OldBlueLady
Junior Blues Coordinator⭐⭐
Sam, I know you've never rated him but honestly, do you think that's true today? He was the only player putting a cross in until McLaughlin came on, apart from corners or free kicks. All the forward play came through him and yet we were unable to exert any influence on crosses into the box from him.If there's a positive it was Turner, who was excellent for the most part and much more mobile than Ferdinand.
White 5 No protection from Wright. Better at centre back. Still can't cross.
Talking to some Portsmouth fans on the train they think we were the better side. When I showed them marks of 3 on the zone for some of our players they laughed.
football fans aren't they wonderful ��
Yep, we're our own worst critics - but I think that's common with many fans at this level. We matched them for probably an hour.
Ranger's more interested in his image and ****ter account than playing football.
And still making wrong choices. I hear the fine pot is doing well.
Well if he is, it didn't show in today's performance. Whatever you can accuse him of, he couldn't be accused of not trying today.
I disagree, trying was absolutely what he didn't do today. For a guy of his build, he should be putting himself about far more in the box - I feel he's actually better in our own box with his head than he is in the opposition one.
Massively frustrating. It was the wrong formation, far too narrow, and Timlin is still not a left back. I don't know what he has to do to be dropped from the starting line up - presumably that won't be till Coker is back. He did so much that was good in winning the ball, but then promptly gave it away almost without fail. Ranger did win a few headers but there was never anyone near him to win a flick on or play off him - and that's surely a failure on the training ground. Theo may have been hungry but he was fed nothing. Our only chance to get anything today was to run at them as they were very dominant in the air in their box yet we failed to do this time and time again.
Positives today, well, Turner looked very comfortable again and hopefully that's an important addition to the starting line up as he was also good at the other end. I thought Wright did ok too.
Oxley - 6, didn't have to do much but am being critical of his inability to get the ball out quick
White - 7, thought he was fairly solid, particularly as he was exposed down the flank. Got forward and could (and probably should) have had a good shot on goal in one instance
Turner - 8, my MOTM, read the game well and coped pretty well with their forward threats, happy to go forward and cause problems too
Ferdinand - 7, improved on recently, couple of decent moments
Timlin - 5, just poor decision making, so often not looking up before kicking
Kightly - 5, seemed to have little idea where he was playing, unlucky on so many occasions you have to ask if it's down to poor judgement
Leonard - 6.5, fairly quiet game, possibly struggled in a congested midfield
Wright - 7, probably our best midfielder, some good passing
Robinson - 7, thought he worked hard
Cox - 6, a real shadow of the Cox of last year
Ranger - 5, poor
Subs:
McLaughlin for Ranger - 7, came on and made a difference
Fortune for White - 6, really hoped for more from him
McGlashan for Robinson (I think?) - 6, not much chance
Officials - pretty inconsistent. I didn't understand how the penalty could have been given but no card shown - surely it should have been a yellow at the very least, felt the lino over to our right was pretty intimidated in the 2nd half.
My first visit to Fratton Park, I won't hurry back. Not the most welcoming of places and thought it was pretty poor that they failed totally to mention how many of us were there (and spending our money). Getting out was a total farce. I note Brown was talking about people who might not be here in January, well, on today's performance, it's some of the bigger names should be looking worried.