Sunday 28 August 2011

27/08/2011 Portsmouth 1-1 Cardiff City: King Kanu Rescues A Point For Pompey

A goal in the 80th minute by Kanu was enough to rescue a point for Pompey in this Championship encounter at Fratton Park against Cardiff City. The Nigerian forward had been on the pitch just three minutes, as a replacement for Luke Varney, before making an impact.

Pompey made two changes from the match against Bristol City. Erik Huseklepp and Joel Ward came in to the starting line-up in place of Kanu and Aaron Mokoena who both dropped to the substitutes' bench.

There was no place on the bench for Hermann Hreidarrson, Ryan Willians or new Hungarian striker Marko Futacs who signed on Friday. However, both Williams and Futacs took the opportunity to warm-up prior to kick-off.

After last season, there is some irony to Pompey having too many players for the five available places on the substitutes' bench.

There was a steady westerly breeze blowing across Fratton Park that picked up as the match progressed making playing conditions tricky at times as the ball swirled around. The new flag-set perched on top of the North Stand stood proud and stiff for much of the game.

Cardiff took the lead in the 71st minute through left back Andrew Taylor with a good finish in front of the travelling fans on the Milton End.

The goal had come against the run of second half play as Pompey had exerted pressure on their opponents following a disappointing first half display.

Pompey had enough chances, especially in the second half, to secure victory. On two occasions the ball was cleared off the Cardiff City goal line in front of the Fratton End and Greg Halford smashed a long distance free kick against the upright.

Earlier in the match Joel Ward had hit the cross-bar with a right-sided cross that swirled in the wind and was mis-judged by the goalkeeper. Hayden Mullins had a long distance effort that was blasted well over the crossbar a la Quashie.

Cardiff had their chances too with the wily and experienced internationals Robert Earnshaw and Kenny Miller up front.

Just before they scored the opening goal the play opened up, coinciding with the arrival of Frenchman Rudy Gestede. As Pompey plied away to make openings they were undone by a swift Cardiff move that found space in the defence and Taylor free to shoot home from the left hand edge of the penalty box.

There were also appeals from the Welsh team for a penalty following a clumsy challenge by Mullins on the back of Earnshaw, the referee Mr Woolmer waved the appeals away and the linesman didn't flag, much to the disgust of the Cardiff player and his manager Malky Mackay.

Kanu's headed goal came from a cross by Tal Ben Haim who pinged a few decent passes around during the game and was probably the most accurate and effective Pompey player to do that.

In the build-up to the goal Joel Ward, who didn't have his best game at right back, found a surge of energy to drive forward and win a corner. It was one of those 'little things' that are sometimes overlooked in the wider context of a game but which end up having a positive impact.

It's another point in the bag against a team that was clearly not as strong as last season but a point nonetheless.

There may be disquiet amongst some Pompey fans about the style of football but it's early days. It's a results business and ultimately that's how the history books judge clubs and managers.

Let's talk tactics
Much of the post-match discussion amongst Pompey fans was focussed on the tactics deployed by Steve Cotterill for this match. Much of the play was direct and not particularly subtle. Call it 'long-ball', call it 'hoofing', call it 'Cotterball', call it what you want. It didn't make the match a very enjoyable viewing experience and was such a stark contrast to the previous home game against Reading.

Pompey are no Stoke City and do not have a complete set of weapons to deploy long-ball tactics, Greg Halford's long throw-ins aside. The players don't look comfortable or effective playing with this style of play. The fans got irritated as each move broke down.

Dave Kitson is tall and a potential target man. However, he drifts away from the centre forward position too often out to the flanks.

Neither Luke Varney or Erik Huseklepp are target men and both struggled with the tactics on this occasion and were withdrawn from the action in the second half.

The Norwegian had run himself in to the ground in the first half trying to get on to the end of high, long balls. Welcome to English football Erik! Varney was clearly surprised and disappointed to be taken off, he's more effective running the channels with the ball on the ground not looking over his shoulder like a wide receiver in American Football.

The other key missing ingredient is a player who can deliver accurate long balls from the midfield - not from the back. Neither Norris or Mullins are suited to that, they are tenacious battlers who like to dominate a midfield battle on the ground. In the first half they were effectively by-passed again and again.

