First half was a tad on the boring side, brilliant goal by Andrew Taylor and as Dion Dublin said after the match, if that was Messi, people wouldn't shut up about the goal for weeks. Second half was a lot better, we really did deserve it IMO. Two good, well taken goals by the main men up top (none of that naughty business intended). Also, credit to Buckley, brilliant on the wing tonight, wasn't at the Cardiff match so didn't see any of him there. Decent match and a deserved 3 points, well done to all the lads and Malky and the back staff. :xmas-smiley-022: Copyright of yours truly who pays a very decent amount of money to Sky each month. Time to call up and cancel the Sky Sports package now.
A shame Eustace picked up an injury. He pulled up around 5 minutes before coming off and immediately indicated that he wanted to be subbed. Hope he's not out for long.
Another well deserved three points, the first half was a bit slow, but it came to life with Andrew Taylor's superb finish. The second half was a lot better though, two excellent one on one finishes from Sordell (who it is good to see scoring again) and Danny Graham. Hopefully we can keep the team together, as they are commited and work hard for not just themselves, but also the rest of the team as well. COYH!
Can we not be on TV every game, all my friends and family keep asking why we are not top of the league as we always win when they see us on the box! Not as good as performance as the Cardiff win but you can only beat what it put in front of you. They lacked Liam Lawrence today which helped (assume they didn't realise loan was up and can't put deal through when FA office is shut today) and without him, they were no threat at all going forward. Nice again to keep the ball on the ground and that first goal was an absolute peach by Taylor. Seeing he is out of contract at the end of the season and then available on a Bosman, it surely can't cost more that a 250k to sign him, it is a must as he brings so much balance to the team and has got better the more games he has played. Mutch I reckon will be back after he has returned to Brum and signed a contract, unless they see him starting now for them but I think we can replace him easier than Taylor to be honest. Great finishing by the strike pair again today and my little niggle would be that I would have given Graham a rest after the 3 went in and let Massey have more of a run out. Saturday will mean quite a change around. No A. Taylor, no Mutch, Eustace may be out and Walker a possible replacement is cup tied, I would not change it around too much as Hartlepool have been in decent form and we want to keep the good run going plus the FA Cup run cash bonus is always pretty decent.
One of the most pleasing things is the style of football we are playing, mainly on the deck pass and move all players seemingly comfortable in possession (even Lloyd) We seem to be creating a hatful of chances every game at the moment. What a contrast to the dreadful hoofball played Boothroyd, it's a joy to watch.
Superb win and great start to the year. Pompey not up for it and some great football played by us, the team has really come on under Malky. Of course we can't get carried away, anything can happen over January but nonetheless i'm still very happy tonight. Also got my tickets for Hartlepool today, it's a really nice touch to see the Horns donating the matchday profit to Marie Curie Cancer Care. Good day all round!
They just gave us so much space and let us play it around them. Very good second half, and 3 lovely finishes. COYH's
My big fear is that this transfer window could see us lose key players and a manager, it would be such a shame when they have gelled so well. Fantastic performance today, felt like poo and had to drag my sorry 4rse off my sick bed to attend but soooo glad I did, celebrating goals is very theraputic. Just my opinion but my MOTM was Marriappa, he had Nugent in his pocket for the entire match.
My first game for 2 years, and I'm so glad I picked this game to go and see. The first half I don't think we played that well, but what a goal from Taylor! The second half we were a different team, we out played them in every part of the pitch, I think loach only had 2 saves all match. Sordells goal was very calmly slotted home and Grahams goal was good as well. Thats unbeaten in 6 games and 4 wins on the trot! Lets keep this up and who know maybe just maybe we can dream!
The first half was pretty drab up till Taylors cracker and from there we simply dominated. They couldn't get the ball off us in the 2nd half and our movement was just to much for them. Credit to Mutch who i thought was excellent today. 18th from bottom and 15 above the drop zone - only another 16 points needed
Missed the first goal as usual as I was beating the queue at the bar, it was quite strange hearing the roar of the crowd 4 seconds before it was shown on the TV's. What a goal though from Taylor! Second half we simply took the pee and restricted them to long range efforts. I'd be pretty annoyed right now if I was a Pompey fan. The 1500 or so they brought up made a decent amount of noise yet their team simply couldn't be bothered after 15 minutes or so. From that point there was only one winner, I couldn't see Portsmouth scoring if we were still playing now. I said to the boys that this was as good and consistent a performance as I'd seen all season, they said the Cardiff match was way better! Great game topped off by Harry getting a bo**ocking from the ref. Maybe we should enjoy this golden period, it can't get any better than this can it?
