Doncaster Rovers 0 Pompey 0
Pompey’s winning run came to an end in South Yorkshire where they gained a point in a topsy-turvy goalless draw with Doncaster Rovers.
Kenny sent out an unchanged side from the one that won at Bristol Rovers in the week with Louis Dennis replacing Conor Chaplin on the bench – possibly signs that Chaplin may go out on loan next week.
The first half performance was poor for Pompey with them under the cosh for long periods with Craig MacGillivray being kept busy to earn his clean sheet.
At the interval, Jackett had to make changes and he did sending on Brett Pitman for Oli Hawkins and Ben Close for Ben Thompson who had been booked. Pompey then improved and began to create chances of their own with Marko Marosi twice denying Gareth Evans.
The only real moment of drama came on 83 minutes when Marosi dashed from his area to beat Ronan Curtis to the ball and handled the ball in the process. Referee Andy Haines had no alternative but to flash the red card and Donny were down to ten men but had used all their substitutes meaning defender Ben Whiteman had to go between the sticks.
Pompey tried to take advantage of that situation but could only manage one Curtis shot which Whiteman saved with ease.
So the winning run is over and the performance was far from convincing but again the side showed determination in fighting for a point. With two home games to come before the trip to Peterborough exciting times are ahead. We now wait to see what moves the club make before the loan transfer window shuts next Friday.
Pompey (4-3-3): MacGillivray; Walkes, Whatmough, Clarke, Brown; B.Thompson (Close 46), Evans (c), Naylor; Lowe, Hawkins (Pitman 46), Curtis
Booked: B.Thompson, Close, Whatmough
Subs not used: McGee, Burgess, Haunstrup, Dennis, Wheeler
Referee: Andy Haines
Attendance: 7,618 (1,121 Pompey fans)
Rumours
Pompey are being linked with a loan move for Queens Park Rangers youngster Paul Smyth. The Northern Ireland forward has fallen out of favour with new boss Steve McClaren and could be set to depart Loftus Road after just one start so far this season. Smyth impressed after breaking into the QPR squad last season following a move from Linfield, he bagged two goals for the club in 14 games.
Rovers from a different angle
Bristol Rovers’ TV shot the midweek game from a new perspective and the video shows some of the key incidents in detail not seen on the standard angle. Well worth a look.
Gary nervous
The first managerial departure of the 2018/19 season came at Blackpool when Gary Bowyer left in the run-up to the Pompey game.
In the week victim number two came when Cheltenham Town sacked Gary Johnson after a start of four games with just one point.
With Stoke City not making the best start what odds Gary Rowett being the taxi off the rank?
All that written and then I hear that Scunny have sacked Nick Daws after reaching the play-offs last season.
And finally… wombly
AFC Wimbledon lost 3-1 at home to Walsall this week, who continued their impressive and unbeaten start to the season – aided by Dons defender Will Nightingale who put his side in big trouble with this truly terrible back pass…
PUP