There were quite a few comments on Twitter last week, from Pompey fans, about Lassana Diarra playing for Real Madrid against Barcelona in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final.
The former Pompey player made a big impression in a short space of time on the South Coast and was a key member of the 2008 FA Cup winning team, he is fondly remembered.
I'm sure many Pompey fans would love to see Diarra grace the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley as well, although after a 2-0 defeat in the first leg to their Catalan rivals it would seem unlikely that Real Madrid will progress.
This got me thinking about other Pompey players who have played in the European end-of-season showpiece – either in its current guise or as the European Cup Final.
Extending the scope to include all those people associated with Pompey and the list becomes larger than you might initially think. Indeed if Diarra did get to the Final he would become the 22nd person with Pompey links to do so.
Summary
Twenty one people associated with Pompey have played in, been part of the matchday squad or managed a team in either a European Cup Final or a UEFA Champions League Final. They are:
Brian Kidd
Joe Jordan
Richard Money
Kenny Swain
Tony Barton
Paul Walsh
Terry Venables
Robert Prosinecki
Nwankwo Kanu
Teddy Sherringham
Andrew Cole
Boris Zivkovic
Pedro Mendes
Milan Baros
Steve Finnan
Djimi Traore
Sol Campbell
Jermaine Pennant
Peter Crouch
Avram Grant
Sulley Muntari
Two players – one still with the Club - have played in two finals: Nwanko Kanu and Steve Finnan.
Two former players played in the final after they left Pompey: Peter Crouch and Sulley Muntari. Of course Crouch re-joined Pompey after his appearance for Liverpool in 2007 before leaving again for Tottenham Hotspur.
One former coach managed a team in a final after leaving Pompey before returning as manager (Chelsea, Avram Grant) and one former player managed a team in a final after leaving (Aston Villa, Tony Barton).
Two former Pompey players and a former coach have scored in finals: Brian Kidd, Robert Prosinecki (in a penalty shoot out) and Teddy Sherringham.
There have been twelve people associated with Pompey who have been part of teams (or matchday squads) that won finals.
Details
Here's a list of people associated with Pompey who have played, been part of matchday squads, or managed in either The European Cup Final or The UEFA Champions League Final with a few details and a link to further information.
In the 1968 European Cup Final former Pompey coach Brian Kidd played for Manchester United in their 4-1 (aet) victory over Benfica at Wembley, London and scored! See 1968 European Cup Final
In the 1975 European Cup Final former Pompey coach Joe Jordan played for Leeds United in their 0-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in Paris. See 1975 European Cup Final
In the 1981 European Cup Final former Pompey player Richard Money was an unused substitute for Liverpool who beat Real Madrid 1-0 in Paris. See 1981 European Cup Final
In the 1982 European Cup Final former Pompey player Kenny Swain played for Aston Villa as they beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rotterdam. The team was managed by former Pompey player Tony Barton (who took over from another former player Ron Saunders). See 1982 European Cup Final
In the 1985 European Cup Final former Pompey player Paul Walsh played for Liverpool in their 0-1 defeat to Juventus in Brussels at The Heysell Stadium the scene of the tragic Heysell Disaster when 39 people lost their lives. See 1985 European Cup Final
In the 1986 European Cup Final former Pompey owner Terry Venables was the manager of Barcelona who lost to Steua Bucherest in Seville on penalties after a 0-0 draw. See 1986 European Cup Final
In the 1991 European Cup Final former Pompey player Robert Prosinecki played for Red Star Belgrade who beat Marseille on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Bari. Prosinecki scored the first penalty in the shoot out. See 1991 European Cup Final
In 1995 current Pompey player Nwankwo Kanu played in his first of two UEFA Champions League Finals for Ajax beating AC Milan in Vienna 1-0. Kanu came on as a second half substitute for Clarence Seedorf. See 1995 UEFA Champions League Final
In 1996 Kanu returned to the UEFA Champions League Final, this time in Rome, with Ajax losing to Juventus on penalties after the game ended all square at 1-1 (aet). See 1996 UEFA Champions League Final
In 1999 two former Pompey players – Teddy Sherringham and Andrew Cole – played for Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League Final against Bayern Munich in Barcelona. The score was 2-1 and second half substitute Sherringham drew the scores level in added time (91st minute) before fellow substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won the game poking home a Sherringham header (93rd minute). See 1999 UEFA Champions League Final
In the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final former Pompey player Boris Zivkovic played for Bayer Leverkusen in their 1-2 defeat to Real Madrid at Hampden Park, Glasgow. See 2002 UEFA Champions League Final
In the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final former Pompey player Pedro Mendes played for Porto who beat AS Monaco 3-0 in Gelsenkirchen. See 2004 UEFA Champions League Final
In the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul three former Pompey players played for Liverpool who beat AC Milan on penalties after the game finished 3-3. The players were Milan Baros, Steve Finnan and Djimi Traore. Finnan was substituted at half-time and Baros was substituted late on in the normal time. See 2005 UEFA Champions League Final
In the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final former Pompey player Sol Campbell played for Arsenal in their 1-2 defeat to Barcelona in Paris. See 2006 UEFA Champions League Final
In the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final three former Pompey players played for Liverpool in their 1-2 defeat to AC Milan in Athens. They were: Steve Finnan (withdrawn late on), Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch (came on as second half substitute). See 2007 UEFA Champions League Final
In the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final Chelsea, who lost to Manchester United on penalties in Moscow, were managed by former Pompey manager Avram Grant. See 2008 UEFA Champions League Final
In the 2010 UEFA Champions League Final former Pompey player Sulley Muntari played for Inter Milan in their 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in Madrid. He come on as a second half substitute. See 2010 UEFA Champions League Final
If I've made any errors or missed anyone out please let me know through @PompeyChicken at Twitter.com
Note May 1st 2011: following some excellent interaction on Twitter.Com it has been pointed out to me that Tony Barton also managed Pompey (thanks @BileysMullet).
Alain Perrin was offered up as someone who may have managed a team in the #UCL Final (I need to check, thanks @Matty_Audlez).
Note May 29th 2011: I've checked this out and Alain Perrin has not, to date, managed a team in the Uefa Champions League Final.
@Matty_Audlez has also suggested I include George Best in this list as someone who had a role at Pompey during the Milan Mandaric ownership. Good thinking Matt.
Note May 29th 2011: George Best played for Manchester United in the 1968 European Cup Final against Benfica, held at Wembley. See the comments above on Brian Kidd. I've done a bit more looking in to this and I can't remember if George did officially join Pompey in some capacity. The following link from 2004 suggests something was in the offing but did it ever happen? Does anyone recall? Let me know if you do.
George Best role at Pompey BBC article from 2004
Note May 29th 2011: Lassana Diarra didn't make the Final in 2011 with Real Madrid, losing in the Semi-Finals over two legs to eventual Uefa Champions League Final winners Barcelona. Maybe next year?
It was also suggested that we extend the scope and look at all European Finals - I'll add to my to do list (thanks @PompeyGoat)! Thanks to everyone who responded.
BlueThruAndThru
Saturday 30 April 2011
Monday 25 April 2011
25/04/2011 Burnley 1-1 Portsmouth: Turf Moor Score Draw
@PompeyChicken listened in to matchday commentary of Burnley versus Pompey on BBC Radio Solent (@SolentSport), here are the notes taken.
We joined matchday commentary from Lawrence Herdman (Loz) and Alan McClaughlin (Macca) just as applause was ringing out around the whole of Turf Moor from both sets of fans to acknowledge Graham Alexander achieving 1,000 appearances.
Loz reported that there was a big crowd at Turf Moor, Dave Kitson was out injured and replaced in the starting line-up by Kanu. David Cotterill returned and replaced Carl Dickinson who dropped to the substitutes bench.
Both goalkeepers were celebrating milestones in this game: Brien Jenson ('The Beast') was making his 300th appearance for Burnley and Jamie Ashdown was making his 100th appearance for Pompey.
Pompey kicked-off, playing in all black. Macca reported that Pompey's formation was as expected 4-5-1. Hermann was captain for the second game in a row.
On 2 minutes, Joel Ward made a good run on goal but was unable to get his shot off and was crowded out. Macca noted that Burnley were playing the same formation as they did at Fratton Park earlier in the season with a flat 4 in midfield.
On 5 minutes, David Cotterill forced a corner after good work by Hayden Mullins. It was Mullins who took the corner and the ball bounced around dangerously in the penalty box before Greg Halford was penalised for an infringement.
Loz commented that the referee Mr Boyeson looked like he'd had too many Easter eggs! Macca said the linesman looked pregnant! [@PompeyChicken LOL! How do they get away with this stuff?!]
On 7 minutes, it was noted that there had been one or two good openings for Pompey in the early stages of the game. David Cotterill was looking lively. Unfortunately, Pompey hadn't got the ball in to Kanu's feet yet. Burnley were looking rusty and Pompey were hoping to take advantage of that.
On 9 minutes, it was noted the Burnley fans were starting to show their frustration as they failed to string together any passes.
On 10 minutes, Wade Elliott lost his marker, Hermann Hreidarsson, and won a corner kick. The danger was averted once Jamie Ashdown had gathered the ball under pressure from Chris Iwelumo.
On 12 minutes, David Cotterill was described as being 'bright and fresh', the Turf Moor pitch looked very good, an excellent playing surface at this [late] stage of the season.
On 14 minutes, Burnley were just starting to get in to the game and finding a bit of space and causing Pompey problems. The away team conceded a corner which Kanu effectively defended.
On 15 minutes, Pompey lost the ball which led to a quick break by Wade Elliot but the header from his cross came to nothing.
On 16 minutes, Greg Halford provided a good delivery in to the box but Herman Hreidarsson was in the wrong position, looking at the keeper instead of the ball, and he didn't get anything on it and Jenson gathered.
On 17 minutes, following a good chestdown by Iwelumo, Chris Eagles unleashed a powerful dipping volley which just went over the Pompey cross-bar.
On 18 minutes, it was noted that it was a pleasant Spring afternoon and Pompey had equipped themselves well.
On 20 minutes, Duff's deep cross found Elliott but the shot was saved by Ashdown. It was noted that both Halford and Cotterill had been in the Sheffield United team that lost to Burnley in The Championship Play-Off Final two years before. Macca observed that both teams looked a bit fatigued from the weekend and Pompey needed to get the ball in to Kanu a bit more. Loz commented that despite their bright start Pompey hadn't really tested Brien Jensen in the Burnley goal.
On 23 minutes, Halford unleashed another long throw in to the box that was met by Hreidarsson but the ball was cleared by Burnley.
On 24 minutes, Kanu was getting a bit more involved for Pompey in that languid manner of his, eventually winning a throw-in. The ball found him again but unfortunately he was penalised for a handball.
On 26 minutes, Macca noted that the game had died a bit of a death, it was a bit lacklustre from both teams. Elliott looked the biggest threat for Burnley down the right hand side especially when Nugent was drawn out of position exposing Hreidarsson.
On 28 minutes, Ashdown was called in to action in the Pompey goal, making a good sprawling save from Chris McCann and Chris Eagles. This all came about as Pompey lost possession of the ball upfield.
On 31 minutes, Loz commented that there was a 'sprinkling' of Pompey fans who'd made the trip up to Turf Moor.
On 32 minutes, Burnley won a couple of quick corners in succession but the home team's pressure eventually fizzled out and Pompey secured a goal kick.
On 35 minutes, Cotterill produced some exciting wing play and a good cross for Nugent to get in a header at the far post. The Burnley defender Mears just did enough to put him off. It was the best Pompey move of the game so far.
On 37 minutes, Mokoena made a meaningless challenge on Eagles to concede a free-kick, left of centre, in a dangerous position. Fortunately for Pompey Mears' shot went a mile over the crossbar.
On 38 minutes, Joel Ward had a shot on goal from more than thirty yards out that was very poor.
On 43 minutes, Eagles and McCann fashioned an opening for the home team, Eagles with a short lob over the defender De Laet but McCann's volley went well wide.
