Match Thread Portsmouth FC - Coventry City Match Thread - Saturday 21st Dec (61 Viewers)

[Jamesimus]

There really is a problem. This is one of the most mental opinions I’ve ever seen on here.

This is honestly exactly the same as when Sakamoto apparently got “dropped” after playing well, when in actual fact he was just being prevented from playing too much football too soon into the season.

 

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[TomRad85]

Lati or Eccles to give him a break perhaps?
Though Eccles is going to be needed in midfield as well

Yeh I think I'd actually rather Eccles even though that's far from ideal, but he'll be needed in his regular position.
I just need to prepare myself mentally for having to watch Lati at RB. I'll do some breathing exercises and get some preemptive therapy.

 

[clint van damme]

"I'm very wary of him"

So you think he's a liar ?

I know he's a liar.

Though football club owner lies is hardly a startling revelation.

And either him or the manager is wrong about the players fitness. I know who I believe.

 

[Jamesimus]

Yeh I think I'd actually rather Eccles even though that's far from ideal, but he'll be needed in his regular position.
I just need to prepare myself mentally for having to watch Lati at RB. I'll do some breathing exercises and get some preemptive therapy.

Haha Lati has done okay at CB barring that one major error. I do not want to see him at RB…

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

It’s about likelihood of injury being massively increased - you understand that right?

It’s not about what the player prefers to be doing. If it was we wouldn’t have Dr Claire kicking their Xboxes out of the window at 2am and tucking the lads in.

It’s about looking after their fragile, jelly like masses so they can continue to perform at a high level, without getting a serious injury.

Good grief, you do realise that a player who hasn't played all week can get injured in the first five minutes of the next game he plays in.

 

[clint van damme]

Yeh I think I'd actually rather Eccles even though that's far from ideal, but he'll be needed in his regular position.
I just need to prepare myself mentally for having to watch Lati at RB. I'll do some breathing exercises and get some preemptive therapy.

I remember saying a while ago I never want to see Lati at RB again but it may well come to that.

 

[Tommo1993]

Lampard shouldn’t rotate the squad. Let’s just crock the regulars, it’ll be fine.

 

[clint van damme]

Good grief, you do realise that a player who hasn't played all week can get injured in the first five minutes of the next game he plays in.

But it's far more likely to happen if a player is overplayed.
That's why clubs now have whole medical teams and not just a fella with a bucket of water and a sponge

 

[Jamesimus]

Good grief, you do realise that a player who hasn't played all week can get injured in the first five minutes of the next game he plays in.

Of course I realise that.

However, that’s statistically much much more likely if he plays 90+ mins of football, 5 times in 15 days. That is why rotation does and will happen.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

I know he's a liar.

Though football club owner lies is hardly a startling revelation.

And either him or the manager is wrong about the players fitness. I know who I believe.

Players fitness has now improved since Lampard joined the club, would you not agree.

What does that say about Mark Robins.

 

[Jamesimus]

Players fitness has now improved since Lampard joined the club, would you not agree.

What does that say about Mark Robins.

Personally think that’s a very difficult thing to tell without seeing any actual info. Certainly players that are being used more regularly will be a bit more up to speed now. It’s a fine balance between playing regularly and playing *too* regularly.

 

[clint van damme]

Players fitness has now improved since Lampard joined the club, would you not agree.

What does that say about Mark Robins.

King said the players were EPL fit a few days after sacking Robins.
Lampard spoke about their fitness needing working on a week or two into his tenure.

Therefore hes contradicted King.

And if Kings telling the truth then they got that level of fitness under Robins because he said it 4 days after he sacked him!

But personally I think King was talking bollocks.

 

[rockwoodfleet]

I know he's a liar.

Though football club owner lies is hardly a startling revelation.

And either him or the manager is wrong about the players fitness. I know who I believe.

Were you a part of the 9k executive box gang who got asked to pay the full rate when Doug King arrived?

 

[Jamesimus]

King said the players were EPL fit a few days after sacking Robins.
Lampard spoke about their fitness needing working on a week or two into his tenure.

Therefore hes contradicted King.

And if Kings telling the truth then they got that level of fitness under Robins because he said it 4 days after he sacked him!

But personally I think King was talking bollocks.

I think we’ve looked generally pretty fit (wahey!) this season in the latter parts of games. Even if the performances have been a bit crap at times.

However, I have absolutely no proof of this and could be because we’re usually a goal down and chasing a game

So basically I’m taking Lampards word for it on this one.

 

[clint van damme]

Were you a part of the 9k executive box gang who got asked to pay the full rate when Doug King arrived?

No. Even if I could afford a box I wouldn't go in one.
And there's a bit more the to executive box saga than that.

 

[shmmeee]

Lati or Eccles to give him a break perhaps?
Though Eccles is going to be needed in midfield as well

Number 1 is Josh Eccles
And number 2 is Josh Eccles

 

[shmmeee]

I think we’ve looked generally pretty fit (wahey!) this season in the latter parts of games. Even if the performances have been a bit crap at times.

However, I have absolutely no proof of this and could be because we’re usually a goal down and chasing a game

So basically I’m taking Lampards word for it on this one.

Ive generally thought we’ve been one of the fittest teams the last five or six years TBH. Not sure about L2, but certainly since we’ve come up. Our record at the end of games is excellent.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Times have drastically changed Charles 'Charlie' Charles!

