x

Saints At Bournemouth The Verdict

A massive three points.

To be perfectly blunt Saints were awful for much of the match, but dug in and got their rewards, to start on the down sides of the game, defensively we were awful, Bournemouth came at us as we knew they would and got an early goal, but as bad as we were we held our shape and got back in the game quickly courtesy of an awful goalkeeping error.

The problem was Saints at the back struggled to clear the ball and when they did it was often just hoofed to nowhere rather than passed, of the back four only Danny Butterfield played with any composure, Fonte seems a shadow of his former self and quite frankly was extremely lucky not to concede a penalty, the referee being the only person in the ground who didnt think it was, Rickie Lambert was abysmal, his free kick goal was just about the only positive thing he did all day.

But the main thing was to get three points and the result will be remembered long after the manner in which it was gained forgotten, this makes it three wins in a row and gives us a great platform on which to build, this was our most difficult game so far this season and we won it.

Now we have to continue this run and not only make it four out of four on Saturday but five out of five and so on, we know the potential of the team, we know they are not playing well, so what must frighten our opponents most is the fact that when we do get into gear there is no reasosn why we cant cruise to automatic promotion, although it wont be easy we now have to be focussed, Peterborough and Huddersfield each have a difficult away trip on Tuesday we need to bide our time, win our games and accept that our rivals will win the games that they should do but everyone they dont is a step forward.

As for Bournemouth, they have seen their season collapse in the space of four days, after an 11 match unbeaten spell they have dropped from 2nd to fifth and to be frank with a difficult trip to Carlisle next Saturday they could find themselves under threat from not only MK Dons but Leyton Orient for a play off spot.       

What to read next:

Atkinson, Shaughnessy and Lang updates issued by Pompey boss - and it's mixed news
John Mousinho believes Rob Atkinson can play in one of Pompey's vital Easter games. And Conor Shaughnessy may be ready to make an apperance over the Blues' final two games after that.
Destiny in our hands: Mousinho relishes Fratton return for Derby clash
It feels like every time a home game comes round, there's pressure on Pompey to win it.
Fans will remember only one thing about Pompey v Blackburn, so let's have a repeat at Millwall
Pompey's clash with Blackburn was no classic - far from it in fact. But Connor Ogilvie won't mind if this weekend's clash at Millwall is similarly poor fare to watch - as long as the result is the same.
Pompey set to try yet another centre-half combination against Blackburn
Alexander Milosevic is in line to become the latest in a long line of players this season to appear in the centre of Pompey's defence when the Blues welcome Blackburn to Fratton Park on Saturday.
Another preposterous Pompey week: Results were so unlikely they were likely
I am blaming the little green men. And I don't mean the chaps in Plymouth Argyle shirts. No, it's the Martians. It's their fault.
Portsmouth 1 - 2 Plymouth Argyle - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Portsmouth 1 - 0 Leeds United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Pompey fans can have their say on wide range of Fratton issues
The Pompey Supporters’ Trust have launched their latest annual supporter survey and are urging fans to give their opinions on a range of topics.
Massive threat - Pompey boss recommends ignoring Luton's league position
They may be out of form - but John Mousinho is not reading anything into the recent form of Luton, Pompey's hosts this weekend.
Portsmouth 2 - 1 Queens Park Rangers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.