Sessegnon and Egbo essential to our success. 2 in the middle just works so much better for us than 3. I’m a self professed Stockley hater but I thought he had his best game of the season tonight.
So this season, we've only won a single game, where we've scored less than 3-goals!!
Fully deserved, was never really worried about Portsmouth, they looked toothless all night... Which is again credit to us because its only the second game that Portsmouth have (1) lost, and (2) failed to score.
It's not a coincidence.
There were a lot of things that happened in all of those games that don't/can't/won't happen at 0-0 or even 1-0.
If we could play like we do at 2-0 from the start we will win most weeks.
Another illogical thing that's happened is we have stopped conceding which, as I predicted weeks ago, means we actually score more.
I called Kirk alongside Stockley as soon as the team was announced and I thought he was outstanding. What I like about Charlie is that practically every pass counts. Not only that he nearly always chooses the right pass. The ball for CBT to score was inch perfect, so many of our players pass behind the player or the player has to stop to take a touch. Near the beginning of the second half when the keeper had to make an excellent save from CBT the ball from Kirk was right into CBT's stride and that allowed him to cut inside, advance and shoot. Charlie won't be many fans MOTM but he was mine.
The centre backs are a decent pairing so let's hope they can stay fit. Fraser and Dobson have a great understanding and compliment each other well. Everyone put a shift in but I thought Egbo very poor tonight.
If we can strengthen in January we could make the play offs.
Previously he's not had the space to work with - out on the wing there's an expectation he'll beat a man and defend his flank, neither of which he can really do. He's been in the wrong gig this entire time. That was - EASILY - his best game for us
Fair play Cowley... Isnt whinging about refereeing decisions
Doesnt care about the foul on Morrison or "penalty" appeal, just what actually happened
Well it wasn't a foul (i think Inniss just got up early) and to be fair i'm sure he'd probably care a lot more about the penalty if the guy hadn't been a yard offside in the first place.
When we got the corner for the first goal I was saying to my son how when Innis first signed for us he looked a danger at every set piece, but he hasn't been anywhere near scoring for ages.
I then added, "Now you watch him score from this".
Pompey are an ordinary League One side. They are better than the shit ones of which there are many but where we have to improve is when we play teams that try to stop us rather than beat us. It was good to see CBT score but their keeper was awful for that one. Innis needs to keep doing that, we know he can terrorise defenders and I think his offensive heading has been a bit off but not today. Was it a foul? Possibly but one that you never get, Morrison was just too weak.
The thing is, we're not good at closing games out, indeed I don't think Garner is the sort of manager who can set his team up to nick a goal then suffocate the opposition defensively.
We're much better when we're positive and looking for further goals. The difference tonight is that we were clinical with our finishing when we did create chances.
The thing is, we're not good at closing games out, indeed I don't think Garner is the sort of manager who can set his team up to nick a goal then suffocate the opposition defensively.
We're much better when we're positive and looking for further goals. The difference tonight is that we were clinical with our finishing when we did create chances.
I noticed that at 2-0 in the second half, Garner was screaming at the whole team to get further up the pitch after a bit of Portsmouth pressure
Great management from Garner to get that out of CBT. Great performance from Corey and only a worldie save stopped what would've been the icing on the cake of his performance.
Garner confesses in a post match interview that at last he's found the right combination for his players .. 7 points from 9 and 7 goals scored after switching to 4 4 2 says it all .. I withdraw my demand for him to be sacked (For now lol) .. great all round performance tonight although we got a bit sloppy and arrogant about 10 mins from the end when more pressure and accuracy could have had us more goals. Overall I am delighted .. now 3 points at Shrewsbury will make it a perfect 2 weeks
I have contacted the leader of the Aliens, and he says he has had all our players for 10 days now. An if we refuse to pay up, we will have to keep the androids he replaced them with.
Iv said we will consider his request and let him know in June next year.
The thing is, we're not good at closing games out, indeed I don't think Garner is the sort of manager who can set his team up to nick a goal then suffocate the opposition defensively.
We're much better when we're positive and looking for further goals. The difference tonight is that we were clinical with our finishing when we did create chances.
We have some decent players. To be honest, Dobson and Fraser are as good as anything you will find at this level. I think we need more goals and Inniss, CBT and JRS are obvious areas we should get more from. It was good that two of them scored today. Key to our season IMO.
Was dreading it pre game. Half expected us to embarrass ourselves live on sky and my Man united, Liverpool mates giving me plenty of stick for it.
Thoroughly enjoyed it though and hope we can carry performances like that into future games. Nice to see a bit of bite to our performance. Up The Addicks.
