Pompey point still has KK flying high

TareeDawg wrote...

It was only Defoe's woeful finishing on the day that prevented yet another disasterous day for the Toon. Muntari's pass ripped the Toon defence apart, not that that is anything to crow about.

Defoe also accidentally stopped a Glen Johnson shot from hitting the back of the net. Maybe he is a good pal of Harper.

Odd why our Toon friend (obviously flushed with not getting beat week after week) hasn't mentioned the above. But then, perhaps not so odd?

Play Up Pompey

Posted by: TareeDawg  | April 14, 2008 8:58 AM

Peter wrote...

As I came on to this blog last week backing up my team, I figured I should come back to give my thoughts on the game.

Overall, we (Pompey) were poor, especially in midfield. Newcastle looked like they wanted it more and it was clear that this is not the team of a month ago - far more confidence throughout the team.

A game of few chances, so a draw is a fair result. Another clean sheet for us (David James = fantasy gold!), although yet another draw at home will be the difference between challenging for a European spot in the league and not quite making it.

Well played Newcastle and Play up Pompey!

Posted by: Peter  | April 14, 2008 9:45 AM

Paul Patterson wrote...

I fully expect Newcastle to FlyBe-yond Sunderland at the weekend and cap a truly great rescue mission from Kevin Keegan.

Portsmouth are always a side you would take a point off, if you were given the chance even before the season starts, so, whilst I think they were there for the taking with no desire left this season except a cup final apearence- I feel a point is more than adequate.

The result that now looks even worse, was the one up here at St James’ where, thanks to Allardyce, we were embarrassed in eleven minutes.

This season will always be forgettable, mainly because of the lack of entertainment, the only game I can actually remember for positive reasons before Kevin took over was the game against Spur’s and even then they were a team in utter turmoil.

Without meaning to bang on about the defensive minded scientist, but it’s an indictment of Allardyce’s reign that Derby, relegated in awful shame, that at the weekend they were tonked 6-0 by Aston Villa at Pride Park, and our performance there was a shambolic 1-0 defeat-Once again Thanks Big Sham.

I remarked some time ago, that the one thing you get from Kevin Keegan above all else, is trust, a trust in the fact that he will always do right by his philosophies and (Some slate his tactical ability) but his tactics are sound compared to Sam Allardyce’s (Last mention of him I promise) attack teams and the defence will concede less- It really is fairly simple stuff.

In his first spell here as manager, the defence was roundly shot down in flames by all and sundry, including myself, but really it wasn’t that bad, if you could take just three goals off the final total conceded and add one on to the goals scored that season we were 12 points clear (So that we win 3-2 at Anfield and beat Manchester United 1-0) we win the league, the margins are that short. I was also Les Ferdinand who stopped scoring at Christmas.

But fast forward to the present and we have a similar situation were the defence isn’t as bad as it is being made out to be- it’s not great, but it can be worked on. Recent weeks have shown that we are quite adept when were not piling pressure on the defenders and when the midfield does it’s job properly. Steve Harper deserves good praise too for showing us what we’ve missed while Lazarus refused to get injured.

So it’s action stations for Sunday- The Big One, Judgement Day, The Countdown has begun- Let Battle Commence- If both sides play to their potential, Newcastle win- End Of Story.

By like I said- The one thing above all else from Kevin,- is trust.

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | April 14, 2008 9:53 AM

Aditya wrote...

Mr. Play Up Pompey,
I think Owen on the other end had an equal chance to what Defoe had.So that negates everything out.As far as the draw was concerned I think you should be grateful to your Mr.spoil easy catch hard David James that we were denied a victory.I am not saying we thoroughly dominated but you really can't argue that you were a better side.
And as far as your thinking about pompey being far better club than Newcastle goes, man you are having one of the best seasons in your Premier league life and we are having the worst..still you couldn't beat us; isn't it?

Posted by: Aditya  | April 14, 2008 9:58 AM

keir wrote...

defoe wasted some chances and owen was so unlucky with james' hair but 6 games ago of someone had said we'd take 11 points from a possible 15 then wed have laughed so well done lads, keep it up.

My heart says well stuff mackems but head is going for a 2-2 draw. They arent good enough to cope with our front three, but can we play well enough to take jones out of the game...and as long the the traitor dont score itll all be good.

The Keegan revolution is underway, suddenly its a great feeling to support the toon again

Posted by: keir  | April 14, 2008 10:17 AM

Fredrich Nietzsche wrote...

What is this recent obsession with the chronicle blog for pompey fans? Did I miss something? Mike Ashleys bought himself a time machine hasn't he and gone round treading on leaves; we must be in the cup final after all. Seriously though, Craig Gordan youve a week to grow yourself one super fly afro or it could be a truly embarressing score line for our nieghbours across the water.

Posted by: Fredrich Nietzsche  | April 14, 2008 1:32 PM

Geronimo wrote...

