Saturday 12th March

[GeneralLee]

Huge, huge win. Looked dead and buried before Harris came in (10 points behind).

Game on!

It wasn’t long ago you were one of the worst sides I’ve ever seen when we played you. I think everyone would have said ‘dead and buried’ at the time.

I’ve just seen the table and couldn’t believe you’re in with such a strong shout of surviving (and looking as if it will happen). Credit where it’s due, if he pulls that off it’s an unbelievable effort considering what he’s working with.

 

[WhiteRussian]

It wasn’t long ago you were one of the worst sides I’ve ever seen when we played you. I think everyone would have said ‘dead and buried’ at the time.

I’ve just seen the table and couldn’t believe you’re in with such a strong shout of surviving (and looking as if it will happen). Credit where it’s due, if he pulls that off it’s an unbelievable effort considering what he’s working with.

Totally agree. I really think Gillingham will stay up at the expense of either AFC or Fleetwood. Cracking turnaround.

 

[PuB]

It’s an incredible achievement just to be back level again, Harris has done it all with the same players bar Thomson (who was really a direct replacement for Dempsey). We’re still a very limited team but what Harris has done is made is made us defensively sound and hard to break down.

Every game is a cup final now, Charlton next up on Tuesday.

 

[Gills4years]

It’s an incredible achievement just to be back level again, Harris has done it all with the same players bar Thomson (who was really a direct replacement for Dempsey). We’re still a very limited team but what Harris has done is made is made us defensively sound and hard to break down.

Every game is a cup final now, Charlton next up on Tuesday.

Incredible effort from Harris to change the disorganised rabble that Evans left him in to a pretty coordinated, hard to beat, team.

Our lack of goal threat against the better teams could well still cost us as I think we have now played Crewe, Donny, Morecambe and AFCW twice each. Makes the second Fleetwood game pretty crucial and otherwise we must look to grind out as many 1-0 and 0-0 results as possible, and hope that amount of points required to stay up is much less than usual.

 

[WhiteRussian]

and hope that amount of points required to stay up is much less than usual.

It will be this season. Ridiculously low because the points to get in the playoffs will be stupidly high. What is it they talk about to be safe usually? 50 points?

 

[SMH]

We came for a 0-0 and almost got a 0-1. Can’t complain but there’s definitely an underlying feeling of annoyance that after restricting MK to virtually all game, we ended up getting done off a corner.

 

[WhiteRussian]

We came for a 0-0 and almost got a 0-1. Can’t complain but there’s definitely an underlying feeling of annoyance that after restricting MK to virtually all game, we ended up getting done off a corner.

I get that. Scoring right at the end is a hell of a lift when you save a defeat. Not the best of games though and a draw was fair. Move on as they say.

 

[SuffolkBlue]

Pompey came for a point and got one. Probably one of the poorest sides I’ve seen for a while at PR. Their fans were miles better than the team for sure. Think the playoffs is out of reach now, paying for a very poor start under Cook. Will still finish around 70-75 points which isn’t too bad.
Could’ve nicked it at the end but another clean sheet will do. Roll on next season. McKenna is the man.

 

[dannylad01]

We were pretty awful defensively and were there for the taking.

Injuries and COVID meant we started the game with a backup keeper in goal, a centre half trio consisting of Mous, primarily a Coach now who hasn’t started a game since December 2020, our out of form offensively minded left back (I’m unconvinced he’s even a left back!) who has been out the side in favour of a right winger alongside our first choice centre half. We had a central midfielder at right wing back and a right winger at left wing back plus a right winger up top… Considering, to take three points is fantastic. The performance simply doesn’t matter.

Shrews - What was Cotterill so agitated about at the end and the subsequent booing at full-time. Have I missed something?

Cotterill and the fans weren't overly impressed with the ref. Some interesting comments on the penalty shouts in his interview after the game. I think it sums up his performance with Robinson saying that Oxford benefitted from some strange decisions today. Even little things like the most blatant corner being given as a goal kick.

