Portsmouth fan Tom Chappell gives his assessment of Saturday's 1-0 home win over high-flying Middlesbrough.
Saturday was easily Portsmouth's best win of the season, and perhaps a show of faith to ourselves that we are a team. Not only capable of going toe-to-toe with some of the division's best, but also the ability to go one better and beat them.
At last, Pompey's season may well have officially begun, via the medium of a result and performance that was overdue, particularly at Fratton Park.
Pompey grew into the first half nicely. Whilst Middlesbrough were early off the blocks, we dealt with the pressure suitably, and once we scored, looked the better side until half-time.
When a side flying at the top of the division visits, there is always going to be moments of pressure and spells of stress - but I felt we dealt with that sternly, and were defensively excellent.
Any interjections keeper Josef Bursik had to make were measured and well-timed, without him really needing to be properly relied upon. Regan Poole and Josh Knight have devised a strong centre-back partnership in no time. And it was another strong day for full-backs Jordan Williams and Connor Ogilvie.
Marlon Pack provided another elegant, professional display in midfield - his talent for playing a pass over the top, cutting out four players, and immediately placing Pompey on the front foot is remarkable. Many will be calling on John Swift for a bit more by way of input, but it is important to say that his performance dramatically improved from that of Wednesday night in the draw against Watford.
Colby Bishop had a proper task against some of the division's most experienced defensive operators, and I am convinced that very soon Conor Chaplin's second Pompey stint will click into gear. He very nearly scored twice on Saturday.
Yang Min-hyeok's winner was struck with such finesse and accuracy. He has got a natural eye for the back of the net, and his return for goals this week demonstrates that. Another gem of a player that, if provided time, could prove to be a real difference-maker for Pompey this season.
This is all with the underscore that Josh Murphy, Callum Lang and Conor Shaughnessy will all (some sooner rather than later) return, and be ready for involvement once more.
Pompey did what Pompey often do. When you least expect a big result such as Saturday, we have a tendency to pull it out of the bag. There certainly will not have been many expecting Saturday's result pre-game, even more so given the manner in which it came.
And just to close, a word on some upsetting news after the game. Milan Mandaric was one of the greatest custodians of Portsmouth Football Club, and to hear of his passing is incredibly sad.
'He woke us up and even took us up' - there's only one Milan.
Category: General Sports
