A litany of missed chances was the main reason for Town's long unbeaten run coming to an end at home to Portsmouth on Saturday. A Steve Claridge header in the first half saw the relegation threatened southerners go ahead and then successfully defend their lead.
Town started without John McGreal and with Fabian Wilnis filling in on the right of the three central defenders. Unusually for visitors to Portman Road Pompey actually came to play football and both sides were evenly matched early on. JIm mAgilton and the rest of the midfield were constantly harried and Tpwn never really got their game going. However when Portsmouth took the lead in the 26th minute it was still a bit of a shock to the Town faithful. Michael Clegg was once again at fault as he had drifted into the middle allowing Sammy Igoe to put in a cross which an unmarked Steve Claridge headed home. Town also had chances and went closest through James Scowcroft who had a close range angled shot excellently saved by Russell Hoult. Scowcroft went down injured a little while later suffering from a hamstring injury. After a long period of treatment from David Williams he continued only to be replaced with Jermaine Wright at half-time.
The second half saw Town reverting to 4-4-2 with Jamie Clapham moving no midfield and Fabian Wilnis playing at left back. Town looked more themselves and with better finishing could well have run out winners. Marcus Stewart missed a one-on-one with the keeper when you'd have put a fair bit of cash on him to score, Jamie Clapham had shots charged down, Jermaine Wright had two opportunities when a better first touch would have had him in on goal and David Johnson headed weakly at Hoult when a only a little more power and direction would have seen him score. Matt Holland went close too and Hoult caught everything crossed and shot. Town never got to their silky best and too many players were below par. Brown once again just banged in too many long balls whilst Clapham's corners were very poor. Clegg often looked as if he was a centre-half having a go at right back whilst Wilnis showed better form when he was actually playing in an unfamiliar position. With Croft back in the frame Clegg could soon find himself back on his way to Manchester United.
Blackburn Tuesday and an early chance to get back to winning ways, but with Scowcroft probably out and both strikers seemingly out of form it may be another frustrating time for Town fans.
R Wright 7 Not at fault on goals
Clegg 5 Not up to it
Brown 6 Poor passing
Mowbray 7 Did OK
Wilnis 7 Not bad, but McGreal still missed
Clapham 6 Dreadful corners
Holland 7 Came close to scoring
Magilton 6 Well marshalled
Scowcroft 7 Came very close (J Wright 46, 6 Missed a couple of chances)
Johnson 6 Should have scored header
Stewart 5 Very quiet afternoon indeed
James Scowcroft is a big doubt for Tuesday's game with Blackburn. He aggravated a muscle at the back of his hip in training last week and damaged it again on Saturday.
Town are to take Bolton's Keith Branagan on a month's loan as cover for Mike Salmon. Salmon has a groin problem that isn't clearing up and needs three or four week's rest. Branagan will be on the nech on Tuesday night. The 33-year-old 'keeper grew up in Brandon and has previously played for Cambridge and Millwall. He also won a full Ireland cap in 1997.
John Wark has been sacked as Chief Scout at Saturday's opponents Portsmouth. The Town legend joined Pompey under Alan Ball in the summer, but since Ball's sacking his job has looked increasingly dodgy. It is unlikely that Wark will return to Town as he left the Blues unhappy at being overlooked for the position of Chief Scout here.