As a 'one-off' maybe this was the right approach for this match, afterall Pompey had enough chances to win. If it's to be the long-term approach then so be it. It will be interesting to see how it pans out over the course of the season especially if results pick up. If that happens it will be interesting to see the Pompey fans' reactions.

It's a good old fashioned style over substance debate.

Plenty of positive signs
This was the third consecutive game that has garnered points, each game being more successful than in the corresponding fixtures last season.

Last year: Pompey drew at home to Reading, this year they won; they lost away to Bristol City, this year they drew; and they lost at home to Cardiff City, drawing this time. The result against Middlesbrough was the same. That puts Pompey five points to the good compared to last season with just the disappointment of the defeat to Brighton blighting the record books to date.

First Half Action
A good leap by Jason Pearce to win a header.

A Cardiff City defender clears the ball away from the danger zone.

Cardiff City defenders looking skywards for the ball coming in to the box from a Pompey cross - no sign of the ball!

Cardiff City defenders look skywards again - and there's still no sign of the ball!

Second Half Action
Greg Halford fires in his free-kick that hit the post.

Pompey get the ball away - it's visible in this picture!

The next four pictures show how a lot of the action panned out in this game, note how the players are all looking skywards for the ball which is nowhere to be seen. You can blame the photographer, a description used loosely in this context, for that! LOL!

Action in front of the Fratton End - I

Action in front of the Fratton End - II

Action in front of the Fratton End - III

Action in front of the Fratton End - IV

Kanu has scored against Cardiff City again and soaks up the adulation of the Pompey fans in the Fratton End.

Other Pictures
After Kanu's equalising goal it was a like a drinks break at a cricket match! Hayden Mullins was receiving treatment as all this was going one before he was withdrawn.

Hayden Mullins walks off to be replaced by Aaron Mokoena. "Look Hayden! There's the ball!"

Erik breathing deeply! He was substituted in the second half and replaced by Benjani. The Norwegian chased after every long ball but all in vain. All he did was wear himself out!

Portsmouth versus Cardiff City: Jamie Ashdown, Joel Ward, Greg Halford, Jason Pearce, Tal Ben Haim, Liam Lawrence, Hayden Mullins, David Norris, Luke Varney, Dave Kitson, Erik Huseklepp. Substitutes: Stephen Henderson, Ricardo Rocha, Aaron Mokoena, Benjani and Kanu

Attendance: 14,354, there was a good following from South Wales, although the Milton End wasn't totally full.

MOTM: the official award went to Hayden Mullins

Next up for Pompey: a friendly in Spain again Real Bettis on Wednesday 31st August. La Liga players have been on strike and this weekend is the first of competitive football, it's also an international break. Oh, and there's the small matter of the Transfer Window closing too.

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Sunday 21 August 2011

20/08/2011 Bristol City 0-0 Portsmouth: Bit-By-Bit The Pieces Are Falling In To Place

It's not pleasant watching your team's squad - especially if it was one of the best seen for many years - being stripped down, re-hashed and stripped down once again.

It's a bit like a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle you spend ages piecing together only to find that as soon as you'd turned your back your Mum tidied it away to "clear the table for dinner". Or your younger sibling accidently knocked your part-finished masterpiece on to the floor (with one key piece escaping never to be seen again).

Pompey fans have had to endure a lot since the fateful 2009-10 season: a squad was hastily assembled by Peter Storrie for what turned out to be the Club's final Premier League season - it seemed to disband just as quickly; during the first season back in the Championship the squad was always short on depth, numbers were held up by loans from other clubs.

It was the bitter medicine that had to be administered as a result of the Club's financial mismanagement and ownership debacles during the latter years of its Premier League tenure.

Now, in case you hadn't noticed, Pompey are in the middle of another re-building exercise. However, whereas last season the squad had a transient, 'make-do', feel about it, this year with the financial backing of new owners CSI the squad is taking on a more permanent shape - the signings of Halford, Norris, Varney, Pearce and Huseklepp support that.

