2020/21 General Match Thread

[K-Win]

Sorry to interrupt Pompey and Luton.

Carry on

Yes, why don't you try posting in the general match thr..... oh right.

 

[Chippy]

Don’t honk Portsmouth deserved anything. The level of dominance at HT was not sometjign you usually see at this level. How it was only 1-0, no one can quite fathom.

Pompey were better second half, albeit by mainly Pinging long balls to bogle but fair play to them and Jackett as his changes brought them back in to the game.

Think over 90 we were still far the better side. It’s a definite penalty, a late and clumsy challenge although the exaggerated dive from KLL makes it look questionable!

Free kick probably wasn’t one however we all know how referees respond to slide tackles from behind nowadays. Excellent finish regardless.

Superb night all round, emotionally exhausted after that.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Free kick nearly every single time in these modern namby pamby times. Tackle from behind and challenging the keeper are dead arts.

Clearly gets ball, but man at same time or split second after. With the attacking player driving forward on the edge of the box, the defender left trailling behind, knowing he lost his man and has to lunge in, ref shitting himself in case it happens in the box and gives him real decision. Easy call, free kick. Every. Single. Time. Esp at this level.

Still buzzing. Would still be stinging if shoe was on other foot. We were so tasty first half tho. Not clinical enough perhaps

 

[codaplenty]

Wow..a great game which had everything...
A game of two halves as they say
Credit to Pompey for making the nerves jingle
All aboard...choo choo

Well Oakroader your location sums it up to a tee at the moment....
Gateway to Paradise, pleased for you mate, just allow for a blip when you come North next month !

 

[nelsonpfc]

Free kick nearly every single time in these modern namby pamby times. Tackle from behind and challenging the keeper are dead arts.

Clearly gets ball, but man at same time or split second after. With the attacking player driving forward on the edge of the box, the defender left trailling behind, knowing he lost his man and has to lunge in, ref shitting himself in case it happens in the box and gives him real decision. Easy call, free kick. Every. Single. Time. Esp at this level.

Still buzzing. Would still be stinging if shoe was on other foot. We were so tasty first half tho. Not clinical enough perhaps

If it were the other way round we'd be going nuts, however.. Walkes pulled off the same challenge v Norwich away in the area and everyone applauded what a great, well timed challenge it was. Ref was pretty bad to be fair. Bogle was taken out out, no yellow, Donahue slides in with the midfielder and toe pokes the ball away, yellow card. If Walkes challenge was deemed a bad one, from behind etc.. then surely thats a yellow card? First half Luton deserved to be out of sight granted, but 2nd half we put you loads under the cosh and barring the pen i do think we were going to end up winning. Things don't always go your own way, and since the end of December it just hasn't happened. Not sure if its FA cup games, injuries, loss of form? all of the above. Its not done and dusted yet.. When we won league 2 we were 16 points behind Doncaster after 28 games. Lots of twists and turns to go.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I think everyone knows it's far from done and dusted. Still got 24hrs of transfer window to duck for a start. We've given ourselves the very best shot at it now.

We're just cock A hoop because most of us would have been happy to be five points adrift after that January. We got one point from the reverse five fixtures versus . top guns at the start of the season

 

[nelsonpfc]

I think everyone knows it's far from done and dusted. Still got 24hrs of transfer window to duck for a start. We've given ourselves the very best shot at it now.

We're just cock A hoop because most of us would have been happy to be five points adrift after that January. We got one point from the reverse five fixtures versus . top guns at the start of the season

To right, to get promoted and be incontrol after January is an awesome acheivement

 

[oakroader]

Well Oakroader your location sums it up to a tee at the moment....
Gateway to Paradise, pleased for you mate, just allow for a blip when you come North next month !

Cheers my matelot friend...,
Just riding the wave like a beach boy!!
Hope the sea is tranquil up in fleetwood.....
Keep well buddy

 

[Maple Hatter]

What a great game of football that was and a terrific advert for league one. In what was extremely difficult conditions both teams tried to play it on the ground. First half, as many have said, was some of the best football we have played for a long time. Quick, accurate passing with lots of movement which had Portsmouth at six and sevens. We created a host of chances and should really have had the game won. Portsmouth were a different side second half though and showed why they have been top for a good part of the season. Bogle was a handful. Excellent pass by Lowe ( I think) for their second. We deserved the win in the end based on the 90 minutes. So impressed with the feel good feeling at the club. The subs bench's reaction for each goal says it all as well as the celebrations at the end. Those who didn't play seemed as elated at those that did. These are the type of games at the Kenny that we love. Fans generated a passionate atmosphere and the players reacted.
Very hard to pick a MoM. Collins, Justin, Lua Lua, Pelly and Berry, were immense. A team effort perhaps and a team with a lot of confidence in their own ability. We have a lot of key players out, Hylton, Cornick, Rea, Elliot Lee and they must be wondering if they can get back into the starting eleven.
Not getting carried away about being top. Portsmouth looked like they might run away with it but had a bad patch. Can happen to anyone. We have however played Barnsley, Sunderland, Portsmouth, and Peterborough home and away. Only Charlton away remaining from the promotion hopefuls.
A word on Portsmouth. They couldn't live with us first half but second half they showed signs of a team with a lot of quality. I'm sure they will look at that positively. Its going to be one hell of a run in.

