Wed. 01 February, 2017
Rwakarambwe Wants Out
Disappointing news as Fahad Rwakarambwe has asked for a transfer out of the club. He's been with us since League 2.
I've accepted it, because we'll need better players to really achieve what we want anyway.
Board Confidence
The board is delighted with the way I am leading the team. Their fantastic overall performance in the Premier League has been a highlight.
However, they are disappointed with the Adam Reach signing. Hopefully Ferreira Carrasco is the answer on the left wing.
FA Cup Third Round Replay
Barnsley Knock Pompey Out
Portsmouth 1 – 2 Barnsley
Portsmouth are in a 4-5-1: van Crooy, Bidwell, Miquel, Ilori, Byram, Fernandez, Muntari, Lucas, Scannell, Ravel, Eskilsson
Barnsley are in a 4-4-2: Steele, Golbourne, Turnbull, Butcher, Cranie, Morris, Pearson, Newton, Wright, Vaughn, Morales
We are 1-1-2 against Barnsley all time. I tell the boys that nothing but a win is acceptable tonight.
22 – James Vaughn loops an effort over goal. At the other end, Ravel loops a cross into Steele's arms.
28 – Pearson has two great attempts at goal, but van Crooy is up to the task on both occasions.
45 – Halftime. Still looking for a goal. We're better than this again a team in a league below us.
59 –
GOAL! Morales takes the cross from Morris and taps past van Crooy!
63 – Changes. Muntari, Scannell and Eskilsson are off for Rwakarambwe, Lalkovic and Harris.
74 – Miquel heads over, so close.
84 –
GOAL! Calum Butcher puts it away and Barnsley should be moving on from here.
90 + 2 –
GOAL! Merely consolation as Rwakarambwe blasts it past Steele.
Full time. Pretty embarrassing performance to be honest. Byram was excellent, everybody else was average or worse. These are teams we have to beat.
Fernandez Suspended
Hugo Fernandez has picked up an automatic two match suspension after collecting his tenth yellow card.
Sun. 05 February, 2017
Barclays Premier league Match Day #25
Brilliant Defending Earns Pompey a Point
(5) Portsmouth 1 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur (7)
Portsmouth are in a 4-5-1: van Crooy, Butler, Webster, Ilori, Byram, Muntari, Wallace, Rwakarambwe, Ferreira Carrasco, Lalkovic, Eskilsson
Spurs are in a 4-2-3-1: Lloris, Vertonghen, Brothers, Romeu, Coleman, Sandro, Paulinho, Yarmolenko, Eriksen, Lamela, Tol
Of course Fernandez is suspended when we have two games in three days.
2 –
GOAL! Paulinho from the top right of the box finds the left corner of goal with a great shot.
14 – Paulinho's headed effort goes just wide. We're under a lot of duress.
40 – Webster has made a bunch of clearances off the line today.
45 – We've been backed up in our own third all afternoon. Hopefully we can turn that tide a little.
55 – Eskilsson bursts into the box, but fires straight at Lloris.
63 – Muntari, Lalkovic and Ferreira Carrasco will come off for Lucas, Ravel and Scannell.
64 –
GOAL! Instant result from the subs! Scannell crosses in and Eskilsson beats Lloris with the volley!
88 - We are currently weathering a 25 minute long storm at our end of the pitch.
90 – Full time. Great point, all four defenders were over an 8, Byram led the pack at 9.1. van Crooy was a 7.9 he was fantastic. Tons of acrobatic and difficult saves. Ravel and Scannell were very good after coming on. Eskilsson continues to impress.
Tue. 07 February, 2017
Team of the Week
Delano van Crooy, Sam Byram and Andreas Eskilsson have been named to the Premier League Team of the Week.
Wed. 08 February, 2017
Barclays Premier League Match Day #26
Tractor Boys and Pompey in Six Goal Thriller
(15) Ipswich Town 3 – 3 Portsmouth (5)
Ipswich are in a 4-4-2: Loacj. Husband, Smith, Taylor, Hateley, Galindo, Hyam, Medo, Power, Ings, Marshall
Portsmouth are in a 4-5-1: van Crooy, Bidwell, Miquel, Ilori, Byram, Yilmaz, Muntari, Lucas, Scannell, Ravel, Eskilsson
7 –
GOAL! Ben Marshall dribbles past Miquel and rips the shot past van Crooy.
22 –
GOAL! Disaster for van Crooy. He heads to clear, but Ings runs onto it unopposed and lobs it over van Crooy's head. Horrible goal to allow.
39 –
GOAL! Ravel crosses in for the post and Eskilsson is there to head it home!
42 –
GOAL! This time Eskilsson crosses for the center of the box and Ravel is there to pass it behind Loach!
45 + 3 –
GOAL! Luke Hyam from the Ipswich corner. He blasts it behind van Crooy.
Halftime. What a ridiculous half. We may be able to take something from this yet.
53 – Bidwell and Ilori will come off for Butler and Webster.
69 –
GOAL! Eskilsson with the equalizer! Scannell fires at goal, but it deflects off a defender and onto the Swede's foot! His 10th of the year!
82 – Rwakarambwe will replace Muntari.
90 – Full time. We'll take the point and run on this one. Ravel was an 8.8, Eskilsson a 9.1. These two are making things happen for us.
Tue. 14 February, 2017
Team of the Week
Andreas Eskilsson was selected in the Premier League Team of the Week.