After a dour first half Pompey came to life after the break to overcame a stubborn Shrewsbury Town side. Some people believe in horses for courses and this was the visitors tenth trip to Fratton Park and they have lost them all!
However we know there are no easy games in League 1 and this proved it. Veteran boss Graham Turner put a big, determined and well organised side and Pompey struggled to cope with them in the opening forty five minutes. Paul Parry missed a sitter and keeper Mikkel Andersen made a flying save to claw away a free kick else Pompey would have reached the break behind.
The second period started with Pompey on the front foot at last and three goals in five minutes brought the game to a boil. First Wes Thomas latched on to an Izale McLeod flick on rounded the keeper and tapped the ball home via the right hand post. Next Brian Howard found McLeod with a beautiful pass and the Pompey top scorer neatly chipped the on rushing Chris Weale.
Pompey were flying but Marvin Morgan soon put a stop to that. The big striker first rammed home a loose ball after a scramble in the Pompey area but immediately blotted his copybook by getting sent off after an ugly brawl in centre field.
The visitors did not fold though and to their credit gave Pompey plenty of scary moments before in six minutes added on time McLeod netted his second after being found by a hard working Johnny Ertl.
Post match Appy described it as the worst display of the season and he is not far from wrong. Pompey have creativity in midfield but Howard and Akos Buzsaky seem at times appear to want to both make the play and get in each others way – needs sorting.
The crowd a slightly disappointing 13,051 went home happy mainly with the news that Pompey have found a partnership up front in McLeod and Thomas who score goals even though at times they still appear not to be on the same wavelength; perhaps not another Walsh and Whittingham or Hateley and Biley but one to build on. The only problem is of course Thomas belongs to Bournemouth but the good news was the Cherries beat leaders Tranmere yesterday and no doubt Eddie Howe will not want him back now!!
Two tough away games now with Stevenage and Sheffield United but Pompey have got to eighteen points after thirteen games which is probably more than most expected. The only thing about the two trips is that both clubs although in the top three have drawn the majority of their home games.
McLeod too has moved to the top of the league goalscoring charts with eight goals alongside Jake Cassidy of Tranmere.
The draw for Round One
Pompey will learn tomorrow who their opponents will be in the first round of this season`s FA Cup. If you are listening to the at 1:30 Pompey are No 33.
For the record the last time we played in the first round proper thirty years ago Hereford United were thumped 4-1 at the Park. Pompey scorers that day another partnership of Billy Rafferty and Alan Biley who scored two each.
Winners to first round in four years, wonder if that is a record?
Takeover talk
The Trust will issue their Prospectus soon and then you will all have the chance to pay the 90% or go away. There is of course still time for those of you sitting on the fence go to the Pompey Trust website and get the details of how to join the revolution. If £1,000 is too much why not get a group of friends together and put in what you can afford.
Finances deals are available through a Credit Union.
Don’t expect a quick conclusion to the takeover as the club’s staff have been told to expect the Administrator to be in charge until at least Christmas.
Racism debate
A Toast message to Jason Roberts, Rio Ferdinand etc. Break-away unions don`t work! What you are planning is a crazy idea. Call an Extra-ordinary General Meeting which will be allowed for in the rules and get it sorted. To rid the game of Racialism we need one PFA heading in the right direction with the membership behind their leaders.
Come on Jason and others now is not the time to divide the troops.
Director`s Box
It is just over fifty three years since my first trip to God green acre. Little did I know then that one day I might own the club!! Well a tiny bit of it anyway. One thing the Trust will need though is a bigger Director`s box – perhaps the North Terrace would suffice and the ‘plebs` to quote a Government minister could have the small area in the South Stand!
Price of football on the increase
The BBC survey on costs of watching football show that prices have increased by over 10% – four times the rate of inflation. The cheapest average day out has risen from £19.01 to £21.24 in one year.
The match-day experience is said to consist of an adult seat, a programme, pie and a cup of tea.
Most expensive Arsenal at a whopping £126 for a ticket while the most expensive pie is £4 at Kidderminster Harriers!! Most programmes are £3 but Leeds are the dearest at £4.
It would seem as though football is still pricing itself out of the reach of the working class man (what an old phrase that is) and with prices on the increase clubs need to be realistic. Pompey have done well in reducing the match prices and are about midway in the League 1 table of costs.
To have your cheapest day out in our division you would need to watch Hartlepool have you tea at Crawley and stop on the way for a pie at Oldham. All programmes are £3!! So get one anywhere eh?
Can I ask fans out there – does your day out consist of just ticket, prog, pie and tea?
Best wishes Jordan
Jordan Obita`s loan spell is over due to a family bereavement, Reading rightly want him back under their wing. Thanks go to JO and of course our best wishes. He could be a fine player but needs to settle as either a winger or a centre forward.
It does leave a loan spot free which I expect Appy to fill ASAP.
Right with Rug taking a break it is time for the sleeping tablets and caffeine treatment. See ya!!
PUP
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