 

[Kenneth E End]

If it were the other way round we'd be going nuts, however.. Walkes pulled off the same challenge v Norwich away in the area and everyone applauded what a great, well timed challenge it was. Ref was pretty bad to be fair. Bogle was taken out out, no yellow, Donahue slides in with the midfielder and toe pokes the ball away, yellow card. If Walkes challenge was deemed a bad one, from behind etc.. then surely thats a yellow card? First half Luton deserved to be out of sight granted, but 2nd half we put you loads under the cosh and barring the pen i do think we were going to end up winning. Things don't always go your own way, and since the end of December it just hasn't happened. Not sure if its FA cup games, injuries, loss of form? all of the above. Its not done and dusted yet.. When we won league 2 we were 16 points behind Doncaster after 28 games. Lots of twists and turns to go.

I wouldn’t be basing too much on that Doncaster thing - they had an unbelievable collapse after they won promotion.

 

[Bucket_]

Looking back at that free kick from last night makes me think it's yet another example of the standard of refereeing at this level. I understand we're all biased when it comes to our own teams, but it says a lot that the rare comment you hear after a game is "the ref did well", or indeed the ref not being mentioned at all, which is probably the best sign of a good performance.

Maybe it's just a law since time began that football fans are destined to complain about referees, but the amount of horrendous decisions I've seen in League 1 during this season alone is ridiculous. It seems there's a genuine shocker or three every matchday? The thing that grates me about the free kick last night is that I've seen carbon copies of that tackle multiple times this season, which have generally been deemed as fair (Walkes vs Norwich is the standout example).. so where's the consistency? I suppose it's the same issue that you see in players - generally the further down you go, the worse the average player's consistency gets -, but it's still infuriating.

I'm not doing the sour grapes thing here though - we essentially lost that game in the first half last night, and I think with the amount of shit decisions we see for every team, it probably evens itself out come the end of the season. Apologies to the other 22 teams who've had to endure near three pages of this.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

I wouldn’t be basing too much on that Doncaster thing - they had an unbelievable collapse after they won promotion.

That was down to Darren Ferguson

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Who won the Luton Pompey game last night? Nobody’s said yet.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Looking back at that free kick from last night makes me think it's yet another example of the standard of refereeing at this level. I understand we're all biased when it comes to our own teams, but it says a lot that the rare comment you hear after a game is "the ref did well", or indeed the ref not being mentioned at all, which is probably the best sign of a good performance.

Maybe it's just a law since time began that football fans are destined to complain about referees, but the amount of horrendous decisions I've seen in League 1 during this season alone is ridiculous. It seems there's a genuine shocker or three every matchday? The thing that grates me about the free kick last night is that I've seen carbon copies of that tackle multiple times this season, which have generally been deemed as fair (Walkes vs Norwich is the standout example).. so where's the consistency? I suppose it's the same issue that you see in players - generally the further down you go, the worse the average player's consistency gets -, but it's still infuriating.

I'm not doing the sour grapes thing here though - we essentially lost that game in the first half last night, and I think with the amount of shit decisions we see for every team, it probably evens itself out come the end of the season. Apologies to the other 22 teams who've had to endure near three pages of this.

I’ve seen both decisions back and watched them over a few times:
1. The penalty is correct. He clatters LuaLua and there are no complaints.
2. I initially thought the free kick was a terrible decision because yes he won the ball, BUT he then follows through on the player.

We move on. Decisions tend to even themselves out over a season. I’m sure Pompey have had decisions in games go in their favour. That’s football. Referees make mistakes; they get 1 look - they are not robots.,

 

[Jamo]

Who won the Luton Pompey game last night? Nobody’s said yet.

Football. Football won.





It didn't

 

[Gassy]

Hurrah! The forum is back!

Regarding the weekend, deserved & dominant 3 points vs a very very poor Southend side.

Table is looking exciting down the bottom, anyone 11th down could go down at this rate

 

[Bucket_]

It’s shaping up to be an exciting run in on both ends!

