Well I think we were much better today all in all but our defending of corners was terrible. We need to get that sorted now!
Overall, it is not really unexpected we lost to Portsmouth but realistically we are still some way off what will be needed to stay up and prosper at this level despite some nice interplay - you don't win many football games in midfield but no creativity when actually going for goal.
Wilson looked very good, Morris was better again today like last week - seems far more effective than last year. Potter was very good today I thought - he will become an important player for us. Manny much better and Ray good also. Rides is being shown up at this level and means that the opposition can always commit their players on that side knowing Rides is never going to counterattack. Banks is not really doing that much in my book - thought Gilmour might have been brought on. Ferrier did ok and Payne looked good when he came on - one lovely turn when he was then cynically fouled for a booking - against weaker sides we should play Payne and Ferrier up front. CBT I think is going to be a bit lightweight - fast sure but runs into blind alleys half the time and faded as the game wore on. Will be interesting to see what MM does Tuesday!
I agree with most of ADD's comments above (and disagree with Ian's to be honest, which I think are a bit downbeat - perhaps influenced by the Ifollow commentary ?) except for the line I have highlighted. I thought the real positive to come out of today's game was the quality of our midfield play, which was miles better than last week and actually better than Portsmouth's for the majority of the game. Yes, we do still lack punch in the final third, but if you can go away from home and have us much good possession against one of the top sides as we did today, you will eventually start to create against more average teams and lesser defences.
In the first half, I actually thought we were the better side overall, albeit Portsmouth looked far sharper in the final third when they did attack. Some of the passing moves were great to watch and the addition of Potter in midfield made a massive difference to the quality of our play. We lost our way after half time for fifteen or twenty minutes, but grew back into the game again when Payne came on and gave us a focal point up front. Overall, I would say the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game in terms of punch in the eighteen yard box, but there were still a lot of positives for us to take from the match.
Individually, I thought Perkins was fantastic again, showing unbelievable energy, but Morris was also outstanding and ran him close for man of the match (why some of our supporters can't see what he offers is beyond me). Wilson was impressive at right back, quick and clever going forward, while also looking pretty strong defensively. Potter was class and I can't remember him giving the ball away all game. Banks was sloppy at times, but did more good than bad, and Monthe looked like his old self at the back.
On the negative side, I thought the distribution from the two centre backs was poor and I agree with ADD's comments about Ridehalgh. His positioning was all over the place at times, giving their right winger far too much space. I think the tactics we used were correct given the opposition, with Jennings at the centre of a front three in the first half and Ferrier wide, but we still are not really clicking in the final third, despite getting into good areas on numerous occasions.
All things considered, I think today's game showed we have got what it takes to compete at this level. We now have to beat Bolton's kids next week.