We Beat Ipswich Away Before and Went on to Win the Whole Thing - Notes for Portsmouth Friday, 8th Jan 2016 11:39 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Portman Road by delving into their forums. “What a second half of the season it promises to be”, “We are in a good position to advance”, “All in all I’m optimistic. It would be great to win the league and I am sure we will push the other teams all the way. We are improving.”, “I would have settled for this at the start of the season.” Portsmouth arrive into Saturday’s FA Cup tie fourth in the League Two table and four points off the automatic promotion places. A 3-0 home win over Crawley on Saturday steadied the ship after a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Luton on December 29th and a 3-2 loss at Orient on Boxing Day. While Pompey have tasted defeat on just three occasions in their league campaign, their record of 11 stalemates — the highest in the division - has highlighted their problem of being unable to break down “the dull teams that park the bus when they come to Fratton Park”. “I love this Pompey side. I just think that with the talent it has we should be streets ahead in pole position. I hope we get a bit more nasty and ruthless in the run-in, just as the current leaders are, so we finish in the top-of-the-table position which our superb football merits.” “Our squad is solid and our consistency is improving”, “There can be no doubt we play some very aesthetically pleasing football with plenty of movement and accurate passes, full-backs bombing down the flank and fast driven crosses causing all sorts of problems.” Paul Cook“We have a great manager and I’m enjoying watching is for the first season in a long time”, “No question the club have played a blinder in getting him”, “He’s a man for the long-term. I honestly believe if we stick with him he will deliver what we want over the next few years and beyond.”  “Cook is an amazing manager. He gives clear instructions from the sidelines, he has the team well organised and he knows how to buy a player. When we had those draws earlier in the season he came through it and lost no confidence. That is the real test of a character.” Fans appreciate the style of football which the team are playing under the former Chesterfield manager. “Cook’s player recruitment has been excellent and the style of football has been very good”, “He doesn’t look for excuses or blame anyone other than ourselves and takes things on the chin.” “His feet are firmly on the ground but you feel he’s expecting improvements and has us on course to do better”, “I just hope he can be to us what Fergie was to Manchester United or Wenger to Arsenal”, “I hope he is our Shankly, a man that turns a club from a lower division into an institution.” Formation“Pompey have a more discernible and productive playing style based on possession of the ball, an improvement on the last two seasons in this league. The players have looked more organised and a more cohesive unit”, “See the team live and you appreciate the possession-based game we play.” “We play more of a variation of a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1 system. Caolan Lavery and Marc McNulty are out-and-out strikers and that is how they are playing but they complement each other at times with their movement and penetration. Cook has given them licence to alternate formations that way.” MurphyDaviesClarkeWebsterStevensHollandsDoyleMcNultyBennettEvansLavery
Portsmouth fans were very happy with the team (above) which beat Crawley on Saturday. They have constantly praised the side’s possession and passing game. Overlapping full-backs play an attacking role in a team which has been ignited lately by the autumn arrivals of Lavery and McNulty on loan. “The squad we have is a strong unit.” Fans have great faith in the quality of their players while also acknowledging a lack of depth up front and in defence. “We have midfielders playing up front, at the back and even some in midfield. We only need to play one as keeper to have the complete set.” While the full-backs are praised for their dynamism, things are more problematic at the heart of the Pompey defence. Former Town keeper Brian Murphy is widely seen as a liability while first choice centre-backs Jack Whatmough (knee) and Christian Burgess (ankle) are both absent with injuries. “We need a new centre-back of about 27-years-old to act as senior partner to a youngster.” With Matt Clarke unable to play against his parent club on Saturday, Paul Cook confirmed that midfielder Adam Barton will start at centre-half, most probably partnering 20-year-old Adam Webster. Portsmouth 3 — 0 Crawley“Happy New Year everyone, a great start to the year”, “Paul Cook’s rampaging army”, “Well, that could easily have been seven and Crawley couldn’t have argued”, “A good win that, a clean sheet, three goals from different scorers and from different situations. Play up Pompey!” Matt Clarke glanced home a header from corner after 13 minutes to open the scoring for the hosts and McNulty doubled their lead 13 minutes later when he drilled home a cross from left-back Enda Stevens. Former Blue Gary Roberts added a third on a counter-attack seven minutes from full-time. “Our full-backs were like wingers with great crosses from both of them”, “Crawley’s first-half tactics were bewildering. Our wingers often moved in-field to free up the touchlines for our full-backs. Their markers followed them and made no attempt to fill those gaps, thus giving