Understandably, as Transfer Deadline Day draws closer fans have started to get nervous: potential signings have fallen by the wayside; there have been fanciful calls to sign unobtainable players; the team has lost a couple of games and once heroic players have been castigated by those with short memories as 'just not good enough'; the style of football played has been 'dire' and the manager has to go; oh, and just to rub salt in the wounds the two teams up and down the South Coast have started the season well.

All of a sudden the sky is falling in!

Err, hold on, let's just pause a moment and reflect.

Re-building a squad properly takes time, this isn't Fantasy Football or the virtual world of Championship Manager: this is cold, down-to-earth, nitty gritty business reality being executed by professional people who probably do know a bit more about what is required than they're sometimes given credit for.

Think back to the dark days of administration, exited by the Club less than 12 months ago, and look forward to today. OK, got it? Now ask youself: where would you rather be?

In the opening day fixture away to Middlesbrough and during the last two Pompey games there have been some encouraging signs for this 'work in progress'.

At The Riverside Pompey's tenacity clinched a last minute equaliser against a team that has emerged as one of The Championship's front runners.

The 1-0 victory at home over Reading - last season's Championship Play-Off Runner's Up - and this goalless draw against Bristol City - a fixture that Pompey lost 2-1 last season - have also both shown that good, positive progress is being made.

The central defensive partnership of Greg Halford and Jason Pearce has clicked from the off. Interestingly, it's Pearce with his gung-ho attitude and 'give everything' approach who is taking the lead role and Halford is feeding off it. Two tough matches, two clean sheets, enough said.

Up front, manager Steve Cotterill has options for the first time in his tenure. Kitson, Kanu, Huseklepp, Benjani: they all offer something different.

The addition of David Norris to the midfield has provided experience and nous to work alongside last season's Player Of The Year Hayden Mullins. With Luke Varney and Liam Lawrence operating skilfully down the wings there is the added element of attacking flair.

There will hopefully be more players added to the squad before the close of Transfer Deadline Day.

Of course there are still areas for concern: the squad as it stands is still thin in terms of numbers, it has a few players who are past their prime (i.e. Kanu, Hreidarsson and Rocha) and scoring goals is still a problem unresolved. Liam Lawrence is still not operating at 100% and Aaron Mokoena is not a natural right full-back.

But there's one thing all of those players referenced have and that is experience, perhaps the most valuable commodity of all in football terms and eactly what Pompey will need as the re-building continues.

So, let's record the goalless draw against Bristol City as one more step on a long journey. Another point, another positive move forward. Let's take the medium to long term view and not make short term, knee-jerk reactions.

Be in no doubt: Portsmouth is a Club that's on the road to recovery, moving forward, slowly and steadily, step-by-step.

The jigsaw is being put together bit-by-bit: a goalless draw at Ashton Gate is just one more piece falling in to place.

Portsmouth versus Bristol City: Jamie Ashdown, Aaron Mokoena, Greg Halford, Jason Pearce, Tal Ben Haim, Liam Lawrence, Hayden Mullins, David Norris, Luke Varney, Kanu and Dave Kitson. Substitutes: Stephen Henderson, Ricardo Rocha, Joel Ward, Erik Huseklepp and Benjani

Attendance: 12,496 boosted by over 1,300 noisy Pompey fans who made the trip.

Pompey MOTM: Luke Varney had his best game to date in a Pompey shirt and was unlucky not to find the back of the net with his fierce second half shot that clattered the cross-bar...or was it the post?

Next up for Pompey: Cardiff City at Fratton Park on Saturday 27th August in The Championship

Source for team line-up and attendance: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk

Match Action
Here are some pictures from the match at Ashton Gate:

Midfield action.

Luke Varney 'out cold' and receiving treatment, he was back on his feet soon afterwards, completed the 90 minutes and took BT&T's MOTM award!

A Pompey move down the left hand side in the first-half.

Kanu holds up the ball during the first half.

A Greg Halford free-kick in the first half.

Captain Liam Lawrence holds up the ball during the first-half.

Pompey defend a Bristol City free-kick during the first-half.

Second-half action at Ashton Gate.

GregHalford takes a free-kick in the second half.

More second-half action.

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20/08/2011 Bristol City 0-0 Portsmouth: Pictures Of Ashton Gate

I've been to Ashton Gate three times to watch Pompey over the years but this was the first game I've seen them play there during daylight hours.