On 45 minutes, Macca commented that Burnley had probably just shaded the first half but Pompey had played well. With the Pompey Chimes clear in the background, Pompey forced a corner but this came to nothing. There was one minute of added time.
Right on time at the end of the first half Halford chested the ball and despite appeals for a penalty the referee blew his whistle to bring the proceedings to an end. It wasn't a penalty.
Macca summarised by stating that it wasn't the best game. Pompey had been in the mix but only one team looked like scoring and that was Burnley. Pompey need to get the ball down, be more patient and get passes in to Kanu. There were one or two tired players out there in the first half, De Laet especially.
HT: Burnley 0-0 Portsmouth
Burnley started the second half. Loz described the first half action as a 'tepid encounter'.
On 49 minutes, Chris Eagles did well to get a cross in to the box that Chris Iwelumo headed high over the bar.
On 50 minutes, Pompey defended a Burnley free-kick and won a throw-in following more good work by Joel Ward.
On 52 minutes, Burnley won another corner. The home team had upped the tempo.
On 53 minutes, Greg Halford launched a monster throw-in for Pompey but it came to nothing.
On 56 minutes, it was noted that there was plenty of pressure from Burnley who were looking to keep the pressure up on Leeds United and Nottingham Forest in the play-off hunt.
On 57 minutes, Jamie Ashdown was booked for timewasting. Shortly afterwards Pompey took the lead through David Nugent. All the creative work in the lead up to the goal came from Kanu. Nugent's celebration was minimal [he was on-loan at Turf Moor last season]. It all started with a challenge from Hreidarsson, the ball found its way to Kanu who passed to Nugent who came away from the defender and rifled the shot into the net from the edge of the area. The goal had come out-of-the-blue but it was a rocket of a shot that had sent the ball into the top corner.
On 63 minutes, Kanu nearly managed to slot the ball through to David Cotterill in a move reminiscent of his goal against Ipswich at Portman Road but it was blocked out.
On 64 minutes, Elliott crossed to Iwelumo who had a free header six yards out but Ashdown saved.
On 65 minutes, skipper Hreidarsson committed an awful challenge on Mears. Loz described it as an 'agricultural obstruction'. The Icelander received a yellow card for his trouble.
On 70 minutes, Ward showed good pace down the right and despite what looked like a push on the young midfielder Pompey got nothing from the move. Burnley broke away quickly but De Laet made a good challenge although he appeared to over stretch himself and he went down injured, although he soon got back to his feet.
On 75 minutes, Burnley found themselves back on level terms, Chris Eagles with a neat finish in to the top left hand corner of the goal. It was an excellent finish after good work by Mears and a one-two down the right. There was lots of noise from the home fans now.
On 77 minutes, on-loan substitute Nathan Delfaunso was greedy and took on a shot when there were players better positioned to receive the pass in the Pompey box.
On 80 minutes, Danny Webber came on for Jonathan Hogg, the second Pompey substitute in four minutes following Carl Dickinson's replacement of Ritchie De Laet.
On 81 minutes, Loz commented that it was becoming increasingly overcast at Turf Moor.
On 84 minutes, Aaron Mokoena blocked the ball in a Burnley move and brought it away with speed, releasing it to Webber who won a free kick. Unfortunately, Halford's free kick was poor.
On 85 minutes, Webber showed good pace down the left hand side and released the ball to Cotterill who passed on to Kanu who tried to hold the ball up. There was a cry of 'Boring, boring, Portsmouth!' from a home fan, heard loud and clear on the radio!
On 86 minutes, Kanu was doing all the simple things well. He was enigmatic and bamboozled the Burnley defender to win a corner.
On 87 minutes, Nugent had a chance to win the game for Pompey. He found himself clear and one-on-one with Brien Jensen. The big goalkeeper saved to cries of 'Beast!' from the home fans. Nugent had lacked the calm composure required to score, he could have snatched the three points.
On 90 minutes, Mokoena conceded a free-kick with a block and Cotterill was booked for kicking the ball away.
There were five minutes of added time.
On 91 minutes, Nadir Ciftci made a rare appearance from the bench in place of Nugent.
On 92 minutes, Webber beat the offside trap, the ball found its way to Ward but he spurned the chance, unable to get off his shot. Burnley broke to the other end of the pitch and won a corner.
On 95 minutes, Halford headed the ball off the goal line and over the bar for a another corner following a break by Eagles. The game was stretched.
But Pompey were able to maintain their composure and shape and saw out the draw.
FT: Burnley 1-1 Portsmouth
Portsmouth versus Burnley: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie De Laet, Aaron Mokoena, Greg Halford, Hermann Hreidarsson, Jonathan Hogg, Hayden Mullins, David Cotterill, Joel Ward, David Nugent, Kanu. Substitutes: Carl Dickinson, Danny Webber, Nadir Ciftci, Daryll Flahavan
Attendance: 14,927
MOTM: based on what I heard on the radio, Pompey's MOTM was Kanu for the way he held together the moves up front and set up Nugent's goal.
Note: The News on 26/04/2011 gave the MOTM award for Pompey to Joel Ward (8/10) and also gave Jamie Ashdown the same high mark. They gave Chris Eagles 9/10. Kanu got 6/10 with a 'soldiered on' comment.
See here ==> http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/great-matches/burnley_v_pompey_hot_or_not_1_2626519
Next up: Pompey versus Norwich City (h) on Monday 2nd May at 7:45PM
@PompeyChicken at Twitter.Com
We joined matchday commentary from Lawrence Herdman (Loz) and Alan McClaughlin (Macca) just as applause was ringing out around the whole of Turf Moor from both sets of fans to acknowledge Graham Alexander achieving 1,000 appearances.
Loz reported that there was a big crowd at Turf Moor, Dave Kitson was out injured and replaced in the starting line-up by Kanu. David Cotterill returned and replaced Carl Dickinson who dropped to the substitutes bench.
Both goalkeepers were celebrating milestones in this game: Brien Jenson ('The Beast') was making his 300th appearance for Burnley and Jamie Ashdown was making his 100th appearance for Pompey.
Pompey kicked-off, playing in all black. Macca reported that Pompey's formation was as expected 4-5-1. Hermann was captain for the second game in a row.
On 2 minutes, Joel Ward made a good run on goal but was unable to get his shot off and was crowded out. Macca noted that Burnley were playing the same formation as they did at Fratton Park earlier in the season with a flat 4 in midfield.
On 5 minutes, David Cotterill forced a corner after good work by Hayden Mullins. It was Mullins who took the corner and the ball bounced around dangerously in the penalty box before Greg Halford was penalised for an infringement.
Loz commented that the referee Mr Boyeson looked like he'd had too many Easter eggs! Macca said the linesman looked pregnant! [@PompeyChicken LOL! How do they get away with this stuff?!]
On 7 minutes, it was noted that there had been one or two good openings for Pompey in the early stages of the game. David Cotterill was looking lively. Unfortunately, Pompey hadn't got the ball in to Kanu's feet yet. Burnley were looking rusty and Pompey were hoping to take advantage of that.
On 9 minutes, it was noted the Burnley fans were starting to show their frustration as they failed to string together any passes.
On 10 minutes, Wade Elliott lost his marker, Hermann Hreidarsson, and won a corner kick. The danger was averted once Jamie Ashdown had gathered the ball under pressure from Chris Iwelumo.
On 12 minutes, David Cotterill was described as being 'bright and fresh', the Turf Moor pitch looked very good, an excellent playing surface at this [late] stage of the season.
On 14 minutes, Burnley were just starting to get in to the game and finding a bit of space and causing Pompey problems. The away team conceded a corner which Kanu effectively defended.
On 15 minutes, Pompey lost the ball which led to a quick break by Wade Elliot but the header from his cross came to nothing.
On 16 minutes, Greg Halford provided a good delivery in to the box but Herman Hreidarsson was in the wrong position, looking at the keeper instead of the ball, and he didn't get anything on it and Jenson gathered.
On 17 minutes, following a good chestdown by Iwelumo, Chris Eagles unleashed a powerful dipping volley which just went over the Pompey cross-bar.
On 18 minutes, it was noted that it was a pleasant Spring afternoon and Pompey had equipped themselves well.
On 20 minutes, Duff's deep cross found Elliott but the shot was saved by Ashdown. It was noted that both Halford and Cotterill had been in the Sheffield United team that lost to Burnley in The Championship Play-Off Final two years before. Macca observed that both teams looked a bit fatigued from the weekend and Pompey needed to get the ball in to Kanu a bit more. Loz commented that despite their bright start Pompey hadn't really tested Brien Jensen in the Burnley goal.
On 23 minutes, Halford unleashed another long throw in to the box that was met by Hreidarsson but the ball was cleared by Burnley.
On 24 minutes, Kanu was getting a bit more involved for Pompey in that languid manner of his, eventually winning a throw-in. The ball found him again but unfortunately he was penalised for a handball.
On 26 minutes, Macca noted that the game had died a bit of a death, it was a bit lacklustre from both teams. Elliott looked the biggest threat for Burnley down the right hand side especially when Nugent was drawn out of position exposing Hreidarsson.
On 28 minutes, Ashdown was called in to action in the Pompey goal, making a good sprawling save from Chris McCann and Chris Eagles. This all came about as Pompey lost possession of the ball upfield.
On 31 minutes, Loz commented that there was a 'sprinkling' of Pompey fans who'd made the trip up to Turf Moor.
On 32 minutes, Burnley won a couple of quick corners in succession but the home team's pressure eventually fizzled out and Pompey secured a goal kick.
On 35 minutes, Cotterill produced some exciting wing play and a good cross for Nugent to get in a header at the far post. The Burnley defender Mears just did enough to put him off. It was the best Pompey move of the game so far.
On 37 minutes, Mokoena made a meaningless challenge on Eagles to concede a free-kick, left of centre, in a dangerous position. Fortunately for Pompey Mears' shot went a mile over the crossbar.
On 38 minutes, Joel Ward had a shot on goal from more than thirty yards out that was very poor.
On 43 minutes, Eagles and McCann fashioned an opening for the home team, Eagles with a short lob over the defender De Laet but McCann's volley went well wide.
On 45 minutes, Macca commented that Burnley had probably just shaded the first half but Pompey had played well. With the Pompey Chimes clear in the background, Pompey forced a corner but this came to nothing. There was one minute of added time.
Right on time at the end of the first half Halford chested the ball and despite appeals for a penalty the referee blew his whistle to bring the proceedings to an end. It wasn't a penalty.
Macca summarised by stating that it wasn't the best game. Pompey had been in the mix but only one team looked like scoring and that was Burnley. Pompey need to get the ball down, be more patient and get passes in to Kanu. There were one or two tired players out there in the first half, De Laet especially.
HT: Burnley 0-0 Portsmouth
Burnley started the second half. Loz described the first half action as a 'tepid encounter'.
On 49 minutes, Chris Eagles did well to get a cross in to the box that Chris Iwelumo headed high over the bar.
On 50 minutes, Pompey defended a Burnley free-kick and won a throw-in following more good work by Joel Ward.
On 52 minutes, Burnley won another corner. The home team had upped the tempo.
On 53 minutes, Greg Halford launched a monster throw-in for Pompey but it came to nothing.
On 56 minutes, it was noted that there was plenty of pressure from Burnley who were looking to keep the pressure up on Leeds United and Nottingham Forest in the play-off hunt.
On 57 minutes, Jamie Ashdown was booked for timewasting. Shortly afterwards Pompey took the lead through David Nugent. All the creative work in the lead up to the goal came from Kanu. Nugent's celebration was minimal [he was on-loan at Turf Moor last season]. It all started with a challenge from Hreidarsson, the ball found its way to Kanu who passed to Nugent who came away from the defender and rifled the shot into the net from the edge of the area. The goal had come out-of-the-blue but it was a rocket of a shot that had sent the ball into the top corner.
On 63 minutes, Kanu nearly managed to slot the ball through to David Cotterill in a move reminiscent of his goal against Ipswich at Portman Road but it was blocked out.
