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Post by kenglowhite on Jan 10, 2023 21:55:38 GMT
A pretty hairy performance that - not helped by the referee imported from Scotland, I understand. He gave them two free kicks to every one for us, and his standards for fouls were very unequal. Even so our passing out from the goalkeeper and defenders was much too risky and opened the door for Pompey too often. Sadlier once again failed to tale his chance, while Santos was often outsped in chases. It was good to see the class of Williams at left wing back again to calm things down, in much contrast to some of the dicey tackling in midfield by his namesake. I look forward to seeing Lee back in for Sheehan in Saturday's return fixture, and possibly Aimson, while looking for more good contributions from Charles.
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Post by chip on Jan 10, 2023 22:05:32 GMT
Part One 1-0 to the Wanderers’s 🤞 more of the same result wise but better football on Saturday. 1 win away from Wembley onwards and upwards COYWM
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Post by davidm on Jan 11, 2023 9:31:52 GMT
This will be our most difficult match so far in this cup and it will be tight so maybe a 1-0 win
Well I said it would be tight and it was. Not the greatest game and a little fortunate to come away with a win. Having said that, for all Portsmouth’s possession particularly in the 2nd half, they only tested Trafford in the last minute. First half we were OK. Portsmouth had more of the ball but we were untroubled. We scored after a break from defence. We had everyone back for a long throw and Charles won the ball from the clearance, beat his man and set up Bodvarsson to finish well. Other than that, most of our possession was based around passing across the back 4. The return of Santos meant we reverted to the dreadful system of incessant passes along the back and it almost caught us on 2 or 3 times. Second half, Portsmouth had much more of the ball but still failed to cause us problems. Our main problems came of our own making. Santos was badly caught in possession but we recovered and there were a number of sloppy balls across the defence. We replaced Bodvarsson and Charles upfront and it proved that Kachunga and Bakayoko are not top quality strikers. We had a number of half chances but we fail to shoot – apart from Bakayoko who had 2 tame shots. Overall, it was hard work but we are through. Please don’t draw Plymouth away! Marks:- Trafford - 7 Good save in the final minute. OK throughout but for some poor kicking Sadlier - 5 People keep shouting for him to start but when he gets his chance, it doesn’t work. Poor Toal - 7 Good – as we have now come to expect Santos - 6 Could have conceded twice from his mistakes Johnston - 8 Very good Beck - 6 Targeted by Portsmouth because of his height. Got forward well. Williams MJ - 6 Busy and did well in midfield Sheehan - 5 Too often turned backwards and played the ball negatively Kachunga - 6 3 times he got half chances in the penalty box but each time he waited to be tackled and each time he fell down claiming a foul. Each time the ref waved play on. He did do some decent runs. Bodvarsson - 7 Held the ball well and took his chance well Charles - 7 Combining well with Bodvarsson Williams R - 7 Short spell but looked good Bradley - 6 Not particularly involved Morley - 6 Back into the side on Saturday Bakayoko - 5 Looks so lazy Dempsey - 6
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Post by whitesince63 on Jan 11, 2023 11:00:05 GMT
Pretty much agree with all of that Davidm, especially the Santos bit. I’m afraid I just don’t see what others see in him. For his size and height he doesn’t win enough in the air and never in the opposition box, is sloppy in possession and seems to have to slow the game down so much with his sideways and back passes. I also detest the way when the balls rolled out to him by Trafford in acres of space he has to just stand with the ball letting the opposition close us down. It’s noticeable with Aimson in his position how much more quickly attacks are formed and the sideways passing is reduced. I genuinely wouldn’t miss him one iota if he left and frankly he wouldn’t get near the captains arm band if I were in charge, however nice a guy he might be. I just hope that Evatt doesn’t try to force him back into the side and just leaves the back five where it is now. I think we all agree on Kachunga and Bakajoko in that despite Kachas workrate and Baka’s size neither deliver much respectively and should both be away either in this window or in the summer. With big Dan coming in I should assume that moves both down the pecking order, even for the bench which could be further impacted by Evatt’s other speculated signings. We were lucky last night but hopefully with the recent team restored we should be a completely different proposition on Saturday?
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Post by riochforthereebok on Jan 11, 2023 11:38:24 GMT
Was Dapo ineligible to play last night through suspension or was he absent through injury??
Or was he kept from the game because we’ve accepted a bid for him?? (I don’t know this by the way, I’m just speculating)
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Post by chip on Jan 11, 2023 14:12:00 GMT
I don't want to jinks us but if we get to the final when is it as I'm looking to book a weeks holiday in March and I don't want to upset the wife COYWM
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Post by riochforthereebok on Jan 11, 2023 15:52:50 GMT
I don't want to jinks us but if we get to the final when is it as I'm looking to book a weeks holiday in March and I don't want to upset the wife COYWM Hard cheese there chip, think it’s 19th or 20th March pal
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Post by davidm on Jan 11, 2023 16:32:44 GMT
I don't want to jinks us but if we get to the final when is it as I'm looking to book a weeks holiday in March and I don't want to upset the wife COYWM Hard cheese there chip, think it’s 19th or 20th March pal The March dates are for the semi final. The final is Sunday April 2nd
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Post by riochforthereebok on Jan 11, 2023 16:40:38 GMT
Hard cheese there chip, think it’s 19th or 20th March pal The March dates are for the semi final. The final is Sunday April 2nd Spot on there davidm, my bad Semi-finals: Week commencing February 20 Final: Sunday April 2
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Post by chip on Jan 11, 2023 19:38:49 GMT
If it's the 2nd of April I'm on it, if we get there that is fingers crossed COYWM Cheers
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Post by riochforthereebok on Jan 11, 2023 21:58:22 GMT
Had to stick this in somewhere, so here’s good enough Man City guilty of playing Ian Evatt tippy tappy football for 90 minutes only to get beat 2-0 by bottom of the league Southampton Didn’t have a single shot on target from a side that finished with a value of around £600 million. Just shows you dunnit??
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Post by OohMac on Jan 12, 2023 8:51:03 GMT
Hard cheese there chip, think it’s 19th or 20th March pal The March dates are for the semi final. The final is Sunday April 2nd Again looking ahead slightly but April 2nd was Same date as the coca cola Cup final vs Liverpool. Back to the match and ratings, few comments now that Sadlier has had his chance. I think there was a lot of campaigning for Sadlier to play that seems to have dies down. But he's never had his chance, he's not a wing back. He's definitely not a left wing back. He's scored goals in the competition. Why can't he have a crack playing where Kachunga played and Kachunga trying out RWB. His workrate suits that position and he's wasted near the box.
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Post by chip on Jan 12, 2023 14:48:08 GMT
Do you know OohMac I just wish Ian would pull his head out of his arse sometime and play the players in the position they are best instead of trying to shoehorn them into a different position. Don’t get me wrong Ian is going a great job but I do feel he has his favourite’s and Kachunga just can’t do anything wrong in his eyes 🤷‍♂️ Onwards and upwards COYWM
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