12 August fixtures

[The Terminator]

Been 13 weeks since we had a home game, first time the new pitch will be used and the game is sold out.

In terms of the game we made changes in midweek, Pratley, El-Mizouni and Brynn will all come back in to the team.

Our front line is struggling for form and fitness after the long term injuries to Agyei and Drinnan, plus Piggot and Graham needing to get themselves up to speed fitness wise. The first two games we've not made the right decisions in the attacking third - Ruel Sotiriou in particular needs to improve his decision making now we've stepped up. We've had long spells of possession in our first two games but don't make the most of it.

Game will be either 0-0 or we'll lose 1-0, we'll put Pompey under pressure during the game but probably not do anything with it whilst looking comfortable in possession and probably lose the game to a set play.

We need a striker with pace.

 

[valefan16]

I thought when the fixtures came out that Barnsley away, Reading at home and Blackpool away and Charlton away in the 1st 4 games is a recipe for zero points. We couldn't have asked for a much harder start really with 3 of our first 4 away to strong teams.

We could do, therefore, with picking up some points on Saturday. Easier said than done against a Reading side who apparently gave Peterborough a bit of a run around 1st half last week and then gave Millwall a bit of a lashing in the week.

If we persist with this zonal marking nonsense, I can see us getting taught another lesson. We at least look like we can offer a bit of a threat in attack but we need to be much tighter at the back. I have a bad feeling that we might be on nil points after round 4 of matches as we just look so shaky.

Always a possibility looking at the fixtures on paper so any points would be a bonus. Issue is losing the first four then huge pressure grows to beat Carlisle.

We seem to be the polar opposite to expectation, we expected to be struggling going forward but more solid when its the opposite but we cant set up as open as Fleetwood so despite the performance of Arblaster we will have to go with Sang or Garrity alongside Chislett who you cant really drop after Tuesday.

We need to try and avoid a heavy defeat either way as then the daggers will be out, would take a point here to just give us a positive base to rebuild from but absolutely no idea what to expect from Reading, they'd been winless in 17 games inc Pre Season, made loads of changes and hammered Millwall 4-0 although i know you cant judge much on the League Cup.

If we are as poor from set pieces as we have been though Andy Carroll will have a field day if he starts, although the battle between him and Smith could be quite interesting once Smithy starts pinching him!

 

[BogDaddyO]

Been 13 weeks since we had a home game, first time the new pitch will be used and the game is sold out.

In terms of the game we made changes in midweek, Pratley, El-Mizouni and Brynn will all come back in to the team.

Our front line is struggling for form and fitness after the long term injuries to Agyei and Drinnan, plus Piggot and Graham needing to get themselves up to speed fitness wise. The first two games we've not made the right decisions in the attacking third - Ruel Sotiriou in particular needs to improve his decision making now we've stepped up. We've had long spells of possession in our first two games but don't make the most of it.

Game will be either 0-0 or we'll lose 1-0, we'll put Pompey under pressure during the game but probably not do anything with it whilst looking comfortable in possession and probably lose the game to a set play.

We need a striker with pace.

Agree with that.

We bought a striker with pace, he's just out for 5 months...

Also, people are quick to criticise Ruel (he is frustrating for sure), and people keep pointing out we need a striker/poacher with a bit of flair (agreed) - so why aren't we playing Ruel up top?

I think he's a natural finisher and makes great runs, would much rather see him spearheading than tucked in behind where he's liable to take too many touches.

 

[hellogregory]

Think we’ll lose at Oxford. There are going to be plenty of games we lose this season, but we don’t need the big panic that will no doubt follow from our fan base.

Oxford 2-0 Carlisle

Not the end of the world. One of those things. Might kick us into action in getting a better quality number 9 through the door, hopefully.

 

[Pompeyblueboy]

Been 13 weeks since we had a home game, first time the new pitch will be used and the game is sold out.

In terms of the game we made changes in midweek, Pratley, El-Mizouni and Brynn will all come back in to the team.

Our front line is struggling for form and fitness after the long term injuries to Agyei and Drinnan, plus Piggot and Graham needing to get themselves up to speed fitness wise. The first two games we've not made the right decisions in the attacking third - Ruel Sotiriou in particular needs to improve his decision making now we've stepped up. We've had long spells of possession in our first two games but don't make the most of it.

