HerrLjunga
Vital 1st Team Regular
Where do we go from here? Despite an apparently improved performance and playing-style on Tuesday night against Cheltenham, the outcome was identical to our weekend defeat by the worst team in the league. More worrying than our increasingly poor form was the game being played out in front of an attendance more akin to that of a Tinpot Trophy match.
The fans seem to have given up, apathy reigns. The number in the ground has now seemingly dropped below the figure usually attributed as being the "absolute hardcore" of supporters, with numerous season-ticket holders absent and another load planning not to renew if online posts are to be believed. The SOB, for all their online rhetoric only managed to convince a pathetic total of about 30 people to join in with their "mass demonstration" (for comparison, that's comfortably less than 50% of the Cheltenham away following who faced a 7 hour round trip and had to pay for the privilege...). The online arguments have become cyclical and depressing and the SOB and non-SOB are now becoming increasingly polarised. It's very, very disheartening to witness.
As for the team, it's hard to criticise a squad ravaged by injury, lack of form, lack of experience and who are being forced into action, often out of position through absolute necessity. BFSE and his sidekick Raynor still remain at the club and continue to trot out the "we'll keep fighting" line, but what else can they realistically do in the current circumstances? Frankly, I am amazed they're still here given BFSE's comments after the Cup replay defeat to Cheltenham, kudos to them for continuing to try and rescue this farcical situation.
Tomorrow, we face Pompey who themselves are on a decent run, six unbeaten and having won their last three. Since 2000 we've met 17 times, Pompey leading by 7 wins to 5. The last time we beat them at Priestfield was Boxing Day 2018, a 2-0 win when they were flying high at the top of the table, what chance a repeat tomorrow? Slim I think.
Of course there's the usual "curse of the ex-player" to worry about with the returning Connor Ogilvie having become a fixture of the Portsmouth backline (doesn't seem such a "sideways" move now) alongside Mahlon Romeo who, since he was rashly released by us in 2015, has racked up 170+ league appearances for Millwall and Pompey. There is also the figure of former loanee John Marquis (only 3 career goals against us, feels like more) who must be relishing the opportunity to add to four goals he's scored so far this season.
Good luck and safe journeys to anyone attending tomorrow, I hope the weather is kind to you. As for the result, I've resigned myself to defeat already, it's easier to accept when the inevitable happens and anything other than a tonking will be a bonus. I just hope there are not fewer home fans than away fans, that would be a very sad marker of how far we've fallen.
COYG!
The fans seem to have given up, apathy reigns. The number in the ground has now seemingly dropped below the figure usually attributed as being the "absolute hardcore" of supporters, with numerous season-ticket holders absent and another load planning not to renew if online posts are to be believed. The SOB, for all their online rhetoric only managed to convince a pathetic total of about 30 people to join in with their "mass demonstration" (for comparison, that's comfortably less than 50% of the Cheltenham away following who faced a 7 hour round trip and had to pay for the privilege...). The online arguments have become cyclical and depressing and the SOB and non-SOB are now becoming increasingly polarised. It's very, very disheartening to witness.
As for the team, it's hard to criticise a squad ravaged by injury, lack of form, lack of experience and who are being forced into action, often out of position through absolute necessity. BFSE and his sidekick Raynor still remain at the club and continue to trot out the "we'll keep fighting" line, but what else can they realistically do in the current circumstances? Frankly, I am amazed they're still here given BFSE's comments after the Cup replay defeat to Cheltenham, kudos to them for continuing to try and rescue this farcical situation.
Tomorrow, we face Pompey who themselves are on a decent run, six unbeaten and having won their last three. Since 2000 we've met 17 times, Pompey leading by 7 wins to 5. The last time we beat them at Priestfield was Boxing Day 2018, a 2-0 win when they were flying high at the top of the table, what chance a repeat tomorrow? Slim I think.
Of course there's the usual "curse of the ex-player" to worry about with the returning Connor Ogilvie having become a fixture of the Portsmouth backline (doesn't seem such a "sideways" move now) alongside Mahlon Romeo who, since he was rashly released by us in 2015, has racked up 170+ league appearances for Millwall and Pompey. There is also the figure of former loanee John Marquis (only 3 career goals against us, feels like more) who must be relishing the opportunity to add to four goals he's scored so far this season.
Good luck and safe journeys to anyone attending tomorrow, I hope the weather is kind to you. As for the result, I've resigned myself to defeat already, it's easier to accept when the inevitable happens and anything other than a tonking will be a bonus. I just hope there are not fewer home fans than away fans, that would be a very sad marker of how far we've fallen.
COYG!
