Unlucky Pompey defeated by Wigan

Portsmouth will be wondering how they didn't beat Wigan at Fratton Park on Saturday, as Pompey hit the bar four times, and had the ball cleared off the line three times.

Campbell and Johnson returned to the starting 11, with Pamarot and Kaboul making way for the England stars.

Wigan started the better side, and evidently were the better team throughout the first half. Zaki nearly opened the scoring early on for the visitors, as his looping shot beat David James but was denied by the outside of the post, before going out for a goal kick.

The visitors followed up with a couple more efforts coming from Wilson Pacalios and Zaki, but James was on top of it.

It took a sketchy 17 minutes for Pompey to get their first shot away, and it came from Glen Johnson, his shot from the edge of the box was comfortably taken by Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland.

Pompey went a lot closer soon after, as Lassana Diarra's corner met Crouch who headed it onto the top of the bar. Jermain Defoe also went close minutes after, when he met Johnson's incisive pass to fire just inches wide.

Defoe went close again in the 38th minute as he skipped past Titus Bramble, but couldn't get a shot away before the ball was cleared behind.

Bouba Diop nearly broke the deadlock as his header was tipped onto the bar and then cleared by Palacios.

Then the Senegalese midfielder went from hero to villain for the second time in two games, as Bouba Diop clumsily brought down Bramble in the box, to give Amr Zaki a penalty that sent Wigan 1-0 up into half time.

Adams must have been writing notes during all of Harry Redknapp's infamous half time speeches, because whatever he said in the break gave Pompey a lift, and the blues were throwing everything that had into the match.

Kranjcar replaced Traore on the left, who nearly scored instantly with a free-kick following Figueroa's challenge on Defoe, Niko's shot deflected off Crouch, but was cleared off the line once again, this time by Emmerson Boyce.

Crouch headed Belhadj's cross just wide, before Pompey were given an indirect free-kick 9 yards out, following a Wigan pass-back. All 11 Wigan players lined up on the goal line, and Defoe's shot was once again cleared off the line to safety.

Zaki and Heskey could of put Wigan further in front soon after, but Heskey mis-timed his shot, and Zaki spooned over the bar.

But Pompey fought back to dominate the second half, as Johnson and Crouch both hit the crossbar in quite succession.
It looked like it wasn't going to be Pompey's day, and second half substitute John Utaka, who came on for Bouba Diop, had his throttling shot blocked. But on 82 minutes, Niko Kranjcar finally found the back of the net for Pompey with a well placed shot from the edge of the area to bring it back to 1-1

It looked like Pompey's fortunes had changed following the equaliser, and Adams' men carried on pushing forward and looked destined to get a late winner, but it was Wigan who got the late winner as Lee Cattermole picked out Heskey to fire it past James and leave Pompey in the dumps.

Despite having only gained one point under Tony Adams, the blues nearly stole a point midweek against high flying Liverpool, and should have won with a magnificently unlucky performance against Wigan. I think the passion from Adams is there, and I am sure our luck under him will change - we've just got to give it time.

Play Up Pompey

Pompey v Wigan Preview

Pompey play Wigan at Fratton Park at the weekend, and Adams will look to recall Defoe and Johnson.

Jermain Defoe was left out of the starting 11 during Pompey's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool during the week, as Adams reverted to a 4-5-1 system, with Defoe making way for Utaka.

With Defoe already being linked to a return to White Hart Lane under former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp, it was a risky choice to make, but nearly paid of as it took a Steven Gerrard penalty to down Pompey, but Adams insists Defoe is right behind him.

"Defoe wasn't dropped, of course not," said Adams. "I will make tactical decisions, technical decisions and emotional decisions. This time it was a tactical one.

"I want Jermain to be the top goalscorer for Portsmouth, he will be. I want him to be top scorer in the league and I think he can.

"But against the league leaders I wanted something different. We have been getting smashed up away from home - we lost 3-0 at Braga, 6-0 at Manchester City.

"I felt we needed to be resilient and hard to beat first time out for me. That is why Jermain was rested"

"Jermain took it fine, he is 100% behind me. I have had great support from everybody, but particularly from Defoe."

Although reverting to 4-5-1 wasn't a bad choice, Adams will look to return to 4-4-2 with Defoe and Crouch up front.

Utaka is looking to retain his place in midfield, and it may be Bouba Diop, who's ridiculous handball cost Pompey a point midweek, who makes way for the Nigerian.

Glen Johnson is set to return at right back replacing Noe Pamarot who was brought in for Johnson's replacement after a short injury spell.
Diarra should still be included in the squad despite worries of his knee injury returning.
Sol Campbell shall most likely miss the game with a hamstring problem, so Kaboul will carry on the good work at the back.

Lets hope we can take all three points against Wigan, but Adams will have to wary of on-form loanee Amir Zaki.


Possible starting XI

Portsmouth - James, Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Belhadj, Diop, Davis, Diarra, Traore, Defoe Crouch

Wigan - Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole, Kilbane, Heskey, Zaki.

Pompey following Taidara progress

Picture: www.fansonline.net

Tony Adams is rumoured to have his first signing in mind, in the form of Paris Saint-German striker, Mohammed Taidara

Adams could make young striker Taidara his first signing as the new Pompey manager when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Taidara said, ""More and more, English and Spanish clubs are making enquiries about me," he told Senegal newspaper Le Matin.

"Recently I finished as top scorer in a youth tournament and that saw me explode on to the scene.

"I am not sure I will still be at PSG after the winter transfer window."

Could this see Kanu or David Nugent leaving, or is it a back-up for all the rumours that Jermain Defoe will be returning to Spurs in January?