 

[nelsonpfc]

Yet another blow for us.. Whatmough out for at least 6 months. Naylor suspended for 2 games for getting 10 yellows. Means a shift around at the back and a brand new central midfield pairing again... The reason we were top and doing well was we pretty much had the same team every game and it really showed. We have missed the telepathic understanding of Naylor and Ben Thompson as well as both our first choice full backs out over xmas and Hawkins who bullied centre backs and created space. However they are both back fit, Hawkins got mins on tuesday which is a positive, and Bogle has started well 2 in 2.. Vaughan looked a handful. Burgess having not played much at all this season needs to get into his stride as he's look very shaky when he's been thrust into league football this season. I feel its going to be a 2-2 draw away at Plymouth, not ideal as we need to put this run behind us and start winning again.

 

[PlymouthCasual]

Big game against Portsmouth and dare I say it, we could be playing them at the right time. That said, our recent record against them is pretty poor. Would probably be happy enough with a point

 

[K-Win]

One thing's for certain - the actual game on the pitch will bear little resemblance to the one described by Derek A afterwards

 

[codaplenty]

No idea what to expect tomorrow against Bradford, Fleetwood put in a good performance ( Charlton at home last Saturday ), threaten to go on a run then disappoint. Bradford have seriously picked up from their early season shambles but are still rooted towards the bottom. David Ball will get a good reception from the Cod Army, he just needs to have an off day on the pitch. Hope we start with Jack Sowerby and Ash Hunter, young guns who made a huge impact when they came on against the Addicks. Consulted my crystal ball and the Cods will win 2-1 !

 

[Kenneth E End]

Think a few pitches are going be battered for tomorrow’s games.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Think a few pitches are going be battered for tomorrow’s games.

Yeah I'm expecting ours to be a right old state after the Portsmouth game, God knows what it was like under the snow but if the mud tracks Moncur left with his knee slide are anything to go by there's not going to be much grass left.

 

[Daz_3000]

Difficult trip to Oxford today where Jerome Sinclair is bound to score for them, the guy put effort in when he was with us but never looked like a goalscorer (cue his hat trick today). A draw wouldn’t be a bad result but we need to turn draws into wins if we want to go up in the autos. After today we have 3 home games in 7 days which will have a big effect on our season.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

The return of Fergie today will be interesting to see what reception he gets

 

[F!RTHY]

No idea what to expect tomorrow against Bradford, Fleetwood put in a good performance ( Charlton at home last Saturday ), threaten to go on a run then disappoint. Bradford have seriously picked up from their early season shambles but are still rooted towards the bottom. David Ball will get a good reception from the Cod Army, he just needs to have an off day on the pitch. Hope we start with Jack Sowerby and Ash Hunter, young guns who made a huge impact when they came on against the Addicks. Consulted my crystal ball and the Cods will win 2-1 !

Tricky game, but I feel we have a relatively decent record against you lot.

I’m hoping Calum Woods is back fit - we’ll miss him at LB (although Adam chicksen’s form has picked up in Woods’ absence). Since Edin Rahic departed, we have done relatively well - although the table doesn’t show it - those in midtable ought to be looking over their shoulder.

With the addition of Jacob Butterfield and the return of Billy Clarke, it’s difficult to predict the line-up or formation - but perhaps it’ll look something like this;

GK: Richard O’Donnell

RB: Paul Caddis
CB: Anthony O’connor
CB: Nat Knight-Percival
LB: Calum Woods

DCM: Jacob Butterfield / Hope Akpan
DCM: Lewis O’Brien

LW: Connor Wood
CAM: Jack Payne / Billy Clarke
RW: David Ball

CF: Eoin Doyle

A side certainly strong enough to hopefully continue our decent run of form.

2-0 CITY

 

[Bottega Don]

Accrington at home today for us. Expected to lose last week so wasn't too bothered but McCalls tactics didn't work so hopefully he doesn't try the same thing today. Should be a pretty good game.

 

[Kenneth E End]

We've almost got a full squad available today. Only Aaron Connolly, Marek Stech and Glen Rea are expected to be unavailable. I'd go with the following v Wycombe:

GK James Shea
RB Jack Stacey
LB James Justin
CB Matty Pearson
CB Sonny Bradley
DM Alan McCormack, although he may need a rest - George Thorne would go in his place.
CM Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu
CM Andrew Shinnie
AM Luke Berry
CF James Collins
CF Kazenga LuaLua

Subs: Harry Isted, Dan Potts, Alan Sheehan, George Thorne/Elliot Lee, George Moncur, Danny Hylton, Jason Cummings
Not included: Harry Cornick, Elliot Lee, Alex Baptiste, Arthur Read

That is a bloody difficult selection.

 

[Don Tonberry]

I think we're nailed on to lose today (and next week against bogey team Southend too) and that'll probably be that for the automatics.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Made sure I put some more money on the car park today (genuinely). Apparently the average 2nd half injury time for games involving Wycombe this season is about 6-7 minutes.

In fact, they’re so ingrained in slowing the game down, they even do it when they’re losing.

This fixture last season I remember Wycombe doing it from the first throw in. No joke.