View attachment 40273

Haha, yeah remember them good old days playing on Christmas Day and playing the next day on Boxing day .

No subs either and only a bucket and sponge and manage to keep 11 players on the pitch.

Not like the pussies that play today.

 

[Jamesimus]

Haha, yeah remember them good old days playing on Christmas Day and playing the next day on Boxing day .

No subs either and only a bucket and sponge and manage to keep 11 players on the pitch.

Not like the pussies that play today.

I’m sure you covered massive distances in both games, with plenty of sprints.

The excellent post-Xmas game balanced nutrition of 5 bottles of red wine, 7kg of turkey and stuffing probably helped you to recover so quickly.

The reality is you should have been playing at a higher level than you were. Dean Austin has missed one here…

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

King said the players were EPL fit a few days after sacking Robins.
Lampard spoke about their fitness needing working on a week or two into his tenure.

Therefore hes contradicted King.

And if Kings telling the truth then they got that level of fitness under Robins because he said it 4 days after he sacked him!

But personally I think King was talking bollocks.

I’m sure you covered massive distances in both games, with plenty of sprints.

The excellent post-Xmas game balanced nutrition of 5 bottles of red wine, 7kg of turkey and stuffing probably helped you to recover so quickly.

The reality is you should have been playing at a higher level than you were. Dean Austin has missed one here…

Anyway nice sparring with you two and no swearing and insults.

Just clean banter.

 

[rockwoodfleet]

No. Even if I could afford a box I wouldn't go in one.
And there's a bit more the to executive box saga than that.

Go on then matey. Tell us the bit more?

 

[Gibbo]

It is a regular new manager ready made excuse 'the players are not fit'. Robins' players are fit, even Torp who surely is now up to speed

MVE is the problem - take him off after 60 mins?

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Not a problem 5 games in 15 days, they just won't do any training in between games.

And your hatred for Doug King is blinding your judgement.

But it's about their performance relative to the oppostion. And if the opposition have rotated and are playing players that are rested then they will b e sharper, make less mistakes and ultimately beat us.

Even though there are players that are better than others at this level, the margin is tiny and even just a small amount of fatigue can swing that advantage the other way.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Right back position becomes particularly problematic during this period imo. MvE already needs a break, he'll be a dead man walking after this.

I've really got a feeling MvE is going to pick up an injury over the Xmas period and be out for a few months. At least we'd have Jan to bring in someone else.

Also think Sheaf is carrying an injury and I expect Eccles and him will share that workload over the festive period. if not could see him being out again as well.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

I'd replace Bassette with Simms but maybe leave the rest for this game.

I think Dovin at some point has to go between the sticks but it won't be yet. Defence I really don't know who to pick. You'd think Kitching must get a bit of game time soon - maybe the cup if not before?

 

[Paxman II]

All of these early games are a test for lampard's set up and his ability as a coach. Pompey can be energized at home so we need to stand firm, be strong in the tackle and win the second ball. Maintain possesion and just attack them from the start. They will crumble if we get an early goal. Let them play into the game and we will have a bruising encounter. Should be too strong for them.

1-3

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

But it's about their performance relative to the oppostion. And if the opposition have rotated and are playing players that are rested then they will b e sharper, make less mistakes and ultimately beat us.

Even though there are players that are better than others at this level, the margin is tiny and even just a small amount of fatigue can swing that advantage the other way.

I could go along with that but, do you not remember our performances after having 3 international breaks.

 

[blunted]

Haha, yeah remember them good old days playing on Christmas Day and playing the next day on Boxing day .

No subs either and only a bucket and sponge and manage to keep 11 players on the pitch.

Not like the pussies that play today.

Yes but both teams were pissed up. You would play Bristol away and lose 5-0, then Bristol at home and win 5-0. Or something like that.

 

[Captain Dart]

Haha, yeah remember them good old days playing on Christmas Day and playing the next day on Boxing day .

No subs either and only a bucket and sponge and manage to keep 11 players on the pitch.

Not like the pussies that play today.

 

[skybluecam]

King said the players were EPL fit a few days after sacking Robins.
Lampard spoke about their fitness needing working on a week or two into his tenure.

Therefore hes contradicted King.

And if Kings telling the truth then they got that level of fitness under Robins because he said it 4 days after he sacked him!

But personally I think King was talking bollocks.

Or Lampard wants the players champions league fit, not just premier league!

suuuuper Frankie Lampard

 

[Rodders1]

i have a bad feeling about this game. Pompey always a tough place to go - and my cousin is a fan so we’re bound to lose !

 

[matesx]

i have a bad feeling about this game. Pompey always a tough place to go - and my cousin is a fan so we’re bound to lose !

Fuck it I'm not bothering to go now.

 

[Offhegoes]

They’ve had a weeks rest. No way we should be resting players for this one. We’ve got 4 games in 9 days starting Boxing Day.
I think Frank will stick with Bassette.

 

[Jamesimus]

They’ve had a weeks rest. No way we should be resting players for this one. We’ve got 4 games in 9 days starting Boxing Day.
I think Frank will stick with Bassette.

I imagine the thought with resting certain players would be so they’re fresh for the home game; e.g. playing a more attacking or possession based team at home?

 

[covcity4life]

Lol surprise surprise were the main sky game. The lampard effect?