Don't think we played 4-4-2 as Kirk was everywhere in the first half, brave line up and tactics from Garner. Great win built on a solid defence and Pompey being robbed of a penalty despite us being denied the offside was justice not robbery.
Wasn't even a corner that led to that penalty shout: everyone in west half of the CE saw the ball bounce off the Portsmouth player. Unfortunately the ref and lino's views were blocked by the players themselves.
Woke up at 245am to watch, fearing a miserable day ahead after a tonking. But my oh my, what a complete performance!! Every player put in a full shift. Our shooting has improved no end, were no longer looking to kill pigeons in the roof of the stands! I'm really pleased for BG, he's had a harder start than he'd of hoped. That was brilliant to watch! Is this where we now kick on? I think it just might be.
Game was in the Dobson and Fraser were outstanding pressing, in their faces, not letting them play out from the back. Long may the run continue and await TS flooding social media
Watched on sky. Great performance all round. Defense looked organised and on the front foot. Dobson broke up so much play and Fraser used the ball well. CBT was unplayable at times and a special mention to Kirk who linked play and also pressed along with Stockley. We made Pompey look very average.
Well done to all that went today. The atmosphere sounded decent. The Valley looked so sparse on TV.
3 strong wins this season - Plymouth, Exeter, Pompey. A good win vs Derby. And perhaps one of our best other performances in and unlucky defeat to Sheff W.
The common denominator here is teams that are good, or think they are, and want to attack us. That leaves spaces for us to work in and players like JRS, CBT etc. to exploit, especially on the turnover. We, unsurprisingly, look much better when we have that space to work in.
The last two results are a much-needed shot in the arm, but I want to see we have learnt to defend with concentration for 90 minutes and pick apart a team, so we can score the couple of goals we need to win most weeks, when faced with a bottom half team content to defend deep and deny us space.
Another enjoyable game under the floodlights though, and great to see signs things are moving in the right direction again. Hugely encouraging that CBT doesn't seem to be sulking after being dropped and then publicly criticized. Took his goal ever so well tonight. Fraser took a long while to warm up, but really enjoying watch him play now, and have been doing so for quite a few matches now.
Complete team performance but OConnell and Fraser were just superb tonight …. Special mention for Kirk who was also excellent in his new role and the pass to CBT was top drawer
we done to BG and his staff it was a wonderful night at the valley
Comments
There were a lot of things that happened in all of those games that don't/can't/won't happen at 0-0 or even 1-0.
If we could play like we do at 2-0 from the start we will win most weeks.
Another illogical thing that's happened is we have stopped conceding which, as I predicted weeks ago, means we actually score more.
a good evening.
When we got the corner for the first goal I was saying to my son how when Innis first signed for us he looked a danger at every set piece, but he hasn't been anywhere near scoring for ages.
I then added, "Now you watch him score from this".
No need to thank me !
We're much better when we're positive and looking for further goals. The difference tonight is that we were clinical with our finishing when we did create chances.
Overall I am delighted .. now 3 points at Shrewsbury will make it a perfect 2 weeks
Thoroughly enjoyed it though and hope we can carry performances like that into future games. Nice to see a bit of bite to our performance. Up The Addicks.
Fraser was absolutely everywhere, a superb performance.
Best it's been in the Covered End all season, let's hope this is the start of something!
The only issue we have, and it's hardly a state secret, is that our squad is paper thin.
Still no proper left-back or running striker (accepting Aneke can only come off the bench).
I'm really pleased for BG, he's had a harder start than he'd of hoped.
That was brilliant to watch! Is this where we now kick on? I think it just might be.
COYRs!!!!
Long may the run continue and await TS flooding social media
Well done to all that went today. The atmosphere sounded decent. The Valley looked so sparse on TV.
The common denominator here is teams that are good, or think they are, and want to attack us. That leaves spaces for us to work in and players like JRS, CBT etc. to exploit, especially on the turnover. We, unsurprisingly, look much better when we have that space to work in.
The last two results are a much-needed shot in the arm, but I want to see we have learnt to defend with concentration for 90 minutes and pick apart a team, so we can score the couple of goals we need to win most weeks, when faced with a bottom half team content to defend deep and deny us space.
Another enjoyable game under the floodlights though, and great to see signs things are moving in the right direction again. Hugely encouraging that CBT doesn't seem to be sulking after being dropped and then publicly criticized. Took his goal ever so well tonight. Fraser took a long while to warm up, but really enjoying watch him play now, and have been doing so for quite a few matches now.
Blackett-Taylor was also my man of the match
we done to BG and his staff it was a wonderful night at the valley