I,as did many others, thought Pompey were there for the taking. Keegan obviously did not otherwise he should have replaced the tiring Geremi with Duff and sent on Carrol for Viduka instead of the non scoring Smith.This would have kept the 4-3-3 system that was causing them problems also adding a little hight up front.That said I am very happy with a point and just love the way we are playing as a team . AT LAST!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Geronimo  | April 14, 2008 3:38 PM

Ronnie Lambert wrote...

Well my heart says Geordie win ..... and my head SCREAMS Geordie win !!! I've got a ticket for this one and I'm glad I'm not gigging on Saturday or Sunday cos I'll be a little hoarse to say the least, neigh I said a little hoarse. I wish the mackems would make an appearance on here like Pompey, for the crack like, but I doubt it. They'll be quaking in their boots en masse, cos my few mackem pals certainly are. In fact they haven't mentioned footie to me since Spurs. They did a couple of weeks before, saying that there's always one bottom placed team that goes into freefall for a shock relegation, and they said in their infinite soccer wisdom that they confidently foresaw that team to be the Toon. We-ell, I could only laugh derisively cos I said they had it the wrong way round, and KK would turn it around and shock world football again next season. With at least 5 huge signings and a plethora of typical Keegan unearthings of new talent, we'd be everyone's second team again. I asked them what their wisdom foresaw for Sunlin............still waiting.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Posted by: Ronnie Lambert  | April 14, 2008 5:27 PM

Charles wrote...

Well, well...it looks like our Pompey friends arrived to a tyne blog. Had Newcastle won, dont think they would show up.

Not to say that this blog is only for Newcastle. We welcome all to comment here, as long as the topics are relevant. Even the Mackems are invited to join us in commending.

Yes, Newcastle didnt dominated the game but so did Pompey. James made two slips and Newcastle couldnt take advantage of that. Not the lack of skill, just luck.

Defoe could have easily made it two nil for Pompey but how about Owen? He missed one open chance and had he been tall enough, he would have head one pass the goalkeeper. What about Geremi's shot on target? And Martin's obsession with long range shots?

Overall, a fair result for both teams. Good game but not entertaining. I spend my two hours watching for no goals. Still happy with the result though, but happier that Sunderland didnt get a win.

We got the chance to really leave them out in the cold this sunday. Howay to the lads.

Posted by: Charles  | April 15, 2008 1:17 AM

Peter wrote...

Charles,

I would have come back to comment on the game win or lose - this season has been beyond my wildest dreams as a Pomnpey fan so I've got no reason to hide...

Also - why wouldn't Pompey fans come on here a few days either side of playing Newcastle? I would have thought it's normal to discuss the game with your opponent?

I can't see me spending much more time on here though, so good luck in the future. Chances are we'll be a lot closer in the league next season...

Posted by: Peter  | April 15, 2008 9:36 AM

Anonymous wrote...

Great to see the Pompey lads giving their views on here and agree that the draw was a fair result. I'd like to know how they rate Defoe though - the guy has never looked that good to me and going back to that horrible result against Pompey earlier in the season, I think many Portsmouth fans will question the Benjami sale. Great season for them though and surely their name is on the cup.
Like most of you I'm looking forward to Sunday and confident that we'll beat our poor cousins. I'm thinking back to Beardsley hat-trick stuff here with sendings off for the mackems and also nervous breakdowns for any dog loving Irish men under the constant torture of the Toon faithful.
Seriously though, If Geremi can hold the ball on the right and let Beye get forward I'm sure there'll be plenty of chances for the three muskateers. Like wise, if Barton can keep pinging balls over the defence for Martins to run on to, we can really pile the pressure on a defence that will creak and crumble.
Taylor has to reproduce the job he did on Kanu and stifle Jones. If he does this I can't see them scoring and they'll probably resort to shots from outside the box (which Harper is more than capable of dealing with, sorry Shay).
3-0 to the Toon with KK spraying his fluids all ower the assembled congregation. Praise the Toon...

Posted by: Anonymous  | April 15, 2008 1:25 PM

Mark the Magpie wrote...

Great to see the Pompey lads giving their views on here and agree that the draw was a fair result. I'd like to know how they rate Defoe though - the guy has never looked that good to me and going back to that horrible result against Pompey earlier in the season, I think many Portsmouth fans will question the Benjami sale. Great season for them though and surely their name is on the cup.
Like most of you I'm looking forward to Sunday and confident that we'll beat our poor cousins. I'm thinking back to Beardsley hat-trick stuff here with sendings off for the mackems and also nervous breakdowns for any dog loving Irish men under the constant torture of the Toon faithful.
Seriously though, If Geremi can hold the ball on the right and let Beye get forward I'm sure there'll be plenty of chances for the three muskateers. Like wise, if Barton can keep pinging balls over the defence for Martins to run on to, we can really pile the pressure on a defence that will creak and crumble.
Taylor has to reproduce the job he did on Kanu and stifle Jones. If he does this I can't see them scoring and they'll probably resort to shots from outside the box (which Harper is more than capable of dealing with, sorry Shay).
3-0 to the Toon with KK spraying his fluids all ower the assembled congregation. Praise the Toon...

Posted by: Mark the Magpie  | April 15, 2008 1:47 PM