On 64 minutes, Elliott crossed to Iwelumo who had a free header six yards out but Ashdown saved.
On 65 minutes, skipper Hreidarsson committed an awful challenge on Mears. Loz described it as an 'agricultural obstruction'. The Icelander received a yellow card for his trouble.
On 70 minutes, Ward showed good pace down the right and despite what looked like a push on the young midfielder Pompey got nothing from the move. Burnley broke away quickly but De Laet made a good challenge although he appeared to over stretch himself and he went down injured, although he soon got back to his feet.
On 75 minutes, Burnley found themselves back on level terms, Chris Eagles with a neat finish in to the top left hand corner of the goal. It was an excellent finish after good work by Mears and a one-two down the right. There was lots of noise from the home fans now.
On 77 minutes, on-loan substitute Nathan Delfaunso was greedy and took on a shot when there were players better positioned to receive the pass in the Pompey box.
On 80 minutes, Danny Webber came on for Jonathan Hogg, the second Pompey substitute in four minutes following Carl Dickinson's replacement of Ritchie De Laet.
On 81 minutes, Loz commented that it was becoming increasingly overcast at Turf Moor.
On 84 minutes, Aaron Mokoena blocked the ball in a Burnley move and brought it away with speed, releasing it to Webber who won a free kick. Unfortunately, Halford's free kick was poor.
On 85 minutes, Webber showed good pace down the left hand side and released the ball to Cotterill who passed on to Kanu who tried to hold the ball up. There was a cry of 'Boring, boring, Portsmouth!' from a home fan, heard loud and clear on the radio!
On 86 minutes, Kanu was doing all the simple things well. He was enigmatic and bamboozled the Burnley defender to win a corner.
On 87 minutes, Nugent had a chance to win the game for Pompey. He found himself clear and one-on-one with Brien Jensen. The big goalkeeper saved to cries of 'Beast!' from the home fans. Nugent had lacked the calm composure required to score, he could have snatched the three points.
On 90 minutes, Mokoena conceded a free-kick with a block and Cotterill was booked for kicking the ball away.
There were five minutes of added time.
On 91 minutes, Nadir Ciftci made a rare appearance from the bench in place of Nugent.
On 92 minutes, Webber beat the offside trap, the ball found its way to Ward but he spurned the chance, unable to get off his shot. Burnley broke to the other end of the pitch and won a corner.
On 95 minutes, Halford headed the ball off the goal line and over the bar for a another corner following a break by Eagles. The game was stretched.
But Pompey were able to maintain their composure and shape and saw out the draw.
FT: Burnley 1-1 Portsmouth
Portsmouth versus Burnley: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie De Laet, Aaron Mokoena, Greg Halford, Hermann Hreidarsson, Jonathan Hogg, Hayden Mullins, David Cotterill, Joel Ward, David Nugent, Kanu. Substitutes: Carl Dickinson, Danny Webber, Nadir Ciftci, Daryll Flahavan
Attendance: 14,927
MOTM: based on what I heard on the radio, Pompey's MOTM was Kanu for the way he held together the moves up front and set up Nugent's goal.
Note: The News on 26/04/2011 gave the MOTM award for Pompey to Joel Ward (8/10) and also gave Jamie Ashdown the same high mark. They gave Chris Eagles 9/10. Kanu got 6/10 with a 'soldiered on' comment.
See here ==> http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/great-matches/burnley_v_pompey_hot_or_not_1_2626519
Next up: Pompey versus Norwich City (h) on Monday 2nd May at 7:45PM
@PompeyChicken at Twitter.Com
23/04/2011 Portsmouth 0-0 Swansea City: Deadman Talking
Pompey and Swansea shared the spoils of this Easter Saturday, St Georges Day, Championship encounter in the unseasonally hot April weather.
With temperatures soaring both teams played their part in an entertaining game albeit one with few chances and ultimately no goals.
Pompey made three changes from the previous match with Hayden Mullins returning to the starting line-up following his one match suspension and he was joined in the starting line-up by Carl Dickinson and Aaron Mokoena.
On-loan Swan David Cotterill was ineligible for this match, Liam Lawrence was injured and Ricardo Rocha was suspended following his sending off against Cardiff City the week before.
Pompey fielded just four substitutes - only three outfield players - harking back to the start of the season. Indeed Steve Cotterill acknowledged this in his post-match interview in his own 'down to the bare bones' moment.
It was interesting to note that Pompey Academy player Sam Magri was on the sidelines carrying out some light duties - I wonder if there's an opportunity for him on the horizon in one of the three remaining games? Even if it's only being involved with the matchday squad as a substitute that would surely be a positive move?
At the other end of the age scale, Pompey's vetran Icelandic defender Hermann Hreidarsson was made skipper on the day - ahead of both Dave Kitson and Aaron Mokoena. When announced it got good cheers of approval from the Fratton Faithful.
Pompey's Joel Ward collected a Player Of The Season Award before kick-off - the first of many I'm sure he'll collect in his career.
Former Pompey player turned TV pundit Paul Walsh was covering the game for SkyTV:
Pompey's best chance of the match fell in the opening minutes. Aaron Mokoena found himself unmarked in the penalty area and on the end of Hayden Mullins' excellent free-kick from the right hand side. Unfortunately, despite making a connection his header went wide of the right upright much to the relief of the travelling fans in The Milton End.
David Nugent was looking lively up front for Pompey and had one excellent shot from outstide of the box which whistled past the post. He also closed down the Swansea goalkeeper who was dealing with a backpass and blocked his attempted clearance.
Greg Halford's long throws in to the penalty box were once again proving a good attacking weapon and Hereidarsson came closest to capitalising but unfortunately his header went over the cross bar.
Former Southampton player Nathan Dyer received plenty of reminders from the home fans of his association with Pompey's South Coast rivals throughout the first half and much of the second.
Just after the half-hour Pompey were forced in to a change. Dave Kitson chased down a ball in the penalty area alongside a defender and the keeper but he suddenly pulled up. It looked like he had over-stretched himself and had damaged his rib cartlidge. After some treatment on the pitch, and a painful looking attempt to try and run down the touchline once he was off it, Kitson left the field of play. Steve Cotterill brought the experienced Kanu on as a replacement.
HT: Portsmouth 0-0 Swansea City
The opening minutes of the first half saw both sides exchange long range efforts. Scott Sinclair shot just over the bar and in to the travelling away fans and shortly afterwards Jonathan Hogg found himself with an opportunity to shoot after some good lead-up play by Pompey. However, he got his body position all wrong and with his head back his side-footed effort blazed high and wide into The Fratton End.
Kanu was at the heart of much of Pompey's good work, linking up the play well and always seemingly able to find a player to pass to. He is a class act and his creativity is something Pompey have been lacking in recent matches.
One of Pompey's best chances in the second period fell to the vetran Nigerian when he found himself in a good position in the penalty area down the left hand side only for the Swansea defender toblock his shot and see it away for a corner kick.
The sweltering conditions were beginning to impact the players ability to maintain a high tempo and although the second half was good the play became fragmented with a number of Pompey players going down with injuries and a few spats between the players. There were plenty of opportunities for the players to take on board much needed fluids.
Swansea's Borini was getting a lot of attention from Hreidarsson as he seemed incapable of finishing off a move without taking a dive. The Italian was eventually yellow carded for a foul in front of the North Terrace as his frustrations boiled over.
It's worth noting that the referee - Mr Deadman - was having quite a good game, his one error in the match was to book Jonathan Hogg for a foul which was clearly committed by Carl Dickinson.
However, it made a change to see a referee who was willing to let the play go as much as possible, talk to the players in a sensible, non-confrontational manner and who had one or two moments of banter with the fans from both teams. Something I haven't witnessed at a football match for quite some time - Mr Milford from Bristol used to be a bit like that many years ago if you can remember him. It was refreshing to observe in these days of official observers sitting in the stands watching every move.
If losing Kitson just before half-time wasn't bad enough, Ritchie De Laet had to go off injured twenty minutes before the end. At first the physio called for the stretcher and what seemed like half of Hampshire's Ambulance Service ran on to assist the stricken Belgian but De Laet was eventually able to hobble off. He walked all the way from the North Terrace to the dug out to great applause from the home fans and a few chants of 'sign him up!'. Danny Webber came on to replace him.
Pompey's defence had an interesting make-up in this game and the De Laet injury disrupted it. It looked like a 'flexible L-shape' with De Laet and Mokoena alternating in the right back slot and Hreidarsson and Dickinson doing the same in the left back slot. Hreidarsson, Halford and Mokoena fulfilled the centre back positions at different times in the game.
Swansea's only shot on goal came in the second minute of the five added on. A fierce shot from Britton was parried by Ashdown and Dyer was unable to poke the ball home, it went wide.
At the final whistle the Pompey fans were applauded off for their endeavours. Aaron Mokoena for one went over to the Fratton End and gave his shirt away to a fan in the disabled area - a nice touch, but I bet it was a bit sweaty!
Swansea look like a team that play good football but not quite the finished article in my view. They should get in to the play-offs but do they have more than Reading, Cardiff City or Norwich City? I'm not sure they do and they will have to overcome sides of that calibre if they're going to get promoted, a difficult task.
FT: Portsmouth 0-0 Swansea City
Portsmouth versus Swansea City: Jamie Ashdown, Greg Halford, Carl Dickinson, Aaron Mokoena, Ritchie De Laet, Herman Hreidarsson, Hayden Mullins, David Nugent, Jonathan Hogg, Dave Kitson, Joel Ward. Substitutes: Danny Webber, Ibrahima Sonko, Kanu, Darryl Flahavan.
Attendance: 15,907 a Bank Holiday weekend crowd boosted by around 2,000 travelling fans from South Wales
MOTM: before he went off injured Ritchie De Laet had looked lively down the right flank and always looked a threat going forward, he get's the nod from me.
Next up: Burnley(a) on Easter Monday, 25th April at 3PM. A nice 'local derby' to finish off a punishing weekend for Pompey. Burnley are looking to get in to the play-off positions and Pompey's squad will be severly tested in the North West.
BlueThruAndThru
With temperatures soaring both teams played their part in an entertaining game albeit one with few chances and ultimately no goals.
Pompey made three changes from the previous match with Hayden Mullins returning to the starting line-up following his one match suspension and he was joined in the starting line-up by Carl Dickinson and Aaron Mokoena.
On-loan Swan David Cotterill was ineligible for this match, Liam Lawrence was injured and Ricardo Rocha was suspended following his sending off against Cardiff City the week before.
Pompey fielded just four substitutes - only three outfield players - harking back to the start of the season. Indeed Steve Cotterill acknowledged this in his post-match interview in his own 'down to the bare bones' moment.
It was interesting to note that Pompey Academy player Sam Magri was on the sidelines carrying out some light duties - I wonder if there's an opportunity for him on the horizon in one of the three remaining games? Even if it's only being involved with the matchday squad as a substitute that would surely be a positive move?
At the other end of the age scale, Pompey's vetran Icelandic defender Hermann Hreidarsson was made skipper on the day - ahead of both Dave Kitson and Aaron Mokoena. When announced it got good cheers of approval from the Fratton Faithful.
Pompey's Joel Ward collected a Player Of The Season Award before kick-off - the first of many I'm sure he'll collect in his career.
Former Pompey player turned TV pundit Paul Walsh was covering the game for SkyTV:
Pompey's best chance of the match fell in the opening minutes. Aaron Mokoena found himself unmarked in the penalty area and on the end of Hayden Mullins' excellent free-kick from the right hand side. Unfortunately, despite making a connection his header went wide of the right upright much to the relief of the travelling fans in The Milton End.
David Nugent was looking lively up front for Pompey and had one excellent shot from outstide of the box which whistled past the post. He also closed down the Swansea goalkeeper who was dealing with a backpass and blocked his attempted clearance.
Greg Halford's long throws in to the penalty box were once again proving a good attacking weapon and Hereidarsson came closest to capitalising but unfortunately his header went over the cross bar.
