Brendan Bradley
Vital Squad Member
It's nice to know you're here.
Match Thread: Lincoln City v Portsmouth
- Thread starter Jules
- Start date
It's nice to know you're here.
We have won the last 5 at home with some superb football. Tonight we were out done by a big physical, direct side who were streetwise in everything they did.
I just felt we could have boosted the midfield up tonight as they broke up play at nearly every opportunity, however we were our own worst enemy at times with some very poor passing.
Let’s not forget this Pompey side has been expensively assembled - we just have to accept at times we are completely up against it. It’s time to find some middle ground that we aren’t quite as good when we win and not quite as bad when we lose.
I just felt we could have boosted the midfield up tonight as they broke up play at nearly every opportunity, however we were our own worst enemy at times with some very poor passing.
Let’s not forget this Pompey side has been expensively assembled - we just have to accept at times we are completely up against it. It’s time to find some middle ground that we aren’t quite as good when we win and not quite as bad when we lose.
sedgleyimp
Vital Champions League
Rotherham is before MK but it's a very valid point you make
Chesterimp
Vital Football Hero
As others have said, that's an unfair call on new players still bedding in.
Out two most experienced players had poor games. We clearly missed the dynamism of Toff on the left, I'd question MA's decision to leave Elbouzedi on the bench as his pace might have asked different questions.
That's two tough games out of the way, and tough lessons for the new players, who might have looked good against Shrewsbury, Bolton and Blackpool but have now come up against two of the strongest sides in the division, lost to both but outplayed by neither.
They need a result on Saturday though as another toughie awaits a week Friday.
I’m criticising because there seemed to be a lack of effort. For me Hesketh was our best player because he was the most willing to try something. It was all a bit tired and just trying to get through the 90 mins
Of course there can be nights where your effort doesn’t pay off and you lose unfortunately. But tonight wasn’t one of them. Tonight the players didn’t do their jobs very well.
You try going to stakeholders in your work saying oh I did well last week so I’m not going to bother today. Tell us how it goes will you?
clanford
Vital 1st Team Regular
Well that was dreadful. I didn’t go to the Oxford match but for me that was the worst performance since the dire pre Cowley era. Portsmouth were solid and did a great job on us. Another stupid goal bang on half time. From my position Josh looked very badly placed leaving too much of the goal to his left. Messing about at the back again caused ourselves numerous problems throughout the game especially with Portsmouth pressing us hard. Anderson hardly had a look in all game so no surprise that he came off. On a positive, I thought Hopper showed some good touches although he is clearly not a target man and Tyler proved what a talent he is. Just pray he doesn’t return to Forest. Morrell was easily mom again. Oh well, Sarfend on Saturday. Need to forget tonight and go again. UTI.
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79imp
Guest
Thought the other CB Burgess also looked a very good player.
We on the other hand have Cian Bolger.
Brendan Bradley
Vital Squad Member
When you go to your place of work tomorrow Imps2018 you can do your job without having to contend with someone else opposite you whose job it is specifically to prevent you doing yours.
I never like to criticise a perceived lack of effort, it's very hard to say that's happening, often it's just a lack of confidence, and I don't believe that will have been the case tonight.
Portsmouth were just better and their performance was very similar to the type of showing Lincoln often put in under the Cowleys. Unspectacular but solid, energetic and with enough quality to make sure they came out on top.
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79imp
Guest
You seriously think that result and performance was down to lack of effort?
Mattytindraws
Vital Reserves Team
In the context of the previous 5 games which we won, I’m not sure where the ‘keep serving this up at home’ comes from? It’s a one off at the moment. Home performances this season have, with a couple of exceptions’ been far better than the period between Christmas and the end of the season last year. Let’s worry about it if we’ve been utterly abject against MK Dons in a couple of weeks time.
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imps_joe
Vital Football Hero
Well that felt like two massive steps back tonight. You can't expect to win all your home games, but you certainly expect much better than that. I could easily copy and paste my ramblings from half time.
Portsmouth deservedly won, but, really offered very little going forward. They were organised, physical and a well drilled team. They won the majority of second balls. Against a better performance, we would have been battered.
Two more set piece goals coming from a silly free kick and playing out from the back. Extremely disappointing.
