Match Thread Portsmouth FC - Coventry City Match Thread - Saturday 21st Dec (45 Viewers)

[Big_Ben]

A quick glance at the selected starters and the bench. Regardless of your particular love/hate opinion of individual players, this looks like a pretty good squad with loads of experience in the Championship.

 

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[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Robert Page, makes a change to have an ex player on the Sky panel.

 

[Sick Boy]

Am I allowed to say I’m glad Eccles isn’t nailed on for every minute now?

 

[StrettoBoy]

They’re desperate to get Norm going aren’t they. Get him scoring.

I think you are right and I can see why FL picks him to start.

Norman has bags of pace and raw talent and I believe he is going to develop into a very fine player.

I like him a lot but at the moment, because of his rawness and the need to get Simms firing, I would start with Simms and bring Norman on with 2O-30 minutes to go, obviously dependent on the match situation.

I, like many others on here, believe that Simms is a confidence player and not starting him isn’t good for his confidence. I would be tempted to give him a run of, say, five matches and see how he gets on.

 

[StrettoBoy]

Am I allowed to say I’m glad Eccles isn’t nailed on for every minute now?

Clearly he isn’t but given that we are probably at least one player light in midfield it’s good to be able to rotate ahead of the packed holiday schedule.

 

[MacReady]

Really wish we’d try two strikers up front, but nice to see we aren’t constantly changing things up when we’re winning games

 

[Johhny Blue]

With all the crosses going in i thought it looked an ideal style to have Simms in the middle, Lampard obviously sees something in Bassette though. Totally agree on Bidwell, will be interesting to see how much squad rotation we see with all the games over Christmas/NY

I’d take 4 draws

 

[robbiethemole]

If we are losing just ask them to put you back under again.

Good luck!

All good and sorted just waiting for mrs mole to collect me, can listen on CwR in the car. PUSB

 

[dadgad]

Good to finally get the sense of a ‘settled team’. Very strong bench with cover throughout.

 

[Johhny Blue]

Anyone hit a pigeon on the way here?

Kastaneer?

 

[fatso]

Not that Da Silva is any good but Bidwell was absolutely appalling against West Brom, can see why Frank's dropped him the last couple of games

Bidwell and Lats against Millwall = clean sheet

Against Hull (worst team in the championship) it's Dasilva and Binks, Hull have 1 attack down our left flank and score!
You just know it's going to happen.

 

[Jamesimus]

All good and sorted just waiting for mrs mole to collect me, can listen on CwR in the car. PUSB

Always worth telling the surgeons you have an important football match to watch so they get a move on.

 

[chiefdave]

Can only think he's going on the advice of Carr and the coaches already there on this one.

Kind of worrying if the coaches are looking at our pool of goalkeepers and advising Collins is the way to go

 

[Evo1883]

You do have to feel for eccles after his performances this season but at the end of the day the manager has picked the team he thinks will produce the goods

 

[fatso]

Anyone hit a pigeon on the way here?

 

[Nick]

Beers in.

 

[fernandopartridge]

You do have to feel for eccles after his performances this season but at the end of the day the manager has picked the team he thinks will produce the goods

He's looked a little out of sorts in recent weeks to be fair, I think a rest will do him some good

 

[Evo1883]

Sky failing to mention haji wright's injury created the chance for ephron

 

[Otis]

You do have to feel for eccles after his performances this season but at the end of the day the manager has picked the team he thinks will produce the goods

And his level had dropped in the previous 3 games.

When on his game, definitely nailed on to play.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Talking about EMC's run in the team as if it is a Lampard great realisation rather than just the reality is that Wright is injured

 

[Evo1883]

And his level had dropped in the previous 3 games.

When on his game, definitely nailed on to play.

Not sure under lampard I think it's sheaf or eccles with 2 more progressive midfielders with them

 

[Evo1883]

Be a nightmare to play against when he's running at you to be fair

 

[Skyblueweeman]

I'm in. Thanks to @fernandopartridge and @clint van damme for your assistance this morning

 

[PVA]

Not that Da Silva is any good but Bidwell was absolutely appalling against West Brom, can see why Frank's dropped him the last couple of games

Brace yourself.

Rule number 1 of SBT: Thou shalt never criticise Bidwell.

 

[fatso]

You do have to feel for eccles after his performances this season but at the end of the day the manager has picked the team he thinks will produce the goods

Great to be able to rest him occasionally.
And Torp's form has improved given a run in his best position
Once Wright is fit. We are going to have some great options on the bench.

 

[Evo1883]

I fancy us today , think we will win 3-1

 

[HadjiChippo]

Just saw the stats about EMC before and after Lampard appointment, but I think l we saw EMC getting comfortable and improving quite a few games before Lampard came in. Seems like it was just a classic case of settling in and getting minutes. Long may it continue.

league one to championship is a massive step up, especially for forward players.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

They’re playing someone who hasn’t played since August and a CM at centre back

 

[Perennial Lurker]

Would've liked to see Simms start today but happy with the team overall. Fancy us 4-1 today Norm brace ,EMC and Sakamoto on the score sheet

 

[PVA]

City to win 3-1

PUSB

 

[HadjiChippo]

Would've liked to see Simms start today but happy with the team overall.

Was just about to say this, I really think simms needs a run of starts. I understand the thinking Lampard is going for (Bassette is a pacy menace who will chase anything, press defenders etc) but with how dangerous we’ve been from crosses the last few games, seems ideal for a striker like Simms.

Especially when I’d expect us to have the lions share of possession today.

 

[jordan210]

Sky love us now what’s odd

 

[Evo1883]

Lovely walkout top tbh

 

[Perennial Lurker]

Was just about to say this, I really think simms needs a run of starts. I understand the thinking Lampard is going for (Bassette is a pacy menace who will chase anything, press defenders etc) but with how dangerous we’ve been from crosses the last few games, seems ideal for a striker like Simms.

Especially when I’d expect us to have the lions share of possession today.

Same .
As long as we win then I'm happy for Norm to keep his place but, like you , I think Simms would relish the crosses coming in

 

[Evo1883]

I actually think the away kit is pretty fucking elite now I've seen it more and more