Back from the Match: Burton

[Pompey1984+1]

Overall it was job done, it wasn't always pretty and it wasn't always free flowing but it was job done - and largely comfortable.

We started the first half brightly and had a lot of the ball, we probed but didn't cause masses of issues. Kamara down the right looked the most threatening. The final ball was just letting us down.

Burton then came back into the game a bit more and started to cause us some issues, but nothing hugely problematic. Sparkes was coming under a bit of pressure from their winger but by and large the team looked comfortable.

Towards the end of the first half we started to get a bit more of a foot on the ball again and we then got the penalty which we converted.

Onto the second half, we started slowly and it seemed like it could be a long second half, but again for all their huff and puff Burton didn't exactly have us under siege. We grew into the second half and again a lot of our better play was coming down the right via Kamara. Just before the second goal he was in exactly the same position and flicked it towards where he wanted Rafferty to be, but he wasn't. Minutes later the same move and Rafferty was there - 2-0. Game over...

Even at this point we could, possibly should have had another goal or two but Burton faded away to offer noting.

Kamara and Robertson both had very good games. Kamara just seems to dwell on the ball for a second or two too long before crossing or shooting but he is only 20.

Robertson is just a cut above, makes the game look easy would be nice to see him kick on with a few more goals now.

Sparkes was under a bit of pressure first half but had some of our better balls into the box, in the second half he has the upper hand on his winger for the vast majority of the half.

Morris - I think there could be a player in there and given some time and matches he could prove a useful bit of cover. I'm.sure neither he nor JM expected him to start these last two games.

2-0, three points, clean sheet, job done.

[jam tomorrow]

Thanks for the update 84 you are one of the many true blue fans who follow the team near and far hats off to you all

[Pompey1984+1]

Thanks for the update 84 you are one of the many true blue fans who follow the team near and far hats off to you all

Not so far for me, I was tucked up in bed by 00:30.

[Pompey1984+1]

Just seen this on the Button forum from a poster called insideleft

Also you have to admire Portsmouth they aren't a team put together on big money. They looked a young side, they played the ball out from the back, across the midfield they had players in Robertson, Martin and Kamara who all wanted the ball, were comfortable on the ball and positive going forward. There was a pattern to their play and they all seemed to know what their roles were. You have to notice also that Shaugnessy looked accomplished at the back and Saydee played his part, two players we couldn't find room for!

[Claygate]

Who’s Morris???

We have Will Norris the goalkeeper, but assume you meant Josh Martin?

[Pompey1984+1]

Who’s Morris???

We have Will Norris the goalkeeper, but assume you meant Josh Martin?

Haha that's exactly who I mean! I've been emailing a colleague with the surname Morris on and off most of the week!

[Blue Walter]

Overall it was job done, it wasn't always pretty and it wasn't always free flowing but it was job done - and largely comfortable.

We started the first half brightly and had a lot of the ball, we probed but didn't cause masses of issues. Kamara down the right looked the most threatening. The final ball was just letting us down.

Burton then came back into the game a bit more and started to cause us some issues, but nothing hugely problematic. Sparkes was coming under a bit of pressure from their winger but by and large the team looked comfortable.

Towards the end of the first half we started to get a bit more of a foot on the ball again and we then got the penalty which we converted.

Onto the second half, we started slowly and it seemed like it could be a long second half, but again for all their huff and puff Burton didn't exactly have us under siege. We grew into the second half and again a lot of our better play was coming down the right via Kamara. Just before the second goal he was in exactly the same position and flicked it towards where he wanted Rafferty to be, but he wasn't. Minutes later the same move and Rafferty was there - 2-0. Game over...

Even at this point we could, possibly should have had another goal or two but Burton faded away to offer noting.

Kamara and Robertson both had very good games. Kamara just seems to dwell on the ball for a second or two too long before crossing or shooting but he is only 20.

Robertson is just a cut above, makes the game look easy would be nice to see him kick on with a few more goals now.

Sparkes was under a bit of pressure first half but had some of our better balls into the box, in the second half he has the upper hand on his winger for the vast majority of the half.

Morris - I think there could be a player in there and given some time and matches he could prove a useful bit of cover. I'm.sure neither he nor JM expected him to start these last two games.

2-0, three points, clean sheet, job done.

Great report, and so much better than the normal news paper reporters report from a Pompey supporters perspective. Although I wasn't aware we had a new player.

[Betelgeuse]

Martin was doing my head in with his erratic shooting and decision making. Hopefully he'll improve. As will Morris...

[Pompey1984+1]

Martin was doing my head in with his erratic shooting and decision making. Hopefully he'll improve. As will Morris...

I have hope for the former...

[BlueinPLtwenty]

I watched the match on IFollow and would agree with P1984+1 a positive and accurate report

[Pompey1984+1]

I watched the match on IFollow and would agree with P1984+1 a positive and accurate report

I'm not sure what their manager was watching to say they were camped inside out half... I cannot assume it was because they were attacking the Dave Arnott (I think they was his name) 'King of Caravans' end.

[Sawbo Blue]

I reserve judgment on Martin until he's had more game time. What I did notice was a lot of the problems caused by Burton's winger on the right were due to a poor combination between Sparkes and Martin, defending as a unit. When Lane replaced Martin, we were much stronger and Sparkes looked much more comfortable. This may not have just been about defending, but also that with Lane, our attacking threat was much greater and forced Burton back down their right flank towards their own goal on more occasions.

[Pompey1984+1]

I reserve judgment on Martin until he's had more game time. What I did notice was a lot of the problems caused by Burton's winger on the right were due to a poor combination between Sparkes and Martin, defending as a unit. When Lane replaced Martin, we were much stronger and Sparkes looked much more comfortable. This may not have just been about defending, but also that with Lane, our attacking threat was much greater and forced Burton back down their right flank towards their own goal on more occasions.

I would agree - and the same was true on occasions with Rafferty and Kamara not quite on the same wave length but Kamara has mostly played on the left so far I think?

[StMonkton]

If I’m remembering my 1980s midlands TV properly, I think it was ‘ Don Amos, King of Caravans.’

[Pompey1984+1]

If I’m remembering my 1980s midlands TV properly, I think it was ‘ Don Amos, King of Caravans.’

I've consulted my ticket from Tuesday...

Don Amott 'King of Caravans'

https://www.leisurekingdom.co.uk/