Former Southampton player Nathan Dyer received plenty of reminders from the home fans of his association with Pompey's South Coast rivals throughout the first half and much of the second.
Just after the half-hour Pompey were forced in to a change. Dave Kitson chased down a ball in the penalty area alongside a defender and the keeper but he suddenly pulled up. It looked like he had over-stretched himself and had damaged his rib cartlidge. After some treatment on the pitch, and a painful looking attempt to try and run down the touchline once he was off it, Kitson left the field of play. Steve Cotterill brought the experienced Kanu on as a replacement.
HT: Portsmouth 0-0 Swansea City
The opening minutes of the first half saw both sides exchange long range efforts. Scott Sinclair shot just over the bar and in to the travelling away fans and shortly afterwards Jonathan Hogg found himself with an opportunity to shoot after some good lead-up play by Pompey. However, he got his body position all wrong and with his head back his side-footed effort blazed high and wide into The Fratton End.
Kanu was at the heart of much of Pompey's good work, linking up the play well and always seemingly able to find a player to pass to. He is a class act and his creativity is something Pompey have been lacking in recent matches.
One of Pompey's best chances in the second period fell to the vetran Nigerian when he found himself in a good position in the penalty area down the left hand side only for the Swansea defender toblock his shot and see it away for a corner kick.
The sweltering conditions were beginning to impact the players ability to maintain a high tempo and although the second half was good the play became fragmented with a number of Pompey players going down with injuries and a few spats between the players. There were plenty of opportunities for the players to take on board much needed fluids.
Swansea's Borini was getting a lot of attention from Hreidarsson as he seemed incapable of finishing off a move without taking a dive. The Italian was eventually yellow carded for a foul in front of the North Terrace as his frustrations boiled over.
It's worth noting that the referee - Mr Deadman - was having quite a good game, his one error in the match was to book Jonathan Hogg for a foul which was clearly committed by Carl Dickinson.
However, it made a change to see a referee who was willing to let the play go as much as possible, talk to the players in a sensible, non-confrontational manner and who had one or two moments of banter with the fans from both teams. Something I haven't witnessed at a football match for quite some time - Mr Milford from Bristol used to be a bit like that many years ago if you can remember him. It was refreshing to observe in these days of official observers sitting in the stands watching every move.
If losing Kitson just before half-time wasn't bad enough, Ritchie De Laet had to go off injured twenty minutes before the end. At first the physio called for the stretcher and what seemed like half of Hampshire's Ambulance Service ran on to assist the stricken Belgian but De Laet was eventually able to hobble off. He walked all the way from the North Terrace to the dug out to great applause from the home fans and a few chants of 'sign him up!'. Danny Webber came on to replace him.
Pompey's defence had an interesting make-up in this game and the De Laet injury disrupted it. It looked like a 'flexible L-shape' with De Laet and Mokoena alternating in the right back slot and Hreidarsson and Dickinson doing the same in the left back slot. Hreidarsson, Halford and Mokoena fulfilled the centre back positions at different times in the game.
Swansea's only shot on goal came in the second minute of the five added on. A fierce shot from Britton was parried by Ashdown and Dyer was unable to poke the ball home, it went wide.
At the final whistle the Pompey fans were applauded off for their endeavours. Aaron Mokoena for one went over to the Fratton End and gave his shirt away to a fan in the disabled area - a nice touch, but I bet it was a bit sweaty!
Swansea look like a team that play good football but not quite the finished article in my view. They should get in to the play-offs but do they have more than Reading, Cardiff City or Norwich City? I'm not sure they do and they will have to overcome sides of that calibre if they're going to get promoted, a difficult task.
FT: Portsmouth 0-0 Swansea City
Portsmouth versus Swansea City: Jamie Ashdown, Greg Halford, Carl Dickinson, Aaron Mokoena, Ritchie De Laet, Herman Hreidarsson, Hayden Mullins, David Nugent, Jonathan Hogg, Dave Kitson, Joel Ward. Substitutes: Danny Webber, Ibrahima Sonko, Kanu, Darryl Flahavan.
Attendance: 15,907 a Bank Holiday weekend crowd boosted by around 2,000 travelling fans from South Wales
MOTM: before he went off injured Ritchie De Laet had looked lively down the right flank and always looked a threat going forward, he get's the nod from me.
Next up: Burnley(a) on Easter Monday, 25th April at 3PM. A nice 'local derby' to finish off a punishing weekend for Pompey. Burnley are looking to get in to the play-off positions and Pompey's squad will be severly tested in the North West.
BlueThruAndThru
Monday 18 April 2011
15/04/2011 Nothing To Do With Football...Not Much Anyway
Like all Pompey fans @PompeyChicken likes being in London at this time of year, a traditional time for us all to descend on the Capital, have a good time and play a bit of footie in the national stadium. Well, as Pompey had a 'fallow' FA Cup Semi-Final/Final year this season - you've got give other clubs a chance haven't you - here are a couple of pix from The Jamiroquai concert at The O2 Arena instead. What could be better than watching a middle aged man jump around in front of thousands of people whilst wearing a silly hat? Ummm...that has a familiar ring to it. Is that a bell I can hear? Enjoy. PUP!
@PompeyChicken
@PompeyChicken
Sunday 17 April 2011
16/04/2011 Cardiff City 3-0 Portsmouth: Rocha's season ends in a cloud
@PompeyChicken was otherwise engaged on Saturday out in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside wrestling with a temperamental strimmer and petrol driven lawnmower. It's a long story...
With intermittant mobile telephone coverage and a poor @SolentRadio reception keeping in touch with progress with this Championship encounter was difficult...and frustrating!
Oh well with a second consecutive 3-0 reversal and another sending-off maybe this was one game I did well to miss. This was Ricardo Rocha's second red card in three games and will incur a four match ban according to reports.
So, instead of a report here instead is a lovely Word Cloud created by using the text from various match reports to try and summarise the game. Well! I thought I'd go for something a little bit different to try and summarise the match!
I used the following websites, identified through Newsnow:
Portsmouth FC Official website
Cardiff City Official website
Daily and Sunday Express
Daily and Sunday Mail
Yahoo! Eurosport
Teamtalk
Football 365
ESPN Soccernet
Wales Online
Word Cloud created using www.wordle.net
Portsmouth versus Cardiff City: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie De Laet, Greg Halford, Ricardo Rocha, Hermann Hreidarsson, Jonathan Hogg, Joel Ward, David Cotterill, Liam Lawrence, David Nugent, Dave Kitson. Substitutes: Daryll Flahavan, Nadit Ciftci, Danny Webber, Carl Dickinson, Aaron Mokoena, Kanu
Attendance: 24,007
MOTM: In their View From The Stands @Pompey_Pages called Danny Webber as Pompey's MOTM for a lively performance when he came on as substitute
Next up: Swansea City (h) on Easter Saturday 23rd April
@PompeyChicken at Twitter.com
With intermittant mobile telephone coverage and a poor @SolentRadio reception keeping in touch with progress with this Championship encounter was difficult...and frustrating!
Oh well with a second consecutive 3-0 reversal and another sending-off maybe this was one game I did well to miss. This was Ricardo Rocha's second red card in three games and will incur a four match ban according to reports.
So, instead of a report here instead is a lovely Word Cloud created by using the text from various match reports to try and summarise the game. Well! I thought I'd go for something a little bit different to try and summarise the match!
I used the following websites, identified through Newsnow:
Portsmouth FC Official website
Cardiff City Official website
Daily and Sunday Express
Daily and Sunday Mail
Yahoo! Eurosport
Teamtalk
Football 365
ESPN Soccernet
Wales Online
Portsmouth versus Cardiff City: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie De Laet, Greg Halford, Ricardo Rocha, Hermann Hreidarsson, Jonathan Hogg, Joel Ward, David Cotterill, Liam Lawrence, David Nugent, Dave Kitson. Substitutes: Daryll Flahavan, Nadit Ciftci, Danny Webber, Carl Dickinson, Aaron Mokoena, Kanu
Attendance: 24,007
MOTM: In their View From The Stands @Pompey_Pages called Danny Webber as Pompey's MOTM for a lively performance when he came on as substitute
Next up: Swansea City (h) on Easter Saturday 23rd April
@PompeyChicken at Twitter.com
12/04/2011 Portsmouth 0-3 Coventry City: a Sky Blue double finally bursts the play-off bubble
Preamble
It's been a long old season.
Back in August Pompey played against Coventry City, managed by Aide Boothroyd, on the opening day of the season and lost 2-0; this was the return fixture.
Being sent to Coventry wasn't a great way to start the season. So much has happened since then of course.
The club is no longer in administration, has 'lost' some players (e.g. Smith, Brown, Hughes, Tal Ben Haim, Utaka) and seen others join, either on contracts or on-loan (e.g. Kitson, Lawrence, Dickinson, Sonko, De Laet, Hogg).
Broadly the season has had five phases: a very poor start, a mid-season recovery, a slump in form, a good run including six wins without conceding and a run-in which has seen Pompey secure Championship status and briefly talk up their chances of reaching the play-offs.
The latest reports would suggest that another Pompey takeover deal is imminent; going through a season with just one owner would be very un-Pompey-like wouldn't it? (;-D)
Yes, it's been a long old season.
Match comments
Two penalties from Marlon King, one in each half and a headed goal from a poorly marked Gary McSheffrey saw the Sky Blues stroll to victory in this Championship encounter.
Pompey made two changes from the starting line up against Preston North End. Ricardo Rocha returned from a one match suspension and Danny Webber started. Aaron Mokoena and David Cotterill dropped to the bench. Liam Lawrence was also on the bench. Dave Kitson was captain.
The first penalty was conceded by an out-of-sorts Ricardo Rocha returning from a one match ban following his sending off against Reading.
Pompey midfielder Hayden Mullins saw red in the second half of this game for a handball on the line. TV replays suggested afterwards that the ball took a deflection off his thigh and hit his hand. But obviously that evidence wasn't enough to help the powers-that-be rescind the card as Pompey's appeal after the game proved fruitless. It meant that Mullins would miss the game against Cardiff City, such a shame for a player who had been an ever present in the Pompey starting line-up, the only outfield player to do so.
Overall, Pompey did not play well and at times and looked like a team safe in the knowledge that they had no relegation worries. They didn't look like a team capable of keeping the feint flame of the play-offs ignited. End of season tiredness may have been a factor too, the squad size of course is not the biggest and that must put pressure, stresses and strains on the players in the long run. They were not helped by a formation which just didn't look right on the night. The best example of this being Dave Kitson who once again was played out wide instead of down the middle, not his best position.
On the evidence Coventry City looked more 'up for it' needing something from the game to banish any final worries of relegation.
Unfortunately, the referee - Mr Whitestone - will have better games although this should take nothing away from the visitors. His insistance on dropping the ball to restart play and his inability to curtail Coventry's goal celebrations, especially in the second half, just two examples. He felt the full wrath of Pompey fans' vocal disapproval, especially at the end of the game when he left the pitch.
Portsmouth versus Coventry City: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie De Laet, Greg Halford, Ricardo Rocha, Hermann Hreidarsson, Joel Ward, Hayden Mullins, Jonathan Hogg, Dave Kitson, David Nugent, Danny Webber. Substitutes: Daryll Flahavan, Aaron Mokoena, Nadir Ciftci, Carl Dickinson, David Cotterill, Liam Lawrence and Kanu
Attendance: 13,132
MOTM: the official award went to Ritchie De Laet
Next up: Cardiff City (a) on Saturday 16th April at 3PM
Pictures
Marlon King - a bit of a blur - scores his first penalty for Coventry City in their three-nil win over Pompey at Fratton Park
Some first half action, Pompey - a bit of a blur - attacking the Milton End
Second half action - Pompey attack the Fratton End in a blur!
Marlon King tucks away his second penalty of the evening for Coventry City to make it three goals to nil. The penalty was awarded for a handball on the line by Hayden Mullins. The referee adjudged it to be deliberate and Mullins saw red.
