The overwhelming feeling on the Pompey forums is that they are going to pot and after last night's loss are turning on the owners. Some fans are turning on the players saying that their decline wasn't the fault of the Cowleys, but the players themselves. A few though, reckon they've still got some gas in the tank and point to a second half performance in which they had loads of possession and were very competitive in midfield winning most second balls and forcing us to hoof it away - which is fair comment. With a couple of changes to come for Saturday's game they may well offer more of a threat and it can't be forgotten that in the early part of the season they rocketed up the table so they're hoping to regain that sort of form sooner rather than later. Either way we can't afford to be cocky or complacent.

So what do we need to do?

First there's the defensive question. Santos defended well apart from when he was rinsed by the winger towards the end but he did make a fair few headed clearances and some of his long range passing was quality. My problem with Santos is that he slows the game down to the point that his distribution is ponderous and predictable and we lost the advantage of quick transition that we've seen with the Toal/Aimson/Johnston back three - which allows us to get forward before the opposition have had time to park two rows of defenders in front of us. I'd revert to Aimson for Saturday.

Williams did OK - as did Beck who nearly scored - but I'd start Williams and Bradley as WBs - we can always change them if required, but I think they offer more threat early doors when we need that all-important first goal.

Midifield has to be stronger than the starting mids last night. This is the area where Pompey will be looking to dominate so we need to be far more competitive.

Up front? Dion and JDB to start again but would love to see Dan on at some stage. Sadly, I've lost all confidence in Baka.

My prediction is 2 nil barring a disaster.

 

Dempsey first half was like a man possessed , driving us forward. Looks as fit as he’s been since joining us.

Superb win, bossed the majority of that, Aimson the unsung hero, he really brings it all together with the 2 either side of him.

Liking what I see of the whippet. Still needs a few games to get up to speed and gave it away softly a time or 2 I’ll put down to tiredness.

Nlundulu can hold it up well. Made a couple of decent runs in behind we just didn’t spot.

solid all round performance and some decent results. See them off behind us before looking upwards

Proper enjoyed that today. Back 3, middle 3, the new lads. Positives all over.

Onwards and upwards.

7 minutes ago, victor meldrew said:

it's a good job they couldn't finish, i recon they had 5 good chances.

Go on

Say something positive about Bolton 

You know you want to….

We need to stick to that defence. They play really well together. Thought Williams was fantastic today and hopefully keep improving the fitter he gets. Dempsey is a classic act. Fantastic win. In Evert we trust 👍 COYWM 

Never in doubt from start to finish. Their lot will be glad to get down the M6 away from the gaff. Beaten and twatted twice in a week and blasted with wind and ice rain in the process

Dempsey was superb again, serious captain material. Charles is your worst nightmare as a defender.

Tremendous day at the office.

1 minute ago, Spider said:

Go on

Say something positive about Bolton 

You know you want to….

whats negative about pointing out a fact

3 minutes ago, victor meldrew said:

whats negative about pointing out a fact

Go on, I bet you can’t.

6 hours ago, superjohnmcginlay said:

3-0 get into em’ fuck em up. 

👏🏼

4 hours ago, DazBob said:

Not looking forward to hearing that fucking bell for 90 mins.

Thought we had an afternoon off at first, then 10 minutes in there it was.

 i'm not biting 

6 minutes ago, victor meldrew said:

 i'm not biting 

at least you’ve shown up, the other doom merchants tend to steer clear when we’re winning

36 minutes ago, Spider said:

Just about thawed out. Fucking taters up there today.

As good a performance as you’ll see that. Evatt has got that defence absolutely purring and going forward we carry genuine menace. New lad looks raw but talented and has a good set of players around him to get service from.

That back 3 really is brimming with confidence, and that just gives the rest of the team a bit more freedom to go and get the goals.

Chuffed to fucking bits and hoping we can secure play offs by the end of next month. Then see if Plymouth open the door….

