saintant

Is the Armenian chappy 20 feet tall because he'd have needed to be to get even a glancing touch of the ball particularly first half. When we did try to play on the ground a bit in the second half Azaz came into it but no midfielder can influence a game if his defenders continually launch the ball into orbit.

They didn't. What happened was that they were quite clearly and by a distance the better footballing side in that first half. We tweaked a few things and were better second half but Pompey were more than just a basic side and we needed to aspire to their level and weren't pulled down to it. We may not like them but let's not ignore what we saw on the pitch.

Because he said so when interviewed before the game. Ok, he didn't actually say he wanted every ball lumped long but we started that way and then it became difficult to actually play any controlled football because Pompey pressed us forcing us to continually pump it long.

His problem is he said in his pre match interview that he'd instructed the team to play long balls and they followed that to the letter. It doesn't work when Archer is your centre forward and Still should be fully aware of that.

To be fair he was up against one of the best wingers in the Championship and that includes the ones we have.

Hardly surprising when he spent most of the game watching pointless long balls sailing over his head. Get the ball on the floor and play fucking football - pass and move and get between the lines. Football really isn't rocket science.

Think he made sure he gave him a vice like handshake.

But they didn't play ugly and, for large chunks of that game, were the better footballing side.

He did ok to be fair.

Fairly safe bet that we'll finish mid table at best.

Better 2nd half but overall that was so fucking shite!

They are pressing higher, playing as a unit and in a compact shape. We are a shambles with no press, zero cohesion and just passing it backwards and sideways in our own half until, with no options, we lump it long to no one in particular. This is a big worry on Still's watch.

Behave! It's bad but not that bad.

This times one thousand.

That was absolutely shocking and the only good news is we are not behind but Pompey will certainly fancy winning this now. Change it Will!

Our shape is completely wrong.

Seems from what Still said pre match he wants us to hit it long. Aint working Will, change it!

A point here would be very good.

We need to move up 20 yards - we have zero press.

Being outclassed here at home by Pompey. Let that sink in.

Too big gap between our attack and midfield. Pompey much more compact and have a better shape.

2nd best in every department.

They're big and strong and are bullying us.

We've played right into their hands here so far.

Fucking passing is shit.