Voting was locked for this match at midnight on Monday 15th September but you may still add your mini match reports. Note that members and non-members alike were able to vote.

Your Southampton v Portsmouth Match Reports

Flamingbankers added 15:04 - Sep 14 Pompey dominated and controlled the first half - snuffing out anything Saints had to offer. And Pompey could have taken the lead when Dozzell hit the bar. The second half was a different story, with Saints dominating and pushing for a goal although without really having any serious threat up front. I thought Archer played as well as he could but barely received any support, from players around him, all match - a familiar tale. I can't see the point of Fellows, and Fraser, to keep supplying decent crosses when we don't have a big, bustling centre forward up front. Still still seems unsure of what he's doing at the moment although it's still early doors ( apologies for all the 'stills' although it seems appropriate).

2

codge added 16:00 - Sep 14 If this was supposed to make me fill full of enthusiasm for our team utterly failed,we were outplayed for much of the game with the help of the referee.Hopefully things will get sorted out soon otherwise we are in for a long season.Honestly we looked no better so far this year than last season but hope springs eternal.COYR.
2

SaintPaulVW added 16:03 - Sep 14 We need to find a way to beat teams that set up like Pompey. Agree that it's a fat load of good having wingers firing crosses in when the targets in the box are Fraser and Archer. Played for the most part like a bunch of individuals thrown together. Pompey played as a team. Struggle to see why with a reserve keeper on we weren't shooting on sight. Murphy was the best player on the pitch. Possibly this led to Roerslav having a bad game. He seemed to hit the ball backwards at every opportunity. Important not to throw the toys out the pram early in the season. There is however a lot of room for improvement.

1

WestSussexSaint added 16:12 - Sep 14 First half, Saints looked like a team playing a new system and some new players. Better in the second half but a lack of quality in the attacking third. I think this team will improve as they get use to each other and the system. Unfortunately it was too soon for this game but I hope the return match in January will be much improved. At least we didn’t lose!
1

graveworm added 16:46 - Sep 14 No pressure on the skates playing from the back Such a lacklustre effort Second half a little better, but overall we didn’t deserve anything more than 1 point First half reminded me off our inadequacies from last season Perhaps when the new guys settle things will get better It’s going to be interesting to see how it pans out At the moment we wouldn’t even make the playoffs To be honest you could not wish to get promoted as another 12 months of misery would follow

0

Bowlercow added 17:14 - Sep 14 Not impressed by any Saints player As individuals and collectively the barely reached average We allowed them to control the m/f in the first half and it was just as well they are no better than us at creating chances We were better in the second half but still short of creativity Even if we had Mo Salah we would still need a player capable of finding that killer pass A lot for the coaches to sort out for sure None of the newbies impressed and they need to know the best 11 very quickly

-1

graveworm added 17:35 - Sep 14 No pressure on the skates playing from the back Such a lacklustre effort Second half a little better, but overall we didn’t deserve anything more than 1 point First half reminded me off our inadequacies from last season Perhaps when the new guys settle things will get better It’s going to be interesting to see how it pans out At the moment we wouldn’t even make the playoffs To be honest you could not wish to get promoted as another 12 months of misery would follow

0

graveworm added 17:37 - Sep 14 No pressure on the skates playing from the back Such a lacklustre effort Second half a little better, but overall we didn’t deserve anything more than 1 point First half reminded me off our inadequacies from last season Perhaps when the new guys settle things will get better It’s going to be interesting to see how it pans out At the moment we wouldn’t even make the playoffs To be honest you could not wish to get promoted as another 12 months of misery would follow

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Bawdrip added 17:48 - Sep 14 Poor performance. Awful first half. Improved a bit in the second half but not greatly. No clear game plan.
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mascott514 added 21:58 - Sep 14 This game came at the wrong time, but That's no an excuse for the timid display. I think they were terrified of losing- and forgot you have to win a game. They were there for the taking, but ulimastly they set up well, and we were lucky to escape 0-0 Time to move on for a few months, and we'll have another go in January Referee was dog shit
1

Block8 added 22:09 - Sep 14 Still trying to figure out what system we were playing. The back four was obvious but we had two wide men that we were unable to get the ball to. Two central midfielders, who were totally overwhelmed. A solo striker & Azaz as a number 10, not really able to get into the game? We certainly looked better with two strikers & a 4-4-2 set up for the last 25 minutes. We'll need to get this sorted out or we'll be falling farther behind the top teams!

1

I_would added 07:43 - Sep 15 We couldn't pass to a red shirt during the whole game, just a long punt over 4 midfielders with a hopeful ball to Archer who's not balll-holding striker. Still should have nipped this in the bud in the first 10 minutes by shouting instructions and, or makining very bearly changes. But he didn't! And the whole crowd was just waiting for the sucker Pompey goal to kill the game off. Luckily Pompey were total mcrap and knackeres themselves during the first half. Flynn Downes was, again, the worst player on the pitch and shouldn't be allowed near the bench never mind the teamsheet. He is given a major central role in the team, I don't knoe why, and just gives the ball away in important areas cheaply.

-1

onetowatch added 09:15 - Sep 15 I Would, were you actually at the game!!!????I have no idea why FD comes in for so much criticism from a chosen few. Not only his work rate is impressive, but he's one of the very few players who is prepared to carry the ball and take chances to open up opportunities. Plus the number of tackles and interceptions he makes are endless. Our problem definitely does not stem from central midfield. With FD and SC there, we're stronger now than when in the prem. With MF gone, we lack the creativity in midfield, and , of course, the ability to put away those few chances we make...

0

I_would added 16:18 - Sep 15 Cos he's crap.
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