Brief report from yesterday!

[Dando]

This was a big result for us and although we have played better, it was a good win.

I went into the game confident, but knew Portsmouth would be a tough game as although they are quite low in the league, they are a very good team on paper, with plenty of experience.

They started quite brightly, and we couldnt get going at all. Kitson was causing us all sorts of problems, and the ball seemed to spend most of the time in the air, or in the stands! We hardly got a look in, in terms of shots and apart from a weak effort from Adel, and a Clint Hill effort way over the bar - I dont remember us going anywhere near to scoring!

I dont think it was that we were playing particularly badly, but Portsmouth were bullying us off the ball and shutting us down within no time at all - giving us no time on the ball whatsoever. it was obvious they were trying to stop us playing our game - and they were shutting down Routledge and Adel very quickly in particular. There were only one or 2 times where the ball came down to our players feet, and things were about to open up, but we wasted them.

Ive got to say, that the first half was possibly the most boring football I have seen in a long time - maybe ever!!!

It was clear that Warnock wanted to change things at half time, and Routledge moved into a more central position, with Adel towards the left, Hogan to the right. We were spreading the ball around, using more width and this was working immediately, with Hogan, and Adel both getting into the game, and getting the ball into more dangerous positions. Miller was also getting hold of the ball more, and nearly scored when he turned onto his left foot and narrowly missed the target.

Later on, Adel had a great chance to slip Routledge or Hogan through, but wasted it with a tame effort - which brought a few moans and groans, and some shaking of the heads of players.

Moments later, we were in nearly an identical position - and Adel chose to shoot again rather than putting Hogan through. The shot didnt look great, and you could sense more moans about to start - when the ball slid through the keepers hands and over the line! That was the luck we needed, and thank god for Adel that it went in, or he would have been crucified for being "selfish".

We were pretty much on top now, although Portsmouth did have some good efforts on goal, with Kenny making some superb saves - and a couple of good chances missed by Pompey. Our defence was excellent though anddealt with their very good strikers, really well. Orr was good defensively, although he has nowhere near the composure or attacking ability that Walker had.

Adel then put in a great corner, and Hill rose to power an unstoppable Shittu like header into the back of the net. You had the sense that we had now won, and we were pretty comfortable for the rest of the game, getting a huge result.

Shame that Norwich and Forest both won, but that was expected - and all we can do is keep getting our own results, and hope the gap widens. We have played some very good teams, and hopefully they wil get as bit "easier" over the coming weeks.

Kenny - 8 - Couple of brilliant saves as usual - and another clean sheet

Orr - 7 - solid defensively, particularly the second half, but a couple of sliced clearances and scuffs

Hill - 8 - Thought he was superb yesterday, and deservadly got a goal, and looked delighted.

Connolly - 7.5 - Thought he struggled a bit in the first half, but was very impressive in the second

Gorkks - 7 - Solid defensively, against a good strike partnership

Faurlin - 8 - a very good display,and sprayed some very good balls around in the second half. Shows how good he can be when hes on form

Derry - 7 - Another typical display from Derry - chasing everything down until the end, alongside Faurlin

Hogan - 7 - looked good on the ball, didnt do anything particularly special, but did well when he had possesion

Adel - 7.5 - not his best game, but it was a more physical game where he didnt see so much of the ball. Wasted a couple of chances that he should have passed, but was the difference between a draw and a win once again

Routledge - 6 - not his best game, but i blame it more on the way the game was played. The ball spent most of the time in the air and he didnt really get a look in

Miller - 7 - didnt get much time on the ball, but gave presence and unlucky not to score

- subs - Hulse - 5 - Won some headers, but some shocking passing and touches. Did one bizaar back heel into trouble, when Hogan was waiting for a simple pass

Hall - 7.5 - Shockingly i was impressed with the short time he was on - maybe the competition of shittu and made him wake up?

PVM - only on for a minute!

[stainrod10]

Fair assessment. Agree about the 1st half - worst I've seen all season, including Watford!

[QPR1976]

I think the match stats probably give a fiar reflection of the game.
Pompey had more (marginially) shots on target, off target & corners.

1st half was possibly the owrst I've seen us play this season. Played at a fast pace, Portsmouth chased us down quickly every time, we didn't get settled on the ball until about 5 mins before half time.
Lawrence was by far the best player on the pitch as the half time whistle went.
Orr started particularly badly IMO, got roasted 4 times in the 1st 10 mins.

2nd half was better.
Faurlin's passing was back to his best, especially the long cross field passes which meant Adel got more into the game, thus we threatened more.
Strangely once we'd scored until the 2nd, Portsmouths heads seemed to drop.
Although they pressed a few times, it was only after it was too late, that they really threatened.

Kenny solid as ever. As you say a couple of great saves.
Orr better 2nd half, Hill very good all game, possible MotM.
Connelly & Gorkss did OK against a very good strikeforce and a clean sheet is a credit to the whole defense. The is a case Pompey should have scored at some point though, poor finishing on their part.

Not one of Derry's best performances, but still pretty good. worked tirelessly.
However, Faurlin was very good, as NW said, one of his best performances for us and for me, the first in a long time when he's outshone Derry.
Wide, we didn't get Routledge into the game enough, perhaps due to Pompey tactics, but Ephraim whilst steady, didn't do enough for me. He doesn't frighten defenses, and I always feel he's too predictable. Thus easy to defend against.
Taarbs whilst a quiet 1st half was still at the heart of any half chances we created bar a Faurlin shot before half time. A few nice passes/crosses into the box, didn't quite come off.
Miller was steady winning most headers. But no one getting on the end of them. Routledge went up front 2nd half to try to get on the end but never succeeded that I recall.
Hulse held the ball up better than Miller when he came on which was what we needed. ie/ keep hold rather than flick it straight back to them to attach us again. Good move Neil.

Taarbs was a lucky with his goal, if it hadn't been fumbled into the next, I could sense the crowd starting to get on his back with Hogan in space and seemingly the better option, but a goal it was and if you don't try, you don't get.
A welcome goal from a corner, it's been a while and Adel's corners are definitely improving.

But another goal + assists from Taarabt, SIRPIE, what's his contribution percentage to our goal tally (48) now ? 30 ? 31 ? more ?

Overall, not the best performances but one we ground out, just !
Scoreline flattered us, much closer IMO, with Portsmouth probably thinking they could have got a point with some justification.
Bring on reading Friday, can't wait.

[G.T.P]

think it had another 0-0 written all over it untill the super blunder by the keeper, cos the frustration and nerves of having no-one on the pitch but adel who can score was starting to set in.