Results
Peterborough 4 - 2 Portsmouth
Abysmal game. Poor defending in every aspect. Torn apart by through balls and crosses combined.
Ashley Harris again with a fantastic long range strike and Michalik from a corner provided us with our two goals.
We showed glimpses of quality on the ball, and again showed our ability to pass and get the ball forward effectively, but our defending needs to be sorted out ASAP, need to come up with drastic changes in our defensive third of the pitch.
I will be considering changing all of my training to defensive for the time being, even though the board have asked specifically for Attacking football; I just don't think I can realistically deliver on that front if they want us to stay up, let along challenge for anything else in this league.
Havant & Waterlooville 0 - 3 Portsmouth
Not a bad result, however they are a Blue Square League Team, which isn't even close to being a challenge. However a 3-0 win is great for Morale within the team, and a fantastic runout for all players involved.
Piquionne picked up two goals and Ashley Harris with a Goal as well.
Harris is rapidly becoming my favorite player for Pompey and is likely going to be starting most matches in the upcoming season, considering him being my Number 8 considering the way he is currently playing.
Portsmouth 0 - 1 Blackburn
Pretty decent result against a much stronger team.
We did not get bullied, we didn't get pushed around and we didn't let them control the whole game.
The fact we only conceded one goal is a huge success in my eyes, especially against a Championship side who are odds on for getting that all important promotion.
McLeod however did have two glorious chances which he squandered... This didn't please me and I am now beginning to question whether or not I will be renewing his contract when it's up in around 3 months; Unless he can drastically improve his form and start scoring some goals.
Portsmouth 2 - 2 Leicester
Good game against a Mid-Table Championship side. We showed decent technique infront of goal, great ball movement around the edge of the box which is very promising.
Our two goals came from Darel Russell and Tom Thorpe, both decent goals, but I won't be expecting goals galore from either of these players throughout the season, so I won't be reading into their goals too much.
Defensively could have played better, but the fact of the matter is we didn't lose against a team in a division higher than ourselves when we are in complete turmoil. Good game.
Yeovil 0 - 1 Portsmouth
Capital One Cup 1st Round
FANTASTIC GAME! Absolutely sublime performance put in by every single player.
We went out and dominated the game from start to finish & the fact we were away from home made this victory even better and the performance even more amazing.
We kept Yeovil in their own half almost all game, we continuously pressured their players which lead to mistakes by them and constantly giving up possession back to us.
Adam Coombes with the goal; Dalla Valle had the initial shot which was saved and spilled into the path of Coombes, who from a tight angle managed to smuggle the ball into the back of the net.
Signings
Frederic Piquionne!
Ex-pompey player Frederic Piquionne has agree'd a season long loan with us! Fantastic capture for us for the season, absolutely stunning ability for League 1 and I am hoping he will grab around 15 goals for us this season.
He still loves the club which I am hoping with spur him on to go on and help us gain as high-a league place as possible.
Will be looking for him to lead out front line this season.
Lauri Dalla Valle
High Finishing, Extremely High Determination, decent work rate and high composure. This kid is everything I am currently looking for in a striker.
He will be with us for the short period of 3 months, however I am hoping he can make a big contribution in a small amount of time.
Korey Smith
Strong stats right across the board with this player.
He does not look like he is going to excel in a single area of his gameplay, but instead looks to be a player who can sit in the pocket of the midfield and distribute the ball well.
My aim for hi, is to produce assists and decent through balls which will trouble the defence and allow our more attacking inclined players to latch onto the ball and cause problems.
Adam Coombes
Coombes is a quick player who is able to run at the defence and cause problems and drag players out of position which obviously makes holes and allows chances for other players to get in and bang the ball into the back of the net.
Thinking of playing Coombes as a Trequartiesta style player which I am hoping will suit him, considering he will only be with us for again the short time of three months.
Daniel Devine!
Decent looking youngster scouted on Trial Day.
Promising stats for a defender, including positioning and anticipation.
Unfortunately composure and concentration aren't in double figures, however I am hoping this will be made up in other key areas of his play.
We will have to wait and see...
Departures
For the time being I doubt their will be any further departures from the club due to the lack of funds currently available to me and the fact I think I am going to need all the help I can get; Players and staff included in that statement.