our full-backs free rein.” “Crawley were awful today. The first half in particular was like watching an attack v defence training drill”, “I loved that. It was the best first half I have seen from us in a very long time”, “A shame the top three won but we can only affect our own points tally. You would take a 3-0 win all day long.” Portsmouth 0 — 0 Luton“I have a feeling that it’s just not coming off today. We are just missing that extra bit of precision and quality”, “We gave the ball away a lot and our crossing was poor. There weren’t people in the box when we did get it in there. We played a lot of sideways crab-like football.” As has been the case in many league games this season, Pompey had the lion’s share of possession and chances but couldn’t make this count. “It’s the knack of getting wins in tight games which gets teams promoted and we don’t seem to have it often enough, particularly at home.” “We couldn’t break Luton down”, “It appears so and I can’t see it getting any easier in the second half of the season. Teams will rock up at Fratton Park with a large bus or maybe the better sides counter-attacking. The key to going up will be how Cook will get us breaking teams down at home.” Leyton Orient 3 — 2 Portsmouth“Overall it looked like one of those days”, “A fantastic game of football even though we lost, it was a great example of how a game can turn on an incident. We were so dominant in the first 20 minutes until an error by Danny Hollands led to a tackle and a red card for Adam Webster.” In an incident-filled game, Pompey took the lead when Gareth Evans glanced home Kyle Bennett’s cross after four minutes had elapsed. The game turned when a poor back-pass by Hollands after 23 minutes led to red card for a foul by Webster and gave Orient a penalty from which they equalised. The hosts took the lead just before the break when Ollie Palmer headed home a speculative cross from distance before Orient’s Mathieu Baudry was given his marching orders lashing out at Bennett. Orient added a third when the Palmer headed home again on 52 minutes from a freekick. Pompey pulled a goal back on 66 when Evans scored after a fine passing move which typified the visitors’ playing style but failed to find an equaliser. Some fans were critical of Paul Cook for substituting striker McNulty to reinforce the defence after Webster’s dismissal. “The wingers moved back after the red card to keep the midfield packed. We couldn’t keep possession as normal as a result”, “We were the total masters of our own downfall.” “Orient showed what we have known for a long time. If you get in our faces and give us no time on the ball, we will make mistakes”, “Our ability to play professionally when on top and then when down to 10 men cost us dearly”, “Leyton Orient didn’t beat us. We beat ourselves.” Goalkeepers and Defenders“We need some emergency cover at centre-back”, “I would blame our centre-backs for Orient’s goals”, “We need to deal with set-pieces and long balls better”, “Set-pieces and long balls will be the undoing of us this season if we aren’t careful.” Brian Murphy“Murphy has been Cook’s only mistake, the only position where what he brought in was worse than we had before. He’s too short, too quiet and too indecisive. Being a good shot-stopper does not make up for these deficiencies”, “He is non-league standard”, “A patently inadequate goalkeeper.”  “I’m not sure why Murphy is still there other than because we have no one else.” The 32-year-old former Blue “is the best keeper at distribution since we slid down the leagues”, “He has made some mistakes but has also made great saves and his distribution is better than our recent list of keepers.” “When a 60-yard flashed hoof which hangs in the air for an eternity lands on the penalty spot, the goalkeeper has to come and claim it”, “Their second was a long ball that nobody dealt with and it was the keeper’s to claim”, “His performance at Orient was dire. He comes for absolutely nothing.” “I will personally guarantee that Murphy will be the difference between automatic promotion and a play-off place”, “Hard to disagree”, “We have a goalie who strikes terror in our own defences from set-pieces and crosses, which are pretty much the only way we concede”, “We can do better.” “Ben Davies has been the player of the season for me, class.” The 34-year-old ex-Sheffield United holding midfielder “has been a constant presence playing down the flank at right-back and gets in a lot of crosses”, “He has been the pick of the summer signings.” “The only doubt I have about Davies is the quality of corners and set-pieces he takes. They hit the first man or don’t get enough height”, “He either balloons his corners too high and slow or never gets them past the first man”, “A good right-back would allow him to move into a holding role.” “Adam Barton played well as a makeshift centre-back”, “He looked pretty composed at the back.” Barton is the second midfielder having to cover in the back four. The 24-year-old ex-Coventry player covered after Webster’s dismissal at Orient and again deputised during his suspension for the Luton game. “Barton lost his man for Orient’s third goal”, “He didn’t convince at centre-half at all. He was good on the ball but was just not first to it often enough”, “He took too many touches before passing square”, “When he carries the ball he rarely looks like losing it. My only concern is a lack of pace.” “Adam Webster has come on in leaps and bounds but still needs to adapt his decision making. We were a goal up against Orient midway through the first half. There was no need to bring a man down”, “He does make a few mistakes but he’s young and will cut these out as he improves.” The 20-year-old youth product “is a fine player with a big future and could become a major asset to us”, “I have been one of Webster’s biggest critics but he has done well since playing in his natural position”, “He is less of a car crash waiting to happen in the centre than being played at right-back.” Enda Stevens“I thought Enda Stevens was absolutely sensational at left-back in the first half against Crawley”, “He has built up a great understanding with Kyle Bennett ahead of him on the wing. Bennett allows him space to bomb on by cutting inside and he lays it off to Stevens before breaking into the box.”  