Play Up Pompey. The Portsmouth 2013 - 14 Thread

[The Fourth Lion]

First topic message reminder :

I don't expect this to get much of a response but I feel a Portsmouth FC thread should be available should anybody wish to make a contribution.

Portsmouth were one of the pre-season favourites to win League 2, but so far form has been patchy, and that's being kind.  Last Saturday's performance against Exeter was a case in point.  Cruising to a comprehensive victory, they nearly blew it and were hanging on for a 3 - 2 win at the end.  Typical Pompey, some were muttering.  

But a win is a win, and if we can use that as a springboard for the match at Stevenage tomorrow, then it could be the start of a run that will see them move up the table.  

Any other Mushers out there in 606 land who would like to comment..?

Play Up Pompey.

[kwinigolfer]

From 3,000 miles away it looks like Barker has stiffened the defence at the expense of any attacking threat - except possibly the Morcambe game.
No good if our sole objective is a goalless draw.
Would Sean O'Driscoll have been a better alternative? (No idea who was in the frame for the job.)

[kwinigolfer]

Two more points squandered in the last minute.
Exactly what was happening under Guy Whittingham.
Ridiculous.

[The Fourth Lion]

Two more points squandered in the last minute.
Exactly what was happening under Guy Whittingham.
Ridiculous.

I think you hit the nail on the head, old chap. There really isn't any noticeable difference between the Barker and Whittingham systems of play.

It makes sense to "build from the back", I think most of us would agree with that and by and large, the defence does look a little more solid. The feeling amongst many fans is that if the defence does become solid, then confidence will increase and the team will become more potent as an attacking force over a period of time.

I can kinda see where that is coming from and it does make sense, but with this group of players, I don't think there is too much scope for improvement unless they suddenly start to show skills and abilities that have hitherto stayed hidden. Increased confidence and teamwork will only take them so far. To get out of League Two (in the right direction), they're going to need more than that.

[kwinigolfer]

A win!
Still the bare minimum of goals, but three points allows a smidgeon of breathing space, at least until we have to meet Scunners next weekend.
Assume Barker will love the clean sheet, but you'd think the punters are going to lose patience with one goal every other game, which is what it seems like.

[westisbest]

Michael Drennan coming to you on a 1 month loan.

Good little player, got some experience with Carlise.

Hope he does well, scores the odd goal or 2.

[Marky]

How much longer does Barker have?!

Think they'll be safe from relegation but I would be amazed if he keeps his job past May.

[westisbest]

Very bad result for you today.

Glad Drennan scored on his debut.

[kwinigolfer]

Hate to say this, but it's a sign of the times Bournemouth players coming to PFC on loan rather than the other way round. And PLEASE don't take that as anything other than a compliment; I'd also like PFC to take your manager!

Pompey vs Accrington tonight.

PUP

[westisbest]

Drennan is a Villa player, I'm a Villa fan.

[kwinigolfer]

Oops,
I think I know that about Drennan - not about you though.
But would still like yr manager!

In that case, very poor result for you too! (But then, when I lived in Birmingham Villa were in the old Div 3 - still saw Pele there though!)

[westisbest]

Yeah we're having another poor season.
 
Lambert has done well in the lower divisions.
 
Drennan is a hot prospect for us. Really hope to see him in the squad next season.
 
Going out on loan will do him the world of good.
 
Strange to see Pompey down in league 2.
Tipped you to win it.
 
Sods law for you that Connelly goes and now cant stop scoring.
 
As I said before, been to FP fair few times.
Had some good times and bad.
 
Good luck to you, hope you climb back up the leagues.

[kwinigolfer]

Is our road to safety paved only with goalless draws and nothing else?
Just the thing to fill Fratton Park.

[Marky]

Saw a stat on Twitter today. In Richie Barker's last 25 games as manager of Crawley Town and Portsmouth, his teams have scored only 11 goals. Admittedly while we have scored more goals since Barker left we've hardly gone goal crazy.

[NickisBHAFC]

He seems to be a bit like Oscar Garcia. Sets his team out not to lose, rather than attack to win games of football.

[kwinigolfer]

Another catastrophic home defeat, plus a red card. Plus a trip to Rochdale in mid-week.
Life won't get any easier, any goals have long since dried up and there's no sense from 3,000 miles away that Richie Barker has a clue how to stop the rot.
Isn't there ANY leadership at the club any more?
Perhaps they want to set up another local derby - with Woking??

[Marky]

I still think you'll stay up, but the York defeat was really poor.

[NickisBHAFC]

Eastleigh look set to win Promotion to the Conference. That's only down the road isn't it? Enjoy going there on a Tuesday night

I think you will stay up though, mind you Northampton are on a good run. It looks very tight at the bottom, don't think you can write anyone of yet, not even Torquay.

[kwinigolfer]

The fixture list is very much on Northampton's side - they have two home games coming up, we have two on the road.
Let's see where we all are after we've visited Rochdale and Newport and Northampton have hosted Wimbledon and Bury. Gloom and doom.

[Marky]

Torquay are gone IMO. Between Wycombe, Portsmouth and Northampton over who joins them.

[NickisBHAFC]

I swear Torquay never have a quiet season, there always involved in something, be it a promotion battle or in this case a relegation battle.

[westisbest]

Hopefully Mickey Drennan can bang in a few goals, helping you to stay up.

[kwinigolfer]

Someone needs to.
Not sure the exact date Barker took over but our goal totals by month have been as follows:
Aug: Played 5, 8 goals
Sept: Played 4, 6 goals
Oct: Played 4, 6 goals
Nov: Played 5, 5 goals
Whittingham fired, Barker hired
Dec: Played 5, 3 goals
Jan: Played 5, 5 goals
Feb: Played 5, 4 goals
March: Played 6, 1 goal, our best results being goalless draws.

