Pompey FC: Found Our Feet

by Alex Gibson

So after a somewhat shaky and unnerving start, Portsmouth have seem to have found a solid foothold in League One and, after Saturday’s 1-0 win against Plymouth Argyle, who Pompey beat to the League Two trophy on the final day of last season, find themselves just outside of the play-offs in seventh position. However, and perhaps most importantly, a consistency in terms of tactics and team selection has now been discovered.

The opening part of the season was one of mixed emotions for the Portsmouth fans, with a pattern emerging of WLWL with the occasional draw (the Wigan game turning out to be a good point for Pompey). In addition, there seemed to be a lack of consistency in terms of tactics, with the formation being altered five times in the opening five league matches. This came as a shock to many of the Fratton Park faithful, who were used to Paul Cook’s team of the 2016/17 season that almost picked itself and not this new squad under Kenny Jackett who struggled to adapt to new tactics in the opening fixtures and failed at playing out from the back. Not only was the team’s shape cause for controversy in the opening months, but it was the selected personnel as well. Numerous fans expressed their confusion as to why some of last season’s stars (Gareth Evans, Danny Rose and Kal Naismith) were not being selected or even brought off the bench. Injuries were also becoming a common occurrence, especially in defence, as two left-backs (Tareiq Holmes-Dennis and Damien McCrory) who were both summer signings, being side-lined within their first games, with Holmes-Dennis (a Huddersfield loanee) being ruled out for the season after suffering an injury during the opening half of his first competitive Portsmouth game. This was in addition to academy graduate Jack Whatmough being out for another long spell. This led to dramatic circumstances, with deadline day signing, Oliver Hawkins, being asked to play centre-back as opposed to centre-forward.

After a poor run of games at the end of October and early November, including an FA cup loss to League Two Luton Town, rumblings of discontent could be felt throughout the fans, but thankfully, there was a turning point – away to Charlton Athletic in the EFL trophy (Checkatrade Trophy). Most definitely not an inspired performance by the south coast side during the 1-0 win, but an opportunity for the likes of Naismith and Rose to show Jackett their clear ability and why they should start every week. These two have started ever since and have most definitely contributed to the three wins from four matches. This was epitomised during the Plymouth game, where Naismith scored from what can only be described as a dreadful bit of play from the Argyle goalkeeper and Danny Rose achieved man-of-the-match for another terrific display in central midfield, winning the ball and helping the team go forward.

In addition to these two, there have been a number of unlikely heroes in the current Portsmouth side. 21-year-old Ben Close is clearly one favoured by Jackett, playing a key part in midfield for a large portion of the season, coming into his own in recent games alongside Rose, acting as the midfield ‘general’ – picking the ball up from defence and bringing it out into space. Oliver Hawkins, signed in the summer, has done fantastically well when asked to play out of position at centre-half, winning almost everything in the air. Jamal Lowe too, the player who was signed from non-league Hampton & Richmond Borough less than a year ago, had an electrifying start to the season down the right-hand side, using his pace to full effect. Admittedly, he has suffered a quiet few games recently, but was at it again on Saturday in the opening quarter, causing havoc down Plymouth’s right and linking up well with Brandon Haunstrup (who also had a very positive game) as well as the rest of the attacking force.

If you’re a Portsmouth fan, you’ll know there’s one very big player I’m missing out, and rest assured, I’ve saved him until last. Brett Pitman. ‘Pitman the Hitman’ as he is being branded on social media. When first signed in the summer, no one knew the sort of impact he would make. Despite missing several games through injury (including the recent encounter with Plymouth) he has managed 12 league goals currently, the second highest in the division. Despite not appearing as a natural goalscorer, somewhat short and lacking in pace, he has come to the aid of Portsmouth time and time again becoming what appears to be a valuable asset. I was somewhat skeptical of him playing due to the fact that one would imagine he lacks the pace to chase balls in behind or assist with the fluidity of our attack. However, I was wrong then and I am wrong now. If he scores us goals and wins us matches, who am I to give him anything other than praise?

Overall, with the team we have started to stick with and the quality of players in the side, I hope that we can become more consistent with our results (especially away from home) and carry on what has most definitely not been a dreadful campaign thus far. In my eyes, the future is bright – Fratton Park continues to be sold out, the new owners appear very engaged in the club and the team are winning. Very few people expected that we would be near the play-offs come the end of the season, myself included. But if we keep winning games, which we must do, especially during the busy festive period, why can’t we aim high? In the meantime, PLAY UP POMPEY!