Notes
It was another frustrating afternoon for Pompey and their travelling fans as they fell to defeat against a Bury team who are starting to pick up their performances under Kevin Blackwell.
The long trip back to the South Coast provided plenty of time to reflect on what was a difficult week and when I got home I tweeted this:
@PompeyChicken Hope all #Pompey fans had good trip back. I'm off to reflect on today's game and everything else that's happend this week: I'm concerned :-/
Below I've set out some of the things that were going around in my mind. I don't expect everyone to agree with what I've written below - this is football afterall a game of opinions - but these are my views and I'm sure I won't be the only Pompey fan thinking about at least some of these points.
Sometimes it's good to just to get it all down 'on paper', so here goes.
More Player Turnover To Come?
Are the players currently at Fratton Park on short-term contracts just there because of Michael Appleton? How much 'churn' will there be in January's transfer window now he has moved on?
Do Short-Term Contracts Beget Short-Term Attitudes?
If a player is on a short-term contract, does this impact the way they play? Are they more cautious in making challenges for example not only to avoid a card but also to avoid an injury?
Happy Just To Exist Or Is There More To It?
After everything that has gone on at Portsmouth FC over the last few years, yes of course having a club to support is a positive thing!
But at the same time there is still football being played and a team to support. Although everyone needs to reset their expectations accordingly and be realistic about the circumstances Pompey find themselves in that doesn't mean accepting poor performances or medocrity as the 'norm'. Let's be frank: Pompey have not played well this season. This Club should have higher standards, it is better than that.
The Impact Of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt
How much impact does the 'general malaise' around the Club have on the players' performance? Despite what gets said publically, if there is any F.U.D (e.g. administration, ownership, short term contracts, the threat of points deductions and so on) that cannot be conducive to producing good performances, can it?
I've always believed that if you come in to the workplace and your mind is elsewhere (e.g. you're worried about something at home) then you won't concentrate and won't perform to the best of you abilities. Surely that applies in football too?
The sooner the takeover by preferred bidders The Pompey Trust happens the sooner the dark clouds can be lifted and the players and coaching staff can focus entirely on football matters.
Boardroom Vacuum
Who is representing the Club in the boardroom these days be it at home or away?
Former Pompey goalkeeper Dean Kiely tweeted about the lack of Club representation in the boardroom during his recent matchday visit (I assume he was scouting).
That reminded me of something Dave Whelan said about Liverpool football club a couple of years ago under the ownership of Hicks and Gillett. He spoke about it being 'souless' in the boardroom.
That needs to be addressed quickly otherwise other clubs' representatives will quickly form negative opinions about Portsmouth FC based on their experiences. Even though Pompey are in administration somebody needs to represent the Club.
Lee Williamson
Lee Williamson (at right back) and Mustapha Dumbuya (at right midfield) were played out of position against Bury for much of the match and it didn't work out in my view. There was no need for that to happen and can only lead to frustrations amongst the players.
After Williamson was moved in to the centre of midfield he looked a far more effective and dangerous player. Playing him out of position too often is a risk to him staying at Fratton Park longer term in my view. It all depends on the sort of character he is but you wouldn't blame him if he thought 'who needs all this?' and he walked away, especially if as reported his family isn't here with him. He's been one of the better performers this season, he's a good player and Pompey need him to stick around to play in the right position.
Izale McLeod
He has been at his most effective this season when he had Wes Thomas alongside him and Pompey have badly missed the Cherries' player since he returned to Dean Court from his loan spell at Fratton Park.
He looks most impressive when he has the ball at his feet and he is running from width towards the goal not when he has his back to goal; when he has the ball at his feet and he's running with pace he looks a different player who can cause problems to defences in League One.
There is no doubt in my mind that he will score plenty of goals in the division but he can be a very frustrating player to watch.
Time For A Change Of Approach On The Pitch
Too often this season Pompey have lacked a bit of 'grit and determination' on the pitch to play 'ugly' and grind out results. The players have made errors, their heads have dropped and they have often been 'pushed around' by big, powerful opposite numbers. They've suffered 'professional' tactics (e.g. time wasting) and been on the end of some poor officiating decisions in League One.
Getting 'in to the faces' of those players a bit more and berating officials, within reason of course, just sends out a few reminders that Pompey are no pushovers. Like it or not it seems to me that is part of the game at this level. Yes of course there will be cards and it won't be pretty to watch at times, but this is a tough division, it's time to stop 'pussy footing' around. It's possible to play attractive football and be tough whilst doing it.
Daryll Russell provided some 'grit and determination' against Bury and yes he got booked but so what? At least he was having a go at making a difference! The post-match reports of what went on in the dressing room would suggest that continued off the pitch as well. Let's hope we see a bit more of that positive attitude on the pitch during the next Pompey match.
Pompey Fans
Final word goes to the travelling Pompey fans who were teriffic once again, especially in the second half, which didn't go unnoticed by the home supporters many of whom made positive comments afterwards e.g on Twitter. If ever there was a reason to remain upbeat that was it.
Ah, that's better! Enjoy the pictures. PUP!
Match Action Pictures From Gigg Lane
Following Michael Appleton's departure to Blackpool during the week, former Pompey players Guy Whittingham and Andy Awford took charge of the first team for this trip to Bury.
Gabor Gyepes controls the ball during the first half. He was substituted at half-time due to illness.
Izale McLeod goes up for another header during the first half.
Pompey goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen prepares to deal with a Bury cross during the first half.
A Pompey move in the first half breaks down as the Bury defender sees the ball out to safety.
More first half action as McLeod holds up the ball, closely marked by the Bury defender who looks like he might have got a bit too close to the Pompey number nine with that arms out gesture.
Furious Pompey players protest against the awarding of Bury's penalty early in the second half.
The linesman gave the penalty, the referee did not initially point to the spot but awarded the spot kick when he saw his colleaguewith his flag across his chest. Carl Dickinson was the player adjudged to have committed the foul but it looked a poor decision by the official. Dickinson received a yellow card for his trouble.
The Pompey fans reminded the linesman what they thought of him for the remainder of the game, with cheers of irony when he made a decision in Pompey's favour followed by chants of: "You're still a f***in' w***er! You're still a f***in' w***er!".
Bury's skipper Schumacher slots home the penalty in front of the Pompey fans.
Pompey defend a Bury set-piece in the second half.
FT: Bury 2-0 Portsmouth (HT: 1-0)
Portsmouth versus Bury: Mikkel Andersen, Lee Williamson, Lubomir Michalik, Gabor Gyepes (replaced by Johnny Ertl at HT), Carl Dickinson, Mustapha Dumbuya, Daryll Russell (replaced by Liam Walker in the 66th minute), Brian Howard, Jon Harley (replaced by Jack Compton in the 57th minute), Ashley Harris and Izale McLeod. Substitutes not used: Simon Eastwood and Adam Webster.
Referee: Mr C. Pawson
Attendance: 3,280 (including 806 Pompey fans). This was Bury's second largest crowd of the season (the largest attendance to date was against Preston North End).
Pompey MOTM: a difficult one to award. I thought Daryll Russell had a reasonably good game and at least had a bit about him. Lee Williamson played well and improved as the game went on as he moved in to the midfield from right back. Ashley Harris did a lot of hard work up front.
Next Up For Pompey: Doncaster Rovers at Fratton Park on Saturday November 17th, kick-off 3PM.
Reference source: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk
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