Pompey vs Saints - Sunday 1200

[Holmes_and_Watson]

There was little doubt that we had far more quality in terms of talent in our squad. But it's not shared around that we can get 11 of them onto the pitch at the same time. Cohesive sides with some strength, fitness and drive push us every time.

For all that talent, we fade terribly in games. For all the skill, we show no direction in our play.

After our goal we offered nothing. The further it went, the less fit we looked. Pompey were the only side who looked likely to get a win. Considering the difference in resources, something remains broken, even if it was a derby.

Pluses were Leo's goal and definitely the celebration.

A back 4, which looks better, even if it's alien to Tonda. 

A bit of bite from Stephens, Downes and THB.

A nice move for one of AA's attempts.

Minuses

Lack of fitness

No idea how to dominate a game

More concerned with possession that attack

No idea how to best use any system Tonda puts out. Examples: Long range passes to AA; Not getting Fellows space to then use Stewart.

Conceding yet another scrappy goal.

The wider picture is that we got a point against a relegation struggler, and deserved nothing more.

[AlexLaw76]

Thought Matsuki was poor.

defending well, don’t recall Peretz having much of a save to make in open play, but we gave away so many opportunities to get the ball in our box from a set piece situation.

They pressed us very well for the majority of the game. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

2 minutes ago, Smatt48 said:

Peretz is not the answer to our GK problems, poor game from him, booting the ball out of play trying to find midfielders is amateur hour I’m afraid.

He's a massive upgrade on Bazuna. 

[SNSUN]

I missed a lot of the game but I noticed a couple of things, I like the formation, that's 4 points in two games it has got us (would have been 6 but for a handball goal). Keep it up Tonda. Bree back and being incorporated in a season where we've struggled at full back/wing backs is a plus. Keep him I say for the rest of the season. Peretz fills me with more confidence than Baz. 

We need recruitment. We may not get it this window but will limp around in mid table but in the summer SR need to go big. 

Finally Skates didn't get to beat us this season which, while we didn't win, is at least something when we haven't been great. 

[Patrick Bateman]

I would've taken a draw beforehand, but annoyed now to have lost a lead against that dreadful team.

I thought we missed Azaz when he went off, he was really good I thought. Defence brilliant mostly, a back 4, better ... much better ... 

I really like Perez too, so much better with him in goal.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Just now, SNSUN said:

Bree back and being incorporated in a season where we've struggled at full back/wing backs is a plus. Keep him I say for the rest of the season. Peretz fills me with more confidence than Baz. 

Very much agreed. Not been a fan of him in the past, but thought he had a good game today. Looked pretty solid.

[woodsaint1]

At least we didnt lose, but we're going nowhere under Tonda, Spors and SR. They'll probably be patting themselves on the back after that result.

We'll be lucky to get top half which is embarrassing given the money we spent in the summer.

[Convict Colony]

Portsmouth, more possession, more shots and more shots on target and wait for it higher XG than our expensively assembled squad.

This manager has now been found out,  3 draws, 2 losses and 1 Win in last 6.

[AlexLaw76]

The real disappointment is that apart from about a 15 min spell, we never imposed ourselves on the game 

[Zorba]

Well, it’s good to know that our full compliment of £100m players are just as good as Pompey’s second string. What a load of shite. Leo showed his class again even though he hardly received a decent ball. AA showed again that he needs 5 clear cut chances to have any chance of scoring 1 goal. Our defence are truly shit at set pieces. They were second to every ball all over the park. THB can’t pass and our new keeper is worse than Baz.

Lucky we didn”t lose that.

[Lord Duckhunter]

They were only going to score from a set piece, they really didn’t look like breaking us down from open play. On the other hand we created 3 clear cut chances and but only took 1. 
 

Azaz & Leo struggled to impose themselves, but Azaz should have had 2 assists & Leo showed the one bit of quality needed. Bree was good, the keeper looks more dominant than Baz, Charles looked class for his short cameo, but the other subs couldn’t really get involved. 
 

Of course they’re bang average, but their home form is what will keep them up and there was no way they weren’t going to give it a go. I certainly would have taken this point after the Hull debacle. Remember we had a different class of player the last league meeting and couldn’t get over the line. It’s a tough fixture….
 

A few like THB & Downes need to be honest with themselves, do they put that much effort in week in & week out, because that level of commitment is what we need every fucking game. 

