A familiar outcome but a better performance than Tuesday night, in my view. We looked better balanced in the 442, with the newcomers more settled. With Cook and Vaughan acting as a partnership and CBT wide, we did have more of an attacking threat (in the first half at least) and we created several half chances in the first period. We did not capitulate after either goal and stayed in the game.
Portsmouth were fairly average in general play, but strong defensively. The manner that we gave away the goals was disappointing. Davies was at fault for the first goal, as we kept a high defensive line for the free kick and he should have been off his line to claim the ball or clear it; for the second, we gave the ball away from our own throw in on the half way line when we were out of shape, and Portsmouth capitalised. It was a good strike by Williams, but from a long way out and I thought Davies again should have done better.
I thought Woodyard was excellent and McCullough had another very good game. Ray was solid today and was not responsible for the goals. The injuries to the two full backs are a blow and we have to hope Wilson is ok.
We did not have enough against a strong Pompey side today, but with the new additions I think we can pick up points against bottom half sides in the weeks ahead.
Wimbledon's defeat keeps us alive. On Tuesday we play a woefully out of form Bristol Rovers side, while they face Ipswich. A huge night.