I personally can't see David Nugent leaving as he has already expressed his delight in Tony Adams being appointed as manager, and believes that he has a better chance to break into the first team under Adams.

In other transfer news, Southend are rumoured to be following French midfielder Jean-Francois Christophe who has failed to break into the first team.

Liverpool 1 Portsmouth 0 - Papa makes a Bouba of things

Pompey's first game under charge of new manager Tony Adams started in a defeat as Pompey slumped to a 1-0 defeat courtesy of a Steven Gerrard penalty.

Pompey nearly hung onto a point but when Bouba Diop strangely handled the ball in the 75th minute, the referee, Steve Tanner, pointed to the spot, with Gerrard burying the ball into the net seconds later.

Liverpool started the better of the two sides, with David James having to push Dirk Kuyt's effort on to the post to keep the reds out.

Pompey started in a 4-5-1 formation with Jermain Defoe making way for John Utaka - a risky decision by Adams, but a decision that was definately worth while as Pompey fans saw a different John Utaka than recent days.

Pompey could have taken the lead, with debatebly the best chance of the half as Sean Davis' cross met Bouba Diop, who although had time to chest the ball down and slot it away, headed it into the arms of Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.

Liverpool had shots flying everywhere but in the net with Gerrard, Carragher, and Kuyt all going close, and the half-time whistle couldn't have come at a better time for Pompey.

Adams' first half-time speech must have matched one of Harry's great ones as Pompey's solid defence restarted from the off, with Slyvain Distin magnificently denying Yossi Benayoun with a superb sliding tackle to dispossess the Israeli.

James was then forced to make a flying save from Fabio Aurelio's effort, and it seemed that maybe it was Pompey's day and they could hang on for a cheeky point, but that all changed on 75.

Tanner pointed to the spot as Bouba Diop needlessly handled the ball in the area, Gerrard stepped up to fire Liverpool into the lead - David James diving the right way, but not quite making it.

Adams' Pompey through everything they had up-front in the dying minutes with a quality cross from Nadir Belhadj failing to meet either Utaka or Crouch who were ready to pounce.

Although it will reported in the papers and on websites that Liverpool comfortably won, and Redknapp's 4-4 draw against Spurs was better than Adams' 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, I believe that it is a massive improvement on last season, seen as we lost 4-1 in the same game last year. Maybe because of a lack of Torres and Keane, although we were without Johnson, Campbell and Kranjcar so neither side can be slated for not throwing their all.

A big improvement on last year's game, and although we spent most of the game on the back-foot, we're still 7th in the league, sandwiched between English and European champions Man Utd and the worlds richest club Man City.

A video diary journey - Braga v Portsmouth

Part 1



Part 2

Braga v Pompey - a view from the stands

A poor performance from Portsmouth, seeing them beaten 3-0 was only half of the story.
On Thursday ,during Pompey’s first ever UEFA cup group game with Portuguese side SC Braga, fights broke out among Pompey fans, drunks were being sick and the Portuguese police were just sitting back before violently trying to control the trouble.

Although it was a new experience for most of the Pompey fans, a few antics troubling the game were all too familiar in our parts.

Pompey went 1-0 down early on, after a well-taken free kick by Aguiar curled into the top corner, with David James only fingertips away. Despite a good free kick, there were clear signs that the referee had made a mistake, and the Braga player had made a meal of the challenge, this summed up the game on my front.

From the away end of the ground, it looked like the referee, Darko Seferin, had no experience with dealing in the English game, and therefore Pompey conceded a large amount of free kicks, thanks to the 10 out of 10 diving from Braga’s so-called players.

Jermain Defoe went one-on-one with keeper Eduardo twice, but failed to capitalise on either chance.
Pompey looked like maybe getting an equaliser as Crouch and Defoe’s partnership started to flourish, but the half-time whistle came too early for Pompey.



Prior to half time, fights broke out amongst the Pompey fans, upsetting all the surrounding fans and security, causing even more trouble. It had seemed that too fans, both supporting Pompey, had gotten too drunk and began to argue, one thing lead to another and fists were flying. The Portuguese police reacted quickly by hitting people with batons and trying to throw people out of the ground, and showed little organisation as it seemed they had no effect. This was to no credit of the police, neither was it to that of the English fans.

Obviously when Pompey came back on the pitch for the second half there was a big drop in Pompey support, and Pompey’s below average performance in the first half did not support this as the second half started similarly.

Braga continued to push forward,(and dive), but Portsmouth found it in themselves to push on with chances coming from the corners to head in an equaliser, but oh no despite not giving any Pompey decisions in the first half, the referee rules out the goal because of the goalkeeper being impeded, which is later shown on replays to have been by his own centre-back.

The blues were lacking in spirit and passion and it seemed that only Sean Davis, and second-half substitute Nadir Belhadj, were playing with their heart on their sleeve.
It may have been because of niggling injuries, or the heavy fixture list, or maybe even the daunting sound of the passionate Braga fans, but some of the Pompey players, notably the wings and side-backs, were failing to hit any sign of decent form, as the blues looked to be totally outclassed.

As a result of some poor performances, FA cup final goal scorer Nwankwo Kanu came on to try and fight Pompey back, but not even the King could help Pompey and the south coast side fell further behind as Aguiar’s through ball found Renteria through on goal, and unmarked, allowing him to calmly slot it past James.

Portsmouth conceded a third just before time as an unlucky pass-back from Sean Davis hit the post as Braga’s Alan lapsed upon the chance and put the game to sleep, although Pompey fans could debate whether half the team had even woken up in the first place.

Despite problems with the police and Pompey supporters fighting each other, both sets of fans clapped each other as the game drew to an end and send us back to the English seaside with zero points.