We arrived about 90 minutes before kick off and having refuelled (great fish & chips) we asked a steward where we could have a couple of pints and were pointed in the direction of the local community centre. As we walked in, the first person we spotted was Westwood, but for once he was remarkably sober, and actually well mannered! There were more Pompey fans in than CTFC fans, but it was all very friendly, and at £2.50 a pint, thank you very much!
The ground is one of the nicer ones in this division, and our view from behind the goal was an excellent one. We arrived just as the players were finishing their warm up, and very interestingly for me, before leaving the ground Gary Waddock gathered them all into a circle/huddle and stood amongst them giving only what I can assume was a motivational talking to.
On to the game:
To be honest, the first half was much ado about nothing, with neither side looking at all threatening and 0-0 at half time wold have been a fair reflection. However, their left wing Sterling-James grabbed the ball outside the box just before half time, ran into the box and fired home from a very tight angle. To be honest, I think Jones, like us, thought he was going to cross the ball. I haven't seen it on TV yet, but at the time I thought Jones could have done better.
Early on in the second half, their same player was one on one with Jones who saved brilliantly low down - so if their goal could have been saved, Jones made amends with this. If that had gone in I suggest it would have been curtains for us. However, a few minutes later Jack Whatmough picked up the ball near the half way line and went on a fantastic run, playing a great ball to Nigel Atangana who smashed it in off the cross bar. Cue mental celebrations! At this point, if there was to be a winner it would only have been us. We absolutely dominated the second half, and really should have won. we left the ground feeling it was 2 points lost, rather than one gained. Yet again, Awford left it really late to make any changes, substituting a cramping Atangana with Barcham in the 84th minute - far too little, far too late in my humble opinion.
With regards to the performances of our players, Whatmough and Robinson were excellent, and Devera had a very solid game. In midfield, Bean, Hollands, Atangana and Lee Holmes all had very good games. Jed didn't really get into it, though showed glimpses of what he is all about. Unfortunately, teams are now aware of him, and he was man marked by two of their players throughout. Butler also didn't have his best game, but did ok.
Whilst we undoubtedly had the better of the possession - even the stats prove it (45% : 55%) we rarely looked a threat. There was not enough width in the team for my liking, and you do have to question the set up, coaching, etc. It looked like we were playing 4 5 1 or possibly 4 2 3 1 yesterday, and if we revert back to 4 4 2 on Boxing Day I suspect Atangana will be dropped which would be really harsh on him after yesterday's performance.
Gary Waddock has now had a whole week with the players, and for me it definitely showed. We performed with a degree more commitment, defended far more resiliently and looked more together as a group. We just need to sort out the tactics now as we certainly have good enough players.
A brief word for the 1,100 or so travelling Pompey fans who were back to their best yesterday (though the Andy Awford's Blue Army chants were yet again muted).
On to Boxing Day. The Wimbledon game is one we need to get 3 points from as I don't see us getting anything from Luton.
Merry Christmas everyone from a slightly more satisfied Pompey supporter
