Tough one to call. If we had Watson, Inniss and Doughty available then I’d back us all day long but as Pompey are flying and injuries/suspensions are building for us, I find it tough to predict this game.
I’m hoping this is the game where Bowyer allows Maddison to start and get 60 minutes in the tank, he has to give him minutes at some point. Aneke could have come on Tuesday so he should be fine to get 60 minutes before his scheduled swap with Bogle.
If we can maintain the same defensive rigour that’s been shown in previous games, I think we’ll have enough for all 3 points.
So try a formation we haven't tried before with players out of position... and a player returning from injury starting against one of our tougher opponents so far...
With so many players out, we should approach this game with a safety first approach. We should not start with any of the semi-fit players, Aneke, Maddison or unreliable ones like Williams. We have to be as solid and defensively strong as possible and bring on the flair players to try and win it if we are still level at 65 minutes. So Amos Matthews Gunter Famewo Purrington Shinnie Pratley Foster-Caskey Maatsen Bogle Washington
See Barker had only five minutes for U-18s in midweek. Will LB throw him into the mix?
Probably on the bench, but on previous showings he comes across as a dependable defender, and has an eye for goal, so yes should be included in the squad
Just looked up the Portsmouth local weather for tomorrow, heavy rain forecast from 8am to 2pm. I've no idea what the drainage there is like, possible postponement?
My first reaction was a postponement would be good for us, but i think now be best to get it played asap.
Just checked. According to the BBC the heavy rain is between 1pm and 3pm, then light rain. Can't see it being called off. We can still put out a decent side and have a decent chance of a result.
Tough one to call. If we had Watson, Inniss and Doughty available then I’d back us all day long but as Pompey are flying and injuries/suspensions are building for us, I find it tough to predict this game.
I’m hoping this is the game where Bowyer allows Maddison to start and get 60 minutes in the tank, he has to give him minutes at some point. Aneke could have come on Tuesday so he should be fine to get 60 minutes before his scheduled swap with Bogle.
If we can maintain the same defensive rigour that’s been shown in previous games, I think we’ll have enough for all 3 points.
So try a formation we haven't tried before with players out of position... and a player returning from injury starting against one of our tougher opponents so far...
It's certainly brave.
Not sure if you’ve been watching much of Lee Bowyers Charlton but 3-5-2 has been the played plenty of times. I know footballers are stereotypically thick but I think they’ll be able to figure it out, especially as Bowyer has mentioned he’s signed players that are able to play in this specific formation.
Which players are out of position? Pratley and Gunter? Bowyer has literally said they can play those roles no problem, although I would like to see them in their natural positions.
Talking about the weather tomorrow, if.....yes if we ever get to the Premier League, is it still compulsory to have underground heating, I mean ones that are connected to the pump. If so, would TS pay for this to be finished or RD?.........come to think of it, hopefully TS will have bought the ground and SL by then
I have no worries about Pratley playing centre half. It is a shame we miss him in midfield seeing as Watson is suspended, but a midfield of say JFC, Shinnie and Williams is probably as good as what any other league one club could put out. And there would be the calibre of Maddison and Levitt to come on too.
I think the combination of missing both at the same time makes it much more of an issue - If it was just Watson then the Back 4 is unaffected, and you just go with Pratley as the midfield grit, if it was just Inniss then you put Pratley at the back and Watson can do his normal job in front of the CBs, both means you lose that toughness in midfield OR you lose the experience at the back, both of which could lead to trouble for us
Three centre backs missing would stretch any side, thus I think we will struggle to keep another clean sheet. I think a more positive mindset will be the right approach tomorrow, we have the players to scare opponents
Portsmouth play progressive football. (They lump it up front), but they are good at it and all players invariably pass the ball forward. They do make lots of chances. Cannon is their play maker and if we can play him out of the game it would be huge.
They like to press and move the backs up. The long game means that they concede possession quite a lot. Beating Northampton 4-0 they only had 48% possession. They will kill us if we just give possession away.
High press is energy sapping and no team can keep that up. It also leaves gaps.
Real shame no fans can see this one. Think it will be tough and if we concede first I am not sure we will recover. Like to see Matthews start, very sad about Doughty. 2-0 to Portsmouth but the games are coming thick and fast and we will recover.
Take a draw. Hope Chuks starts and also Maddison. If we win this to to make it 5 wins in a row, I think I will get carried away! 1-1. Maddison screamer from 25 yards. Come on Charlton!
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2639996
It's certainly brave.
So
Amos
Matthews Gunter Famewo Purrington
Shinnie Pratley Foster-Caskey Maatsen
Bogle Washington
Smyth/Maddison /Aneke/ on if we can win it late
as a dependable defender, and has an eye for goal, so yes should
be included in the squad
I've no idea what the drainage there is like, possible postponement?
My first reaction was a postponement would be good for us, but i think now be best to get it played asap.
Can we hold out without the monster?
Can we score against a decent team?
If I knew the answers to those questions, I’d be down the bookies in a flash.
They will kill us if we just give possession away.
A back three? In Bows we trust!
Is that usual for us?
1905: The Preview Show | Portsmouth (a)
I think we might surprise a few people with a win at Pompey and really begin to make others feel uncomfortable knowing we're playing then soon.
Fitness is the key. Gotta stop picking up injuries.
Mad Frankis Innis is a big loss.
LB will play it very safe in his absence.
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