The Coventry City fans in the Milton End, this was Coventry City's first win at Fratton Park since 1966. Although both teams have spent quite a few seasons in different divisions since then this was quite a win and gave the Sky Blues the double over Pompey this season following their 2-0 win at The Ricoh Arena on the opening day of the 2010-11 season.
Steve Cotterill and the players have a huddle on the pitch post-match before walking off. Reports afterwards suggested that Cotterill was warning his players not to give the referee any 'abuse', one or two were ready to have a go apparently and he wanted to avoid any additional cards and suspensions. It wasn't a 'Phil Brown' moment.
The Pompey players leave the pitch
The referee and officials leave the pitch at the end of the game led off and flanked by stewards.
@PompeyChicken at Twitter.com
It's been a long old season.
Back in August Pompey played against Coventry City, managed by Aide Boothroyd, on the opening day of the season and lost 2-0; this was the return fixture.
Being sent to Coventry wasn't a great way to start the season. So much has happened since then of course.
The club is no longer in administration, has 'lost' some players (e.g. Smith, Brown, Hughes, Tal Ben Haim, Utaka) and seen others join, either on contracts or on-loan (e.g. Kitson, Lawrence, Dickinson, Sonko, De Laet, Hogg).
Broadly the season has had five phases: a very poor start, a mid-season recovery, a slump in form, a good run including six wins without conceding and a run-in which has seen Pompey secure Championship status and briefly talk up their chances of reaching the play-offs.
The latest reports would suggest that another Pompey takeover deal is imminent; going through a season with just one owner would be very un-Pompey-like wouldn't it? (;-D)
Yes, it's been a long old season.
Match comments
Two penalties from Marlon King, one in each half and a headed goal from a poorly marked Gary McSheffrey saw the Sky Blues stroll to victory in this Championship encounter.
Pompey made two changes from the starting line up against Preston North End. Ricardo Rocha returned from a one match suspension and Danny Webber started. Aaron Mokoena and David Cotterill dropped to the bench. Liam Lawrence was also on the bench. Dave Kitson was captain.
The first penalty was conceded by an out-of-sorts Ricardo Rocha returning from a one match ban following his sending off against Reading.
Pompey midfielder Hayden Mullins saw red in the second half of this game for a handball on the line. TV replays suggested afterwards that the ball took a deflection off his thigh and hit his hand. But obviously that evidence wasn't enough to help the powers-that-be rescind the card as Pompey's appeal after the game proved fruitless. It meant that Mullins would miss the game against Cardiff City, such a shame for a player who had been an ever present in the Pompey starting line-up, the only outfield player to do so.
Overall, Pompey did not play well and at times and looked like a team safe in the knowledge that they had no relegation worries. They didn't look like a team capable of keeping the feint flame of the play-offs ignited. End of season tiredness may have been a factor too, the squad size of course is not the biggest and that must put pressure, stresses and strains on the players in the long run. They were not helped by a formation which just didn't look right on the night. The best example of this being Dave Kitson who once again was played out wide instead of down the middle, not his best position.
On the evidence Coventry City looked more 'up for it' needing something from the game to banish any final worries of relegation.
Unfortunately, the referee - Mr Whitestone - will have better games although this should take nothing away from the visitors. His insistance on dropping the ball to restart play and his inability to curtail Coventry's goal celebrations, especially in the second half, just two examples. He felt the full wrath of Pompey fans' vocal disapproval, especially at the end of the game when he left the pitch.
Portsmouth versus Coventry City: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie De Laet, Greg Halford, Ricardo Rocha, Hermann Hreidarsson, Joel Ward, Hayden Mullins, Jonathan Hogg, Dave Kitson, David Nugent, Danny Webber. Substitutes: Daryll Flahavan, Aaron Mokoena, Nadir Ciftci, Carl Dickinson, David Cotterill, Liam Lawrence and Kanu
Attendance: 13,132
MOTM: the official award went to Ritchie De Laet
Next up: Cardiff City (a) on Saturday 16th April at 3PM
Pictures
@PompeyChicken at Twitter.com
Monday 11 April 2011
09/04/2011 Portsmouth 1-1 Preston North End: hot Spring day for Halford
Pompey and Preston shared the spoils at a sun drenched Fratton Park in this Championship encounter a result which did nothing to enhance either team's main objective. Preston remain in relegation danger and Pompey are no closer to the play-off positions.
Ian Hume's first-half opener for the visitors was cancelled out by a Greg Halford header in the second.
Pompey were forced to make two changes from the team that played against Reading. Ricardo Rocha served a one match ban following his sending off against the Royals and was replaced in the back four by South African Club captain Aaron Mokoena. Liam Lawrence failed to train on Friday with a hamstring injury and Joel Ward replaced the Irish international. Dave Kitson took over the skipper's armband for the match ahead of The Axe.
Both sides had chances during the opening minutes. On loan Fulham striker Eddie Johnson for the visitors and Ward and David Nugent for the home team. Johnson shot wide of the target and although Ward and Nugent got shots on target the Preston goalkeeper wasn't really troubled making comfortable stops.
Ward looked lively in the opening quarter of the match showing good energy levels to get high up the pitch often beyond Kitson.
For the visitors Canadian Ian Hume often caught the eye and looked the liveliest player on the pitch putting the Pompey defence, especially the out of touch Mokoena, under pressure. This was highlighted on eleven minutes when Mokoena slipped to allow Hume to shoot from distance at goal but the ball went well wide and into the Fratton End.
After a bright opening the game descended into stalemate with the occasional effort on goal but nothing to really trouble either keeper.
Just after the half hour the deadlock was broken by that man Hume. With arms raised in the Pompey defence for offside Hume latched on to a pass from Johnson and struck it past Jamie Ashdown with aplomb. A goal made in and delivered from North America: Hume's sixth in six games. It was also a goal that highlighted just how uncertain Pompey's defence is when Ricardo Rocha doesn't play.
Pompey responded well and won a throw-in down the left hand side. Greg Halford launched one of his long-range efforts in to the box which was flicked on by Mokoena to the back post where David Cotterill headed it home. Unfortunately, the linesman had his flag up for offside something that TV replays after the game showed was a mistake: Cotterill was onside and the 'goal' should have stood. Pompey don't seem to be getting the rub of the green at present and went in at half-time a goal down.
HT: Portsmouth 0-1 Preston North End
Whereas Pompey had looked slightly disjointed in the first half, certainly after the opening exchanges, they started the second with a little more purpose and threat on the Preston goal.
The visitors also had their moments with Keith Treacy forcing Jamie Ashdown in to action.
Ian Ashbee, on loan from Hull City, was a big presence in the middle of the park, not the most mobile of players but just the sort of man you need in a crisis.
Just before the hour mark Steve Cotterill decided to make changes with a double substitution. Firstly, replacing Mokoena with Carl Dickinson and pushing Hemann Hreidarsson in to the middle alongside Halford. Secondly, David Cotterill was replaced by Kanu.
The on-loan Welshman Cotterill has his moments down both flanks but he's often flattered to deceive. His main weakness is in the fifty-fifty challenge, dangling his foot without really going in to the challenge with any real conviction is never going to win him the ball and is more likely to see him emerge injured. It's a side of his game he needs to address as it's something he's been observed doing time and time again in his time on the South Coast.
The changes in personnel paid dividends. With Pompey winning a corner Hayden Mullins was pressed in to action – seemingly with reluctance - to deliver the ball in to the box. His cross was a good one and was met by the head of Greg Halford leaping high at the near post to put the home team level.
The move was almost repeated a few minutes later again Mullins delivered the ball in to the perfect position and Halford again got to the ball first with his head but on this occasion Preston keeper Turner saved on the line.
Mullins was getting in to the game more and more for Pompey and looked lively in the midfield outshining new father Jonathan Hogg who looked a little off the pace.
The away team continued to press and Hume was at the centre of the action. Firstly, he found himself free down the left hand side as Pompey tried to press forward for a winner. Instead of driving on goal and getting off a shot he drifted wide, crossed in to the box where the move broke down. Secondly, a few minutes later he wriggled free of his marker in the penalty area and unleased a shot which Ashdown was able to tip around the post to safety, diving to his right.
David Nugent had looked lively throughout the game against his former Club and had a number of chances in the second half – including a good effort from a free kick from outside the penalty box which he hit over the bar.
Nugent was eventually replaced by Danny Webber a few minutes from the final whistle, making his first appearance at Fratton Park since his recovery from injury. He got a good reception from the Fratton Faithful. Webber looks in good shape and who knows he may yet have a bigger part to play in Pompey's season.
With four minutes of added time neither team could find the breakthrough they wanted and the game ended in a draw.
The result saw Pompey fall one place in to 14th position, behind Ipswich Town on goal difference, both teams have fifty-five points. Preston remain in the mire on thirty-five points and seven off safety. Both teams have six games to play.
FT: Portsmouth 1-1 Preston North End
Attendance: 14,349
Portsmouth versus Preston North End: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie De Laet, Greg Halford, Aaron Mokoena, Hermann Hreidarsson, Jonathan Hogg, Hayden Mullins, David Cotterill, Joel Ward, David Nugent, Dave Kitson. Substitutes: Daryll Flahavan, Carl Dickinson, Nadir Ciftci, Danny Webber, Kanu
MOTM: the official award went to Greg Halford.
Next up: Coventry City (h) on Tuesday 12th April at 7:45PM
BlueThruAndThru
Wednesday 6 April 2011
02/04/2011 Reading 2-0 Portsmouth: you're no Friend of mine
@PompeyChicken spent the afternoon at home listening to live radio commentary on @SolentSport with Lawrence Herdman (Loz) and Alan McLoughlin (Macca).
Summary
Pompey fell to a controversial 2-0 defeat at the Madjedski Stadium against Reading in this Championship encounter. The South Coast team were backed by over 4,000 travelling fans.
The win moved Reading in to the play-off positions, aided by Nottingham Forest's heavy defeat against Leeds United at lunch time. Reading have 60 points and a game in hand (at home to PNE) on the teams around them.
Defeat for Pompey leaves their play-off ambitions hanging by a thread. They remain in 13th position, having played 39 games and on 54 points, six off the play-off positions but with games – especially winnable games – rapidly running out.
Pompey had plenty of good chances to score in this game, especially early on, but were unable to make any of them count. Dave Kitson, returning to his former club was particularly profligate in front of goal.
In the end two goals, the second from the penalty spot, from impressive Irish international striker Shane Long were enough to secure The Royals all three points.
Pompey's fate was effectively sealed when referee Kevin Friend mistakenly adjudged Ricardo Rocha's challenge on Long to be inside the penalty area: pictures showed the incident took place a good yard outside of the box. To rub salt into Pompey's wounds the referee also sent off Rocha meaning they had to play most of the match with ten men.
On another day it would have been a yellow card and a free-kick outside of the box. Such are the fine lines of referee decision making and the impact it can have on the outcome of a game.
Pompey started the game with an unchanged starting eleven from the previous match, against Leicester City.
Danny Webber was named amongst Pompey's substitutes, his first appearance in a matchday squad since his terrible cruciate injury over 12 months ago at White Hart Lane.
Reports after the game said that former Pompey owner Al Fahim was in the crowd, sitting amongst the Pompey fans. Unfortunately his presence sparked some unruly behaviour from a minority which led to a hasty exit towards the end of match.
There was also an incident involving on-loan Carl Dickinson after the game with a travelling fan, during Dickinson's warm down.
A slightly bitter taste left in the mouth after this game for more than one reason.
Radio commentary highlights
Here are some of the 'highlights' from the BBC Radio Solent match commentary.
On five minutes David Nugent won a corner down the left hand side which was taken by Liam Lawrence. The ball came back to him from the corner and from his cross he found Dave Kitson unmarked. Unfortunately his header went wide of the goal. Macca commented that it should have been 1-0 to Pompey. It was a 'nailed on' chance. It was a really bad miss by Kitson and he won't get a better chance today. He got nothing on the header and the ball skimmed off his head.
