Match Reports

Pompey have reality check

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Pompey crashed back down to Earth yesterday, after 8 goals in 2 games and 2 consecutive clean sheets, some of the old failings crept back into our game, namely defending set-pieces.

Pompey made 2 changes from last week, Finnan was crocked and replaced by Vanden Borre, while Mokoena replaced Yebda who wasn’t even in the squad.

The match got off to a lively start, Blackburn were doing all the early running and pressing, when with our first meanwhile effort, Jamie O’Hara let fly from 30 yards and his shot skipped up off the wet surface to expose former England ‘keeper Robinsons failings with shots from distance, Pompey were 1 up and looking good.

Blackburn were reminiscent of the old Bolton, pumping long balls into the box and flinging in long throws, but Pompey were looking comfortable with the bombardment so far.

The main talking point of the half concerned O’Hara and Chimbonda, the latter swinging a half-hearted punch at the Pompey man, he never connected, but under the rules he should of walked, he didn’t and both he and O’Hara saw yellow.

Half-time arrived and James had nothing more than fielding practice to contend with, Pompey were looking the better side and the home faithful were voicing their discontent, surely it was time to crawl off the bottom?

Well second half, and on came supposed target McCarthy, and ex-loanee Roberts, got to admit this concerned me a little as I’m sure Roberts scores in every game he plays against us!
Pompey were closest to scoring first again though, Kaboul met a quick delivery from O’Hara, but could only glance over with his head, a more cushioned header and it would of been two.

Dindane quickly departed to be replaced by Smith, an injury must of been the reason as he was proving tough to handle, and almost immeadiately Blackburn were level.
Piquionne headed out well from a Rovers corner, but the next delivery found Nelsen who nodded down for Roberts to toe-poke home, it was a crap goal to concede and Pompey knew it.
Rovers definitely had the edge now, and it was compounded when that man Nelsen nodded home another corner to notch only his second ever goal, he was totally unmarked and Pompey must ask questions of their marking policy.

Pompey were pushing for an answer but finding little headway, Kanu was on for Mokoena, but unlike the last two games the gaps were not there for him to exploit, Pompey were looking ragged at the back and Roberts got another, this time McCarthy got free down the left and whipped in a centre for him to stroke home, game over and Pompey were left rooted to the bottom for the next 15 days.

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