Tactics were poor today, we played very much into their hands; pass it to Bolger or Shackell they whack up top where John-Jules and Hopper have little chance of winning the header. The ball comes straight back at us. They win every second ball. Very much a thankless task being a Lincoln striker today. Painfully, we stuck at the tactic for the entirety of the match.
The few times we've had ball at feet, the passing has been dreadful. Simple passes wayward. Movement off the ball was non-existent. I actually felt sorry for Bolger and Shackell at times because they had no options available. We needed Eardley and Melbourne to offer more going forward. In our previous games we looked most dangerous on the wings, but we currently have no wingers.
90 minutes of football and we created one good chance and failed to make the keeper do anything during the entirety of the game. Too many basic errors. I understand we're in a transition period, but I expect us to play better than that.
Portsmouth deservedly won, but, really offered very little going forward. They were organised, physical and a well drilled team. They won the majority of second balls. Against a better performance, we would have been battered.
Two more set piece goals coming from a silly free kick and playing out from the back. Extremely disappointing.
Tactics were poor today, we played very much into their hands; pass it to Bolger or Shackell they whack up top where John-Jules and Hopper have little chance of winning the header. The ball comes straight back at us. They win every second ball. Very much a thankless task being a Lincoln striker today. Painfully, we stuck at the tactic for the entirety of the match.
The few times we've had ball at feet, the passing has been dreadful. Simple passes wayward. Movement off the ball was non-existent. I actually felt sorry for Bolger and Shackell at times because they had no options available. We needed Eardley and Melbourne to offer more going forward. In our previous games we looked most dangerous on the wings, but we currently have no wingers.
90 minutes of football and we created one good chance and failed to make the keeper do anything during the entirety of the game. Too many basic errors. I understand we're in a transition period, but I expect us to play better than that.
New gold dream
Vital Squad Member
Spot on we'll have more performances like this against very experienced and expensive clubs
A couple of mistakes cost us at this level
I think the issue we face is our midfield looks very small and lightweight which makes restarts an issue in not immediately keeping the ball and chasing possession
Seen both Pompey games and think they'll struggle to get promoted this season
I'll predict we play them and that friggin bell next season in L1
Uti
Chesterimp
Vital Football Hero
Thought Bolger did ok tonight, it was his CB partner who had more moments. Bolger did have that 'incident' near the end but the pass he had to deal with wasn't just 'hospital' but 'intensive care'.
But yes, we were second best to Raggs and Burgess, that's what money buys you.
GertLushImp
Vital Squad Member
Yes, Burgess was outstanding as well in the reverse fixture at Fratton Park. Probably he and Raggett the best CB pairing in L1.
Riiiiik
Vital 1st Team Regular
Bristol vs Bolton finished 1-1
I know you're not f***ing interested but I said I'd put the scores up and I am.
Two poor results and we've only dropped 1 place in the table. We've time to turn it around yet when we play lesser teams (on paper) than ourselves.
Keep the faith. We're a victim of our own success, we've won things and been promoted. Great for us fans but also a stepping stone for the better players to move onwards and upwards. It will take time for the newcomers / young players to gel .
I know you're not f***ing interested but I said I'd put the scores up and I am.
Two poor results and we've only dropped 1 place in the table. We've time to turn it around yet when we play lesser teams (on paper) than ourselves.
Keep the faith. We're a victim of our own success, we've won things and been promoted. Great for us fans but also a stepping stone for the better players to move onwards and upwards. It will take time for the newcomers / young players to gel .
Mattytindraws
Vital Reserves Team
So if we can’t whack it, or pass it, are we fucked?
Brendan Bradley
Vital Squad Member
It is, and we are usually playing one less in midfield than our opponents.
However, is it OK to say that a good number of fans have been insisting we play with two strikers?
syimp
Vital Squad Member
If players are unable to pass to another red and white shirted individual, you think that's Appleton's fault?
It's poor technique or just an inability to read the game.
I'm quite sure that there are several players who will be shown the door in the fulness of time. You can't expect the young guns to cover up for the inadequacies of the veterans and the comparative veterans in the squad.
He has barely started on the rebuild and we should give him time.
