Pompey In October: Highs and Lows, New Away Grounds, Bramall Lane and The Greatest Band In The World...

Introduction
...well, in my view anyway! I recognise that Radiohead are not everybody's cup of tea.

October was busy for Portsmouth Football Club with plenty of action on and off the pitch. Pompey played seven first team matches (I managed to get to four of them). 

This blog summarises all the first team action for the month: the highs of League One victories against Yeovil Town, Crewe Alexandra and Shrewsbury Town; the low of the JPT defeat against League Two Wycombe Wanderers at Fratton Park coupled with league defeats away to high-flying Stevenage and Sheffield United.

For the Pompey fans, who continued to travel in good numbers, there were new grounds to enjoy (e.g. Huish Park, StadiumMK and The Lamex Stadium) with Bramall Lane continuing to be a ground where Pompey just can't eek out a win - it's been 57 years since victory was last tasted at the home of Sheffield United.

During October: Izale McLeod continued to do what he does best: score goals; there were returns to Fratton Park of two former loanees: Carl Dickinson from Watford and Scott Allan from WBA; there were the departures of Reading starlet Jordan Obita and AFC Bournemouth forward Wes Thomas recalled early from his loan; there was the signing of fitness-seeking, Hungarian playmaker Akos Buzsaky; and there was a fine of £2.5K for receiving too many bookings against Crewe Alexandra from an over zealous referee (that's my opinion anyway!). 

I've added a few, sometimes blurry*, pictures some notes and the tweets of @PompeyChicken to help bring the story of Pompey's matches in October 2012 together.

Enjoy!

* Sorry! I am no David Bailey!

@PompeyChicken at Twitter     

02/10/2012 Yeovil Town 1-2 Portsmouth (HT: 0-1)

Portsmouth goal scorers: McLeod in the 13^th minute and Gypes in the 78^th minute

Portsmouth team versus Yeovil Town: Mikkel Andersen, MustaphaDumbuya, Lubomir Michalik, Gabor Gyepes, adam Webster, Lee Williamson, Johnny Ertl, Brian Howard, Jon Harley, Wes Thomas (replaced by Ashley Harris in the 82^nd minute), Izale McLeod (replaced by Jordan Obita in the 89^th minute). Substitutes not used: Simon Eastwood, Liam Walker, Jack Compton and Akos Buzsaky

Referee: Mr C Foy

Attendance: 4,769 (including 1,297 Pompey fans 27% of the total).

Notes and a solitary tweet

I wasn't able to attend this match and listened on BBC Radio Solent.

@PompeyChicken Liked @KrisTemple on @SolentSport calling #Pompey defender Gabor Gyepes 'Gabor The Goal' after his 2nd goal in 2 matches, a good win! :-D

I need to check this but I think this was Pompey's first competitive match at Huish Park.

I bought the matchday programme at the Portsmouth FC Programme and Memorabilia Fair.

06/10/2012 MK Dons 2-2 Portsmouth (HT: 1-2)

Portsmouth goal scorers: Izale McLeod in the 4^th minute and Gabor Gyepes in the 20^th minute

Portsmouth team versus MK Dons: Mikkel Andersen, Mustapha Dumbuya, Lubomir Michalik, Gabor Gyepes, Adam Webster, Lee Williamson, Johnny Ertl, Brian Howard (replaced by Akos Buzsaky in the 81^st minute), Jon Harley, Wes Thomas (replaced by Jordan Obita in the 81^st minute) and Izale McLeod. Substitutes not used: Simon Eastwood, Liam Walker, Jack Compton, Ashley Harris and Luke Rodgers.

Referee: Mr D. Coote

Attendance: 10,409 (2,552 Pompey fans 25% of the total)

Notes and tweets

I wasn't able to attend this match, an excellent evening with Radiohead in Manchester, arranged many months ago, took precedence.

@PompeyChicken ...welcome to Manchester and the MEN Arena. Playing tonight: Radiohead.

