Portsmouth v Luton Town 2/1

[Kenneth E End]

This game could really go either way; although I think we're still second favourites.

Portsmouth played us off the park a few weeks ago at Kenilworth Road, but then proceeded to lose at home to Stevenage a few days later. Proves that this division is as competitive as ever.

Game is a sell out for home supporters and I am one of over 1500 Hatters making the bank holiday trip. Should be a fantastic atmosphere.

 

[huddsmoose]

Draw please.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Big game this, both in terms of position but also two sets of passionate fans, should be a good atmosphere. I'll second that draw.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We got absolutely schooled in the midfield of the reverse fixture and to be honest I can't see that changing in this one. The Portsmouth midfielders, Doyle I think in particular just had too much nous for us.

Although we were improved on Saturday that midfield is i still think a bit too lightweight for the test they'll have today, although if we persist with Smith and Rea it may be slightly alleviated.

Be interesting to see what changes are made, I find it hard to imagine Hylton will go the distance after his battling and often times lung busting performance in the second half just a day or two ago, could make a difference for us in the closing stages.

 

[WAP]

This is the sort of home game we lost last season. Unlike Hartlepool and Stevenage, Luton should play some football and enter our half so we should get in behind and create chances.

Roberts has had 2 weeks off and gone to Tenerife to refresh so he may come back into the side.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

The only thing that makes me think we may have a small chance of getting all 3 points is that we are very good on the counter, hence our pretty respectable away form to date.

From what I saw Portsmouth were like us in wanting to play a bit so at home the pressure will be on them to make the running early on. May give us some opportunities on counter attacks perhaps. But really leaning toward the thinking that a draw is probably the best we can get.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Yeah I'd snap your hand off for a draw after seeing the encounter a few weeks ago. Although by all accounts that's not a level of performance Pompey reach too often and we are good away from home this season so who knows?

 

[Bucket_]

Feel bad for this McGeehan fella... must be really hurt. Not the best shout to flip off the Fratton End though

 

[Bosox]

Booing and goading a player who obviously has a serious injury when he's being stretchered off with a brace on his leg.

Stay classy, Portsmouth fans.

 

[Bucket_]

Yeah that was embarrassing.

 

[Vanni]

I thought Jones took him off as he was on a booking already. Still, a brace on his leg does not necessarily mean a serious injury.

Anyways, is it a good game so far?

 

[Hatter86]

Not great. Not a lot of quality from either side, particularly us. Long ball into the box done us again.

Agree, classless from Pompey. 'There's fuck all wrong with him', 'going home in an ambulance' booing whilst he was on the floor and cheering when they picked the stretcher up. All whilst the guy has been down for 10 minutes. Looks like it's a leg break. Pathetic really.

 

[Vanni]

Looks serious then. And I so fucking hate booing a player who's clearly in pain.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Don't have much hope of us getting back in this, we sound pretty shit from the radio! Seem to be all over the place from set pieces as well.

 

[Hooped Wizard]

You will win on Thursday Portsmouth, we're bottling it badly with a fucking disgrace of a manager.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

A somewhat expected defeat for us I think but only 3 points over Christmas isn't good however you slice it for a playoff contender. We aren't even keeping pace with fellow playoff sides now which is a bit concerning.

Have to hope that the injury for McGeehan isn't too serious, sounds like Hylton picked up a knock as well, shudder to think what we'll be like without those 2 for any extended period.

 

[Hatter86]

Hyltons hurt. Stayed on cause we had made all our subs but could barely walk. May need to invest heavily in Jan if him and Cam are out for a long time.

Probably deserved a point after second half. Hylton hit the bar and Smith missed from a yard. Lee gave away a stupid penalty and can't see why we persist with him.

Pompey were ok but no more than that. Ref was poor.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

NJ pretty much confirming that it's a leg break for McGeehan, FFS! Absolutely blasted the Pompey fans as well.

 

[Hatter86]

Yup, it was pathetic from them. We've all had a pop at an opposition player when they go down injured. What you don't do is continue to berate them as it becomes clear it's a serious injury. Abuse the whole way to the ambulance. It really was disgusting.

