The FA Cup season stalled before it got started for Pompey as League Two side Luton ran out victors over the Blues on Saturday.
Luton’s winning goal – both sides did have opportunities in each half, the Blues’ in the second half, including a Matt Clarke header tipped onto the bar, Jamal Lowe seeing an effort cleared off the line and Ben Close only denied a late equaliser by Hatters goalkeeper Marek Stech’s save – came in first half added time through James Collins.
Once again we ended with 10 men as Nathan Thompson collected a second yellow card to see him sent off before the end.
Yes, as always you’ll get the ‘it wasn’t the priority’ etc. but a decent run in the cup is always welcomed, surely? Well, an early round upset certainly isn’t what we would have wanted, but this is becoming more and more commonplace for the Blues now.
This was always going to be a tough game and as much as it is an ‘upset’, given Luton are a league lower, the Hatters are a decent side… even so another loss doesn’t do much to help Kenny Jackett, who is now under a little pressure.
Reflecting on a fourth successive defeat, Jackett spoke of the importance of the opening goal and how we paid the price for not having that ‘cutting edge.
‘I felt it was an end-to-end game and the first goal was always going to be key. We looked pretty comfortable defensively for the majority of that half and have been caught in their right-back position and some one-touch football has got them a key goal, which was the difference,’ Jackett was quoted by the News post-match.
Adding: ‘We had spells, we had chances, we had good opportunities and couldn’t find that cutting edge, but in the end they just edged us out.’
There’s no time, point even, to feel sorry for ourselves as we go again and look to get back on track, firstly in the Checkatrade Trophy – so technically it isn’t a case of ‘focusing on the league’ – and then back to League One at Blackpool.
Jackett said: ‘We must work very hard to keep the players’ confidence high and keep them determined and not sorry for themselves, focusing on Charlton in the Checkatrade on Tuesday and then Blackpool away. It’s a disappointing run of results.’
PLAY UP POMPEY
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