@PompeyChicken Missed the #Pompey game at #MKDons today but for a very good reason...

I bought the matchday programme at the Portsmouth FC Programme and Memorabilia Fair.

This was Pompey's first ever visit to the StadiumMK.

Ironically, Scott Allan – who was on loan at MK Dons at the time of this match before re-joining Pompey at the end of the month – was on the front cover of the matchday programme (see above).

There's some nice tributes to Jimmy Bullard in the matchday programme who retired from football earlier in the week.

09/10/2012 Portsmouth 1-3 Wycombe Wanderers (HT: 1-2)

Portsmouth goal scorer: Izale McLeod in the 45^th minute

Portsmouth team versus Wycombe Wanderers: Simon Eastwood, Adam Webster, Lubomir Michalik (replaced by Ashley Harris in the 61^st minute), Gabor Gyepes, Jon Harley, Johnny Ertl, Brian Howard, Akos Buzsaky (replaced by Luke Rodgers in the 78^th minute), Lee Williamson, Izale McLeod and Wes Thomas. Substitutes not used: Liam Walker, Jack Compton and Jordan Obita.

Referee: Mr S. Hooper

Attendance: 7,292 (I think this was the biggest JPT attendance on the night)

Notes and tweets

This was the first competitive match between the two clubs.

Note: to read in order start at the end and work up the list!

@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 1-3 Wycombe, safe trip home all. Night.

‏@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 1-3 Wycombe, I am reminded of the Leyton Orient win here in the FACup a few years back now.

‏@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 1-3 Wycombe, visitors deserved this win, very disappointing Pompey.

‏ 

Simon Eastwood makes a penalty save in front of The Milton End.

@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 1-3 Wycombe, Morgan scores third after Eastwood saves his penalty kick.

@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 1-3 Wycombe

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 1-2 Wycombe, teams are back out for 2H. PUP, FFS!

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 1-2 Wycombe, Pompey didn't get started until they were two nil down. Shocking start, all to do now in 2H.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 1-2 Wycombe, not the easiest conditions to play in. Visitors playing 'carefree football'.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 1-2 Wycombe, the wind is an easterly, quite strong, so blowing towards Fratton End.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 1-2 Wycombe, McLeod pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 1-2 Wycombe, visitors also hit woodwork twice.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 1-2 Wycombe, unbelievably Morgan doubled lead after nine minutes.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 1-2 Wycombe, Grant opened scoring straight from kick off, Eastwood's first action to pick ball out of net.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 1-2 Wycombe

@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Wycombe right time to concentrate some football has broken out.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Wycombe away fans are doing a mini Poznan, a few more here now.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Wycombe we're underway and Pompey are one down inside 30 seconds :-/

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Wycombe visitors in yellow shirts and shorts plus lime green socks, unless my eyesight is playing tricks.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Wycombe Buzasaky starts for Pompey making his home debut.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Wycombe Pompey only seem to have one goalkeeper on duty tonight, Simon Eastwood starts.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Wycombe three quarters of one Milton End section with away fans who've made the trip to the South Coast.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Wycombe got my feathers a bit wet during the walk to ground, they'll no doubt go fluffy, what's a man to do?

‏@PompeyChicken Good evening from a very wet Fratton Park for #Pompey vs Wycombe Wanderers in the #JPT

13/10/2012 Portsmouth 2-0 Crewe Alexandra (HT: 2-0)

Portsmouth goal scorers: Wes Thomas in the 2^nd minute and Izale McLeod in the 17^th minute with a penalty.

Portsmouth team versus Crewe Alexandra: Mikkel Andersen, Lee Williamson, Lubomir Michalik, Gabor Gyepes, Adam Webster, Jon Harley, Johnny Ertl, Brian Howard, Akos Buzsaky (replaced by Jack Compton in the 76^th minute), Wes Thomas, Izale McLeod (replaced by Luke Rodgers in the 87^th minute). Substitutes not used: Simon Eastwood, Josh Thompson, Liam Walker, Jordan Obita and Ashley Harris.