Apparently Barker doesn't fear the sack. Perhaps we need someone who does fear for his job if our only strategy for the future is goalless draws.

[Marky]

Reports he's been sacked. Sounds like no matter who's in charge its the players who should receive a large proportion of the blame.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Not been sacked yet, although I think it's a matter of time. Even if he keeps Pompey up, the fans have turned against him and it's probably best for all parties that he goes in the summer.

[Marky]

Oddly enough I think Portsmouth would see his best work next season, if given the summer to clear out the deadwood and bring in his own players. Assuming they stay up, give him (with Coppell) the summer and first few months of the season.

[kwinigolfer]

"best work next season"?
Not a chance. Barker's out the door.
Sitting here in VT waiting for the call . . . . .

[Marky]

Obviously he hasn't been given the chance, but this isn't solely his fault, players have got two managers the sack this season and the job was close to impossible. Steve Claridge next man in based on Twitter rumours, would be amazed if he turned them around.

[kwinigolfer]

All those tweets are probably from Claridge himself.
Andy Awford in charge for the rest of the season; good decision I would think.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Obviously he hasn't been given the chance, but this isn't solely his fault, players have got two managers the sack this season and the job was close to impossible. Steve Claridge next man in based on Twitter rumours, would be amazed if he turned them around.

I don't think this is true. He brought in ten players, yet they gained less points per game then under Whittingham.

[NickisBHAFC]

Big big big mistake. 

Going down now.

[kwinigolfer]

Time will tell, but Andy Awford knows the club inside out and just maybe he can instill that little bit of pride back in the squad that was so clearly lacking under Barker.
Old fashioned concept, I know. But pride still stands for something.

[Marky]

Big big big mistake. 

Going down now.

Would be a great appointment.

If it happens, can I quote you on that in May..?

Indeed.

[Marky]

Time will tell, but Andy Awford knows the club inside out and just maybe he can instill that little bit of pride back in the squad that was so clearly lacking under Barker.
Old fashioned concept, I know. But pride still stands for something.

But that smacks of the players ruling the changing room, which is why I said it was an impossible job Nakatomi. Barker may have brought in some of his own but the core of the squad has been there all season and clearly underperforming.

Panic button pressed, but I don't blame the Portsmouth board considering the circumstances.

[NickisBHAFC]

Barker would of kept Pompey up, there heading to the confrence now.

[kwinigolfer]

Your argument is undermined by your grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Back to nursery school for you Nick.

[kwinigolfer]

Well done Andy Awford, terrific win.
Survival this year, promotion next.
Didn't Andy Awford say he never wanted to manage? However well he does, he may still not want to take the reins permanently, but perhaps he can influence a very good choice.

Lovely start, nothing wrong with feeling a load has been lifted.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Good win yesterday. Makes Nick's posts look even more foolish! As you said kwini, the next appointment is vital, but do you trust the powers that be to get it right after failing with Barker?

[kwinigolfer]

Yes, one swallow and all that, though, Nick and his pigeon English could still turn out to be right.

But, if Awford contrives Pompey's survival, they'll at least have time on their hands to make the right choice for what has to be a most attractive managerial appointment.

[kwinigolfer]

Another swallow, and at least it's beginning to feel like spring, if not summer.
Home game vs Bristol Rovers will be crucial, and imperative we gain at least one point at Northampton on Easter Monday.
Then they can give Andy Awford the Freedom of Portsmouth.

[kwinigolfer]

Relegation?
Not a chance!
Beginning to look as if Awford is repairing all the damage wrought by Barker.
Thank goodness.
PUP

(Ooh, and westi'll be thrilled to see Drennan scored.)

[westisbest]

Ha kwinigolfer. Very happy to see him get a hatrick.

Will record the football league show and see what his goals were like.

Just what he needs.

Christ can we have him back at Villa.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Another great weekend for Pompey, topped off with Liverpool winning as well. The £1 million windfall you guys will hopefully mean the CVA can be cleared quicker.

[kwinigolfer]

Nakatomi,
I keep on forgetting about the GJ add-on! Shame there couldn't have been a bit more leverage applied to the abscondees after 2011/12 and 2012/13.
Thrilled at PFC's renaissance, pity it couldn't have started earlier, but a sound platform for 2014/15.
PUP

[westisbest]

Ah, Drennan scored 2, not 3.

His second was a decent strike.

[kwinigolfer]

A win vs Bristol Rovers and a draw vs Northampton and we're safe for certain, whatever happens elsewhere.
Freedom of the City for Andy Awford.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Kwini, not sure if you've read this, but it's a really good read about the running of Pompey.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/18/portsmouth-care-community-club-pompey

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Barker would of kept Pompey up, there heading to the confrence now.

Wrong

Lolz

[kwinigolfer]

Nakatomi, That's great, thanks very much. Can't find stuff like that in the Burlington Free Press.
Very optimistic for the future - lots of blame in the article accorded to the most recent owners but I would say the rot set in long before. It came as no surprise during the Harry Redknapp trial that he couldn't balance a cheque-book. Imagine Mandaric and Storrie had the same problem, tho the view from 3,000 miles away was that Storrie was the worst kind of hanger-on parasite.

Thanks again,
PUP

[kwinigolfer]

18,000 at FP.
PUP

[kwinigolfer]

Sorry to see Bristol Rovers so close to the drop (seems only yesterday that Rickie Lambert was knocking in goals by the bucket load for them, and only the day before yesterday that Geoff Bradford was doing the same thing), but their loss means:
POMPEY ARE SAFE!
Plus up early at Northampton.
PUP

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