Page 1 of 1

Win over Rotherham last night

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:02 pm
by streetrifle
I can't recall the last time I saw a Pompey side work so hard. It was an incredible effort from all 11 against a very physical and powerful Rotherham side who played very little football but whose route one style we often find it very hard to compete with. Couple that with a fussy and inconsistent referee and it should have been, as per normal, a difficult game to win.
But there were some outstanding performances. Curtis scored a magnificent solo goal with his first touch in the first minute, and was unlucky with two other great strikes. He really is back to his best, which is a major bonus.
Harrison was simply a revelation, 10 out of 10, if he can keep repeating that performance, we have a very good centre forward on our hands. He was strong in the air, hard to knock off the ball, running all night, and some good link-ups, and a major assist with the header that brought the goal for Marquis, who was again the one big disappointment on the night..
Williams was a 9 out of 10 with his quick feet and great link=up play. Earned the standing ovation when he was subbed near the end for Harness who also impressed in the short time he was on.
In defence Burgess had one of his best games, and Hawkins was strong in the air, and is quick on the ground. His tackle that brought their penalty was evidence of his immaturity in the position but he is definitely our best option over Downing and Raggett.
Brown looked good and was almost back to his best, particularly on overlapping and crossing.
Make no mistake Rotherham with their style and experience are the type of side we would normally struggle against, and they will surely be up there at the end.

Re: Win over Rotherham last night

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 6:19 pm
by Milton End
Thanks for this: listened on BBC Radio Solent so always interesting to read from someone actually present.

Even at half-time, the radio commentators were saying that this was one of the most entertaining games at Fratton Park for some time. Rotherham were reported to be strong physically, fast and well organised. It was clear that they had recently been a Championship team, even though they had just been relegated. Freddie Ladapo was a particularly talented player.

BBC Commentator, Andy Moon, pointed out that this was the first time since January 2019 that Pompey had beaten a top-six side. Arguably a significant victory but it's still early in the season....

Re: Win over Rotherham last night

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 9:16 pm
by Berkshire Blue
Among many good individual performances I was impressed with Anton Walkes yesterday evening. He got through loads of hard graft which often goes unnoticed, and was a steadying influence in front of our back four. He is certainly not afraid to get stuck in to a tackle.

Re: Win over Rotherham last night

Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 10:43 am
by Selsey Bill
streetrifle wrote: Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:02 pm I can't recall the last time I saw a Pompey side work so hard. It was an incredible effort from all 11 against a very physical and powerful Rotherham side who played very little football but whose route one style we often find it very hard to compete with. Couple that with a fussy and inconsistent referee and it should have been, as per normal, a difficult game to win.
But there were some outstanding performances. Curtis scored a magnificent solo goal with his first touch in the first minute, and was unlucky with two other great strikes. He really is back to his best, which is a major bonus.
Harrison was simply a revelation, 10 out of 10, if he can keep repeating that performance, we have a very good centre forward on our hands. He was strong in the air, hard to knock off the ball, running all night, and some good link-ups, and a major assist with the header that brought the goal for Marquis, who was again the one big disappointment on the night..
Williams was a 9 out of 10 with his quick feet and great link=up play. Earned the standing ovation when he was subbed near the end for Harness who also impressed in the short time he was on.
In defence Burgess had one of his best games, and Hawkins was strong in the air, and is quick on the ground. His tackle that brought their penalty was evidence of his immaturity in the position but he is definitely our best option over Downing and Raggett.
Brown looked good and was almost back to his best, particularly on overlapping and crossing.
Make no mistake Rotherham with their style and experience are the type of side we would normally struggle against, and they will surely be up there at the end.
Agree with all of that! It was a game that could easily have gone either way, and we could have scored 5 or 6 on the night. Mind you, so could have they. Best Pompey performance for a long long time. Also, an incredibly entertaining game.