On nine minutes, Macca commented that it was a lively game. Kitson had the best opportunity but reading were coming back in to the game.
On eleven minutes the Pompey fans were clearly audible on the radio: 'Portsmouth City FC!'
On fourteen minutes Macca commented that Reading's Jem Karacan had got the ball in to a brilliant position, past Hermann. Loz said it was a dangerous cross of quality but nobody got on the end of it following a neat Cruyff turn.
After fifteen minutes Macca commented that the Pompey wall at a free kick, conceded in a good position, was solid and blocked the ball well as the players jumped to stop Ian Harte's shot. The ball deflected away for a corner.
On twenty minutes, Loz commented that Pompey looked well organised at the back.
On twenty-one minutes, Nugent found himself onside from a Greg Halford pass and shot on goal from the edge of the penalty area. McCarthy the Reading keeper fumbled the ball and Kitson missed the opportun ity to score from six yards out, the ball hit the keeper's legs and deflected away.
Macca commented that Kitson needed to show more composure in front of goal, he hit his shot directly at the keeper. Pompey were playing some good counter-attacking football and looked solid at the back. Kitson had two gilt edged chances and missed them both.
On twenty-five minutes Nugent caught Reading defender Gunnarsson – one of three Icelandic players on the pitch - in possession, passed the ball inside which eventually found its way to Jonathan Hogg whose shot was way-off target. It was more good counter-attacking football from Pompey.
On twenty-seven minutes Mullins conceded a free-kick, he scythed down Brian Howard just as he was about to shoot. Mullins received a booking. Harte again wasted the free-kick which went high over the cross bar in to the Pompey fans. It was a driving, swirling shot.
Macca commented that the Pompey players must stop going to ground and giving away silly free-kicks.
On twenty-nine minutes Reading scored. The move started following a Pompey corner which came to nothing. Jimmy Kebe broke with the ball and found Karacan who passed to Long. His shot, from a long way out, somehow got past Jamie Ashdown. Macca commented that the ball got went underneath the body of Ashdown.
Two minutes later and Kitson had another chance following a cross by David Cotterill but the ball bounced up a bit high and his shot went in to the ground and the opportunity was gone. Loz asked if he should have headed it?
Kitson had yet another effort a couple of minutes later, this time from long distance. The keeper fumbled the shot but no Pompey players were following up.
On thirty-five minutes came the controversy. Ricardo Rocha was sent off for a challenge on Shane Long. It was described by Loz as a miscarriage of justice (twice!). Referee Kevin Friend was out of position, a long way back and he made the decision. The linesman 'bottled it'. The infringement took place a long way outside of the area.
Long took the penalty kick and sent Ashdown the wrong way.
Macca commented that it was an awful decision by the referee, the incident was clearly not in the box, although he did concede that Rocha was the last man.
Loz commented that it was a travesty of an error by the referee.
Four minutes later both Loz and Macca thought Halford had backpassed to Ashdown and the keeper picked up the ball. Macca commented that the linesman was having a nightmare.
The Pompey fans were subdued and scratching their heads with their team two-nil down.
On forty-four minutes Reading took a quick throw-in but the referee called it back. Macca commented that there was no reason why a quick throw-in couldn't be taken there and that the referee had 'lost the plot'!
With Aaron Mokoena coming on in place of the unlucky David Cotterill to shore up the defence, Steve Cotterill stood in his technical area with his hands on his hips.
There were two minutes of added time.
In the forty-sixth minute Liam Lawrence found himself in a good position to shoot but just as he was about to pull the trigger Karacan toe poked the ball away for a corner.
Unfortunately, Lawrence looked injured. Was it his calf again asked Macca. He didn't expect to see him come out for the second half.
The referee blew the whistle for half-time. Macca summarised by saying that Rocha being sent off was possibly the correct decision but the penalty kick was not. The difference between the two sides was that Reading had taken their chances and Pompey have missed two good chances. Pompey need to settle down. The Reading keeper is a bit edgy so they need to keep getting shots away to test him.
HT: Reading 2-0 Portsmouth
Pompey started the second half in bright sunshine.
Macca was surprised that Lawrence had come out for the second half. He had to be careful.
It was noted that the referee, Mr Friend, appeared to be taking a slightly lenient approach in some of is decisions. For example, Jonathan Hogg could have been booked for a foul (but wasn't) and David Nugent could have been booked for blasting the ball in to the Pompey fans after the whistle had gone (but wasn't). Interesting...
On fifty-two minutes, the lively Karacan broke in to the box for the home team and swapped passes with Howard but the move came to nothing. A couple of minutes later Hreidarsson pushed Jimmy Kebe in the back to 'rough him up a bit' as Macca put it but the referee again remained patient and took no action. Interesting...
As the day's attendance figures were announced Loz commented that it was good to see the floods of loyalty from the Pompey fans who had made the trip to Berkshire. Their voices were being well heard.
On fifty-seven minutes a corner won after good work by Liam Lawrence came to nothing and the ball found its way all the way back to Jamie Ashdown.
In the sixty-third minute Pompey won another corner after Nugent and Kitson had swapped passes. Liam Lawrence urged the Pompey fans behind the goal to raise their voices. The corner led to a Kitson header which was off target.
Two minutes later a goal ward shot from Hayden Mullins hit Kitson on the back. Loz asked if he had kicked a black cat?! It just wasn't his day although there was little he could do on this occasion to get out of the way.
Following a Reading corner in the sixty-seventh minute Long failed to convert and secure his hat-trick, the ball hitting Ashdown on the knees. In the follow-up Howard put the ball in the net but the referee had blown for an infringement. Macca commented that he hadn't seen anything and it was a good calm side footed effort from Howard. Pompey had been a bit lucky on that occasion. Interesting...
The game had opened up a bit and with Pompey a man down their back four was becoming exposed by the home team.
In the seventieth minute Aaron Mokoena committed a bad foul on Howard who ended up writhing on the floor. Pompey players immediately surrounded the referee Mr Friend, perhaps to ensure the South African didn't get a red card. It was a shocking challenge. The card's colour was yellow. Loz asked if the pressure from the Pompey players had put pressure on Mr Friend?
Reading's substitute Robson-Kanu was coming in to the game more and more as the second half progressed.
In the seventy-third minute a ball from Reading's Jay Tabb was aimed at Long in the penalty area but Ashdown under pressure and the ball went out for a corner. The experienced Khizanishvili found himself in an unmarked position from the corner but put his effort wide.
In the seventy-fith minute, the linesman signalled for a corner kick instead of a free-kick after Tabb had clearly been pushed by a Pompey defender. Macca commented that the linesman was having a nightmare. The corner kick came to nothing.
In the seventy-sixth minute good play from Pompey led to a Liam Lawrence shot being parried by the Reading keeper and was followed by a 'rugby scrum type' scramble and eventually a free-kick to the home team. The ball had been trapped between the knees of a Pompey player. The Pompey fans reminded the ref that he didn't know what he was doing!
Loz commented that if those early Pompey chances in the first half hadn't been spurned it could have been a different story.
There were a lot of tired bodies down on the pitch for Pompey. Reading were getting the ball wide, trying not to lose it and attempting to de-energise Pompey.
In the eighty-fifth minute of the match long term absentee Danny Webber came on in place of David Nugent.
In the eightieth minute some good build-up play involving Kitson, Mullins and substitute Joel Ward broke down with the wave of the offside flag.
The game was fizzling out according to Loz as it entered the final minutes.
But not before Kitson had one more chance, a long range effort that was blocked by Long. He took one touch too many the sign of a player not that confident in Macca's opinion. Loz commented that Kitson had seven or eight good chances in the match.
In the last minute of normal time, Reading substitute Simon Church unleashed a rapier shot which hit the back of the net but was disallowed for an apparent offside decision. Another contentious moment. Interesting...
Two minutes in to added time Lawrence burst in to he penalty area but his shot hit the side netting.
Three minutes in to added time Hogg got a yellow card, fortunately as he didn't receive a yellow earlier he didn't see red.
Four minutes in to added time there was an incident in the stands with stewards gathering. I believe, as reported this later, that this was an incident involving former Pompey owner Al Fahim in an altercation with some Pompey fans.
FT: Reading 2-0 Portsmouth
Post Match Comments
Macca – Pompey created lots of chances and didn't take any of them. They played long periods of the game with 10 men after Rocha's sending off.
Macca – it was a good team effort, the application was fine although the quality was a bit amiss.
Loz – the players saluted the Pompey fans at the end
Macca – it was a last ditch challenge after a good deep ball through by Howard but it was outside of the box.
Macca – I'm disappointed but the players showed application, good attitude and kept going. They didn't create too many chances in the second half.
Macca - Kitson is not confident, overall he needs to show more at Portsmouth if he's to get the same adulation at Fratton Park as he got from the Reading fans.
Loz reported a while later that Pompey substitute Carl Dickinson had attracted the attention of the last few Pompey fans in the stadium and he'd got in to a real verbal spat and exchange of words with one as he was doing his warm down. Dickinson had to be taken away by Pompey coach Ian Woan as he got angry.
Macca – frustration all round. Disappointing for the 4,000 Pompey fans who travelled.
Macca – the offcials had an average game (!) and with PNE winning today that will liven things up at Fratton Park for next week's game.
Macca – Pompey kept a positive formation despite the sending off, they kept driving forward. They still have a chance to get in to the play-offs. Hopefully, they'll be able to put a few goals in to the net.
Loz – Pompey were lucky in the end to keep ten players on the pitch. Mr Friend the referee had a poor game and his linesmen didn't help him.
Portsmouth versus Reading: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie de Laet, Greg Halford, Ricardo Rocha, Hermann Hreidarsson, Hayden Mullins, Jonathan Hogg, David Cotterill, Liam Lawrence, David Nugent and Dave Kitson. Substitutes: Daryll Flahavan, Carl Dickinson, Aaron Mokoena, Danny Webber, Joel Ward, Nadir Ciftci, Kanu
Attendance: 21,896 with 4,027 Pompey fans
MOTM: nobody stood out for Pompey. The home fans probably thought Dave Kitson was the man of the match for the numberof chances he missed during the game!
Next up: Preston North End (h) on Saturday 9th April 2011, 3PM kick-off.
Note 1: this article is based on notes made during the matchday commentary on BBC Radio Solent on Saturday April 2nd between 3PM and 6PM.
Note 2: after the game both Steve Cotterill and Liam Lawrence commented in their interviews that Steve had shown Mr Friend the referee footage on his lap top of the sending off and penalty incident during the half-time interval. Interesting...
BlueThruAndThru
Summary
Pompey fell to a controversial 2-0 defeat at the Madjedski Stadium against Reading in this Championship encounter. The South Coast team were backed by over 4,000 travelling fans.
The win moved Reading in to the play-off positions, aided by Nottingham Forest's heavy defeat against Leeds United at lunch time. Reading have 60 points and a game in hand (at home to PNE) on the teams around them.
Defeat for Pompey leaves their play-off ambitions hanging by a thread. They remain in 13th position, having played 39 games and on 54 points, six off the play-off positions but with games – especially winnable games – rapidly running out.
Pompey had plenty of good chances to score in this game, especially early on, but were unable to make any of them count. Dave Kitson, returning to his former club was particularly profligate in front of goal.
In the end two goals, the second from the penalty spot, from impressive Irish international striker Shane Long were enough to secure The Royals all three points.
Pompey's fate was effectively sealed when referee Kevin Friend mistakenly adjudged Ricardo Rocha's challenge on Long to be inside the penalty area: pictures showed the incident took place a good yard outside of the box. To rub salt into Pompey's wounds the referee also sent off Rocha meaning they had to play most of the match with ten men.
On another day it would have been a yellow card and a free-kick outside of the box. Such are the fine lines of referee decision making and the impact it can have on the outcome of a game.
Pompey started the game with an unchanged starting eleven from the previous match, against Leicester City.