In fairness today summed up our season in not taking our chances. Not really fair to comment on Oxford as clearly with so many players out it wasn't the usual performance. Only surprise today was that you won 2-1 and not 3-2 like the last 3 seasons!

 

[WhiteRussian]

And there is a football fan.

Probably one of the poorest sides I’ve seen for a while at PR.

They fucked you.

 

[SuffolkBlue]

And there is a football fan.

Probably one of the poorest sides I’ve seen for a while at PR.

They fucked you.

Far from it. They offered nothing going forward. Have seen Cheltenham, fleetwood and burton recently and they all offered more. After their recent run I expected more from Pompey but I’m sure they’ll be happy with a point from a tricky away game.

 

[GeneralLee]

Cotterill and the fans weren't overly impressed with the ref. Some interesting comments on the penalty shouts in his interview after the game. I think it sums up his performance with Robinson saying that Oxford benefitted from some strange decisions today. Even little things like the most blatant corner being given as a goal kick.

In fairness today summed up our season in not taking our chances. Not really fair to comment on Oxford as clearly with so many players out it wasn't the usual performance. Only surprise today was that you won 2-1 and not 3-2 like the last 3 seasons!

Fair enough. I was watching on iFollow; whether it was the coverage or my internet connection failing me I may have missed some of those items!

Ironically, we conceded fewer today than with our first choice backline! Rather luck and your limited goal threat across the season saved us. We were most definitely blunted today across the backline, midfield and attack so to come away with anything was brilliant.

Our inability to deal with just about anything more than offered enough chances. There won’t be many playoff chasing sides playing like that!

Udoh looked reasonable up top with his pace. A couple of real playmakers and a real goal threat would really provide that cutting edge to match a decent defensive unit.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Clearly all about long throws today - Cheltenham, Burton and Gillingham!!

 

[PuB]

Clearly all about long throws today - Cheltenham, Burton and Gillingham!!

And a lovely long throw it was too!

 

[CTFCfan99]

Clearly all about long throws today - Cheltenham, Burton and Gillingham!!

Who needs Ben Tozer - Long Throw FC are back

 

[ShrimpsMeltdown]

Yep, we're done.

 

[TractorBoys]

Absolutely robbed by the linesman there. By far and away the better side.

Sadly that disallowed goal probably ends our faint hopes.

 

[K-Win]

Pompey came for a point and got one. Probably one of the poorest sides I’ve seen for a while at PR.

I think the term "came for a point" is pushing it a bit. Despite our good run coming in and confidence high, we were playing away against a team also in great form, who had only conceded one goal in eight games.

We started the game with the same system that has resulted in us scoring loads of goals recently, but Ipswich shut us down completely as an attacking force - like they've been doing to everyone recently. We don't have a strong enough bench to change things too much, so the Cowleys went into pragmatic mode. Stay solid at the back, try not to concede a goal and hope to maybe snap up a rare chance that comes your way. Not great to watch but it earned us a valuable point.

Disappointing for Ipswich fans no doubt as it the play-offs now look even further away. However, McKenna clearly looks to have what it takes so next season could be an absolute canter with that budget.

 

[Super_horns]

Cotterill and the fans weren't overly impressed with the ref. Some interesting comments on the penalty shouts in his interview after the game. I think it sums up his performance with Robinson saying that Oxford benefitted from some strange decisions today. Even little things like the most blatant corner being given as a goal kick.

In fairness today summed up our season in not taking our chances. Not really fair to comment on Oxford as clearly with so many players out it wasn't the usual performance. Only surprise today was that you won 2-1 and not 3-2 like the last 3 seasons!

Thought it looks like a foul tbh but starting out side the box?

That Ipswich late disallowed goal was probably a bit of guess work from the assistant?

 

[Davidimp]

Breathing space
Our keeper was making only his 2nd start of his career in the league.
The red card looked harsh IMHO, didn't look like a headbutt to me.
First time we've won away at one of the bottom six this season.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Nice stadium. Good to see an all girl ball team, something others clubs including us should take note of.

