Lee Bowyer's search for some consistency in performances is not being matched by a consistency in team selection. Liam Millar became the latest man-of-the-match winner to find himself sitting on the bench for the following game as Bowyer again tinkered with his side.
Not so surprisingly, neither of the new signings featured but Jason Stockley did start up front with Ronnie Schwartz. Maatsen was back at left-back but didn't put in a shift of someone that relieved to be back and determined not to miss the next team selection. Matthews, Gunter and Oshilaja joined him in a backline but it was the midfield that once again let us down in the sense that they couldn't get hold of midfield and enabled Pompey to continue to get forward.
Jacobs pounced on a Naylor ball after Amos had punched clear to open the scoring and for the sixth successive home game we went in losing at half-time. I am certain that we wouldn't have suffered like this had crowds been allowed in at these games. The howl of disapproval would by now have players full attention and focus. Who knows, we might even have prioritised our attacking game...
As it was we drew level shortly after the re-start with a peach of a header from Jason Stockley which he thumped home courtesy of the post and the only route to goal that would have beaten McGillvaray. You thought we might then go on to tie things up but Pompey were allowed to continue to play through us and it was no surprise when Naylor header home largely unopposed in the middle of our six yard box. The introduction of Anneke couldn't stem the tide and a third Pompey goal ended the contest.
It's hard to take when you can see questionable team selections that don't subsequently work out and tactical formations or changes that don't do it either. However, as I said on Monday night, I think we have improved the quality of our options in midfield and upfront and that should pay dividends.
We also need to work on finding our best eleven and trying to stick as closely with them as possible. A side that plays well and wins, needs to be sown some faith. Similarly, players who have bona fide stinkers, should be dropped until they are busting a gut to get back in the side. Walking back in and doing nothing a la Gilbey the other week is simply not good enough and can't be tolerated - he better not appear on Saturday or they will hear me from London.
The back four has also been a glaring issue without Inniss and Famewo. Some fans were calling out our failure to sign a centre-half in the window but I do agree with Bowyer that with Famewo possibly back on Saturday, that problem should ease measurably until Inniss can restart. The facts are that our fit midfield options haven't been good enough to consistently hold the opposition or create enough upfront. Allowing 20-minuter Jonny Williams to leave was probably the right move and sending Maddison packing certainly was. Diallang Jaiyesimi is an exciting young prospect like Liam Millar and the pair should begin to provide a consistent threat which we now have a stable of forwards to aim for. All I know about Matt Smith is that he is an Arsenal youngster and that should be good enough, even if Dylan Levitt from Manchester United wasn't.
I will put my head above the parapet here and say I am expecting an improved points haul from the next six games of between 11 and 15. If we can do that and see Inniss ready to return, we might just catch the play-off bus with a bit of momentum. How are Sunderland doing by the way?
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