OtmoorYellow wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2020 4:03 pm
Can't disagree about Woodburn. I don't remember the Sky commentators even mentioning his name until he was subbed. I didn't think James Henry really got into it either, apart from set pieces, where his balls into the box were generally very good (ooh matron!).
Dickie and Elliott were massive for us, against a very tall Pompey side.
Long was giving far too much room to Curtis all through the first half, because he (Long) kept drifting inside and eventually the amount of room he gave was just too much to make up. Eastwood should never be beaten at his near post from that angle though.
Eastwood made up for this with a cracking save from a very well directed downward header later on.
Ruffels looked pretty sharp and Browne was excellent considering the time since our last competitive match, and despite the numerous attempts to fell him by some cynical defending.
The Pompey player who had been booked for having a go at CamBran, should have been sent off for the deliberate handball that prevented a good attacking opportunity.
On their claims for penalties, the only one that might have been given was Dickie manhandling their player, but how many times do (did) we see this from defenders week in and week out without punishment?
Curtis was embarassing when throwing himself to the floor at every opportunity. Shame, because he is a very good footballer, even if a bit gobby.
Matty looked reasonably fit up front, but never really got much service, likewise for Aggeeeyee (Sky commentator's pronunciation) and Mackie.
Overall, to come away from Fratton with a draw for the second leg, given that they have not lost a home match in more than a year, was more than acceptable. We'll get a small home advantage, being able to choose the length of grass that suits our passing game, a nice wide pitch, familiarity with the surroundings and understanding of how the fence end affects play. Perhaps a very minor point, but 1,000 cardboard cut outs in a 12,000 seater stadium, will look much more impressive than 1,000 in a 20,000 seater stadium.
In my view, the winner of this tie will get promotion as neither Fleetwood, nor Wycombe are a patch on us or Pompey.
How great to be able to discuss matches again.