In addition to Pompey games, I've also visited Ashton Gate on two other occasions. The first, as a teenager, was to observe a session by the evangelical preacher Billy Graham - absolutely fascinating (I wasn't moved enough to 'approach the stage' if you're wondering). The second was to watch Bristol City take on VS Rugby in the FA Cup during the mid 1980s (my mate Rich from Uni was from Rugby and it was an opportunity too good to miss!).

So, this was the first chance I've had to take daytime photographs of Ashton Gate and quite an eye-opener it was. I approached the ground from the Clifton Village end of the City - the SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge providing two historical items of interest along the way.

Ashton Gate is situated near a local park, which I walked across, but it's also in the middle of an ecletic mix of traditional urban housing, modern industrial estate and fast food retail outlets.

Like Fratton Park it has seen better days, but the upside is that there is still a lot of excellent, traditional football ground architecture to enjoy. There follows a few of the pictures I took of the ground's exterior. It was an excellent day out.

The Main Entrance to Ashton Gate

The Blackthorn Ateyo Stand - this is the stand opposite where the Pompey fans were located. Of course John Ateyo, a Bristol City legend, started his career at Fratton Park. Another one that got away.

The Williams Stand.

This is the stand for away fans.

The next three pictures show some football art images that have been carved in to the brickwork. The colour is fading in places but you can still make out the images of footballers in various action guises, it's excellent! As you can see from the third picture an obligatory penis has been added, using spray paint, to one of the images which made me smile. I'm pretty certain it wasn't Banksey who did that.




This is the emergency exit at the back of the away stand.

This is the view of the away stand from the far end.

The end of The Dolman Stand used by home fans.

The alleyway at the side of The Dolman Stand including the entrance to The Exhibition Hall, frequented by home fans on matchdays.

A corner view of the ground.

The Pompey bus parked at the back of the Blackthorn Ateyo Stand.

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20/08/2011 Bristol City 0-0 Portsmouth: Bring On The Viking!

Having chanted Benjani's name and seen the Zimbabwean international brought on as a second half substitute, the Pompey fans turned their attention to new Norwegian signing Erik Huseklepp with a chant of "Bring on the Viking!".

Well, here's the moment Erik made his Pompey bow, stepping on to the Ashton Gate turf as a second half substitute orange boots gleaming.

Erik Huseklepp (10) prepares to come on and replace Liam Lawrence (7)

And the Norwegian international races on to the pitch for his cameo performance

With less than 10 minutes on the pitch for his Pompey debut it is far too early to draw any conclusions about how Erik will fare in The Championship.

However, he looked lively down the right hand side and caused the Bristol City defence a few problems with his pace.

His cross in to the box, that Benjani just failed to get on to the end of with a desperate diving header, got the fans excited leaving them wanting more.

Hopefully, that will be at Fratton Park next Saturday against Cardiff City.

He was there alongside the other Pompey players applauding the 1,300 travelling fans at the end of the game. They'd been particulary noisy throughout the match, I wonder if he's seen or heard anything like that before?

Welcome to Pompey Erik!

@PompeyChicken at Twitter.com

Thursday 18 August 2011

16/08/2011 Portsmouth 1-0 Reading: Kitson Scores, Pearce Debuts, Pompey Win, A Perfect Evening!

A goal after the half-time break by Dave Kitson was enough to secure Pompey all three points in this very open and entertaining Championship match.

Pompey gave a debut to Jason Pearce at centre back the former Bournemouth player having served his three match ban carried over from last season. Hermann Hreidarsson made way and along with Christian Dailley was left out of the matchday squad all together. Joel Ward dropped to the bench and Dave Kitson - who was given a loud, cheering welcome by the travelling Reading fans - started.

Both teams approached the match with a positive, attacking mindset from the whistle.

In the opening exchanges Luke Varney found himself clear down the left hand flank - the linesman missing what looked like an obvious offside decision - but the move broke down.

Reading's ability to surge forward quickly on the break was highlighted very early on - Kitson losing the ball in the opponent's half in the opening minutes on more than one occasion.

The Royals used Kebe as their main outlet down the right hand flank and attacked The Fratton End with relish.

