JUST BACK (Sponsored by Goldbergs Solicitors)

I'd like three writs, a PPI settlement, and a libel case please. I need to balance my portfolio, I'm too exposed. Oh, and a match report tout suite. Sam need not apply.

Beaten by a far superior team in all departments.

Minuses

We surrendered the midfield

Boateng blowing out his backside all game much too slow

First penalty dubious but if your going to tackle from behind in the penalty area get it right !

Second penalty nailed on after the FB skinned sawyer

Too much long ball to Reid, thought we'd seen the back of all that

Oh and the ref was a wanker but we didn't lose because of him

Pluses

Graham Carey will be a plus this season

Get the service to Wylde and he'll be another

We Woz done over good and proper, nuff said.

No punch in that side so same as last season

Feck off.

Almost got to see the famous feel bhey temper today with Paul Cook on the touch line but it was only a flash

Well that's 4,000 who won't be back.

I was amazed del didn't change anything during the second half Barr the forced sub for nelson. Can't help but feel if shezza was in charge the fans would be on his case for that. Not impressed today we need more players

Fortress Home Park.

P2 L2

Adams out

Difficult to do a match report without referring to the referee or the dark arts employed by the Pompey back four.

Anyway, Portsmouth passed the ball around well without really looking dangerous. Their final ball was generally poor and the two efforts on goal in the first half were down to poor defending rather. They should have scored the first but Luke made a great save - the second was a regulation tip over the bar. We seemed strangely lethargic and couldn't get on the ball with any purpose. The first half had 0 - 0 written all over it, until the penalty. It was right in front me and the guy wasn't touched - it was a dive and the referee bought it. Tubbs and Co celebrating in front of the Devonport end didn't help the mood, particularly the one fingered gestures.

Not much different in the second half really, we huffed and puffed a bit more without really looking dangerous. Their second penalty was a long way away from me, but it looked like there was contact. Wylde scored a good one just after but it was too little too late.

Reid was anonymous throughout. Boateng looks a top player, Carey is decent, Wylde will cause problems if he can stay on his feet. Defensively we looked ok, for all their possession Portsmouth never really looked like scoring, until the penalties. Not impressed at all with Mellor.

The referee was a shocker, any 50-50 decision went to Portsmouth. The Portsmouth back 4 were all over Carey in particular, he had a knee in the back, several off the ball smacks, mainly from their no 5. Nelson was elbowed in the box, should have a been a penalty to us, the ref gave a free kick to them. Nelson went off shortly afterwards.

Disappointing day overall, leaving aside the referee's performance, we didn't deserve to win it. A sneaky draw would have been the best we could have hoped for, but it was one of those days when it all went against us. Portsmouth will be thereabouts but they were no world beaters.

I am just hoping that we didn't make Pompey look good. For a long time second half, we couldn't get the ball off them. That said, our midfield looked very weak.
My first time this season and in truth nothing has changed from the back end of last season. Reuben being fed long balls with no one within twenty yards of him to support.