Danny Webber was named amongst Pompey's substitutes, his first appearance in a matchday squad since his terrible cruciate injury over 12 months ago at White Hart Lane.
Reports after the game said that former Pompey owner Al Fahim was in the crowd, sitting amongst the Pompey fans. Unfortunately his presence sparked some unruly behaviour from a minority which led to a hasty exit towards the end of match.
There was also an incident involving on-loan Carl Dickinson after the game with a travelling fan, during Dickinson's warm down.
A slightly bitter taste left in the mouth after this game for more than one reason.
Radio commentary highlights
Here are some of the 'highlights' from the BBC Radio Solent match commentary.
On five minutes David Nugent won a corner down the left hand side which was taken by Liam Lawrence. The ball came back to him from the corner and from his cross he found Dave Kitson unmarked. Unfortunately his header went wide of the goal. Macca commented that it should have been 1-0 to Pompey. It was a 'nailed on' chance. It was a really bad miss by Kitson and he won't get a better chance today. He got nothing on the header and the ball skimmed off his head.
On nine minutes, Macca commented that it was a lively game. Kitson had the best opportunity but reading were coming back in to the game.
On eleven minutes the Pompey fans were clearly audible on the radio: 'Portsmouth City FC!'
On fourteen minutes Macca commented that Reading's Jem Karacan had got the ball in to a brilliant position, past Hermann. Loz said it was a dangerous cross of quality but nobody got on the end of it following a neat Cruyff turn.
After fifteen minutes Macca commented that the Pompey wall at a free kick, conceded in a good position, was solid and blocked the ball well as the players jumped to stop Ian Harte's shot. The ball deflected away for a corner.
On twenty minutes, Loz commented that Pompey looked well organised at the back.
On twenty-one minutes, Nugent found himself onside from a Greg Halford pass and shot on goal from the edge of the penalty area. McCarthy the Reading keeper fumbled the ball and Kitson missed the opportun ity to score from six yards out, the ball hit the keeper's legs and deflected away.
Macca commented that Kitson needed to show more composure in front of goal, he hit his shot directly at the keeper. Pompey were playing some good counter-attacking football and looked solid at the back. Kitson had two gilt edged chances and missed them both.
On twenty-five minutes Nugent caught Reading defender Gunnarsson – one of three Icelandic players on the pitch - in possession, passed the ball inside which eventually found its way to Jonathan Hogg whose shot was way-off target. It was more good counter-attacking football from Pompey.
On twenty-seven minutes Mullins conceded a free-kick, he scythed down Brian Howard just as he was about to shoot. Mullins received a booking. Harte again wasted the free-kick which went high over the cross bar in to the Pompey fans. It was a driving, swirling shot.
Macca commented that the Pompey players must stop going to ground and giving away silly free-kicks.
On twenty-nine minutes Reading scored. The move started following a Pompey corner which came to nothing. Jimmy Kebe broke with the ball and found Karacan who passed to Long. His shot, from a long way out, somehow got past Jamie Ashdown. Macca commented that the ball got went underneath the body of Ashdown.
Two minutes later and Kitson had another chance following a cross by David Cotterill but the ball bounced up a bit high and his shot went in to the ground and the opportunity was gone. Loz asked if he should have headed it?
Kitson had yet another effort a couple of minutes later, this time from long distance. The keeper fumbled the shot but no Pompey players were following up.
On thirty-five minutes came the controversy. Ricardo Rocha was sent off for a challenge on Shane Long. It was described by Loz as a miscarriage of justice (twice!). Referee Kevin Friend was out of position, a long way back and he made the decision. The linesman 'bottled it'. The infringement took place a long way outside of the area.
Long took the penalty kick and sent Ashdown the wrong way.
Macca commented that it was an awful decision by the referee, the incident was clearly not in the box, although he did concede that Rocha was the last man.
Loz commented that it was a travesty of an error by the referee.
Four minutes later both Loz and Macca thought Halford had backpassed to Ashdown and the keeper picked up the ball. Macca commented that the linesman was having a nightmare.
The Pompey fans were subdued and scratching their heads with their team two-nil down.
On forty-four minutes Reading took a quick throw-in but the referee called it back. Macca commented that there was no reason why a quick throw-in couldn't be taken there and that the referee had 'lost the plot'!
With Aaron Mokoena coming on in place of the unlucky David Cotterill to shore up the defence, Steve Cotterill stood in his technical area with his hands on his hips.
There were two minutes of added time.
In the forty-sixth minute Liam Lawrence found himself in a good position to shoot but just as he was about to pull the trigger Karacan toe poked the ball away for a corner.
Unfortunately, Lawrence looked injured. Was it his calf again asked Macca. He didn't expect to see him come out for the second half.
The referee blew the whistle for half-time. Macca summarised by saying that Rocha being sent off was possibly the correct decision but the penalty kick was not. The difference between the two sides was that Reading had taken their chances and Pompey have missed two good chances. Pompey need to settle down. The Reading keeper is a bit edgy so they need to keep getting shots away to test him.
HT: Reading 2-0 Portsmouth
Pompey started the second half in bright sunshine.
Macca was surprised that Lawrence had come out for the second half. He had to be careful.
It was noted that the referee, Mr Friend, appeared to be taking a slightly lenient approach in some of is decisions. For example, Jonathan Hogg could have been booked for a foul (but wasn't) and David Nugent could have been booked for blasting the ball in to the Pompey fans after the whistle had gone (but wasn't). Interesting...
On fifty-two minutes, the lively Karacan broke in to the box for the home team and swapped passes with Howard but the move came to nothing. A couple of minutes later Hreidarsson pushed Jimmy Kebe in the back to 'rough him up a bit' as Macca put it but the referee again remained patient and took no action. Interesting...
As the day's attendance figures were announced Loz commented that it was good to see the floods of loyalty from the Pompey fans who had made the trip to Berkshire. Their voices were being well heard.
On fifty-seven minutes a corner won after good work by Liam Lawrence came to nothing and the ball found its way all the way back to Jamie Ashdown.
In the sixty-third minute Pompey won another corner after Nugent and Kitson had swapped passes. Liam Lawrence urged the Pompey fans behind the goal to raise their voices. The corner led to a Kitson header which was off target.
Two minutes later a goal ward shot from Hayden Mullins hit Kitson on the back. Loz asked if he had kicked a black cat?! It just wasn't his day although there was little he could do on this occasion to get out of the way.
Following a Reading corner in the sixty-seventh minute Long failed to convert and secure his hat-trick, the ball hitting Ashdown on the knees. In the follow-up Howard put the ball in the net but the referee had blown for an infringement. Macca commented that he hadn't seen anything and it was a good calm side footed effort from Howard. Pompey had been a bit lucky on that occasion. Interesting...
The game had opened up a bit and with Pompey a man down their back four was becoming exposed by the home team.
In the seventieth minute Aaron Mokoena committed a bad foul on Howard who ended up writhing on the floor. Pompey players immediately surrounded the referee Mr Friend, perhaps to ensure the South African didn't get a red card. It was a shocking challenge. The card's colour was yellow. Loz asked if the pressure from the Pompey players had put pressure on Mr Friend?
Reading's substitute Robson-Kanu was coming in to the game more and more as the second half progressed.
In the seventy-third minute a ball from Reading's Jay Tabb was aimed at Long in the penalty area but Ashdown under pressure and the ball went out for a corner. The experienced Khizanishvili found himself in an unmarked position from the corner but put his effort wide.
In the seventy-fith minute, the linesman signalled for a corner kick instead of a free-kick after Tabb had clearly been pushed by a Pompey defender. Macca commented that the linesman was having a nightmare. The corner kick came to nothing.
In the seventy-sixth minute good play from Pompey led to a Liam Lawrence shot being parried by the Reading keeper and was followed by a 'rugby scrum type' scramble and eventually a free-kick to the home team. The ball had been trapped between the knees of a Pompey player. The Pompey fans reminded the ref that he didn't know what he was doing!
Loz commented that if those early Pompey chances in the first half hadn't been spurned it could have been a different story.
There were a lot of tired bodies down on the pitch for Pompey. Reading were getting the ball wide, trying not to lose it and attempting to de-energise Pompey.
In the eighty-fifth minute of the match long term absentee Danny Webber came on in place of David Nugent.
In the eightieth minute some good build-up play involving Kitson, Mullins and substitute Joel Ward broke down with the wave of the offside flag.
The game was fizzling out according to Loz as it entered the final minutes.
But not before Kitson had one more chance, a long range effort that was blocked by Long. He took one touch too many the sign of a player not that confident in Macca's opinion. Loz commented that Kitson had seven or eight good chances in the match.
In the last minute of normal time, Reading substitute Simon Church unleashed a rapier shot which hit the back of the net but was disallowed for an apparent offside decision. Another contentious moment. Interesting...
Two minutes in to added time Lawrence burst in to he penalty area but his shot hit the side netting.
Three minutes in to added time Hogg got a yellow card, fortunately as he didn't receive a yellow earlier he didn't see red.
Four minutes in to added time there was an incident in the stands with stewards gathering. I believe, as reported this later, that this was an incident involving former Pompey owner Al Fahim in an altercation with some Pompey fans.
FT: Reading 2-0 Portsmouth
Post Match Comments
Macca – Pompey created lots of chances and didn't take any of them. They played long periods of the game with 10 men after Rocha's sending off.
Macca – it was a good team effort, the application was fine although the quality was a bit amiss.
Loz – the players saluted the Pompey fans at the end
Macca – it was a last ditch challenge after a good deep ball through by Howard but it was outside of the box.
Macca – I'm disappointed but the players showed application, good attitude and kept going. They didn't create too many chances in the second half.
Macca - Kitson is not confident, overall he needs to show more at Portsmouth if he's to get the same adulation at Fratton Park as he got from the Reading fans.
Loz reported a while later that Pompey substitute Carl Dickinson had attracted the attention of the last few Pompey fans in the stadium and he'd got in to a real verbal spat and exchange of words with one as he was doing his warm down. Dickinson had to be taken away by Pompey coach Ian Woan as he got angry.
Macca – frustration all round. Disappointing for the 4,000 Pompey fans who travelled.
Macca – the offcials had an average game (!) and with PNE winning today that will liven things up at Fratton Park for next week's game.
Macca – Pompey kept a positive formation despite the sending off, they kept driving forward. They still have a chance to get in to the play-offs. Hopefully, they'll be able to put a few goals in to the net.
Loz – Pompey were lucky in the end to keep ten players on the pitch. Mr Friend the referee had a poor game and his linesmen didn't help him.
Portsmouth versus Reading: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie de Laet, Greg Halford, Ricardo Rocha, Hermann Hreidarsson, Hayden Mullins, Jonathan Hogg, David Cotterill, Liam Lawrence, David Nugent and Dave Kitson. Substitutes: Daryll Flahavan, Carl Dickinson, Aaron Mokoena, Danny Webber, Joel Ward, Nadir Ciftci, Kanu
Attendance: 21,896 with 4,027 Pompey fans
MOTM: nobody stood out for Pompey. The home fans probably thought Dave Kitson was the man of the match for the numberof chances he missed during the game!
Next up: Preston North End (h) on Saturday 9th April 2011, 3PM kick-off.
Note 1: this article is based on notes made during the matchday commentary on BBC Radio Solent on Saturday April 2nd between 3PM and 6PM.
Note 2: after the game both Steve Cotterill and Liam Lawrence commented in their interviews that Steve had shown Mr Friend the referee footage on his lap top of the sending off and penalty incident during the half-time interval. Interesting...
BlueThruAndThru
Sunday 3 April 2011
03/04/2011: what it has taken to get in to the play off positions 1988-89 to 2009-10
With just seven Championship games remaining in Pompey's 2010-11 campaign and the play-offs still being talked-up in some circles, despite defeat against Reading yesterday, I thought I would take a look at the history books to see what it has actually taken to get in to that oh so important sixth place.
What does the data show?
There have been 22 seasons to date with a second tier made up of 24 clubs – this is the 23rd – and where the play-offs have taken place to determine promotion to the top division. Yes, they really have been around that long, indeed longer!