Referee: Mr D Phillips

Attendance: 11,829

Tweets

Note: to read in order start at the end and work up the list!

@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, right time to go. Have a great week everybody, see you next Saturday! PUP! :-D

‏@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, I thought Lee Williamson did well at right back today. Wes Thomas got official MOTM award.

@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, Harley and Buzsaky swapped positions in 2H giving Webster more protection at left back.

@PompeyChickenFT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, Martin denied Jack Compton at the end, Compton was set up well by Luke Rodgers.

‏@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, Mikkel Andersen made two good saves in 2H.

‏@PompeyChickenFT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, more bookings picked up by Pompey in 2H which could mean trouble with the League.

‏@PompeyChickenFT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, game fizzled out at end but who cares,it was a good win for Pompey.

‏@PompeyChickenFT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, teams are back out, visitors having another warm up before they start. PUP!

‏@PompeyChickenHT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, Lee Williamson has played at right back and Jon Harley right midfield. Adam Webster at left back.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, there have been too many bookings in the 1H for my liking, spoiling the game to some extent.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, Alan Martin in Crewe goal has made four good saves to keep Pompey at bay.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe, Wes Thomas and Izale McLeod with a penalty give Pompey HT lead. Thomas was fouled for the pen.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 2-0 Crewe

‏@PompeyChicken#Pompey vs Crewe oops, suddenly got transported back to the 1950s then!

@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Crewe teams are out, visitors in all-black strip, red trim on collars and top of stockings. PUP!

‏‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Crewe heavy shower has just fallen at FP no need for the 'A.S.S' ('Auto-Sprinkler System') today!

‏‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Crewe ...I can remember the pink broadsheet Sports Mail. Not old enough to remember it in blue though!

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Crewe some good articles in today's matchday programme about the Sports Mail today following its demise...

‏@PompeyChicken#Pompey vs Crewe local schools called out on tannoy taking up offer of free tickets after fans £30K #FANPOWERSTADIUM win

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs Crewe it's got a bit chilly in the westerly breeze after a sunny start to the day on the South Coast.

‏@PompeyChicken Hello, it's Saturday afternoon, time for football at Fratton Park as #Pompey take on Crewe Alexandra in League One. 

Match Action Pictures

 

20/10/2012 Portsmouth 3-1 Shrewsbury Town (HT: 0-0)

Portsmouth goal scorers: Thomas 55, McLeod 58, 90+4

Portsmouth team versus Shrewsbury Town: Mikkel Andersen, Lee Williamson, Lubomir Michalik, Gabor Gyepes, Mustapha Dumbuya, Akos Buzsaky (replaced by Jack Compton in the 85^th minute), Johnny Ertl, Brian Howard, Jon Harley (replaced by Ashley Harris in the 77^th minute), Izale McLeod and Wes Thomas. Substitutes not used: Simon Eastwood, Adam Webster, Josh Thompson, Liam Walker and Luke Rodgers.

Referee: Mr F Graham

Attendance: 13,051

Tweets

Note: to read in order start at the end and work up the list!

@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 3-1 #Salop, Stevenage away on Tuesday, safe trip home everyone. PUP!

‏@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 3-1 #Salop, Akos Buzsaky was named MOTM. He played central midfield in 2H, looked more effective there.

‏@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 3-1 #Salop, visitors looked dangerous until McLeod secured points late on.

‏@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 3-1 #Salop, Morgan scored for visitors to make it 2-1 then saw yellow and straight red.

@PompeyChicken FT #Pompey 3-1 #Salop, Izale McLeod with two and Wes Thomas with Pompey's goals against 10 man Shrewsbury Town.

