Portsmouth (a) EFL Trophy

[guest3338]

Won't be going to Wembley in this cup.

[Melbourne Cobbler]

Nothing like a full day of work ahead following a defeat. Someone will get a disciplinary.

Still thought we did alright, just got a bit leggy, which is understandable really.

[guest3338]

Nothing like a full day of work ahead following a defeat. Someone will get a disciplinary.

Still thought we did alright, just got a bit leggy, which is understandable really.

Good stamina Melbourne.

[tcobb]

Why were they a bit "leggy"?

[EB Claret]

Why were they a bit "leggy"?

Because most of them are not 'match fit'

[tcobb]

Were Portsmouth "leggy"as well ?

[Baldy]

I blame Baldy

I take full responsibility.

[Melbourne Cobbler]

Why were they a bit "leggy"?

I thought we looked a bit tired at the end? Mind you the effort earlier was terrific so I’m not having a pop. What did everyone else think, particularly those there? For what was predominantly a second eleven I thought they were great. I wouldn’t mind any of them slotting into the first team including Arnold.

[clarkeysntfc]

Nice to get some minutes in to the squad players just before the Xmas period, and avoid fixture congestion later in the season.

[Horsham Cobbler]

I thought we looked a bit tired at the end? Mind you the effort earlier was terrific so I’m not having a pop. What did everyone else think, particularly those there? For what was predominantly a second eleven I thought they were great. I wouldn’t mind any of them slotting into the first team including Arnold.

I was one of the "96" last night … in the first half we were great and really pressed Pompey when they had the ball. Second half we sat back and on the odd occasion we did push forward we ran out of ideas in the final third and had no penetration. I never thought I'd say this a few months ago but we needed a Hoskins to run at them. First time I'd seen Reece-Hall and I thought he had a decent game. I thought Watson pretty poor: when we had the chance to break from the back he held on to the ball far too long before playing it sideways or backwards. Must mention the couple of Worldie close-range reaction saves from Arnold. Portsmouth were stronger in the tackle and more adventurous than us in the 2nd half and deserved the win, but we certainly weren´t disgraced.

I woke up this morning with that f***ing bell still ringing in my ear.

[guest1269]

I was one of the "96" last night … in the first half we were great and really pressed Pompey when they had the ball. Second half we sat back and on the odd occasion we did push forward we ran out of ideas in the final third and had no penetration. I never thought I'd say this a few months ago but we needed a Hoskins to run at them. First time I'd seen Reece-Hall and I thought he had a decent game. I thought Watson pretty poor: when we had the chance to break from the back he held on to the ball far too long before playing it sideways or backwards. Must mention the couple of Worldie close-range reaction saves from Arnold. Portsmouth were stronger in the tackle and more adventurous than us in the 2nd half and deserved the win, but we certainly weren´t disgraced.

I woke up this morning with that f***ing bell still ringing in my ear.

Good summary and what pleased me was the performance of a team consisting of a number of fringe players - suggests we have a squad with depth which is ideal for our promotion push

[Parklands Cobbler]

Pretty much agree with Horshams summary of the game but do disagree on Ryan Watson.I thought he was excellent, comfortable on the ball and rarely made a poor pass all night.
Pompey's Marcus Harness took Joe Martin to the cleaners and was best player on the pitch.Good goal by Harriman but did little else of note.Yes we did miss Hoskins pace.

[Madrid Cobbler]

Good all round performance overall, but we did seem to run out of ideas and energy at the end. Most of our "squad" players did pretty well and could slot into the first team comfortably, which is pleasing. Warburton, however, is still not producing much and I think Joe Martin is proving to be KC's poorest signing - lacks pace and strength in the tackle IMO. Has been roasted by a number of pacy wingers already this season, as was again on Tuesday. Not really an upgrad on Buchannan as far I'm concerned.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Arnold had a good and solid game, producing a couple of very good saves in the second half to keep us in the tie. I thought that he could have done a lot better with their first.  Following the deflection, it was in the air a long while, almost in slow motion into the six yard box just in front of him. I think his and Jordan Turnbull's reaction following it, was an acknowledgement that they both thought the same.
If as is rumoured, Dai Cornell is off in either of the next two windows or loses his current form, Arnold will be a more than suitable replacement.
Thought Pollock was outstanding, he was all over the park and controls the play like a player far ahead of his years.  Watson alongside him contributed but needs game time to be more of an influence.
Shaun McWilliams is still off the pace, his first touch and his ball retention for the team needs to improve if he is to reach the heights of his early promise and again some of his needless challenges were inviting the official to sanction him on more than one occasion.  He needs to be more intelligent to the when and where to put his foot in.
Warburton still has quite a way to go to convince me that he has what it takes for League football, his level of control and use of the football means that he needs more time which he invariably doesn't have at this level.
Turnbull and Wharton did very well as a back two, especially alongside H-J and Martin who was having a difficult time with Harness.
An impressive team performance in the first half, playing in a similar manner to the first team, unfortunately it dropped off in the second half when Pompey were being more assertive and maybe some of ours didn't have enough match minutes in their legs to continue with the same intensity.  To be honest, Pompey could have scored a few more if it wasn't for Arnold and a couple of defensive blocks. 
Onwards and upwards in the league now with only the FA Cup as a distraction, which is probably a bonus.

[ClarenceInDefence]

Arnold had a good and solid game, producing a couple of very good saves in the second half to keep us in the tie. I thought that he could have done a lot better with their first.  Following the deflection, it was in the air a long while, almost in slow motion into the six yard box just in front of him. I think his and Jordan Turnbull's reaction following it, was an acknowledgement that they both thought the same.
If as is rumoured, Dai Cornell is off in either of the next two windows or loses his current form, Arnold will be a more than suitable replacement.
Thought Pollock was outstanding, he was all over the park and controls the play like a player far ahead of his years.  Watson alongside him contributed but needs game time to be more of an influence.
Shaun McWilliams is still off the pace, his first touch and his ball retention for the team needs to improve if he is to reach the heights of his early promise and again some of his needless challenges were inviting the official to sanction him on more than one occasion.  He needs to be more intelligent to the when and where to put his foot in.
Warburton still has quite a way to go to convince me that he has what it takes for League football, his level of control and use of the football means that he needs more time which he invariably doesn't have at this level.
Turnbull and Wharton did very well as a back two, especially alongside H-J and Martin who was having a difficult time with Harness.
An impressive team performance in the first half, playing in a similar manner to the first team, unfortunately it dropped off in the second half when Pompey were being more assertive and maybe some of ours didn't have enough match minutes in their legs to continue with the same intensity.  To be honest, Pompey could have scored a few more if it wasn't for Arnold and a couple of defensive blocks. 
Onwards and upwards in the league now with only the FA Cup as a distraction, which is probably a bonus.

I didn't see the game but will say that I agree with your thoughts on Warburton and McWilliams in general.

It's also worth remembering that Harriman, Martin and Watson all need minutes to gain match fitness and that away to Portsmouth is a very tough fixture and they are on a good run of form.

We are in a really good place squad wise though, no doubt.

[Welly Cobb]

Did Harding have enough time to make an impact on his first cameo?

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Did Harding have enough time to make an impact on his first cameo?

Not really as he was playing alone up front trying to get involved with our clearances, but without any support joining him at that late stage in the game, he didn't really have much chance.