 

[WAP]

Huge win, first 60 minutes thought we were in complete control and deserved to be in front. The injury to McGeehan I'd need to see again, at the time though I thought if anything he went in late on Doyle I think it was. Could be wrong. Was quite clear the injury was bad but think the general feeling was why could they not just put him on the stretcher sooner. Obviously not alot of medical knowledge in the crowd. Did someone get booked during it as all of a sudden I heard alot of cheers from us.

The last half hour Luton had a go, Hylton was very unlucky after Burgess slipped and he hit the bar. The only real other chance was that absolute sitter which will be on a Christmas Dvd next year.

2 penalties over the bar in 2 weeks is abit concerning.

 

[Kenneth E End]

It was McGeehan who was booked because he had a tantrum at the guy carrying the stretcher, who may well have made the injury worse going by his reaction.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Huge win, first 60 minutes thought we were in complete control and deserved to be in front. The injury to McGeehan I'd need to see again, at the time though I thought if anything he went in late on Doyle I think it was. Could be wrong. Was quite clear the injury was bad but think the general feeling was why could they not just put him on the stretcher sooner. Obviously not alot of medical knowledge in the crowd. Did someone get booked during it as all of a sudden I heard alot of cheers from us.

The last half hour Luton had a go, Hylton was very unlucky after Burgess slipped and he hit the bar. The only real other chance was that absolute sitter which will be on a Christmas Dvd next year.

2 penalties over the bar in 2 weeks is abit concerning.

Wasn't there but just reading a few things and it appears McGeehan got booked for dissent as was annoyed how long it was taking the medical staff to sort him out properly. Someone on Outlaws (so hefty grain of salt required here) saying they didn't have the required splints etc and weren't prepared.

You really have to question what the ref is thinking booking him if any of that is true!

 

[Hatter86]

Yup, McGeehan was booked for dissent as he was been carried off with a broken leg. Could not make it up.

 

[WAP]

That is mad!

 

[Bucket_]

I totally agree on McGeehan, I felt embarrassed to be part of that crowd at that point, ridiculous. Sorry to hear it's a likely leg break.

Excellent game though - not the best football but both teams absolutely went for it, it was an even game. Danny Hylton is probably the best player I've seen at FP during the League 2 days; not many boss Burgess but he was all over him. Cuthbert too was excellent. Had Hylton not got injured I think Luton would have equalised really, we seemed to sink into ourselves in the second half and panic a little bit, perhaps as a result of our pressing in the first half tiring us.

Brilliant, brilliant result for us though, really wasn't sure we'd hold on but to have done so is crucial, despite not playing great. Now onto our inevitable capitulation against Doncaster.

 

[Hatter86]

Not sure we did enough to get anything out of it however we were severely hampered by the injuries to Cam and Hylton. Thought Hyltons chip was dropping in and I've no idea how Smith didn't turn home from Hyltons dribble along the byline. Hylton has been fantastic for us and will be a huge miss a long with Cam if out for an extended period.

Regarding the McGeehan incident. The guy doing Pompeys post match stuff (assistant?) claims he heard no booing. Hmm.

 

[hellogregory]

Yup, McGeehan was booked for dissent as he was been carried off with a broken leg. Could not make it up.

You're fucking kidding?
The ref wants bloody banned for that.

 

[Hatter86]

The details are, as best as I can tell, thus. He was down for a long time being treated. It took an absolute age for the stretcher to come on. The medical staff then tried to put him on the stretcher without a leg brace because they didn't have one. Evidentially McGeehan has taken exception to this because, you know, his leg is probably broken. Red books him for dissent.

 

[SVH]

Pompey's assistant manager is a c***, along with Cook.

Pompey fans, well say no more.

 

[Don Tonberry]

Hearing that McGeehan spat at Pompey fans. If that's true, he deserves all the abuse he got.

As it is, the Westwood mob are always going to boo because they don't know any better. McGeehan's squinnying didn't help his cause. Nathan Jones can complain all he wants, none of us are likely to give a shit what he thinks.

As for the game, it was a very ugly win by ourselves but although Luton had two massive opportunities to equalise, we had some equally excellent chances of our own. We deserved to win based on the fact that Luton showed nothing as an attacking force in the first half, regardless of what they did in the second.

If we can beat Doncaster on Thursday, that will really put the cat amongst the pigeons.