Match Thread Coventry City vs. Portsmouth Match Thread - Tuesday 11th Feb (21 Viewers)

[ps1948]

I doubt they play like that every week - they set up to kill our wing backs and did for the most part. McCallum couldn’t cope at all

Comparison to Bolton is silly. They looked like a pub side - some players really looked hopelessly out their depth

Just asking, which of their players were hopelessly out of their depth?

 

---

[wingy]

Just looked on the Pompey board and not one mention of the game tonight. Only post after the finish time was moaning about their purple kit. Am I looking in the wrong place?

Someone said it has crashed.

 

[Liquid Gold]

Imagine paying that much money for Marquis. Done nothing in either game we've played them this season.

 

[SBbucks]

They were a Bolton upgrade.
Good at what they so. But what they do isn't football in my book. Fine for the Rochdales of this world.
But as the 2nd best supported club in the league and as a consequence I'd imagine the second best budget I'd want better than that shite if I supported them.

If you watched the Rochdale game at SA (which I assume you didn't) you will know that they attempted to play the ball from the back (on the ground) more than any other team we've seen this season, very similar to us but not as good at it. Lazy stereotype.

 

[SBbucks]

As we all know, some of our fans slag off players unnecessarily ! He’s a brave young lad, works his arse off and has got that little bit of magic, but I’ve got to be honest, I thought he struggled in patches tonight (and was actually surprised when Allen was taken off - That’s why Robins does what he does and I’m typing messages on a forum at 1050pm !)

Great ball for goal though (the throw and finish also quality)

Agreed - O'hare looked out on his feet and was the obvious candidate to come off, whilst Allen was still going strong. But then what do we know? But I would still have brought Pask on to replace him for the last 5 minutes to handle the aerial assault.

 

[fellatio_Martinez]

I just had a little peek at the Sunderland forum and saw this well deserved, excellent beat down towards a rogue Cov fan.

 

[clint van damme]

If you watched the Rochdale game at SA (which I assume you didn't) you will know that they attempted to play the ball from the back (on the ground) more than any other team we've seen this season, very similar to us but not as good at it. Lazy stereotype.

you are wrong about me attending the Rochdale game, lazy assumption.
I didn't say Rochdale played this type of football, I just picked the name of a 'smaller' club out of the air. My point being that this style of play is OK for clubs on a tight budget who can't bring in the quality they'd like but when you've got a bigger budget, then me personally, I expect a better brand of football.
You're right about Rochdale, so maybe I should cited another club because their style of play was superior to Portsmouth. .

 

[kg82]

They didn’t play good football or look a good team, but based on their league position and form (until tonight!) they are obviously effective. Yet we dealt with it.

It was a scrappy game and we didn’t dominate as we can, but we looked the better team overall and deserved the win.

I was critical of Godden after the Birmingham game, but that was an incredible finish and he seemed to have re-gained his positional sense and movement. He looked good when he came on. If he isn’t fully fit, that impact sub role could be really effective.

McFadzean was brilliant again, on and off the ball. Hyam, Walsh, Bakayoko and Dabo were out other stand outs. Marosi made two fantastic saves.

If I was being critical, I’d say Kelly’s passing was off as was Roses. McCallum also had a poor game and if Giles is as good as hyped then he’s worth a game, as is Mason. Southend might be the game to try one or two slight changes based on form/fitness if MR seems fit.

Absolutely fantastic result and massive credit to the naturally cautious MR for starting with attacking intent (Allen/O’Hare) and continuing that by putting two up front. I’d still get him a taxi though, he’s a bang average manager.

Big game Saturday - but we have to be full of confidence.

Completely agreed with that assessment and resting players. Don’t change it too much, but I really thought Kelly was off last night. Couple changes, freshen it up, give some a rest.

 

[kg82]

When he brought godden on I was baffled, he looked much sharper though so the rest has done him good.

Got to admit, me too. Thought Bakayoko did well and would have been more effective having 2 bigger strikers up... shows what I know!

 

[Magwitch]

Completely agreed with that assessment and resting players. Don’t change it too much, but I really thought Kelly was off last night. Couple changes, freshen it up, give some a rest.

Why change a winning team there’s a seven day gap between our next two matches so a bit of a rest period there, Robins tends not to change a winning team if all fit I expect the same team to start, the only change might be Godden for Bakayoko.