‏@PompeyChickenFT #Pompey 3-1 #Salop

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 0-0 #Salop, teams are back out for 2H. Visitors doing more warm up routines. PUP!

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 0-0 #Salop, visitors get a lot of men forward quickly when they push up.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 0-0 #Salop, Pompey have looked light in the middle of the park, Buzsaky looks wasted on the right / left.

‏@PompeyChickenHT #Pompey 0-0 #Salop, Mikkel Andersen made a good save to his right from a visitors' free kick late on.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 0-0 #Salop, the best chance fell to the visitors but Paul Parry blazed over from within the six yard box.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 0-0 #Salop it's not been the highest quality game so far to be frank.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #Pompey 0-0 #Salop

‏@PompeyChicken#Pompey vs #Salop the teams are out at FP, visitors in white shirts with blue trim, white socks, blue shorts. PUP!

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs #Salop a good turnout from Shrewsbury fans today, almost two sections of Milton End taken up.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs #Salop @SteveBone1 writes about first away matches, broken down cars and dodgy buses in VFTNS today.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs #Salop Johnny Moore writes about David Kemp in today's matchday programme. That Roy Race pic included too.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs #Salop we have a different matchday announcer at Fratton Park today.

‏@PompeyChicken#Pompey vs #Salop players of both teams wearing 'One Game, One Community' t-shirts in warm up.

‏@PompeyChicken #Pompey vs #Salop one change for Pompey from last time out, Dumbuya replaces Webster who drops to bench.

‏@PompeyChicken Hello from Fratton Park for today's match between #Pompey and Shrewsbury Town (#Salop) in League One. 

23/10/2012 Stevenage 2-1 Portsmouth (HT: 1-0) 

Pictures Of The Lamex Stadium Pre-Match

It was a bit misty!

Portsmouth goal scorer: Harley 51

Portsmouth team versus Stevenage: Mikkel Andersen, Lee Williamson, Lubomir Michalik, Gabor Gyepes, Carl Dickinson, Akos Buzsaky (replaced by Mustapha Dumbuya in the 46^th minute), Johnny Ertl, Brian Howard, Jon Harley, Wes Thomas, Izale McLeod. Substitutes not used: Simon Eastwood, Josh Thompson, Liam Walker, Jack Compton, Ashley Harris and Luke Rodgers.

Referee: Mr A Woolmer

Attendance: 4,012 (987 Pompey fans 25% of the total)

Tweets

Note: to read in order start at the end and work up the list!

‏@PompeyChicken Corr FT Stevenage 2-1 #Pompey Jon Harley equalised but Pompey conceded a poor second cross from Morais went straight in.

‏@PompeyChickenFT Stevenage 2-1 #Pompey, right car park is clear, time to go. Safe journey home all, drive sensibly in the fog.

‏@PompeyChickenFT Stevenage 2-1 #Pompey, Wes Thomas traipsed off alone at end, head bowed. Is he being recalled by #AFCB?

‏@PompeyChicken FT Stevenage 2-1 #Pompey, Brian Howard picked up 5th booking of season and misses next game.

‏@PompeyChickenFT Stevenage 2-1 #Pompey, Pompey played well going forward and will be disappointed not to take anything from the game.

‏@PompeyChicken FT Stevenage 2-1 #Pompey, the home team were solid in defence snd always had someone to block shots.

‏@PompeyChicken FT Stevenage 2-1 #Pompey, Wes Thomas had earlier had an effort well saved on the goal line.

‏@PompeyChickenFT Stevenage 2-1 #Pompey, Jon Harley equalised but conceded a poor second, cross from Morais went straight in.

‏@PompeyChickenFT Stevenage 2-1 #Pompey

‏@PompeyChicken HT Stevenage 1-0 #Pompey, teams are out for 2H, PUP!

‏@PompeyChicken HT Stevenage 1-0 #Pompey, Carl Dickinson has played some VG long, cross field passes.