The 25-year-old ex-Shamrock Rovers and Aston Villa man “is our top assist maker with seven and it makes him one of the league leaders for goals created, not bad for a left-back. This system makes the full-backs really crucial and thankfully we have two belters”. Matt Clarke“Imagine the stick Mick McCarthy would get if we beat Ipswich with Clarke playing, not a chance.” The 19-year-old loanee from Town is unavailable against his parent club but Pompey fans had some interesting things to say about him. “I’m glad he’s staying. He is going to be a top defender.”  “Clarke started off like a train but his form dipped slightly and Cook was right to rest him”, “He is a good defender but doesn’t inspire the same confidence when on the ball as the other centre-backs do. He strikes me more as a physical centre-back but he has a bright future in the game.” “We look much more solid with Clarke back in the team. We have missed his no-nonsense football”, “This exactly, he sticks his head in where others may not”, “He may be perceived as our most uncultured centre-back, but having one no-nonsense defender in this side is a good thing.” Central Midfielders“Doyle is our best all-round midfielder and our skipper.” Paul Cook has confirmed that 34-year-old ex-Coventry midfield player Michael Doyle will be rested on Saturday and he will be greatly missed. “When Doyle plays well, we play well. He commands that midfield, sets the pace and controls the game.” Danny Hollands“Hollands certainly had his long pass game with him against Luton.” With Doyle absent, ex-Charlton man Danny Hollands is likely to play an important role anchoring Pompey’s midfield. The 30-year-old ex-Charlton man “isn’t blessed with great pace but is usually in the right place at the right time”.  “Danny Hollands is fitting in well now partly because McNulty and Lavery are so quick and mobile up front. We can afford to have him sitting back and not supporting the forwards much”, “For all his good work he never looks likely to score and never gets into the box”, “He’s slow to get moving.” Hollands’s “outstanding diagonal passes” are praised but he was criticised for his pass which led to Orient’s opening goal and Webster’s red card on Boxing Day. “This isn’t the first time he has put us in trouble with suicidal play at the back”, “I hope he walks home”, “He does enough of it on the pitch.” Wide Midfielders“It sounds like our third goal against Crawley was down to Ben Tollitt. That lad really excites me”, “Amazing pace, strength and awareness.” The 21-year-old signing from non-league Widnes “is lively and a potential game-changer”, “He has that extra bit of pace that can open teams up at home.” “I like Tollitt going forward but he is raw defensively.” He has featured from the bench often on the right flank. “His crossing was quality against Crawley in the time he was on. He lost a few physical challenges but he’s starting to beef out at bit now. I am starting to think he could be a find.” “Gareth Evans is a very orthodox winger who will either run straight to goal for a shot or straight to the by-line for a cross, nothing clever.” The 27-year-old ex-Fleetwood right-winger “is a bread-and-butter kind of player, solid and reliable, consistent and not inclined to play brilliantly or poorly.” “Evans has scored seven this season but he has no assists which is a bit worrying for someone in his position”, “He plays so much better playing away from home”, “He is good at getting into the right place to score but I can’t remember any incisive passes or crosses from him that have led to goals.” Gary Roberts“It’s good to see Gary Roberts back. In the time he was on the pitch against Luton he hit a couple of gorgeous left-footed passes”, “I think his form is the key to the rest of the season. Cook loves the guy and will change the current line-up to accommodate him when fully fit.”  The 31-year-old former Blue has recently appeared from the bench as he has been recovering from an ankle injury. “He had a good half-hour against Luton with two superb passes which should have led to goals as well as a good long range effort. He will soon be back to his best.” “Gary Roberts being crocked has played a big role in our dip in form”, “Both McNulty and Lavery will benefit from him in particular”, “Sometimes there can be a tendency to wait before Roberts does something”, “I don’t like the fact that team-mates feel obliged to pass to him when he is playing.” The ex-Terrier “made a lung-busting run to get on inside Tollitt for the breakaway which led to our third goal against Crawley. It was fantastic for a player on the way back from injury. He then had the nous and technique to calm down and put the chance away. He’s a very good footballer.” Kyle Bennett“An enigma”, “The problem with Bennett is that despite playing in every game he has only scored on the opening day. It’s not enough considering he does excite when he gets on the ball”, “He overdoes things when a simple pass will do and he delays too much on the ball when a simple pass is on.”  “Winning the ball is not his forte.” The 25-year-old left-sided ex-Doncaster man divides opinion. “If you drop Bennett you miss his pace”, “He sets the tempo and gives us a spark. He can also give the ball away, take the wrong option, take on one opponent too many and finish wastefully.” “Luton were totally scared of Bennett”, “He caused havoc late on in the Orient defence”, “Crawley were scared to death of him”, “He can make killer passes”, “He draws players away but doesn’t use this, running into cul-de-sacs. If he made a pass earlier he would create space for others.” Strikers“Caolan Lavery’s energy and endeavour stretches teams”, “He has great movement but he hasn’t got a striker’s instinct.” The 23-year-old ex-Blues academy and reserves striker joined Pompey on a three-month loan deal in October but has not been given permission to play in the FA Cup by his parent club Sheffield Wednesday.  “Adam McGurk is the best striker for a 4-2-3-1 system.” The 26-year-old former Burton frontman “gives us a bit of quality on the ball. He can play with his back to goal and bring others into play”, “A real grafter, he is good at retaining possession and creating chances”, “He has looked useful.” McGurk has featured from the bench but started in the FA Cup second round win over Accrington. “He is so much more effective when he has a quality ball player like Gary Roberts to control things rather than doing the thinking himself.” “If we need a fox-in-the-box we have a ready-made option in young Conor Chaplin champing at the bit to get on.” The 18-year-old youth product “scored in the 89th minute to give us a 2-1 win away at Northampton at the beginning of December”, “His sharpness is a real strength.” “It’s great to have two nippers like Tollitt and Conor Chaplin to make an impact from the bench”, “Chaplin’s movement is outstanding and his speed and courage are exemplary”, “He isn’t big or strong enough to lead the line on his own, but his pace should be used to test defenders more.” Marc McNulty“McNulty’s loan has been extended”, “This was the most important of our loan renewals.” The 23-year-old arrived from Sheffield United in early November and Pompey fans are delighted that he will remain until the end of the season. “He has made a massive difference to this team.”  “McNulty is far too good for this league”, “He gives his all and really gets stuck in”, “You don’t mess with him and that is what you need in every team”, “A technically-thinking player, very good in tight spaces”, “He is perfect for the way we play”, “Keeping him for the season will do nothing but good.” “McNulty has added vibrancy up front with more movement and pace”, “We need to keep him and Lavery together for as long as possible, they work together nicely”, “Isn’t it nice to have a player that can play football and want to stay here? He is the best thing to happen to us for a few seasons.” Pompey Supporters’ Views on ITFC and the Game“Pompey versus Ipswich away”, “Boooooooooo”, “Underwhelmed”, “It’s not the greatest fixture”, “We should be knocked out”, “There goes the hoped for windfall and will end our journey in the Cup”, “It doesn't matter, does it? The money would be nice but the league has to be the priority.” While most Pompey fans were disappointed when our names were paired together, many can see some merit in the fixture. “We could win this match”, “A tough away draw at a Championship side, maybe that's what we need, to test ourselves away at a higher level, battle hard but go out.” “I don't see Mick McCarthy putting out a full team and we know that on our day we can give any Championship side a good match”, “It will be like playing an extremely fit and organised League Two team. Ipswich really are dreadful to watch. I wonder why that is, Mr McCarthy?” “A decent Championship manager, McCarthy's teams may not win any awards for playing pretty football but at the end of the day he gets results at that level. They did a cracking bit of business in the summer selling a nipper defender for £8 million to Bournemouth and getting Brett Pitman in return.” “Ipswich are a bit in and out in form. We seem to be doing okay. They won’t park the bus. We stand a very good chance, their fans will get on their backs, it feels good to me”, “Town supporting friends seem to think it's a potential banana skin”, “Anyone who says Ipswich are out of form is wrong.” “It’s a winnable game and of course it's where we started when we won the FA Cup in 2008”, “Of course the last time we played them it was a very one-sided contest in which David James saved us and David Nugent poached the winner and we know what happened after that. It’s an omen.” One optimist came up with a novel way of improving their chances: “I reckon we could have a chance of beating Ipswich but it will require Middlesbrough to loan us David Nugent. He loves playing at Portman Road.” WebsitesThe busiest Pompey message-board is the polite and knowledgeable Pompey Online. Registration is required in order to access their forums. Some interesting news stories, match reports and blogs can also be found on our sister site Pompey-Fans.com.
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