, been really slow to get going and not seen the impact (yes he did score a crucial winner to counter that) we would have hoped. Maybe Wilder hopes he will play him into game shape but he looks like a player that has barely played any football for 9 months – that is the case. The Pompey fans were mocking his performance and thought that might get him going but he got worse. Gave Clarke no help the other way on the goal and for much of the game.
Subs -
Peck 7.5/10 – Our best player and only played 30 minutes. He came on, got stuck in, won the ball and made things happen. He drove with it but was always looking to go forward. Many of our attacking moves came from him getting his foot in and sending us the other way. Thought he was going to get sent off after the tackle where he did win the ball but you worry when there is a melee and reaction. He was right to be rested as played a lot but today showed more than any of the other midfielders (maybe Hamer apart) and should be back in on Wednesday. I do not think Wilder will do it though as he is stubborn and will persist with Choudhury.
Brewster 7.5/10 – Like Peck, made a big impact when he came on. He got on the ball, showed energy and had some good forward runs. He made the goal with a superb cross and had a few other pieces of positive play. On the chance at the end, you would hope he would show a bit of subtlety but again seems to have one way of shooting – hit it as hard as he can! He has to finish chances like that really but suppose it did not matter in the end. To be fair showing some desire to want to make an impact and worrying he is looking more up for it/lively than the forward signings that have come on.
Rak Sayki 6.5/10 – He scored the winner and did well, to get in the right place and finish. He read the cross and finished. Outside of this a few runs and won a corner but again not sure we saw an end product always but he gave us something different and at least saw them have to worry about us attacking down this side. Expect he will start the next game.
McCallum 6.5/10 – He gave us some energy and at least got his foot in, won a few headers and thought he used the ball well. He came away from challenges with the ball a fair bit, which many of the other players had not before this. Improved things down this side definitely.
Holding – Came on and played a blind back pass that nearly caused us issues. He went into a three. Not as big as I thought he was? Worry, like the others we have signed, he is not what we needed – we needed a big tall, dominant head it away type. Is he that? I am not sure. I would still bring him in for Robinson personally.
Manager: Wilder 3/10 – Would be lower if not for the subs that helped massively turn the game around and of course, we won. The way the players approached the game, the tactics, us losing most of the battles and not really having any plan how to defend, attack or keep the ball in meaningful areas- he has to take a lot of blame. Sadly, he does not do that and that is one of the things that irks me. He blamed the players for taking shortcuts and said it was not tactics. Really poor post-match interview for me in that he was right in saying we were poor and got away with it, but surely he has to realise that tactically/formation and personnel is not working. We look a very ordinary-poor side and if this carries on, we will not keep winning as we have some tougher opponents to come. Wilder, Knill and Prestridge have some big decisions this week. I would not play Cannon and Choudhury yet – that is my opinion. I think Peck/Davies and Souza with Campbell/Moore needs to be the way forward and let those players earn that shirts. I recall when we went up under Warnock and we brought in Akinbiyi/Horsfield and a few others and Warnock realised and went back to Shipperley etc and we got it over the line. Still, even with talk of personnel, I worry what the plan is to get up the field and how we create. Currently teams are creating as many (or more) chances than us most games and we somehow have scraped wins against sides like Plymouth, Bristol City, Swansea, Watford, Derby and now Portsmouth when in every game, those teams were probably as good or if not better than us. These are not good sides either. We are not controlling games at all and look easy to get through defensively and not really creating. We are eking out wins due to some quality from the forward players but have also got away with teams missing sitters against us. We need to wake up or in 3-4 weeks we will be not in this position. Still for all the criticism, you have to step away and say he IS getting wins and results and that is the sign of a winner and a good manager. He is not daft though and know that we must improve. Maybe Burnley fans are saying the same but they have an imperious defence. We do no look great at the back or going forward really and look a bit of a mish mash of a side. There is talent and depth now but I am not sure he has worked out how to put it all together?
and well worth it with amazing detail - cheers Deadbat 
