I couldn't resist this, it made me chuckle. It's an excellent picture.
On loan left-back Carl has come in for a bit of stick from fans sitting around me recently, perhaps with some justification. He's not been quite the same player since he returned from his three match ban.
Before the ban he was getting forward down the left flank and delivering some excellent crosses in to the danger area. That hasn't happened in recent matches.
Some opposition coaches have clearly been targetting him in games and on occasions he has had a torrid time defensively e.g. Watford (Buckley), Leeds United (Snodgrass, Gradel). Having a depleted midfield operating in front of him doesn't help mind.
However, despite his limitations nobody can doubt his commitment, he always gives 100%, he shows real British Bulldog spirit, gnashing his teeth at referees and linesmen alike. He mustn't forget he's on a football pitch though and not in some school playground playing the Australian version of the game!
Historically, there's nothing Pompey fans like more than a trier someone who works hard and is committed to the cause, especially during difficult times.
It's at times like these when I remember hod-carrier-cum-footballer Chris Burns similar to Carl but who ended up playing for Pompey in an FA Cup Semi Final.
So, whilst Carl's got the star and crescent badge on his shirt let's cheer him on, recognising that he's no Armand Traore (pacy) or Dejan Stefanovic (cool and assured) to use two recent players who filled the Pompey left back position as examples. He's one of us for now and the last thing we need is a player running around with the fans on his back. Otherwise he'll be knackered at the end of each game!
BlueThruAndThru
