End of the day, hard-fought or not, the most important thing for Pompey on Saturday was the fact we recorded another win.
There wasn’t too much in it in the first half, both sides had a couple of chances but it was Southend who went closest with Luke McGee producing a good save to deny Theo Robinson – who had a trial during pre-season a couple of years back, didn’t he?
In first half added time a dubiously awarded penalty gave the visiting Blues the chance to take the lead but Nile Ranger blasted this over the bar.
Brett Pitman made Ranger and co pay early in the second half when he turned in fine cross from Matt Kennedy, who came off the bench at the break, to win it and take us to within a couple of points of a play-off place, setting us up nicely for a trip to Peterborough on Tuesday.
Commenting post-match, quoted by the News, Kenny Jackett said it was ‘hard-fought’ admitting that McGee save was important.
He said: ‘The save from McGee was key for us in the first half. I was surprised the penalty was given, but the ref was closer than I was – and Nile Ranger put it over anyway.’
There wasn’t anywhere near enough width in the first half – as Southend caused problems – so Jackett decided to change it at the interval, which saw Kennedy come on – yes he did well BUT he’s got to learn he cannot keep running and running, he needs to pass it at times.
Jackett added: ‘Southend went with a diamond in the first half and it gave us problems, so it was about getting the ball wide with a packed midfield. It was a great ball from Kennedy for the goal and Brett’s header was the key difference in a tight game – a very tight game.’
PLAY UP POMPEY
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2017-18 Prediction League – November
Peterborough (a) Tuesday 21st November 2017 – click here.
Plymouth (h) Saturday 25th November 2017 – click here.
