Pompey claimed their second point of the season today, hardly a great feat when we have played 5 games now, but today there were signs of optimism all round.
Pompey were in a position to field 4 ‘new’ signings, in came Ferrero Rocha, Kanu, Lawrence of Surburbia and King crimson Kitson.
Kitson partnered Nugent up front with Kanu slightly deeper in a very attacking formation, Mullins slipped into his preferred midfield role along with Mokoena at the expense of Michael Brown who surprisingly waited on the bench. Joel Ward came in at right back and gave an encouraging enough display to suggest he could get a run in the side.
Pompey started with great flair, if a lack of confidence was to blame for our slow start to the season, it was not evident. David Kitson flashed a header over the bar as early as the 5th minute and Lawrence was looking to get on the ball at every opportunity.
The game had a real ebb and flow to it, Ipswich obviously fancied taking all 3 points at the bottom side, while Pompey were fighting to get off the very bottom.
Nugent smacked a shot against the bar, the flag had been raised however and Leadbitter flashed a shot over the bar the other end, the biggest opportunity however fell to O’Dea, a corner was flicked on and he contrived to blast over from 6 six yards with the goal gaping.
Half-time saw it goaless and Pompey looked a match for the early pacesetters, Rocha had slipped back into defence with ease, Sonko looking far more assured alongside him.
Mokoena went off after only 4 minutes of the restart on a stretcher, he was in obvious distress but early signs are he has not suffered a serious injury. Brown who replaced him was next to test Fulop, his blasted volley from range had the Hungarian diving low to his right to keep it out.
nugent was looking lively also, he dragged a shot wide and hit one shot on the turn that looked to have goal written all over it, but Fulop again stuck out a hand and deflected it wide.
Jamie Ashdown was earning his money as well, dangerman Norris found some space coming forward and struck low to Ashdown’s right, this time Paddy matched Fulop’s efforts at the other end.
So the game finished 0-0, not a bore draw by any account, either side could of pinched it, but Pompey will have to wait until tuesday to try and break their season duck at Selhurst park.
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