Anybody notice that for Pompey's first corner one of their player's ran over to the coach, had a swig from a water bottle, then as the short corner was taken, immediately ran unmarked into position on the edge of the area to take a pass. It looked like a rehearsed move to me.
Good call mate, I thought Mariappa was different class tonight. He's really matured as a player. Mutch's pass for Graham's goal was immense, as was the second goal...great ball from DG, good run from Sords, and a really calm finish. I genuinely thought he was going to miss it.
Was JE definitely injured, or just being given a bit less match time in view of another game within 48 hrs? The OS report is vague as to whether he was injured.
Brilliant game. First half was average, nothing really happened apart from Taylors bullet. Second half we completley dominated and all our goals were brilliantly taken. My stand out players were Mariappa and A.Taylor. Superb, kept Nugent under control and made Portsmouth look ****. Now into 6th and we have atleast 1 game in hand over every team above and nice to see Graham joint top goal scorer. COYH.
It won't last of course - but right now it's pretty remarkable. 4 wins on the trot - bet we'll lose at Scunny now and then in the cup. Personally I'm still looking at the 52. Especially because January can turn out really horrible. Odd to go into a window and have as hope to just keep what you have. That must be a good sign.
My first game since August and another great all round performance from us! Also took my lady friend with me today to her first ever match and she loved it. Some of my observations: John Utaka is a c*nt and thinks he is far, far better than he really is. Buckley definitely has huge potential and looks like if he fancies it he'll tear any team in this league apart. Good to finally have a winger with electric pace that's always willing to run at defenders. Doyley will never stop making me feel nervous. Andy Taylor is the best left back we've had in year, and we should do everything we can to keep him here. Am I also right in thinking 6 months before the end of his deal he is free to talk to other clubs? Great goal as well. Graham is an absolute work horse and has become one of if not the best striker in the division, I really hope we're not silly enough to let him go this month. Mariappa and Taylor looked the most solid I've ever seen them together. If we don't lose anyone important in January or if we're lucky enough to actually strengthen we are capable of pushing for the play offs.
brilliant game and loved every moment of it. thought for the most part that the atmosphere was better than i have seen at the vic in quite a while. however didn't see the sending off, so had a look again when we got home. its quite funny if you watch taylor he gets up, gets 'nutted' for lack of a better word and walks off. as he is walking off up the pitch he is saying the words 'you're off for that, im telling you!' sure enough when he hears the fans cheer he just smiles and walks off up the pitch. have to say what on earth was halford thinking? stupid thick ****.
I imagine they're trying to keep it under their hats if he's touch and go as we're playing again on Monday. He definitely signalled to say he wanted to come off. I think he pointed to one of his calves, can't recall which.
Was a soft red card tbh, but shouldnt of been done anyway. Fair play to Taylor for not diving on the floor like most premiership players would of done.
I love it when we play like this! The team also seem incredibly close knit and together, on sky it looked like Malky and the boys were having a right ol' laugh out there. Wish I could've been there.
Excellent performance, took our goals very well and restricted Pompey to long range efforts which were never going to get anywhere. Hopefully we can hold onto Graham and Loach this month, aswell as sorting out extensions on the Mutch/Taylor loans.
I cant see us holding onto mutch I was reading on the os that brum have told us that they will be calling him back. I hope boro wasn't watching otherwise they will be calling him back too!
I saw a bad tackle come in from Halford, Taylor got up and Halford squared up to him. Is that normal? foul a guy then have a go at him??! total stupidity from Pompey although I think to a point they got very frustrated with us running rings round them. Defence looked so comfortable, Doyley had a good game despite a couple of odd passes, Buckley, Cowie, Eustace and Mutch (and Jenkins) were everywhere and Sordell and Graham looked dangerous individually and as a pair. 3 brilliant goals. Its a massive understatement to say its fun to be watching us right now.
They are dragging Mutch back to extend his contract. Soon as that' done I think he'll be back. As for Taylor - Boro have two other specialist left backs, one of which is more or less Mowbray's "invention" so AT may be surplus.
joint top scorers in the league +11 goals difference...not bad for relegation candidates Half way point, 36 points (double that and according to previous seasons will see us in the play offs) Never a dull moment being a watford fan !
Tends to be 73/74ish. There have been some seasons with less though. Extended highlights on the FL Show tonight
Looking forward to the extended highlights on the FLS. Looked like a comfortable win which is brilliant for the winter part of the season