Game will be either 0-0 or we'll lose 1-0, we'll put Pompey under pressure during the game but probably not do anything with it whilst looking comfortable in possession and probably lose the game to a set play.

We need a striker with pace.

Well it should be a good atmosphere if the your ends are sold out. We've sold all our tickets too.
I wouldn't want to guess the score. Our new players have to gel. I reckon we'll score but our defence is a bit sus so I think we'll concede.. If I had to guess then I'd go for 1 each

 

[Tallow]

Think we’ll lose at Oxford. There are going to be plenty of games we lose this season, but we don’t need the big panic that will no doubt follow from our fan base.

Oxford 2-0 Carlisle

Not the end of the world. One of those things. Might kick us into action in getting a better quality number 9 through the door, hopefully.

Typical negativity.
The seasons only started and nobody ever lost a game of football before kick off.
We're good enough to pick up point(s) today and Simpson will have his players fired up after the Harrogate performance.
Hopefully Moxon fit, stronger team with him in midfield.

 

[hellogregory]

Typical negativity.
The seasons only started and nobody ever lost a game of football before kick off.
We're good enough to pick up point(s) today and Simpson will have his players fired up after the Harrogate performance.
Hopefully Moxon fit, stronger team with him in midfield.

It’s a prediction you inbred fuck.
we haven’t lost any game before a ball is kicked, IT IS A PREDICTION.

I predicted us to win last week. I was wrong.
I predicted us to win at Harrogate. I was wrong.

Hopefully I’m wrong today too. But it’s just a prediction.

 

[Tallow]

It’s a prediction you inbred fuck.

I predicted us to win last week. I was wrong.
I predicted us to win at Harrogate. I was wrong.

Hopefully I’m wrong today too. But it’s just a prediction, we haven’t lost any game before a ball is kicked, IT IS A PREDICTION.

Inbred fuck?
Are you 6?

 

[hellogregory]

I am aye. 7 next week.

 

[hellogregory]

Anyway back on to the match. Moxon has had a sickness bug so he may not have travelled.

That’s not me being negative by the way before Tallow gets into a panic, it’s just a possibility.

 

[Carver]

Oxford is a place we never win at and we're shit right now and can't score goals especially from open play so there is no hope.

Oxford 3-0 Carlisle

 

[hellogregory]

Oxford is a place we never win at and we're shit right now and can't score goals especially from open play so there is no hope.

Oxford 3-0 Carlisle

We aren’t shit. We did ok against Fleetwood but you’re right we don’t seem to have players capable of scoring at this level from open play.

There’s always hope and I think we’re close to being an alright team for this level, but I think today could be one of those games that we’ll have this season where we fall short.

 

[stevowanderer]

Another set piece goal. Early days but we look a different animal this season already. We aren’t keeping possession for possession’s sake. Happy to go into the channels or in behind and mix it up a bit more than in previous seasons but at the same time control the game and take the sting out when we need to. Really promising.

 

[BogDaddyO]

Somehow we're 2 down?

Wrong starting XI, we're making pompey look loads better than they are.

Early days but definitely some warning signs for us....

 

[thewwfc]

0-0 at HT at Sincil Bank, probably a fair reflection of the game.

Two fairly average-looking workmanlike sides, not a huge amount of attacking quality on display, but wet and windy conditions probably haven't helped in that respect.

Chances at a premium for both sides, we were marginally better early doors and Lincoln have had the better play later on, but they certainly look like they have enough about them to punish us if we switch off. Could go either way.

 

[valefan16]

0-0 Carroll had his penalty saved, not at the game but sounds like we’ve set up extremely negative, possibly understandable after the defensive issues but surely only asking for trouble. Harrison and Wilson on the bench and although decent playing a kid in his first league start up front alone is a waste.

 

[Claret Forever]

Very open here at Wigan, and a great freekick to open Hoskins account. A fair few doubters amongst our fans about his ability to step up to League 1, so good to settle the nerves. Going to be a few more goals in this though.

 

[kieran_vale]

0-0 at HT. Reading obviously should be leading but brilliant save by Conor Ripley from an Andy Carroll spot kick. Other than that largely even, can see what both teams want to do but just the execution not quite there.

Guess with the amount of stick/abuse Carroll has been getting the script is set for him to score the winner second half.