 

Overall, I’m just pleased to have not lost in both games whilst we’re having such a shit season, because with this bunch it could have been a lot lot worse. 

[RedArmy]

2 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Portsmouth, more possession, more shots and more shots on target and wait for it higher XG than our expensively assembled squad.

This manager has now been found out,  3 draws, 2 losses and 1 Win in last 6.

If anything highlights just how stupid xG is, there it is. 

[Harry_SFC]

6 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

He's a massive upgrade on Bazuna. 

He actually did really well from crosses in the first half.

For me the common denominator in our set piece troubles stem from the lack of defending.

2 minutes ago, Zorba said:

Well, it’s good to know that our full compliment of £100m players are just as good as Pompey’s second string. What a load of shite. Leo showed his class again even though he hardly received a decent ball. AA showed again that he needs 5 clear cut chances to have any chance of scoring 1 goal. Our defence are truly shit at set pieces. They were second to every ball all over the park. THB can’t pass and our new keeper is worse than Baz.

Lucky we didn”t lose that.

I still don't know how Armstrong has so many goals at this level. I think he's crap. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Harry_SFC

[LaptopSaint]

Best moments - Matsuki flick, Leo celebration, Flynn wipe out and fight. Bree did well, and we didn’t threaten once Azaz went off. He drives me nuts quite often but can unlock things. 
 

For about the tenth time this season I’m left thinking how the fuck did we not win that. They were shite. At least we didn’t lose. 

[Fabrice29]

Missed at least one huge chance and conceded a goal that with VAR would have been ruled out. Managers fault though, am I right?

[Lee On Solent Saint]

2 minutes ago, Zorba said:

THB can’t pass and our new keeper is worse than Baz.

Keeper made at least 4 or 5 punches from previous corners and crosses. Baz would never get near any of them.

[macca155]

13 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Maturity was terrible mate

Presume you mean Matsuki, he seems to have divided opinion. I certainly wouldn't rave about him but he wasn't terrible. 

My Pompey mates, who come out of the woodwork at times like this, certainly rated him.

[maysie]

I actually thought we went long too early too often at times, especially last 15mins

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Portsmouth, more possession, more shots and more shots on target and wait for it higher XG than our expensively assembled squad.

 

I’m struggling to think of one clear cut chance they made, or even a mildly difficult save our keeper had to make. Anyone who watches that game and thinks they created better chances than us, is clearly clueless…

[obelisk]

One point from a relegation six-pointer can't be sniffed at. Four more wins should see Saints safe.

[Wade Garrett]

13 minutes ago, John Boy Saint said:

He was anonymous in the first half - probably got a kick up the arse at half time.

What from Hungry Eyes?  You must be joking.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Lord Duckhunter said:

I’m struggling to think of one clear cut chance they made, or even a mildly difficult save our keeper had to make. Anyone who watches that game and thinks they created better chances than us, is clearly clueless…

Peretz barely had a save to make from open play, despite them launching it towards our goal. 
 

we defended well in the main.

[Hawkswood]

2 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

They were only going to score from a set piece, they really didn’t look like breaking us down from open play. On the other hand we created 3 clear cut chances and but only took 1. 
 

Azaz & Leo struggled to impose themselves, but Azaz should have had 2 assists & Leo showed the one bit of quality needed. Bree was good, the keeper looks more dominant than Baz, Charles looked class for his short cameo, but the other subs couldn’t really get involved. 
 

Of course they’re bang average, but their home form is what will keep them up and there was no way they weren’t going to give it a go. I certainly would have taken this point after the Hull debacle. Remember we had a different class of player the last league meeting and couldn’t get over the line. It’s a tough fixture….
 

A few like THB & Downes need to be honest with themselves, do they put that much effort in week in & week out, because that level of commitment is what we need every fucking game. 

 

Overall, I’m just pleased to have not lost in both games whilst we’re having such a shit season, because with this bunch it could have been a lot lot worse. 

Agreed with all the points in bold. I thought we looked solid today and were only going to concede from a set piece. The fact that it was a shite goal didn't surprise me. What did pleasantly surprise me was Downes putting himself about today. Actually looked like he gave a shit.

Big fan of the keeper. I thought we were the better side and honestly didn't thing we did too much wrong. Of course it wasn't perfect but there was a lot I liked today. We deserved the win I thought.

[Charlie Wayman]

The ref spoiled to game by letting far too much go so it just became a bully boy game in which football came a poor second. In my opinion, he chickened out in front of the home crowd because he knew all the physical foul play was coming from Pompey and had he pulled them up for it, he would have had a very uncomfortable afternoon.

