Deadbat_DB
Vital Squad Member
Won't be a full report as still down south having been to the game yesterday, so away from my laptop. So, excuse the typos as doing on my phone!
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0-0 was about right as United and Pompey both had spells, and chances but both keepers made two key saves each. There were other opportunities and they missed a big chance at the end but a draw was about right.
United were a long way off their best but credit to Portsmouth as they competed hard and had a real go. Cooper had his busiest game since he has been here. We did get in good areas but no end product and our talisman Hamer had one of those days.
The game was whole hearted with two loud set of fans at a traditional stadium and despite the lack of quality and goals, was a better game than the 0-0 suggests.
The main negative was Matthew Donoghue, a referee we have seen before (Wrexham this year and Blackburn a few years ago). An absolute narcissist who wants it all to be about him.
Ratings:
Cooper 7.5/10 - He has been really solid so far but not been tested much before this game. Continued same level of competency with good handling, anticipating through balls and good distribution. However, today we saw a different aspect of his game. He made two excellent saves. One down low on a shot and then an excellent stop to help over a cross that nearly went in - right on half time. Little to do second half but another clean sheet; 4 in 5 now in an excellent start for the new keeper.
Gilchrist 6.5/10 - Decent enough defensively with some interceptions and tackles. Once or twice a bit slow to react and thought he offered very little going forward. Worrying he is going off in games. As Eggy and Roy pre game observed, he is constantly drinking water - something I had not noticed but did today as I watched out for it! Maybe that's why he keeps coming off - as he is cramping up, or maybe he needs the toilet!
Burrows 7/10 - Getter better and better. Gets up and down. Athletic and covers a lot of ground showing good pace. He was a good outlet and a few bits of good link play. Defensively he is improving too and made a number of clearances / headers. They seemed to play a lot of high ball towards him but he dealt with everything well.
Ahmedhodzic 7/10 - Steady game again. Mopped up and read things well but came out with the ball a few times. The defensive pairing must be as good as anything at this level surely?
Souttar 7.5/10 - Can make an argument for him or Cooper as our man of the match. Apart from one slip, he was imperious in his command of the back line. Did not lose a header all game and was first to every challenge he competed in.
Peck 6/10 - Not quite as good as he was last week. Not poor by any means but he was a bit short with a few passes and his set plays by contrast, were always overhit. He lost his shape a few times and we never had total control of the midfield. Still he is learning the game.
Souza 6.5/10 - Some good bits and busy throughout but his play on the ball was mixed too. Few silly fouls and then got involved unnecessarily at the end. His performances have been good though this season - a contrast to last season but of course the level is so much lower so he can physically stand out.
Rak Sayki 7.5/10 - His best game for us and after taking a while to get into it, he was a real threat. He got behind the full back a few times and only the final ball (not always his fault as a few times, he put it into a good area) was lacking. Did get to the line and beyond the defence. Thought he really worried them. Surprised he went off as he was the main player looking likely to create a chance.
Hamer 6/10 - Not his day at all. A few bits of link play but he gave it away more than normal and can't recall him really creating anything clear or having any efforts - outside of the header which he should have done better and gave the keeper a chance to save. Still felt when he got it, we might create something. Needs to be played inside more where he can be more effective.
O' Hare 4/10 - Think he has dropped off last few games and even in the recent wins, thought he did not carry the same threat. He got on the ball a few times but barely noticed him after the first 10 minutes. Just seemed to be anonymous and too often got knocked off or fell to the floor quite timidly looking for fouls. Love his energy and dribbling but not sure we've even seen those qualities the last few games.
Moore 5.5/10 - Get the defence of him in terms if the workmate, hold up stuff Wilder alluded to pre game but today not even sure he did those things. Ball didn't really stuck much at all and we created very little.
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0-0 was about right as United and Pompey both had spells, and chances but both keepers made two key saves each. There were other opportunities and they missed a big chance at the end but a draw was about right.
United were a long way off their best but credit to Portsmouth as they competed hard and had a real go. Cooper had his busiest game since he has been here. We did get in good areas but no end product and our talisman Hamer had one of those days.
The game was whole hearted with two loud set of fans at a traditional stadium and despite the lack of quality and goals, was a better game than the 0-0 suggests.
The main negative was Matthew Donoghue, a referee we have seen before (Wrexham this year and Blackburn a few years ago). An absolute narcissist who wants it all to be about him.
Ratings:
Cooper 7.5/10 - He has been really solid so far but not been tested much before this game. Continued same level of competency with good handling, anticipating through balls and good distribution. However, today we saw a different aspect of his game. He made two excellent saves. One down low on a shot and then an excellent stop to help over a cross that nearly went in - right on half time. Little to do second half but another clean sheet; 4 in 5 now in an excellent start for the new keeper.
Gilchrist 6.5/10 - Decent enough defensively with some interceptions and tackles. Once or twice a bit slow to react and thought he offered very little going forward. Worrying he is going off in games. As Eggy and Roy pre game observed, he is constantly drinking water - something I had not noticed but did today as I watched out for it! Maybe that's why he keeps coming off - as he is cramping up, or maybe he needs the toilet!
Burrows 7/10 - Getter better and better. Gets up and down. Athletic and covers a lot of ground showing good pace. He was a good outlet and a few bits of good link play. Defensively he is improving too and made a number of clearances / headers. They seemed to play a lot of high ball towards him but he dealt with everything well.
Ahmedhodzic 7/10 - Steady game again. Mopped up and read things well but came out with the ball a few times. The defensive pairing must be as good as anything at this level surely?
Souttar 7.5/10 - Can make an argument for him or Cooper as our man of the match. Apart from one slip, he was imperious in his command of the back line. Did not lose a header all game and was first to every challenge he competed in.
Peck 6/10 - Not quite as good as he was last week. Not poor by any means but he was a bit short with a few passes and his set plays by contrast, were always overhit. He lost his shape a few times and we never had total control of the midfield. Still he is learning the game.
Souza 6.5/10 - Some good bits and busy throughout but his play on the ball was mixed too. Few silly fouls and then got involved unnecessarily at the end. His performances have been good though this season - a contrast to last season but of course the level is so much lower so he can physically stand out.
Rak Sayki 7.5/10 - His best game for us and after taking a while to get into it, he was a real threat. He got behind the full back a few times and only the final ball (not always his fault as a few times, he put it into a good area) was lacking. Did get to the line and beyond the defence. Thought he really worried them. Surprised he went off as he was the main player looking likely to create a chance.
Hamer 6/10 - Not his day at all. A few bits of link play but he gave it away more than normal and can't recall him really creating anything clear or having any efforts - outside of the header which he should have done better and gave the keeper a chance to save. Still felt when he got it, we might create something. Needs to be played inside more where he can be more effective.
O' Hare 4/10 - Think he has dropped off last few games and even in the recent wins, thought he did not carry the same threat. He got on the ball a few times but barely noticed him after the first 10 minutes. Just seemed to be anonymous and too often got knocked off or fell to the floor quite timidly looking for fouls. Love his energy and dribbling but not sure we've even seen those qualities the last few games.
Moore 5.5/10 - Get the defence of him in terms if the workmate, hold up stuff Wilder alluded to pre game but today not even sure he did those things. Ball didn't really stuck much at all and we created very little.