 

[CovInEssex]

Still buzzing I am

 

[SBbucks]

you are wrong about me attending the Rochdale game, lazy assumption.
I didn't say Rochdale played this type of football, I just picked the name of a 'smaller' club out of the air. My point being that this style of play is OK for clubs on a tight budget who can't bring in the quality they'd like but when you've got a bigger budget, then me personally, I expect a better brand of football.
You're right about Rochdale, so maybe I should cited another club because their style of play was superior to Portsmouth. .

It's more about football philosophy than budget, Accrington in their promotion season were another example, small budget but played good tidy football. My assumption was that you couldn't have seen the Rochdale game if you thought they played like Pompey - logical rather than lazy. But if you prefer picking a club "out of the air" to support your point then carry on.

 

[Esoterica]

Makes the Bury situation even more frustrating as those 2 missing fixtures are going to prevent us reaching 100 points this season.

 

[Speedies_Chips]

Makes the Bury situation even more frustrating as those 2 missing fixtures are going to prevent us reaching 100 points this season.

Knowing City, Bury would have done the double over us! Lol

 

[clint van damme]

It's more about football philosophy than budget, Accrington in their promotion season were another example, small budget but played good tidy football. My assumption was that you couldn't have seen the Rochdale game if you thought they played like Pompey - logical rather than lazy. But if you prefer picking a club "out of the air" to support your point then carry on.

They were a very functional team. Which again, in their case, I have no problem with. Just think when you've got a bigger budget you should try and at least introduce a bit of flair. I didn't see that in Pompey last night.

 

[SBbucks]

They were a very functional team. Which again, in their case, I have no problem with. Just think when you've got a bigger budget you should try and at least introduce a bit of flair. I didn't see that in Pompey last night.

Their best "flair" player, Curtis, didn't show anything last night, but maybe we just dealt with him well. He was a nightmare down at Fratton Park. It's about doing what you have to do to get out of this league, and Pompey are doing pretty well with their style (as were Wycombe until recently, and they make Pompey look like Barcelona). Most of the teams in this league are functional, with the exception of us (although we're adapting to it when necessary), Rochdale, Oxford and Donny. I can't think of many others who try to play on the ground from the back most of the time (apologies to anybody I've missed). I think if you offered us promotion playing like Pompey at the start of the season most of would have gladly taken it. As it's turned out, we are extremely fortunate to have found a style that is both great to watch and effective.

 

[Grendel]

Just asking, which of their players were hopelessly out of their depth?

They looked like what they are - a team that’s put together a lot of loans and contract rejects from other clubs.

The defence was never together at all. The full back clearly wasn’t fit and the centre halves disjointed

The guy up front is mid thirties and it showed

Ironically the guy who scored looked ok and I think he’s probably one if the few who played in August

The goalkeeper has had a similar career to Wilson and again not very good

 

[clint van damme]

Their best "flair" player, Curtis, didn't show anything last night, but maybe we just dealt with him well. He was a nightmare down at Fratton Park. It's about doing what you have to do to get out of this league, and Pompey are doing pretty well with their style (as were Wycombe until recently, and they make Pompey look like Barcelona). Most of the teams in this league are functional, with the exception of us (although we're adapting to it when necessary), Rochdale, Oxford and Donny. I can't think of many others who try to play on the ground from the back most of the time (apologies to anybody I've missed). I think if you offered us promotion playing like Pompey at the start of the season most of would have gladly taken it. As it's turned out, we are extremely fortunate to have found a style that is both great to watch and effective.

The get out at any costs argument is about personal opinion really. I can't say people are wrong to think like that but its not something I'm subscribe to, (again, referring more to teams with a better budget who can attract quality). I've probably only felt like this recently if I'm honest.
Maybe I'm spoilt having watched some really good stuff over the last couple of seasons.

 

[oldskyblue58]

I think the two results against Pompey are probably the two most significant results of the season so far. The result away losing with 9 men with time running out then coming back to get a point gave the squad some inner strength and belief that when the going gets tough they can get through it. Last night against the top form team they won and deservedly so. It puts them in a strong position with games in hand. Long way to go yet but looking good. MR is doing a great job so far and found a way to get the young squad to achieve more consistently. Well done to him and the squad

 

[kg82]

Why change a winning team there’s a seven day gap between our next two matches so a bit of a rest period there, Robins tends not to change a winning team if all fit I expect the same team to start, the only change might be Godden for Bakayoko.