When we did get our foot on the ball for a spell we looked different class but it would be hard for any player not to lose their cool when being fouled constantly. Pompey looked to be a League 1 side still having not really made the transition well.

Bree's inclusion leaves so many question marks over Eckert's judgment that only he can answer but it made zero sense to me. Otherwise the 4-3-3 formation makes us far more compact as a team and harder to break down.

 

[Viking Saint]

27 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Well it's not a defeat but it sure feels like it. Ridiculous to make 4 subs in the 10 minutes following the goal it squandered the momentum.

Can't have it both ways. If he doenst make changes, he gets slagged off for having no Plan B or being too predictable. IMO, all the subs made sense today. Assist aside, Azaz did sweet FA, and despite a raft of changes, Manning stayed off the pitch. Can't complain.

 

[BotleySaint]

Just now, Fabrice29 said:

Missed at least one huge chance and conceded a goal that with VAR would have been ruled out. Managers fault though, am I right?

There is no doubt the flurry of subs turned the game in their favour and disrupted our flow. So that's on the manager, yes.

Not everything is though and I'm glad to see we stuck to 4 at the back and Manning didn't make it on the pitch. A few glimpses of progress. But game management still awful.

He may learn from that though. Let's try to be positive. 

[Micky]

22 minutes ago, Saint Gifford said:

Unfortunately every week we are looking like a journey Champ Club. 

There is nothing to suggest there is a 100 million to spend to make us a genuine established Prem team anymore. 

Says it all when Sky Sports chooses a Girls game to showcase the main event Sunday Lunchtime instead of one of biggest derby games in the country. 

Safe Journey home.
 

 

Spot on, took me bloody ages to work out wtf sky sports plus was, missed the first 20 minutes. 

[Hawkswood]

3 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Missed at least one huge chance and conceded a goal that with VAR would have been ruled out. Managers fault though, am I right?

I take it youre trying to pick an argument with that second sentence 

[Toussaint]

11 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Thought Matsuki was poor.

defending well, don’t recall Peretz having much of a save to make in open play, but we gave away so many opportunities to get the ball in our box from a set piece situation.

They pressed us very well for the majority of the game. 

It was a bizarre selection given the nature of this game and his lack of first team experience. I agree he was poor, often out of position when we were defending. 

[saintant]

Bree was good and looked our fittest player which tells its own story. Our passing is very careless and stops us putting much sustained pressure on opponents because we give it away so cheaply time after time. The back four was generally decent today. Midfield was weak and we need more physicality there and up front. AA should score at least one of his chances - probably the first which he should have lifted. Always feared Pompey would fluke an equaliser and no surprise that it came from a corner dropped into our six yard box. Loved Leo's celebration which was the best moment of a scrappy match. We meed to do some business in the final week of the window because we are still a very weak (physically) side. Probably too late to do much about the lack of fitness but this simply must be addressed in the next pre-season.

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Bree's inclusion leaves so many question marks over Eckert's judgment that only he can answer but it made zero sense to me.

On the ale already? 

[Fabrice29]

Just now, BotleySaint said:

There is no doubt the flurry of subs turned the game in their favour and disrupted our flow. So that's on the manager, yes.

Not everything is though and I'm glad to see we stuck to 4 at the back and Manning didn't make it on the pitch. A few glimpses of progress. But game management still awful.

He may learn from that though. Let's try to be positive. 

Really? We'd just scored on the break, we were hardly in a flow or in control were we? It was a VAR decision and a missed 1 on 1 away from a perfect away performance. Didn't do anything stupid, stood up to the physicality, atmosphere and game the home side wanted to play and created the best chances in the game. Bringing on 2 players the fans were pissed off about not starting and another who is probably our best player when up and running is hardly the disaster people think it is.

[Hawkswood]

1 minute ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The ref spoiled to game by letting far too much go so it just became a bully boy game in which football came a poor second. In my opinion, he chickened out in front of the home crowd because he knew all the physical foul play was coming from Pompey and had he pulled them up for it, he would have had a very uncomfortable afternoon.

When we did get our foot on the ball for a spell we looked different class but it would be hard for any player not to lose their cool when being fouled constantly. Pompey looked to be a League 1 side still having not really made the transition well.

