In my first venture to Fratton Park in almost half a season, I was eager to see what had changed since I was last treated to a Pompey home game. That time, I saw them overturn Bristol City three-one in an immensely entertaining game - John Utaka scored a fine individual effort, Aaron Mokoena restored the lead with a thumping header and Hayden Mullins sealed a good win in the dying moments. Great entertainment, and a good win for the Blues that finally lifted them out of the relegation zone after a disastrous early season run of form. So has much changed?
Well for a start, a few lads have come and gone. Goalscorer John Utaka has since been shipped back to France to earn a few pennies for us, the Nigerian was out of contract at the end of the season and an understandable sacrifice for the club to make. Also, youngster Matt Ritchie came on as a substitute that night and he has also been sacrificied; I won't be alone in being a bit disheartened by this, a promising young player being sold to Swindon Town, but it seems Cotterill didn't have his faith in the winger. Also, Michael Brown is tied by contract in football purgatory.
But it is a much stronger Pompey side that faced Scunthorpe last night. Add in the loan additions of Greg Halford, Ritchie De Laet, Jonathan Hogg and David Cotterill, plus the bonus of Hermann Hreidarsson's return from injury, and we are much more formidable prospect. David Nugent and Jamie Ashdown are easily in the best form of their Pompey careers, while Ricardo Rocha has staked his claim as our most consistent defender. Also, factor in a rollercoaster season of winning streaks and losing runs, and where does that get us?
We actually played a lot worse against Scunthorpe United than we did against Bristol City. In September, it was an open game with a lot of attacking play and a great watch. The first half against the Iron was poor - very poor from a home point of view when you consider the away side dominated and had a seemingly good goal chalked off for ... I don't know. Nwankwo Kanu was well off the pace and everyone was trying hard but nothing was coming off.
second half was much better - a pitch watering at half-time seemed to pep the field up a bit and we attacked with a bit more drive and determination. Jonathan Hogg, probably my man of the match, kept on going, while the right-sided 'dream team' of Ritchie De Laet and David Cotterill was always a dangerous outlet. It took a moment of inspiration from captain Dave Kitson to break open a stubborn Scunthorpe side; cutting in from the left wing and thundering a finish into the bottom corner. From then on, a new Pompey resolve meant they were always likely to see the game out - Aaron Mokoena's deflected drive making sure of that.
But I felt Steve Cotterill could have done things a bit differently to make the cold, cold night go a bit better, although he was missing some key men. Nwankwo Kanu is an impact sub for the Blues now - he cannot have the same domination on the pitch from the start and needs to be used sparingly to get the best out of him. Admittedly, the reason he was included was due to the absence of Liam Lawrence and player-of-the-season Joel Ward, while unsung hero Hayden Mullins only lasted twenty-two minutes as the threadbare squad is stretched to its limits. But there seems to be a new impetus in the side, and the luck has changed.
Promotion would be the most awkwardly brilliant outcome. From financial oblivion to promotion contenders is a massive leap, and one that is too much for this club this season. I would love to see the club in the play-offs - with something to play for right up until the end of the campaign would keep the lads focused and give us a key indication of what we can hope for in the future. If we can keep our good players (Nugent's contract situation hangs over this), get the services of some of our loanees on a permanent basis and factor in a few more additions, we can be optimistic when looking into the future. And it seems like a long time since that's been the case.
Play Up Pompey.
NWR
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