 

[Gassy]

Barnsley looked like the best team I’ve ever seen in this division for the opening 10/15, we couldn’t get near them and they were well worth their goal.

Since then we’ve been by far the better team, no one can keep that pace up that long and we really should be at least drawing, we’ve thrown away chances I thought were guaranteed goals

 

[bigfatron]

Deservedly 2-0 up at Fleetwood - hopefully we can hang on to this lead and bag a second win...

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Barnsley looked like the best team I’ve ever seen in this division for the opening 10/15, we couldn’t get near them and they were well worth their goal.

Since then we’ve been by far the better team, no one can keep that pace up that long and we really should be at least drawing, we’ve thrown away chances I thought were guaranteed goals

All over them this half too. Should be 5-1 up at least

 

[thewwfc]

0-0 at HT at Sincil Bank, probably a fair reflection of the game.

Two fairly average-looking workmanlike sides, not a huge amount of attacking quality on display, but wet and windy conditions probably haven't helped in that respect.

Chances at a premium for both sides, we were marginally better early doors and Lincoln have had the better play later on, but they certainly look like they have enough about them to punish us if we switch off. Could go either way.

Well that didn't go according to plan.

Lincoln were a lot more clinical in the second half, created better chances, and took them - Mandroiu pulling the strings for them.

We however continued to fail to create meaningful chances, and never really looked much like scoring - not good.

I've only seen us play 5-3-2 a couple of times so far, but I'm really not liking it, we're barely giving the forwards any service at all using this formation.

 

[hellogregory]

What a dreadful powderpuff performance.

It’s going to take a bit of time to process what I’ve just witnessed before I say anything more on it.

 

[SVH]

We were excellent and well worth the 3 points and clean sheet.

Four goals and two clean sheets we couldn’t have asked for a better start. The squad has much more depth and the recruitment so far looks excellent. I’d buy Gassan from Ipswich today if they would be willing to do a deal.

 

[valefan16]

What a difference a week makes! Looks like second half we made changes and have absolutely battered them. Could defend for toffee last week and they’ve had one shot on target today and that was Andy Carroll’s penalty.

Credit where it’s due Crosby and hopefully the platform to kick on.

 

[Floreat Salopia]

Well that is up there with one of the worst Salop performances I’ve ever seen. Stevenage bullied us and minus a Taylor Perry shot onto the crossbar in the first half, we created nothing and didn’t even look like scoring.

Hopefully Taylor gives them a rocket in the dressing room now as that was embarrassing. Cotterill certainly wouldn’t stand for a performance like that, half them didn’t even look like they were trying.

We need to not only bounce back with a win on Tuesday against Burton, but I feel we need a good performance too after that. We’re desperate for a striker, hopefully the Home Office sorts its shit out and we have Mata available for Tuesday as he’s needed more than ever after that.

 

[Claret Forever]

Sat too deep, and weren't clinical enough on the counter with the chances we had second half. Disappointed with conceding from a corner... lot of our work is made from outperforming xg and having the lions share of the set pieces, and wasnt a great reflection of that.

 

[LancashireTrotters]

Cheltenham away.

They’ll have done extremely well if they’re still in League One by next summer.

On that basis, we should be looking at 3 points from Saturday.

Predict 3-0 Bolton, but we’ll see.

Would you look at that…

Cheltenham 0-3 Bolton.

Outclassed them from start to finish, it was like men versus boys throughout.

We look extremely good and it’s great to see. Let’s hope it continues.

For the time being, we’ll enjoy being top of the league!

Happy 3 hour trip home now with the other 1,500 Wanderers!

 

[kieran_vale]

Thoroughly deserved that win in the end. Probably our most convincing half of football in the second since returning to L1. The stand swap had worked a treat as the VP atmosphere was vastly improved.

Great performance from young Ollie Arblaster. Sheffield Utd have a real gem on their hands when he goes back there.

Could tell Andy Carroll while he was never quick has lost a step, could see him getting visibly more frustrated as the game went on.

 

[AmberRich]

2 games in and have 2 wins with 2 clean sheets, can't ask for more really. Janneh was the disappointment for me last season but he may well be the surprise of league 1 this season if he continues the way he's begun.

Can't get ahead of ourselves because last season we started fairly well, but 3 points closer to safety.