Bree's inclusion leaves so many question marks over Eckert's judgment that only he can answer but it made zero sense to me. Otherwise the 4-3-3 formation makes us far more compact as a team and harder to break 

Agreed with the first point. Not the second though. I thought he did well. 🤷‍♂️

[stfrancisofbenali]

After our goal we were starting to dominate and looked like imposing our quality but six minutes after going 1-0 up he changed it. Feel like he could have waited at least another 10-15 mins before making any subs. 

[woodsaint1]

7 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Missed at least one huge chance and conceded a goal that with VAR would have been ruled out. Managers fault though, am I right?

Yeah his subs killed us 👍🏻

[stfrancisofbenali]

2 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

On the ale already? 

Bree was very good and gives us more physicality. 

[Charlie Wayman]

18 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Thought Matsuki was poor.

defending well, don’t recall Peretz having much of a save to make in open play, but we gave away so many opportunities to get the ball in our box from a set piece situation.

They pressed us very well for the majority of the game. 

What? He played really well, 100% commitment and a very strong presence in the middle third. You must have been watching s different game.

[LGTL]

The were absolutely fucking garbage and there for the taking. As soon as it came a battle at 0-1 it was only a matter of time unfortunately, but that was the only way they were ever scoring. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Practically scooping the ball into the net

[Adman]

8 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Missed at least one huge chance and conceded a goal that with VAR would have been ruled out. Managers fault though, am I right?

You talk so much shit you either know fuck all about football, are a Sports Republic employee or a skate. No saints fan would ever be content with less than 3 points against them.

Maybe it’s all 3. 

[stfrancisofbenali]

We’ve played injury ravaged sides in Norwich, Millwall, Oxford and Pompey and got one point from a possible twelve. That’s pathetic and relegation form. 

[saintant]

2 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

What? He played really well, 100% commitment and a very strong presence in the middle third. You must have been watching s different game.

He was poor and constantly gave the ball away. Two fancy flicks did pay off for him but more by luck than judgement.

[Charlie Wayman]

6 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

On the ale already? 

What I meant was that he doen't want to be here, Charlton are deperate to get him back so where is the logic in bringing him back into our squad for probably only one game

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 minutes ago, Viking Saint said:

Can't have it both ways. If he doenst make changes, he gets slagged off for having no Plan B or being too predictable. IMO, all the subs made sense today. Assist aside, Azaz did sweet FA, and despite a raft of changes, Manning stayed off the pitch. Can't complain.

 

There’s a lot of deserved criticism come Tonda’s way lately, but I agree, some of it is unfair today. Bringing Bree in was a good decision, and everybody was calling out for a back 4. As you say the subs made sense once Leo got injured, annd Charles was excellent when he came on. Had he left AA on with Ross staying on the bench, then they’d have been loads of complaints. The only contentious decision was Fellowes being left out, but nothing he did when he came on made that look a particularly horrendous decision. 
 

[obelisk]

3 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Practically scooping the ball into the net

Assist from THB.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

4 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Practically scooping the ball into the net

Yep, VAR would have probably disallowed that.

[saintant]

1 minute ago, Charlie Wayman said:

What I meant was that he doen't want to be here, Charlton are deperate to get him back so where is the logic in bringing him back into our squad for probably only one game

So you believe Mad Nate then.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Just now, Charlie Wayman said:

What I meant was that he doen't want to be here, Charlton are deperate to get him back so where is the logic in bringing him back into our squad for probably only one game

Don't think you could have questioned his committment out there. He's a paid employee, unless he is throwing his toys out of the pram he can play.

[maysie]

2 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

What I meant was that he doen't want to be here, Charlton are deperate to get him back so where is the logic in bringing him back into our squad for probably only one game

I didn't see any lack of commitment to be honest, ran all game.

[sfc4prem]

29 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

We were totally in control after the goal until the equaliser which was totally against the run of play. Admit we didn't create much in that time but it was all Saints. The last few minutes was typical home side throwing everything at us trying to snatch a winner,  still they never really looked like scoring. We weren't great but an away point is usually a bonus. At least Tonda didn't throw CBs on to try and fuck/shore things up. No Manning. Think THB and Stephens actually played pretty well defensively, both of them are so much better in a 4. The only bad sub was Robinson, probably not the most sensible decision bringing him on when he did. 

I think control is a touch far, but agree we looked OK. I think we looked fairly comfortable in repelling them after Scienza's goal. I'm just disappointed we didn't offer more going forwards after the goal.