@PompeyChickenHT Stevenage 1-0 #Pompey, some of Pompey's defending has been ponderous at times.

‏@PompeyChickenHT Stevenage 1-0 #Pompey hosts move the ball quickly down the wings putting Pompey defence under pressure.

‏@PompeyChicken HT Stevenage 1-0 #Pompey, since falling behind Pompey have worked hard and crafted some good chances.

@PompeyChicken HT Stevenage 1-0 #Pompey, good turnout of Pompey fans at the Lamex this evening.

‏@PompeyChickenHT Stevenage 1-0 #Pompey goal was a header by Felipe Morais unmarked in six yard box, ball went through Andersen's legs.

‏@PompeyChicken HT Stevenage 1-0 #Pompey 

Match Action Pictures From The Lamex Stadium

Notes: Two Places To Avoid On A Tuesday Evening

I travelled up to Stevenage for this match (A3, M25, A1M). A simple route but the M25 is not a great place to be during a mid-week rush hour!

There is a large, conveniently located, free car park close to the Lamex Stadium, another one notched up.

Stevenage have done tremendously well during the last few seasons, similar to Crawley Town in some respects in terms of their rise up the football pyramid. Their Chairman, Phil Wallace, had this to say in his matchday programme notes whilst noting Pompey's recent woes: “...we are fortunate that we've never had to endure...financial uncertainty – on the contrary, we've spent years making sure our club remains competitive on the pitch but operates within its means...”.

The attendance for this match was the biggest home crowd of the season to date for Stevenage.

The match saw the return of Carl Dickinson to the Club, on loan from Watford. He provided some much needed experience at left back, no disrespect to Adam Webster who is still learning his trade or Jon Harley who is not a natural left back. Dickinson settled in OK but picked up his obligatory booking, some things never change...

Pompey played well in this game going forward but at the back they looked ponderous and both goals they conceded were down to poor and hesitant defending.

Jon Harley's goal was very well taken, he turned on the edge of the penalty area and fired his shot in to the corner sending the travelling fans in to raptures. It looked like we would get something from the game at that point. But it wasn't to be.

I had to drive home in 'radio silence' just to give my poor ears a rest: standing directly in front of the Pompey drummers is another place to avoid on a Tuesday evening ;-D

23/10/2012 Sheffield United 1-0 Portsmouth (HT: 0-0)

Portsmouth team versus Sheffield United: Mikkel Andersen, Mustapha Dumbuya, Lubomir Michalik, Gabor Gyepes, Carl Dickinson, Akos Buzsaky, Johnny Ertl (replaced by Luke Rodgers in the 78^th minute), Lee Williamson, Jon Harley (replaced by Ashley Harris in the 74^th minute); Scott Allan and Izale McLeod. Substitutes not used: Simon Eastwood, Adam Webster, Josh Thompson, Liam Walker and Jack Compton.

Referee: Mr M Russell

Attendance: 18,946 (580 Pompey fans).

Notes

Otherwise engaged, I listened to the first half on BBC Radio Solent and watched the second on Sky TV.

Gabor Gypes was named captain in the absence of Brian Howard who was suspended having reached five bookings.

Scott Allan made his second bow for the Club having re-joined on loan from WBA. He was Pompey's stand-out player on the night.

This was the biggest League One attendance of the season to date, according to Sky TV.

Although nobody can doubt that Michalik 'dived-in' unnecessarily to concede the winning penalty I personally thought it was an incorrect decision (there was no contact with the player was there?). But I appear to be in a minority, everyone else seemed to accept the decision unquestionably, which is very frustrating. Despite looking at the TV replays and listening to all the 'expert' TV pundits I'm still to be convinced...but what the heck, what do I know? Water under the bridge now and we move on with Pompey still waiting for that elusive Bramall Lane victory: the last win was on 05/11/1955.

Bring on November!

Source for all information about teams, attendances, referees and goalscorers: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk

BlueThruAndThru