Jobi McAnuff and vetran Ian Harte also stood out for the visitors, the latter pinging the ball around the pitch with his cultured left foot and playing long passes down the flanks.

Despite the loss of striker Shane Long to WBA the previous week, Reading looked to be maintaining the good form from last season that saw them storm in to the Championship Playoffs.

Both teams created good openings in the first half. For Pompey Greg Halford smashed a long range drive from the edge of the penalty box against the cross bar and for Reading Kebe hit the right hand upright after a super cross was played in to the box by McAnuff.

Pompey had two excellent opportunities to take the lead during the first period.

David Norris, who always looked to surge forward in to the box from midfield, skewed the ball wide after good work by Luke Varney down the left hand side to create the opening.

The best Pompey chance of the half fell to Kitson who manouvred himself into an excellent goal scoring position to the right of the goal but his shot was blocked out by Reading's America goalkeeper Adam Federici and the danger passed.

First Half Action




HT: Portsmouth 0-0 Reading

The second half started in the same vein as the first with Luke Varney having the first of three excellent heading opportunities to score. He has a good spring on him.

The goal came six minutes in to the second half, Lawrence delivered a good corner in to the danger area and there was Kitson to knock the ball home from close range. He appeared to connect with the ball on the way down from a leap in the air, on the volley. His own personal celebration was a tad on the quiet side but there was elation from his team mates and the Fratton Park crowd.

Reading pushed forward looking for an equaliser but it was a frustrating evening for the visitors. Jamie Ashdown made an excellent save from Karacan's long distance strike to maintain Pompey's lead. The away fans appealed very loudly for what they saw as a handball in the penalty area but the linesman didn't signal and referee Andy D'Urso wasn't moved. There was little dissent from the Reading players.

One moment of controversy came when Noel Hunt clashed with Jason Pearce. The two had a brief altercation a few moments before the main incident which happened moments later. As the ball was played forward and Pearce steadied himself to head the ball Hunt only with eyes for the Pompey defender clattered him with his forearm. He received a yellow card for his trouble.

Andy D'Urso gives Noel Hunt a yellow card.

The biggest cheer of the night came on 76 minutes when Steve Cotterill brought on Benjani to replace Kanu.

The King had a very good match, his best for some time, he linked up play well, used the ball effectively and in the second half caused Federici to make one good save from a long distance shot. He was named the official sponsor's MOTM.

Benjani is given some last minute instructions by Steve Cotterill

High-Five! Kanu comes off, Benjani goes on.

Benjani buzzed around up front in that familar style and caused one or two minor problems for the Reading defence but there is clearly still more to come from the Zimbabwean.

Pompey survived the five minutes of added time and closed the match out pretty well to deservedly secure all three points.

This had been Pompey's best performance at Fratton Park for quite some time and the result was merited against a Reading team that is clearly going to be one of the Championship's front-runners this season.

The performance of Jason Pearce in the heart of Pompey's defence was a revelation. He won ball after ball, put his head in where it hurt, he caused trouble at set-pices in the opposition's penalty box and he dished out orders to those around him. He made Greg Halford - who also had a very good game - look like the junior partner. It bodes well for the future.

FT: Portsmouth 1-0 Reading

Second Half Action


FT: Portsmouth 1-0 Reading

Portsmouth versus Reading: Jamie Ashdown, Aaron Mokoena, Greg Halford, Jason Pearce, Tal Ben Haim, Liam Lawrence, Hayden Mullins, David Norris, Luke Varney, Kanu and Dave Kitson. Substitutes: Stephen Henderson, Ricardo Rocha, Benjani, Ryan Williams and Joel Ward.

Attendance: 13,438

Pompey MOTM: The official award went to Kanu, who had a very good game. However, I would have given the MOTM award to Jason Pearce.

Next up for Pompey: Bristol City at Ashton Gate in The Championship on 20th August, kick-off 3PM.

Source for Portsmouth FC line-up and attendance figure: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk

After The Match - Pictures Of Fratton Park Floodlights
The moon, the floodlights over the South Stand and a lamp post!

Crowds have dispersed, one or two people making their way home.

The view of the floodlights at the Fratton End from Goldsmith Avenue.

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