Good game. I expected a few more goals, but happy with the result. Bolton still remind me a lot of us last year. Good going forward and a bit fragile at the back. Though Bolton had two good chances in the second half, I felt we looked a bit more organised and solid in defence and that was the difference.

Santos is very good. I liked the look of Fossey even if Edwards’s gave him nothing all afternoon. I don’t know if it was our system or the position he was in but Dapo was not the player some have suggested. He is not bad, but not as good as I have seen advertised.

I wonder if the ref will report Kachunga, if so he will be in trouble? While
possibly deliberately treading on a players hand you have just fouled is not probably something any us will defend (if and I say if, that is what happened).

I took a Notlob resident mate with me to the game and asked him about the Lancashire/Greater Manchester thing. He said those born and bred in the area and over 40, like his wife, say it is Lancs, and most everyone else Greater Manchester.

 

[SF_]

I'm 33 and I'd say Bolton is as Lancashire as it gets.

 

[BarrieOwl]

I'm 33 and I'd say Bolton is as Lancashire as it gets.

Greater Manchester is just an administrative area, its all fucking Lancashire for me.

 

[Tinnion's right foot]

Important win for the Imps.

 

[Davidimp]

That was a walk over, expected much more from Cambridge, could have just been an off day for them today, all at sea defensively and we took our chances for once.

Has not made much difference for us in the table but we have 2 games in hand over a couple of the teams ahead of us so just take it a game at a time.

Accy on Tuesday for us.

I assume slim shady enjoyed it more this week

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Well done Gillingham we are woeful hope you stay up because we are in free fall

 

[Laker]

If I was Wednesday I wouldn't start by assuming Cambridge are easy pickings (to be fair, Barrieowl was rather more respectful) and I'm sure their management won't make that mistake - a big club, Sheffield Wednesday, and on that I have a soft spot for who really should be at least one division higher.

We are still learning in this league, and we don't have the squad quality of the top clubs in this league, but if we are on our game we can give any team a real challenge.

The good news this week over the club finally buying its ground back after 17 years of hurt is yet another positive in a fantastic two years.

This weekend is also the first time in over four months that we have 18 professionals available for the squad, which will be nice!

One thing that is sure, we always work hard and show endeavour, even if sometimes we are poor - I've never, ever seen a Mark Bonner team give up or roll over...

Haha, I love it when I make posts like this and they come back to bite.

We were simply taken apart on Saturday, too many having off days and playing against a side bang in form who were very clinical. It happens occasionally, especially when you’re asking players to perform above their level all season - from time to time they fail and it goes wrong spectacularly.

 

[dannylad01]

Fair enough. I was watching on iFollow; whether it was the coverage or my internet connection failing me I may have missed some of those items!

Ironically, we conceded fewer today than with our first choice backline! Rather luck and your limited goal threat across the season saved us. We were most definitely blunted today across the backline, midfield and attack so to come away with anything was brilliant.

Our inability to deal with just about anything more than offered enough chances. There won’t be many playoff chasing sides playing like that!

Udoh looked reasonable up top with his pace. A couple of real playmakers and a real goal threat would really provide that cutting edge to match a decent defensive unit.

If only we had half the goal threat of Oxford. The way the ball fell to Taylor for the first goal shows the benefit of a good strikers instinct, being on the right place at the right time.

Udoh has improved massively this year. He nicked a few goals off the bench in the last 2 seasons, but Cotterill and Wilbraham have really worked on his all round game.

 

[dannylad01]

Thought it looks like a foul tbh but starting out side the box?

That Ipswich late disallowed goal was probably a bit of guess work from the assistant?

Was right in front of me. Was soft but would have been screaming for it if it was for us. Our defender Flanagan said the same.

It was the inconsistency of decisions, throughout the game, as similar challenges weren't given as fouls, along with a good handball shout early on

 

[Robie]

Taylor was also taken out in the penalty box in the first half. The good penalty shout for the handball was the other end of the pitch but I don’t see how that wouldn’t be ball to hand but I’m completely lost with the rules nowadays!