#EvattOut

Wouldn't be looking at Plymouth, them and Weds looking strong, be amazed if we got a sniff 

All we need to do is keep making that gap from 7th bigger 

Play like today and we'll avoid defeat most weeks

3 minutes ago, Zico said:

Wouldn't be looking at Plymouth, them and Weds looking strong, be amazed if we got a sniff 

All we need to do is keep making that gap from 7th bigger 

Play like today and we'll avoid defeat most weeks

This

dont think we will get top 2 but good chance of the play offs with a couple more quality signings in this window 

Next week really big now I feel. 3 points against a genuine playoff contender will be a big statement to the pack.

8 minutes ago, true white said:

We need to stick to that defence. They play really well together. Thought Williams was fantastic today and hopefully keep improving the fitter he gets. Dempsey is a classic act. Fantastic win. In Evert we trust 👍 COYWM 

Agree about the defence, outstanding, especially Toal, although Pompey did have a few chances as @victor meldrewsaid.  Just not as many as us. 

Dempsey definitely showed what he can do today, some quality crosses and good control/quick passing that I haven't seen from him much before, and really intelligent running.  First time I've thought he was our best midfielder on the day.  Bradley wierdly under par, can't remember one time he did something "Bradley-esque" like a lung bursting run or an amazing tackle. 

Williams very hit and miss, looks good on the ball and sharp one minute, then disinterested and half asleep the next.  Not seen any of this electric pace yet, I'm sure he possesses it, but doesn't look as if he's bothered enough to use it! 

Too early to judge N'lundulu, I didn't see anything we didn't get from Baka today, even built like him, but happy to trust IE's judgement that he's an upgrade, he'll get plenty chances to prove himself.

Bod was superb before his injury and seems to play well with Charles, fingers crossed its nothing much.

7 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Agree about the defence, outstanding, especially Toal, although Pompey did have a few chances as @victor meldrewsaid.  Just not as many as us. 

Dempsey definitely showed what he can do today, some quality crosses and good control/quick passing that I haven't seen from him much before, and really intelligent running.  First time I've thought he was our best midfielder on the day.  Bradley wierdly under par, can't remember one time he did something "Bradley-esque" like a lung bursting run or an amazing tackle. 

Williams very hit and miss, looks good on the ball and sharp one minute, then disinterested and half asleep the next.  Not seen any of this electric pace yet, I'm sure he possesses it, but doesn't look as if he's bothered enough to use it! 

Too early to judge N'lundulu, I didn't see anything we didn't get from Baka today, even built like him, but happy to trust IE's judgement that he's an upgrade, he'll get plenty chances to prove himself.

Bod was superb before his injury and seems to play well with Charles, fingers crossed its nothing much.

Blimey.

He's absolutely miles better in possession.

36 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Never in doubt from start to finish. Their lot will be glad to get down the M6 away from the gaff. Beaten and twatted twice in a week and blasted with wind and ice rain in the process

Dempsey was superb again, serious captain material. Charles is your worst nightmare as a defender.

Tremendous day at the office.

That's about it.

Shit knee slide for Dion's goal celebration mind.

As good as some of the others were today I still thought Lee was the best player on the pitch by a mile.

Very early with the new Williams but I have a feeling he's got a very good footballing brain that isn't matched by his footballing ability, always looks to be wanting to do the right thing but can't quite manage it. Hopefully Im wrong.

Aye Lee is our most influencial player by a country mile. 

Hes our heartbeat. Absolutely fucked without him.

Well deserved Toal is some player still not giving up on automatic promotion lots of games to go anything can happen. 

I know we haven't show real consistency, but if we could somehow put 7 or 8 wins together, might have us close enough to worry the top 3.

Big ask though tbh.

Very good performance.

That back 3 are great  together - Aimson does so much talking to the other 2.....

Last 8 games, including 2 Pizza cups, we've let in 1 goal.....

 

It was fecking freezing in the 1st half -  that wind didn't half cut through you...

2nd half warmed up a tad after the wind fecked off.....

2 minutes ago, gregbwfc said:

I know we haven't show real consistency, but if we could somehow put 7 or 8 wins together, might have us close enough to worry the top 3.

Big ask though tbh.

The table is interesting. A number of away games to play against those a little below us.

However a number of homes against the lower teams.

Not sure what that means exactly

 

 

Aimson really has been the high point for me. Hands up, didn't think he had it in him.

Proper defender. Balls to the fancy stuff - just defend and boot it out if needs be