1st fixtures: 30th July

[BarrieOwl]

I can imagine the frustration. Yesterday wasn’t necessarily due to the decisions but just how his leniency on bad tackles led to a number of players getting frustrated and going in hard.

We could do with avoiding it given the size of our squad and the likelihood of injuries. We’re still 5/6 players short for a suitable squad.

Refs have been told to be less whistle happy on strong challenges haven't they?

Reffing at this level is fucking wank

 

[eric read]

Fantastic result against a side who didn't drop many points at home last season. Considering we have no real wingers at the club and before Tuesday the only fit CB we had was 19... 3-3 drawn at Sheff Wed was very good. Typical terrible performance by the ref. Firstly even though we didn't bring the physio on after Ogilvie was hit in the face by the ball which led to us being out numbered to defend a corner which typically was their 3rd.. Young Scarlett gets kung fu kicked in the face in the area, but no penalty given. Morrell brushed Oxford lad in the chest with his foot and got a straight red. Ref would have given it if it wasn't in the area. Gutsy performance by Michael Morrison who has no pre season and Sean Raggett who had to have injections in his back to play. Piggott and Bishop between them will give most defences a tough time. Once we get in some fast wingers think we'll be have a decent season. Watch us lose at home to Lincoln Saturday! Lol

What does this sentence mean?

There was nobody called Morrell playing for either side that I can see, and who is the Oxford lad?

 

[BarrieOwl]

This is the Pompey penalty shout

https://twitter.com/x/status/1553406024014778368

 

[kieran_vale]

This is the Pompey penalty shout

https://twitter.com/x/status/1553406024014778368

For me it’s a foul but from that angle it’s not really conclusive that’s in the area.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Refs have been told to be less whistle happy on strong challenges haven't they?

Reffing at this level is fucking wank

I thought, but may well be wrong, that that was last year’s advice and this year they are tightening up again. Am I dreaming this, or anyone else got the same impression?

 

[SVH]

Looked outside the box to me but a clearly foul.

 

[BarrieOwl]

For me it’s a foul but from that angle it’s not really conclusive that’s in the area.

It looks likes he gets the ball but would be a foul but for me it is outside the box

 

[Camdenite v.ii]

U's starting with a deserved 1-0 win over MK Dons.
We started with an eleven that didn't include any of our six new signings; I think that helped with our cohesion and organisation.
We had some really good passages of play, especially in the first half, but what really pleased me was how solid we looked second half when MK Dons had a lot of possession. No shots on target for MK tells a story, and that stat was more about our structure and concentration than any Dons' ineptitude.
Dons looked strong and skilful, but still working out their best formation and only starting to build partnerships around the pitch - lots of balls going astray and crossed wires. I suspect we were lucky to play them today and still fully expect top six/seven for them, as you can see they are strong in all the key positions on the pitch. They do miss Twine though...
Shout out for Harvey Knibbs' excellent run and goal, and our new boy Janneh's ten minute cameo at the end - he was superb and I hope will be a huge asset off the bench.

Can’t argue with any of that, although I’d say there was plenty of ineptitude from us out there! We looked as undercooked as I feared we might be. A very light & short pre-season, and obviously loads of new faces. We should get better, but I think the biggest take away for most of our fans was there wasn’t one new player that made you think “oh, he’s gonna be great”, and a number of very concerning moments for a few of them. Worst of which for me was Nathan Holland bottling a 50/50 with George Williams. That stung.

Cambridge will be a tricky visit for many this season, and we won’t be the last to come unstuck there, I’m sure.