Playing catch-up
Being laid up in bed with flu, it seems like the perfect time to catch up with goings on at Fratton Park.
My gut feeling about the Spurs game was correct - our team bounced back and proved a point, while the opposition players failed (again!) to stand up and be counted. The only negative for us was Diarra's sending off, which for me was inevitable because he looked like a man on a red card mission all afternoon. I've no idea what may have prompted this, but I think any genius is allowed the occasional off day.
The second leg UEFA Cup match against Vitoria Guimares did not go as I expected. I knew we would be in for a hard night, and predicted that at some point we would need to score to secure the victory. But I did not imagine that we just wouldn't turn up for the first 45 minutes, and that the scores would be level at half-time.
There was nothing positive about our first half display: no shape, no effort, and no one keeping the ball. But yet again Harry worked his half-time magic, and Pompey dominated the second period. It surprised me how much Guimares fell away after the break. At home, and with key players back in their side after the first leg, I knew they would come at Pompey. I didn't realise the attack wouldn't be sustained, and Pompey getting that crucial away goal looked inevitable.
'Looked' is the key word in that last sentence because, while it 'looked' inevitable, the goal proved elusive. As the game entered extra time I felt only one team could win ouitright, but my concern was that Guimares would hold on for penalties. Fortunately two goals from Crouch proved decisive, and ensured the aggregate scoreline accurately reflected the entire contest.
However, the game against Stoke was for me the highlight of the past few weeks. Obviously, getting three points is always a pleasure, but it was impossible to ignore the players workrate. After such a busy recent period I would have, for once, forgiven the team for lacking willing. The victory was very workmanlike, and not the best visual spectacle, but there was a commitment and belief on show that you just can't buy.
The international break could break our momentum, but at least Defoe remembered to pack his shooting boots. Let's hope the rest of the team can remain in the right frame of mind for the trip to Villa Park on Saturday.
My gut feeling about the Spurs game was correct - our team bounced back and proved a point, while the opposition players failed (again!) to stand up and be counted. The only negative for us was Diarra's sending off, which for me was inevitable because he looked like a man on a red card mission all afternoon. I've no idea what may have prompted this, but I think any genius is allowed the occasional off day.
The second leg UEFA Cup match against Vitoria Guimares did not go as I expected. I knew we would be in for a hard night, and predicted that at some point we would need to score to secure the victory. But I did not imagine that we just wouldn't turn up for the first 45 minutes, and that the scores would be level at half-time.
There was nothing positive about our first half display: no shape, no effort, and no one keeping the ball. But yet again Harry worked his half-time magic, and Pompey dominated the second period. It surprised me how much Guimares fell away after the break. At home, and with key players back in their side after the first leg, I knew they would come at Pompey. I didn't realise the attack wouldn't be sustained, and Pompey getting that crucial away goal looked inevitable.
'Looked' is the key word in that last sentence because, while it 'looked' inevitable, the goal proved elusive. As the game entered extra time I felt only one team could win ouitright, but my concern was that Guimares would hold on for penalties. Fortunately two goals from Crouch proved decisive, and ensured the aggregate scoreline accurately reflected the entire contest.
However, the game against Stoke was for me the highlight of the past few weeks. Obviously, getting three points is always a pleasure, but it was impossible to ignore the players workrate. After such a busy recent period I would have, for once, forgiven the team for lacking willing. The victory was very workmanlike, and not the best visual spectacle, but there was a commitment and belief on show that you just can't buy.
The international break could break our momentum, but at least Defoe remembered to pack his shooting boots. Let's hope the rest of the team can remain in the right frame of mind for the trip to Villa Park on Saturday.
posted by Gliiitches at
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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