Pompey may not have completely drawn a line under their off field troubles but there are few signs of those on the field as they slowly find their Championship feet.
This victory against a strong, quick-witted Watford team, gave Pompey 10 points out of 12. The momentum is starting to build and the Pompey fans can sense that. The atmosphere at Fratton Park on Saturday was as good as it has been for some time. What could be better than being entertained and winning matches?
Goals were expected and the game didn’t disappoint although no one expected a goal-of-the-season contender from Hayden Mullins, to give Pompey a half-time lead. Mullins’ effort was a pile-driver, hit on the half volley from outside the penalty box, giving the ‘keeper no chance. But, hey! Who cares where the goals come from?
It seems that there’s not much defending in the Championship. It’s just a big slug-fest. If you score one, we’ll score two; if you score two, we’ll score three. It’s highly entertaining football to watch but not too good for the finger nails!
Watford started the game brightly, forcing a number of corners as they attacked towards their own fans. They took their set-pieces quickly. But Pompey held firm and grew in confidence as the match progressed.
Rocha oozed class at the back alongside Mokoena and with Mullins and Brown running the midfield Pompey were excellent on the break more than once urged on vocally by the Pompey faithful.
The tireless running up-front of Nugent and the more measured approach of Kitson was well supported by the runs from Lawrence, Ward and Dickinson down the flanks.
Watford came out for the second half and took their game up a couple of notches deservedly taking a 2-1 lead, through Taylor and McGinn, having pressed Pompey back in their half for long spells. During that period the Pompey defending was poor although Ashdown atoned for dropping the ball from one Watford shot, making an excellent save from the follow-up and somehow the defence bundled the ball away.
The crowd did their bit and urged Pompey on again. With Nugent running down on goal but losing out, Kitson followed-up quick as a flash and drilled the ball past the Watford ‘keeper to bring the scores back level.
The momentum was with Pompey and the winner came from man of the match Michael Brown who produced some neat control in the box and a deft finish to seal the points. The wily Brown chuckled his way through the remainder of the game; he’s revelling in his role this season and his performances reflect that.
With Watford manager Malky Mackay steaming on the touchline, which he did for most of the game, five minutes of added time were seen out and Pompey had secured an impressive comeback win. Mackay debated a lot of points with the match officials as they left the field although he seemed to be doing most of the talking.
Steve Cotterill was vocal throughout the game, jotting down the occasional item of shopping to pick-up at Tesco on the way home. He looks a bit more down to earth since he’s ditched the suit but the Pompey team seem to have responded to their track-suited manager and are on the ascendency.
With Pompey only naming four substitutes again, it’s clear that the squad is still small and the options limited. Unfortunately, the yellow cards are being racked-up, Mokoena picking-up his 5th of the season in this game. On the positive side, Pompey had Greg Halford warming-up with the players before the match, hopefully another body to add to a threadbare squad soon.
Next up it’s Millwall away on Tuesday night. The games just keep on coming. Let’s hope the goals and the points do too!
By @PompeyChicken at Twitter.com