Would normally agree. But some of those players need a rest. You can clearly see that. That’s what we have a good squad for.

 

[Liquid Gold]

Dabo did a number on Curtis last night. Was on him very quickly early on and put the pressure on him so for the rest of the game he wasn't as sharp as he can be as he was expecting that contact even when the defender wasn't as tight, that put the nerves in him and resulted in his poor distribution and letting the ball go out of play.

Special mention to Ellis Harrison for coming on, getting caught offside 5 times then ballooning a great chance over the bar.

 

[oldfiver]

Highlghts = Pompey commentary

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

When he brought godden on I was baffled, he looked much sharper though so the rest has done him good.

Why would you be baffled at bringing on your top goal scorer in a 0-0?

Even if he’s not 100%, throw him on and hope he finds himself in exactly the kind of situation where he scored.

He even snatched at a decent chance for a second chance to score.

 

[Grendel]

Would normally agree. But some of those players need a rest. You can clearly see that. That’s what we have a good squad for.

We don’t have that good a squad. I can’t think of any centre half you’d rest - Pask has hardly played - the wing backs are cemented and the forwards rotate a lot anyway so really you’ve got Shipley and possibly an out of form Westbrook as options

 

[Nick]

Why would you be baffled at bringing on your top goal scorer in a 0-0?

Even if he’s not 100%, throw him on and hope he finds himself in exactly the kind of situation where he scored.

He even snatched at a decent chance for a second chance to score.

Because in the last couple of games he was way off the pace to the point I could have outrun him.

 

[kg82]

We don’t have that good a squad. I can’t think of any centre half you’d rest - Pask has hardly played - the wing backs are cemented and the forwards rotate a lot anyway so really you’ve got Shipley and possibly an out of form Westbrook as options

Shipley, Westbrooke, Mason, Giles, Pask, Jones... any of those can come in and do a job. It’s a good squad. Kelly and McCallum need a rest from what I’ve seen. You have options there. Literally arguing for the sake of it.

 

[Grendel]

Shipley, Westbrooke, Mason, Giles, Pask, Jones... any of those can come in and do a job. It’s a good squad. Kelly and McCallum need a rest from what I’ve seen. You have options there. Literally arguing for the sake of it.

I don’t see Jones capable of starting a game when he hasn’t even come off the bench? mason doesn’t make the bench anymore and hasn’t started a league game for a long time. So it’s 4 options 2 of which haven’t hardly played with the team at all so why would you change?

 

[kg82]

I don’t see Jones capable of starting a game when he hasn’t even come off the bench? mason doesn’t make the bench anymore and hasn’t started a league game for a long time. So it’s 4 options 2 of which haven’t hardly played with the team at all so why would you change?

He was on the bench against Bolton. But ok. So we have Giles for that position. Kelly... Shipley or Westbrooke, even Pask could come in. There’s options. I’m not saying the team will be stronger, but against, technically, the worst team in the league, you’d hope they could handle that. I think we’ve got a good squad, most positions covered. And not for one minute am I saying drop Kelly and McCallum, I’m saying give them a rest because they look damn tired

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Because in the last couple of games he was way off the pace to the point I could have outrun him.

He set up a goal v Birmingham. Besides, it was for 10 minutes at the end.

 

[Ricketts]

I see Matt Godden was given Man of the match!

A bit unfair on the others.

 

[Nick]

He set up a goal v Birmingham. Besides, it was for 10 minutes at the end.

No he didn't?

In both games he looked way off the pace, last night he looked very sharp.

 

[Liquid Gold]

I see Matt Godden was given Man of the match!

A bit unfair on the others.

MotM is basically whoever the sponsors fancy meeting.

 

[covcity4life]

Would normally agree. But some of those players need a rest. You can clearly see that. That’s what we have a good squad for.

Clearly shiwing tiredness by winning game after game

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

No he didn't?

In both games he looked way off the pace, last night he looked very sharp.

To clarify, he made the pass to Westbrook who got the assist. I was not saying he got the assist.

 

[kg82]

Clearly shiwing tiredness by winning game after game

Yeah. I’m not saying the team haven’t done well am I? Kelly’s been excellent this season, but off the pace in the last 2 games. Same with McCallum. I don’t think it’s unfair to rest them. Especially with games like Sunderland, Rotherham and Ipswich coming up.