There was one season – 1994-95 – where the team in sixth place didn't secure a play-off berth as only one team went up automatically plus one other. The unlucky team that season was Barnsley.
The most number of points required to secure 6th place since 1988-89 is 76 on four occasions. The teams and years were as follows:
1988-89: Swindon Town
1992-93: Leicester City (boooo! Pompey fans will know what I mean... ;-D)
1998-99: Bolton Wanderers
1999-00: Bolton Wanderers
Interestingly, none of the teams above secured promotion to the top flight of English football. How unlucky were Bolton Wanderers?
The least number of points required to secure 6th place in the same period is 70 on three occasions. The teams and years were as follows:
1990-91: Brighton and Hove Albion
2007-08: Watford
2009-10: Blackpool
Only Blackpool from this list were promoted.
On only six occasions out of twenty-two have teams finishing in sixth place secured promotion through the play-offs and one of those after losing the play-off final! The teams and seasons are:
1989-90: Sunderland (lost 1-0 to Swindon Town, whose goal was scored by Alan McLaughlin, but were still promoted due to Swindon Town's breaching Football League regulations, mainly financial. You can read about it here ==> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Swindon_Town_F.C. )
1991-92: Blackburn Rovers
1996-97: Crystal Palace
2003-04: Crystal Palace
2004-05: West Ham United
2009-10: Blackpool
The average number of points required to secure sixth place since the 1988-89 season is 73.4, so let's call it 74. A substantial number!
Sixth place summary 1988-89 to 2009-10 seasons
Here's a complete list, by play-off year, of teams that finished sixth, the number of points they secured and whether or not they got promoted.
2010: Blackpool 70 yes
2009: Preston North End 74 no
2008: Watford 70 no
2007: Southampton 75 no
2006: Crystal Palace 75 no
2005: West Ham United 73 yes
2004: Crystal Palace 73 yes
2003: Nottingham Forest 74 no
2002: Norwich City 75 no
2001: West Bromwich Albion 74 no
2000: Bolton Wanderers 76 no
1999: Bolton Wanderers 76 no
1998: Sheffield United 74 no
1997: Crystal Palace 71 yes
1996: Charlton Athletic 71 no
1995: Barnsley 72 not applicable
1994: Derby County 71 no
1993: Leicester City 76 no
1992: Blackburn Rovers 74 yes
1991: Brighton and Hove Albion 70 no
1990: Sunderland 74 yes, after losing the play-off final
1989: Swindon Town 76 no
What does it all mean?
What does all this tell us about Pompey's chances of securing a play-off place and gaining promotion?
Well, at the time of writing Pompey have 54 points and have seven games remaining, a maximum of 21 points.
If they win all seven games they will reach 75 points, a very big ask especially when they still have to play: Cardiff City (3rd, a), Swansea City (4th, h), Burnley (9th, a) and Norwich City (2nd, h) four teams above them three of which currently occupy automatic promotion/play-off positions.
The other three games are against: Preston North End (23rd, h), Coventry City (17th, h) and Scunthorpe United (24th, a).
Historically, with an average of between 73 and 74 points required to secure sixth place Pompey have very little room for dropping points between now and the end of the season.
So, what do you think?
Well, nobody can predict the future with any certainty. So, for a bit of fun (although it's not that funny as you will see), here are my Pompey predictions and outlook for the remainder of the 2010-11 season:
Preston North End – win. PNE are in the bottom three and despite victory yesterday over promotion hopefuls Swansea City look they look like they'll be going down to League One.
Coventry City – win. A chance to wipe away the memories of the visit to The Ricoh Arena early on in the season when the outlook for Pompey was not good.
Cardiff City – draw. Another visit to South Wales with a big away following and a draw built on breakaway football and solid defending, no snow expected though!
Swansea City – draw. The Welsh team will have a big following, it'll be a tight affair neither side wanting to make a mistake.
Burnley – win. Pompey won at Turf Moor last season and it'll be an Easter Monday goalfest with two teams looking to win and a chance for Steve Cotterill to get revenge on his old stomping ground for the home defeat earlier in the season.
Norwich City – lose. A team that has got stronger and stronger all season, they'll want to secure promotion and reverse the result of the fixture earlier in the season at Carrow Road. I expect a big awayday following from East Anglia. It'll be the last Pompey home game of the season live in front of the Sky TV cameras.
Scunthorpe United – win. The home team will be down at this juncture, it'll be party football but nothing much riding on it, Pompey will secure a win to send their travelling army of fans home happy with a whole Summer to ponder on what will happen next season. The re-building will start shortly afterwards as contracts expire and loan-signings return to their parent clubs.
What's the conclusion then?
That makes a grand total of 14 points from 21 and a final total of 68 – and that is being optimistic about the team's chances at Cardiff and Burnley.
On the face of it, although mathematically possible, unless Pompey have another fantastic, unbeaten run in to the end of the regular season the data suggests that they are going to miss out. They will most likely finish somewhere between 7th and 12th and their play off ambitions will have folded either just before or just after the Burnley game.
So, I'm predicting a top-half finish but missing out on the play-offs. I'm sure many fans would have taken that at the start of the season but it'll be disappointing nonetheless when the team has come so far and strived so hard to get in to a decent position to make a last ditch challenge.
Let's hope I'm proved wrong!
Expectation is such a funny thing isn't it? One minute you're down, the next minute you're up and at the end of the day you end up exactly where you should be: safe and secure in mid-table. Under the circumstances earlier in the season the Club will be able to reflect on a job well done.
Send me a tweet if anything above looks awry: @PompeyChicken at Twitter.com
Sources
Playfair Football Annuals 1999-2000 through to 2010-2011 (inclusive)
The Breedon Book Of Football Records 1871-2000
Update 05th April 2011
Liam Lawrence has boldly predicted that 69 points will be enough to secure a play-off berth. See the article in The News here ==> http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/great-matches/pompey_skipper_targets_five_wins_1_2564701
BlueThruAndThru
What does the data show?
There have been 22 seasons to date with a second tier made up of 24 clubs – this is the 23rd – and where the play-offs have taken place to determine promotion to the top division. Yes, they really have been around that long, indeed longer!
There was one season – 1994-95 – where the team in sixth place didn't secure a play-off berth as only one team went up automatically plus one other. The unlucky team that season was Barnsley.
The most number of points required to secure 6th place since 1988-89 is 76 on four occasions. The teams and years were as follows:
1988-89: Swindon Town
1992-93: Leicester City (boooo! Pompey fans will know what I mean... ;-D)
1998-99: Bolton Wanderers
1999-00: Bolton Wanderers
Interestingly, none of the teams above secured promotion to the top flight of English football. How unlucky were Bolton Wanderers?
The least number of points required to secure 6th place in the same period is 70 on three occasions. The teams and years were as follows:
1990-91: Brighton and Hove Albion
2007-08: Watford
2009-10: Blackpool
Only Blackpool from this list were promoted.
On only six occasions out of twenty-two have teams finishing in sixth place secured promotion through the play-offs and one of those after losing the play-off final! The teams and seasons are:
1989-90: Sunderland (lost 1-0 to Swindon Town, whose goal was scored by Alan McLaughlin, but were still promoted due to Swindon Town's breaching Football League regulations, mainly financial. You can read about it here ==> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Swindon_Town_F.C. )
1991-92: Blackburn Rovers
1996-97: Crystal Palace
2003-04: Crystal Palace
2004-05: West Ham United
2009-10: Blackpool
The average number of points required to secure sixth place since the 1988-89 season is 73.4, so let's call it 74. A substantial number!
Sixth place summary 1988-89 to 2009-10 seasons
Here's a complete list, by play-off year, of teams that finished sixth, the number of points they secured and whether or not they got promoted.
2010: Blackpool 70 yes
2009: Preston North End 74 no
2008: Watford 70 no
2007: Southampton 75 no
2006: Crystal Palace 75 no
2005: West Ham United 73 yes
2004: Crystal Palace 73 yes
2003: Nottingham Forest 74 no
2002: Norwich City 75 no
2001: West Bromwich Albion 74 no
2000: Bolton Wanderers 76 no
1999: Bolton Wanderers 76 no
1998: Sheffield United 74 no
1997: Crystal Palace 71 yes
1996: Charlton Athletic 71 no
1995: Barnsley 72 not applicable
1994: Derby County 71 no
1993: Leicester City 76 no
1992: Blackburn Rovers 74 yes
1991: Brighton and Hove Albion 70 no
1990: Sunderland 74 yes, after losing the play-off final
1989: Swindon Town 76 no
What does it all mean?
What does all this tell us about Pompey's chances of securing a play-off place and gaining promotion?
Well, at the time of writing Pompey have 54 points and have seven games remaining, a maximum of 21 points.
If they win all seven games they will reach 75 points, a very big ask especially when they still have to play: Cardiff City (3rd, a), Swansea City (4th, h), Burnley (9th, a) and Norwich City (2nd, h) four teams above them three of which currently occupy automatic promotion/play-off positions.
The other three games are against: Preston North End (23rd, h), Coventry City (17th, h) and Scunthorpe United (24th, a).
Historically, with an average of between 73 and 74 points required to secure sixth place Pompey have very little room for dropping points between now and the end of the season.
So, what do you think?
Well, nobody can predict the future with any certainty. So, for a bit of fun (although it's not that funny as you will see), here are my Pompey predictions and outlook for the remainder of the 2010-11 season:
Preston North End – win. PNE are in the bottom three and despite victory yesterday over promotion hopefuls Swansea City look they look like they'll be going down to League One.
Coventry City – win. A chance to wipe away the memories of the visit to The Ricoh Arena early on in the season when the outlook for Pompey was not good.
Cardiff City – draw. Another visit to South Wales with a big away following and a draw built on breakaway football and solid defending, no snow expected though!
Swansea City – draw. The Welsh team will have a big following, it'll be a tight affair neither side wanting to make a mistake.
Burnley – win. Pompey won at Turf Moor last season and it'll be an Easter Monday goalfest with two teams looking to win and a chance for Steve Cotterill to get revenge on his old stomping ground for the home defeat earlier in the season.
Norwich City – lose. A team that has got stronger and stronger all season, they'll want to secure promotion and reverse the result of the fixture earlier in the season at Carrow Road. I expect a big awayday following from East Anglia. It'll be the last Pompey home game of the season live in front of the Sky TV cameras.
Scunthorpe United – win. The home team will be down at this juncture, it'll be party football but nothing much riding on it, Pompey will secure a win to send their travelling army of fans home happy with a whole Summer to ponder on what will happen next season. The re-building will start shortly afterwards as contracts expire and loan-signings return to their parent clubs.
What's the conclusion then?
That makes a grand total of 14 points from 21 and a final total of 68 – and that is being optimistic about the team's chances at Cardiff and Burnley.
On the face of it, although mathematically possible, unless Pompey have another fantastic, unbeaten run in to the end of the regular season the data suggests that they are going to miss out. They will most likely finish somewhere between 7th and 12th and their play off ambitions will have folded either just before or just after the Burnley game.
So, I'm predicting a top-half finish but missing out on the play-offs. I'm sure many fans would have taken that at the start of the season but it'll be disappointing nonetheless when the team has come so far and strived so hard to get in to a decent position to make a last ditch challenge.
Let's hope I'm proved wrong!
Expectation is such a funny thing isn't it? One minute you're down, the next minute you're up and at the end of the day you end up exactly where you should be: safe and secure in mid-table. Under the circumstances earlier in the season the Club will be able to reflect on a job well done.
Send me a tweet if anything above looks awry: @PompeyChicken at Twitter.com
Sources
Playfair Football Annuals 1999-2000 through to 2010-2011 (inclusive)
The Breedon Book Of Football Records 1871-2000
Update 05th April 2011
Liam Lawrence has boldly predicted that 69 points will be enough to secure a play-off berth. See the article in The News here ==> http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/great-matches/pompey_skipper_targets_five_wins_1_2564701
BlueThruAndThru
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